Dictionary — Entry No. 0332
기다려
gidaryeo · verb
기다려
gidaryeo
[gi-DA-ryuh]
verbbeginner
Meaning
An informal imperative meaning ‘wait’ or an expression of devotion meaning ‘I’ll wait for you,’ from the verb ‘기다리다 (gidari-da — to wait).’ In Korean culture, faithfully waiting for someone represents one of the deepest forms of love and loyalty.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
EXO’s ballad ‘Wait’ (기다리다, 2018) captures the aching devotion of waiting across distance and time — a theme that resonates deeply throughout K-Drama romance. Characters who wait faithfully through illness, military service, or separation consistently become the most beloved figures in fan communities.
Example Sentences
기다려! 나도 같이 갈게.
Gidaryeo! Nado gachi galge.
Wait! I’ll go with you too. (urgent shout called after someone already leaving)
조금만 기다려. 금방 올게.
Jogeumman gidaryeo. Geumbang olge.
Wait just a little. I’ll be right back. (reassuring, gentle — promises a quick return)
나 기다려줄 수 있어?
Na gidaryeojul su isseo?
Can you wait for me? (vulnerable and romantic — asking for patience and lasting loyalty)
⚠️ Don’t use gidaryeo when…
Using informal ‘기다려 (gidaryeo)’ with strangers, bosses, or anyone older than you sounds rude — use ‘기다려 주세요 (gidaryeo juseyo)’ or ‘기다리세요 (gidariseyo)’ in polite situations. The same phrase with rising intonation becomes a question (‘Are you waiting?’) — tone and context completely change the meaning.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: My Love from the Star — alien professor Do Min-joon waits centuries across lifetimes for Cheon Song-yi, making ‘기다려’ the emotional heartbeat of the entire drama’s romantic arc.
- K-Pop: EXO — ‘Wait’ (기다리다, 2018) — a sweeping ballad about devotedly waiting for a loved one, released as a heartfelt gift to EXO-L fans during a period of member military enlistments.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.