Is Your MBTI Set in Stone? Let’s Debate in Korean!
Hello! This is Maeil Hangul (Daily Korean), here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever taken a personality test like the MBTI? It can be fun to discover your “type,” but it also brings up a fascinating question: Can people truly change? Today, we’re going to learn how to discuss this very topic in Korean!
These days in Korea, everyone from K-pop idols to new friends is talking about their MBTI. It’s a huge cultural trend! So, learning to share your opinion on whether personality is fixed or flexible is a perfect way to have deeper, more interesting conversations with your Korean friends. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Your Personality Debate
Here are four essential phrases you’ll need to sound like a natural.
1. -(는) 편이다 (neun pyeonida)
- English Meaning: tends to be / is on the side of
- Detailed Explanation: This is a fantastic way to describe personality traits without being too absolute. Instead of saying “I am an introvert” (저는 내성적이에요), which can sound very strong, you can say “I tend to be an introvert” (저는 내성적인 편이에요). It sounds much softer and more natural in conversation. You use -은/ㄴ 편이다 with adjectives and -는 편이다 with verbs.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
When you say 편이에요 [pyeonieyo], the final ‘ㄴ’ (n) sound of ‘편’ links to the ‘이에요’ that follows. So, instead of a choppy “pyeon-i-e-yo,” it flows smoothly into [pyeonieyo]. This linking rule, called 연음 (yeon-eum), is key to sounding natural!
2. -(으)ㄴ/는 반면에 (eun/neun banmyeone)
- English Meaning: on the other hand / whereas
- Detailed Explanation: This is your go-to grammar for creating contrast, which is essential in any debate! Use it to connect two opposing ideas in one sentence. Use -은/ㄴ 반면에 for adjectives and -는 반면에 for verbs.
- Example: “제 동생은 외향적인 반면에 저는 조용해요.” (My younger sibling is extroverted, whereas I am quiet.)
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The pronunciation of 반면에 is quite straightforward: [banmyeone]. Just focus on saying each syllable clearly. Notice how the ‘ㄴ’ (n) in ‘반’ and the ‘ㅁ’ (m) in ‘면’ are both nasal sounds, which helps the phrase flow nicely.
3. -에 달려 있다 (e dallyeo itda)
- English Meaning: it depends on…
- Detailed Explanation: No debate is complete without this phrase! When the answer isn’t a simple “yes” or “no,” you can use this expression to add nuance. Simply attach it to a noun.
- Example: “성격은 상황에 달려 있다고 생각해요.” (I think personality depends on the situation.)
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The key here is the ‘ㄹㄹ’ in 달려 [dallyeo]. When ‘ㄹ’ is doubled like this, it’s pronounced as a clear, crisp ‘L’ sound, not a tapped ‘R’ sound. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth right behind your teeth, just like for the English ‘L’. Compare it to the single ‘ㄹ’ in 사람 [saram], which is a lighter tap.
4. -기 마련이다 (gi maryeonida)
- English Meaning: is bound to… / it’s natural that…
- Detailed Explanation: This is a great B2-level expression that shows a deep understanding of the language. It expresses that something is a natural consequence or is inevitable. It’s stronger than saying something “can” happen; it implies it’s expected to happen.
- Example: “사람은 경험을 통해 바뀌기 마련이에요.” (People are bound to change through experience.)
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Let’s look at 바뀌기 [bakkwigi]. The ‘ㄲ’ (kk) is a tense consonant. This means you pronounce it with more tension in your throat and without a puff of air, making it a stronger, sharper sound than a regular ‘ㄱ’ (g/k). Try saying ‘가’ (ga) and then ‘까’ (kka) – feel the difference?
Example Dialogue: MBTI Talk!
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation about the latest K-drama hero’s personality!
A: 요즘 드라마 ‘선재 업고 튀어’ 봤어? 주인공 성격이 너무 매력적이야.
(Have you seen the drama ‘Lovely Runner’ lately? The main character’s personality is so charming.)
B: 응, 봤어! 류선재는 겉으로는 차가워 보이는 편인데, 속은 정말 따뜻한 것 같아.
(Yes, I have! Ryu Sun-jae tends to seem cold on the outside, but I think he’s really warm on the inside.)
A: 맞아. 어릴 때는 활발했던 반면에, 어른이 되면서 상처 때문에 과묵해졌지. 성격이 변한 걸까?
(Right. Whereas he was outgoing when he was young, he became quiet as an adult because of his trauma. Do you think his personality changed?)
B: 글쎄… 그건 어떤 경험을 하느냐에 달려 있다고 봐. 사람은 살면서 변하기 마련이잖아.
(Well… I think it depends on what experiences you have. People are bound to change as they live, you know.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, asking “MBTI가 뭐예요?” (What’s your MBTI?) is one of the most common icebreakers. It’s not just a personality test; it’s a social language. People use it to quickly understand others, find compatible friends, and even joke about stereotypes associated with each type.
You’ll often hear the word 과몰입 (gwamorip), which means “excessive immersion.” Koreans use this term playfully to describe someone who takes their MBTI type very seriously. For example, if an INFP friend is being particularly emotional, you might joke, “너 또 MBTI에 과몰입한다!” (You’re getting too immersed in your MBTI again!).
Knowing these expressions allows you to move beyond simply stating your MBTI type and engage in the deeper, more common conversations that Koreans are having about personality right now.
Let’s Practice!
Ready to test your new skills?
1. Fill in the blank:
저는 아침에는 조용한 ________, 저녁에는 활발해져요.
(I ______ quiet in the morning, but I become energetic in the evening.)
(Hint: Use the expression for contrast!)
2. Make a sentence:
Answer the following question using -에 달려 있다:
“좋은 친구는 어떤 사람이에요?” (What kind of person is a good friend?)
(Example Answer: 그건 가치관에 달려 있어요. – It depends on one’s values.)
Great job today! You’re now equipped to have a fascinating debate about personality with your Korean friends.
Now, it’s your turn! Do you think personality can change? Leave a comment below using one of the expressions you learned today!
