literally background

literally

/ˈlɪtəɹəli/ /ˈlɪ.ɾɚ.ə.li/

Illustration literally - Image 1

Illustration literally - Image 2

adverb

글자 그대로, 문자 그대로

Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor

Examples :

"When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan."

눈보라 때문에 내일 학교가 없다는 소식을 뉴스에서 봤을 때, 나는 말 그대로 기뻐서 뛰다가 천장 선풍기에 머리를 부딪혔다.

language word essential

Illustration literally - Image 1

adverb

말 그대로, 문자 그대로

(degree, contranym) Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)

Examples :

"He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air."

그는 너무 놀라서 말 그대로 6미터를 공중으로 뛰어올랐다.

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Illustration literally - Image 1

adverb

말 그대로, 문자 그대로

Used to intensify or dramatise non-figurative statements; tending towards a meaningless filler word in repeated use.

Examples :

"I had no idea, so I was literally guessing."

나는 전혀 몰라서 말 그대로 추측하고 있었다.

language word communication linguistics essential

Illustration literally - Image 1

adverb

그냥, 단지

Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.

Examples :

"My brother was literally just watching TV, not doing anything else. "

내 동생은 그냥 TV를 보고 있었을 뿐, 다른 건 아무것도 안 했어.

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