advanced
이야말로 (iyamallo) means "truly, indeed".
The very one / indeed.
Checked against the official learner dictionary from the National Institute of Korean Language
- 이야말로 iyamallo after a consonant, 야말로 yamallo after a vowel.
Build it
When to use it
The very one
This one, and nothing else.
Right back at you
저야말로 jeoyamallo in polite replies.
Now is the time
지금이야말로 jigeumiyamallo: "now, if ever".
Watch out
After a vowel, it's just 야말로 yamallo.
It replaces 은/는 eun/neun, so don't stack them.
In context
8 examples- 1
사랑이야말로 가장 소중해요.
Sarangiyamallo gajang sojunghaeyo.
Love indeed is the most precious thing.
- 2
너야말로 내 최고의 친구야.
Neoyamallo nae choegoui chinguya.
You are truly my best friend.
- 3
이 책이야말로 꼭 읽어야 할 책이에요.
I chaegiyamallo kkok ilgeoya hal chaegieyo.
This is the one book you really have to read.
- 4
나야말로 고마워.
Nayamallo gomawo.
No, I should be thanking you.
- 5
지금이야말로 여행 가기 좋은 때예요.
Jigeumiyamallo yeohaeng gagi joeun ttaeyeyo.
Now is the perfect time to travel.
- 6
그 사람이야말로 진짜 친구예요.
Geu saramiyamallo jinjja chinguyeyo.
He's what I call a real friend.
- 7
건강이야말로 제일 중요하죠.
Geongangiyamallo jeil jungyohajyo.
Health is what matters most.
- 8
저야말로 잘 부탁드립니다.
Jeoyamallo jal butakdeurimnida.
Likewise, I look forward to working with you.
Practice
8 questions저 + (이)야말로
The polite comeback
The most common everyday use is 저야말로 jeoyamallo, when someone thanks you or apologizes and you want to say "no, it's me who should":
- 와 주셔서 감사합니다. wa jusyeoseo gamsahamnida "Thank you for coming."
- 저야말로 초대해 주셔서 감사합니다. jeoyamallo chodaehae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida "No, thank you for inviting me."
Between friends, though, 너야말로 neoyamallo can be a jab, like "look who's talking":
- 너야말로 왜 늦었어? neoyamallo wae neujeosseo "Me? Why were you late?"
In writing and speeches
Outside of those replies, (이)야말로 is a strong, slightly formal word. You'll see it in essays, speeches and ads that want to say "this, above all":
- 교육이야말로 나라의 미래입니다. gyoyugiyamallo naraui miraeimnida "Education is truly the future of a country."
In casual talk about ordinary things, it can sound a bit dramatic.
Hanja in this lesson
Words from the examples that are written with Chinese characters. Tap a character to see its page.
Look it up in the dictionary
The entry for 이야말로 in two trusted Korean dictionaries.
