Korean poetry · 김소월
“나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 말없이 고이 보내드리오리다”
The most famous breakup lines in Korean poetry — quiet dignity, sorrow, and unconditional letting go.
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Video lesson
A short focused on the opening lines of 진달래꽃 — “나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 말없이 고이 보내드리오리다” — and what they mean in natural Korean.
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Full line & natural translation
나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는
말없이 고이 보내드리오리다
Romanization: na bogiga yeokgyeowo gasil ttae-eneun mareopssi go-i bonaedeuriorida
📚 Key Vocabulary
역겹다— to feel disgusted, repulsed
가실 때에는— when you (honorific) leave
말없이— without saying a word
고이— gently, carefully, tenderly
보내드리오리다— I will send you off (very formal/literary, vow-like)
👉 Natural English:
“If seeing me disgusts you and you decide to leave, I will send you off quietly and gently.”
You can also translate the second half more emotionally as:
“If you can’t stand the sight of me and choose to go, I’ll let you go in silence, as gently as I can.”
The speaker is being abandoned, but instead of pleading or blaming, they promise to send the other person off softly and without a word. That quiet self-restraint — loving someone enough to let them go kindly — is what makes this line so devastating.
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“나 보기가 역겨워” — if seeing me disgusts you
Key phrase
나 보기가 = the act of seeing me 역겨워 = (you) feel repulsed / disgusted
“나 보기가” is literally “the seeing of me.” It turns the act of looking at the speaker into a kind of object. “역겹다” is a strong word — not just mild dislike, but deep emotional aversion.
나 보기가 그렇게 역겨워요?
Is seeing me really that disgusting to you?
- The speaker assumes the worst: that their very presence makes the other person feel sick.
- This self-blaming tone is common in traditional Korean love poetry.
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“가실 때에는” — when you (honorific) leave
“가실” uses the honorific 시 (-시-) on 가다 (“to go”), which elevates the subject — the person who is leaving. Even though they’re abandoning the speaker, the speaker still speaks respectfully.
- 가시- (honorific stem) + -ㄹ 때 = when you go, when you leave
- Adding -에는 gives a gentle, slightly formal emphasis to the time frame: at the time when you leave.
가실 때에는 조심히 가세요.
When you leave, please go safely.
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“말없이 고이” — without a word, gently
Nuance check
말없이 = without saying anything 고이 = tenderly, carefully, gently (old-fashioned / literary)
The pain is there, but it’s quiet. “말없이” suggests no complaints, no begging, no drama. “고이” adds tenderness: the speaker will handle this goodbye as if handling something fragile.
- 말없이 = no outburst, no confrontation.
- 고이 = “gently, with care” — often used for laying something down, preserving something, or treating something delicately.
꽃을 고이 눕혀 두었다.
I laid the flowers down gently.
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“보내드리오리다” — an archaic vow to let you go
“보내드리오리다” is a very formal, archaic form. It combines:
- 보내다 = to send off, let go
- 드리- = humble auxiliary, lowering oneself
- -오리다 = old-fashioned future/intent ending (like “I shall…”)
So the speaker is essentially saying: “I, humbly, will send you off.” It’s a **vow** rather than a casual statement — a promise to behave with dignity, no matter how much it hurts.
기다리오리다 (old-fashioned)
I shall wait (for you).
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Why this line hurts more than shouting
Instead of accusing the other person — “Why are you leaving me?” — the speaker blames themselves and promises a gentle goodbye. That emotional self-control makes the sorrow feel even deeper.
- No anger → more heartbreak.
- Respectful honorifics even toward the one who leaves.
- A promise to be kind at the most painful moment.
Note: This quiet, self-sacrificing love is a recurring theme in 김소월’s poetry and in older Korean love songs.
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How Koreans actually use this line today
People quote this line when talking about breakups, one-sided love, or the idea of letting someone go without holding them back. It can be sincere or slightly dramatic/ironic, depending on tone.
완전 진달래꽃이야. 나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는… 이러면서 보내주는 느낌.
It’s totally like *Azaleas* — like, ‘If seeing me disgusts you and you’re leaving…’ and then you still let them go.
헤어질 때 이 시 생각났어요. 말없이 고이 보내드리오리다, 이런 마음.
When we broke up, I thought of this poem. That feeling of ‘I’ll just quietly and gently let you go.’
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Quick recap (EN)
- “나 보기가 역겨워” = The speaker assumes their very presence disgusts the other person.
- “가실 때에는” = Even as they leave, the speaker uses honorifics and respect.
- “말없이 고이 보내드리오리다” = A vow to send them off silently and gently, with self-restraint.
- Overall: It’s a poem about **dignified, self-effacing love** — choosing kindness at the moment of being left.
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Mini-quizMembers
What does “역겹다” most strongly express in this line?
True or false: “보내드리오리다” is a casual modern way to say “I’ll send you off.”
Which translation best captures the feeling of the whole line?
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Beginner tips (no grammar needed!)Members
- ⭐ Memorize this chunk: "말없이 고이 보내드리오리다" ≈ “I’ll send you off quietly and gently.”
- ⭐ Don’t worry about using “보내드리오리다” in real life. It’s a poetic, old-fashioned ending — treat it as a **quote**, not everyday grammar.
- ⭐ A shorter, modern-style sentence: "말없이 조용히 보내 줄게" = “I’ll just quietly let you go.”
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