What does 힘내 (himnae) mean?
- 힘내himnae
Cheer up! / Hang in there!
Casual: friends and people younger than you
힘내 (himnae) is a casual Korean phrase that means "Cheer up!", "Hang in there!" or "Stay strong!". You say it to encourage someone who is tired, stressed or going through something hard.
Where it comes from
It comes from 힘내다, made of 힘 (strength, energy) and 내다 (to bring out). So it literally means "bring out your strength".
How to use 힘내
Say 힘내 to a friend before an exam, after a breakup, or when they are worn out from work. It is warm and supportive, and it is very common in texts too.
힘내 is casual (banmal), so use it with friends, siblings and people younger than you. For someone older or someone you don't know well, say 힘내세요, which is polite and still sounds kind.
It is close to 화이팅 (fighting), but 화이팅 is more of a pep-talk cheer before a challenge, while 힘내 often carries sympathy for someone who is already struggling.
Examples
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A friend is nervous about a test
Saying goodbye to a coworker on a busy morning
Comforting a friend going through the same tough time
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 힘내요 | Cheer up | Polite form for people you are not close to. |
| 힘내세요 | Please hang in there | Polite and warm. Safe for elders, customers and coworkers. |
| 힘내자 | Let's hang in there | Includes yourself, as in "let's both keep going". |
| 힘내! | You've got this! | Common one-word text to a friend. |
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between himnae and hwaiting?
Both encourage someone. 화이팅 is an upbeat cheer before a challenge, while 힘내 is gentler and often comforts someone who is already having a hard time.
How do you say himnae politely?
Say 힘내세요 (himnaeseyo). It is polite and kind, so you can say it to older people or people you don't know well.
Is himnae rude?
No, but it is casual. With elders or at work, 힘내세요 is the better choice.