Let’s talk about the common expression “알아서.”
Grammatically, it’s a combination of the verb stem “알-” (to know) and the connective ending “-아서.” Over time, it became a fixed expression.
Originally, it meant something like, “Even if I don’t tell you or teach you every single thing, you figure it out yourself.” But it’s been shortened so much that we just use “알아서” without a specific object.
This is a truly essential phrase. Instead of just memorizing the single expression, try to get used to it through the examples I’m about to show you.
- 주소 줄 테니까 여기 알아서 와. – I’ll give you the address, so just get here on your own.
- 제 일은 제가 알아서 할게요. 이제 잔소리 그만. – I’ll take care of my own business myself. Stop nagging.
- 나 없는 동안 알아서 잘 지내고 있어야 돼. – While I’m away, you have to be okay on your own.
- 알았어, 알았어. 내가 다~ 알아서 할게. 신경 쓰지 마. – Alright, alright. I’ll handle everything myself. Don’t worry about it.
- 마실 거? 음… 그냥 알아서 사 와. – Something to drink? Um… just get whatever you think is good.
- 우리 애 이제 기저귀 필요 없어요. 화장실도 알아서 잘 가고 잘 시간 되면 잠도 알아서 자요. – My child doesn’t need diapers anymore. He goes to the bathroom on his own and goes to sleep by himself when it’s bedtime.
Did you notice that “알아서” almost functions like an adverb here? It doesn’t just mean “voluntarily.” It’s closer to “doing something yourself without being told or taught.”
When I was researching, I found that English has so many different translations for this, making it hard to pick just one. But because it’s so common in Korea, I really want you to try using it.