안녕하세요!
Welcome back to our fun-filled and rewarding escape to the Korean language on “SKAPETOKOREA”! Today, we’re going to open a whole new window of communication. Exciting, right?
In this episode, we’re going to decipher the magic of “이, 그, 저” in Korean. Yes, you’ve heard it right, those three little words you often hear sprinkled throughout Korean dramas, songs, and conversations.
Think of these words as the Three Musketeers of the Korean language; they may seem small and simple, but they hold the power to clarify and convey your thoughts with precision. Just as in English, we have ‘this’, ‘that’, and ‘that over there’, Korean also has its own system of demonstrative pronouns: 이 (this), 그 (that), 저 (that over there).
So, get ready to buckle up and take a deep dive into the world of “이, 그, 저”. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to accurately point out objects and refer to situations like a pro in Korean! You’ll be all like, “Look, Mom, I can point in Korean!” So, let’s get this party started, shall we?
자, 시작하겠습니다! (Alright, let’s get started!)
이, 그, 저
In the Korean language, demonstrative pronouns play a crucial role in pointing out or referencing specific objects, people, or locations. Among the most commonly used demonstrative pronouns are 이 (i), 그 (geu), and 저 (jeo). These words serve as essential tools for effective communication and clarity in Korean conversations. In this blog post, we will unravel the meanings and usage of 이, 그, and 저, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of these demonstrative pronouns and how to navigate their usage in various contexts.
Understanding the basics
In the Korean language, demonstrative pronouns play a vital role in pointing out or referencing specific objects, people, or locations. Three essential demonstrative pronouns in Korean are 이 (i), 그 (geu), and 저 (jeo). These words are used to indicate the proximity or distance between the speaker, the listener, and the referred object or person. In this section, we will explore the basics of 이, 그, and 저, helping you grasp their fundamental meanings and usage.
이
‘이’ translates directly to ‘this’ in English. It’s used to refer to someone or something close to the speaker, either in physical proximity or in a conversation. In other words, if you can point to it without stretching your arm, or if it was recently mentioned in the conversation, use ‘이’.
For example, “이 사람” means “this person” and “이 것” means “this thing”. It’s simple once you get the hang of it!
그
‘그’ is similar to ‘that’ in English. It’s used when the object or person you’re referring to is away from both the speaker and the listener, or when the speaker is referring to something already mentioned or understood in the conversation.
So, if you’re talking about a thing or person not directly in front of you, or something that you and the listener both understand, use ‘그’. For instance, “그 사람” means “that person” and “그 것” means “that thing”.
저
‘저’ is a little more specific. It also translates to ‘that’ in English, but it’s used when the speaker is referring to something far away from both the speaker and the listener, typically within sight but not within reach. It’s like you’re pointing at something far in the distance and saying, “See that over there?”. In Korean, you’d use ‘저’. “저 사람” means “that person over there”, and “저 것” means “that thing over there”.
Remember, ‘이’, ‘그’, and ‘저’ are all about pointing out people, things, or situations either close to you, a bit distant, or far off. Like a set of linguistic binoculars, these words help you bring your Korean conversations into focus!
Similarities and Differences
- All three pronouns, 이, 그, and 저, serve the purpose of indicating a specific object or person.
- The choice between 이, 그, and 저 depends on the relative proximity of the referred item or person to the speaker, listener, or both.
- 이 and 그 are used when the proximity is clear and established, while 저 is used when referring to something distant or showing respect.
Vocabulary
| Korean | Romanization | English |
| 사람 | Sa-ram | Person |
| 남자 | Nam-ja | Man |
| 여자 | Yeo-ja | Woman |
| 아이 | A-i | Child |
| 친구 | Chin-gu | Friend |
| 가족 | Ga-jok | Family |
| 돈 | Don | Money |
| 학교 | Hak-gyo | School |
| 건물 | Geon-mul | Building |
| 사랑 | Sa-rang | Love |
| 집 | Jib | House |
| 음식 | Eum-shik | Food |
| 차 | Cha | Car |
| 핸드폰 | Haen-deu-pon | Phone |
| 사진 | Sa-jin | Photo |
| 영화 | Yeong-hwa | Movie |
| 책 | Chaek | Book |
| 식당 | Shik-dang | Restaurant |
| 물 | Mul | Water |
| 카메라 | Ka-me-ra | Camera |
이 (i) : Pointing to Something Near the Speaker
- 이 is used to point out or refer to objects or people that are physically close to the speaker.
- For example, if you want to say “This is my book,” you would say “이 책은 제 책이에요”, where 이 indicates that the book is near the speaker.
- It can also be combined with 것 or 거 which means “thing”. For example, 이거 뭐예요? (What is this?)
- 이 책 – this book
- 이 펜 – this pen
- 이 컴퓨터 – this computer
그 (geu): Pointing to Something Near the Listener
- 그 is used to point out or refer to objects or people that are physically close to the listener.
- For example, if you want to say “Take that book,” you would say “그 책을 가져가세요”, where 그 indicates that the book is near the listener.
- It can also be combined with 것 or 거 which means “thing”. For example, 그 카매라 주세요. (Please give me that camera)
- 그 커피 – that coffee
- 그 카메라 – that camera
- 그 피자 – that pizza
저 (jeo): Pointing to Something Far from Both the Speaker and Listener
- 저 is used to point out or refer to objects or people that are physically far from both the speaker and the listener.
- For example, if you want to say “That mountain is beautiful,” you would say “저 산이 아름다워요”, where 저 indicates that the mountain is far from both the speaker and the listener.
- You can also combine it with 것 or 거, which means “thing”. For example “저 여자 예뻐요” (That woman is pretty).
- 저 버스 – that bus
- 저 사람 – that person
- 저 차 – that car
Quick note
그 = that 것 = thing can also be spelled as 그거 as the ㅅ here is silent.
HOWEVER, when adding subject marking particle, it becomes 그것이 and is pronounced as geugeoshi.
Also, don’t worry that 저 – “that” and 저 – “I” is the same word. It is used in completely different contexts and so you will always be able to tell the difference. I.e. 저 – “that” is followed by noun whereas 저 – “I” is followed by verbs, particles etc.
Activity 1
Fill in the blanks.
- _____ 사람 제 친구예요. – This person is my friend.
- _____ 차 너무 비싸예요. – That car over there is too expensive.
- _____ 핸드폰 새 것입니다. – That phone is a new one.
Activity 2
Match the Korean sentences with their correct English translations (even if you do not understand everything you should be able to match these up but use a dictionary if you need).
- 이 책은 재미있어요.
- 그 사진을 봐요.
- 저 음식은 맛있어요.
- a. Look at that picture.
- b. This book is interesting.
- c. That food over there is delicious.
Activity 1 Answers
- 이 사람 제 친구예요. – This person is my friend.
- 저 차 너무 비싸예요. – That car over there is too expensive.
- 그 핸드폰 새 것입니다. – That phone is a new one.
Activity 2 Answers
- 이 책은 재미있어요. – This book is interesting.
- 그 사진을 봐요. – Look at that picture.
- 저 음식은 맛있어요. – That food over there is delicious.
Wrap up
What a roller coaster ride we had today, all the way from 이 to 그 and even reaching 저! Now you know these three magical words are more than just letters. They can guide you through the bustling streets of Seoul, all the way to the serene countryside of Jeju Island. From distinguishing this 집 (house) to that 학교 (school), and even that 건물 over there (building), you have unlocked a significant part of the Korean language treasure chest!
Remember, practice makes perfect! Continue using 이, 그, and 저 in your daily Korean language conversations. And, if you come across something confusing or stumble upon a new usage, just swing by here in the comments section. Our Korean language escape room is always open for questions!
Make sure you rest well tonight, because our Korean language journey is far from over. There’s a lot more fun and learning awaiting us in the next class!
Until next time! Stay curious, keep learning, and remember, every word you learn is a step closer to your dream Korean escape.