◼ Pronouns.
English has an extensive list of pronouns: I (me, my, mine), You (your, yours), he (him, his), she (her,
hers), it (its), we (us, our, ours) and they (them, their, theirs). Korean has its own list of pronouns as well,
but its usage is much limited with different usage rules. Generally speaking, pronouns are used much
less in korean than in English. In Korean, any contextually understood sentence elements ( including the
subject and the object) are often omitted. For instance, when two people are talking to each other,
personal pronouns often drop out in normal conversations, since both speakers know who is the first
person talking and who is listening. This differs from English, where the use of the pronoun (or subject
noun) is mandatory in all situations. For instance, it would be grammatically wrong or incomplete to say
“ate lunch?”
The first person pronoun
The Korean first person pronouns have the plain and humble forms:
나 [na] (plain singular) 저[jeo] (humble singular)
내 [nae](plain singular possessive) 제 [je](humble singular possessive)
우리 [uri](plain plural possesssive) 저희 [jeohi] (humble plural/ possessive)
There are two things to remember when using the first person pronouns.
First, the use of either plain or humble pronouns depends on who you are talking to. It is always safe to
use the humble form when you talk to adult speakers whom you do not know well. In addition, the use
of humble form is normally collocated with honorific elements.
Second, 저희/우리 ‘the first person plural pronoun’ has a wider usage. Due to the collectivistic value
system, deeply embedded in the Korean language and culture, 저희/우리 is also used as the first person
possessive pronoun, when referring to communal possessions. Consider the following two sentences:
저희(우리) 형이 뉴욕에 있습니다. [jeohi hyeongi nyuyoge itseumnida] Our(my) older brother is in New
York.
제 (내) 형이 뉴욕에 있습니다. [je hyeongi nyuyoge itseumnida] My older brother is in New York.
Both sentences are grammatically and pragmatically correct. However, the first sentence is preferred
over the second.
The second person pronoun
The Korean second person pronouns have the plain and polite forms:
Korean language class in MUNI
week
6
너[neo] (plain singular) 당신 [dangsin](polite singular)
네 [ne] (plain singular possessive) 당신의 [dangsinui] (polite singular possessive)
너희 [neohui](plain plural possesssive) 당신들 [dangsindeul](polite plural)
The use of Korean second person pronoun is much more limited than that of English. For example,
Koreans use 너 only when addressing a child, a childhood friend, one’s younger sibling, one’s
son/daughter, and so forth. The use of 당신 is mostly used between spouses.
In fact, there is no second person pronoun for addressing an adult equal or senior in Korean. One
possible explanation is that addressing someone by the pronoun sounds too direct and confrontational
in Korean. As a result, Koreans avoid using the second person unless the addressee is someone they
know well (e.g,. Friends) , and/or is of equal or lower status (e.g,. one’s subordinates).
One may wonder then how Koreans actually address someone. The safest way is not to use any pronoun
at all. However, if unavoidable, the best alternative is to use addressee terms as second person
pronouns. As shown below, Korean has many ways to address someone. When using an address term, a
speaker has to know the addressee’s social status as well as the relationship with the speaker
him/herself. For instance, a businesswoman ‘강윤원‘ “Kang yun won” can be addressed in her work
place at least in the following ways:
과장님 [gwajangnim] “Section chief” (Professional title 과장+honorific title 님, when her junior
colleagues address her).
강 과장 [ganggwajang] “Section chief Kang” (last name 강+professional title 과장, when her boss
addresses her)
강 선배 [gangseonbae] “Senior Kang” (last name 강+ rank term 선배, when her junior colleague who
happens to have graduated from the same high school addresses her)
강윤원씨 [gangyunwonssi] “Ms. Kang yun won” (full name 강윤원+ neutral title 씨, when adult distant
friends who are of equal or higher status address her)
Notice that the difference in status (e.g,. Who has the higher status or power between the speaker and
the addressee) and the familiarity (e.g,. How close or familiar the speaker is with the addressee
/referent) determines the choice of term.
In her personal life, Yun Won Kang can be addressed by different terms.
For instance, her husband may call hi, 여보[yeobo] “darling”, 당신 [dangsin]“ dear”.
Her friends, can call her by just her first name 윤원. Her parents can call her by the first name with the
vocative -아, as in 윤원아[yunwona].
Then how would you address someone in a store or restaurant settings? Again, the safest way is not to
say any pronoun at all. Instead of pronouns, you can get people’s attention by saying 여기요 [yeogiyo]
“here” or 실례합니다 [sillyehamnida] “excuse me.”
The third person pronoun
Strictly speaking, Korean has no true third person pronoun. Koreans use a demonstrative (e.g,. This,
these, that, and those) and a noun (e.g,. Man, woman, thing, people, and so on) to refer to the third
person:
He
그[geu] “that” 그 사람 [geusaram] “ that person”, 그 분 [geubun] ( that esteemed person), 그 남자
[geunamja] “ that man” …
She
그 “that”, 그 사람 “ that person” 그 분 “ that esteemed person” 그 여자[geuyeoja] “that lady” …
They
그들 [geudeul] “ these” , 그 사람들 [geu saramdeul] “those people”, 그 분들 [geu bundeul] “ those
esteemed people” …
Beside these terms, Koreans use various kinship terms in place of the third person pronoun.
Kinship terms
Due to the collectivistic and hierarchical values embedded in the Korean language and culture, Korean
has a list of highly stratified and extensive kinship terms. The Korean kinship terms indicate how one is
related to others in intricate ways (e.g,. Whether the relative is a male or female, whether the relative is
older or younger, whether the relative is on the mother’s or father’s side, and so forth)
The Korean Kinship terms can be divided into two groups. The first has two kinship term sets depending
on the gender of the person related.
A male’s A female’s
Father-in-law 장인 [jangin] 시아버지 [siabeoji]
Mother-in-law 장모 [jangmo] 시어머니 [sieomeoni]
Spouse 아내(부인) [anae] 남편 [nampyeon]
Brothers 형제 [hyeongje] 오빠들과 남동생들
[oppadeulgwa
namdonsaengdeul]
Oder brother 형 [hyeong] 오빠 [oppa]
Older sister 누나 [nuna] 언니 [eonni]
The second group includes the kinship terms, used by both genders.
Grandparents 조부모 [jobumo]
Paternal grandfather 친할아버지 [chinharabeoji]
Maternal grandfather 외할아버지 [oeharabeoji]
Paternal grandmother 친할머니 [chinhalmeoni]
Maternal grandmother 외할머니 [oehalmeoni]
Parents 부모 [bumo]
Father 아버지 [abeoji]
Mother 어머니 [eomeoni]
Son 아들 [adeul]
Daughter 딸 [ttal]
Grandchild(ren) 손주 [sonju]
Grandson 손자 [sonja]
Granddaughter 손녀 [sonnyeo]
Younger brother 남동생 [namdonsaeng]
Younger sister 여동생 [yeodonsaeng]
Paternal uncle 큰아버지 [keunabeoji](an older brother of one’s
father)
작은아버지 [jageunabeoji] or 숙부[sukbu]( a
married younger brother of one’s father)
삼촌[samchon]( an unmarried younger brother of
one’s father)
고모부 [gomobu](the husband of the sister of
one’s father)
Paternal aunt 고모 [gomo](both older or younger sister of one’s
father)
큰어머니 [keuneomeoni](the wife of an older
brother of one’s father)
작은어머니 [jageuneomeoni] or 숙모
[sungmo](the wife of a married younger brother
of one’s father)
Maternal uncle 외삼촌 [oesamchon] (both older and younger
brother of one’s mother, regardless of their
marital status)
이모부 [imobu] (the husband of a sister of one’s
mother)
Maternal aunt 이모 [imo](both older of younger sister of one’s
mother)
외숙모 [oesungmo](the wife of both older or
younger brother of one’s mother)
Son-in law 사위 [sawi]
Daughter-in-law 며느리 [myeoneuri]
Cousin 사촌 [sachon]
Koreans use kinship terms as both address and/or reference term for their kin-members. For instance, it
is rare for younger brothers or sisters to address their older siblings by their first name.
Due to the collectivistic and hierarchal value orientations of Korean, Koreans use some kinship terms
when they address or refer to non-kin members, such as friends, friends’ family members, and/or even
strangers. For instance, Koreans often use 어머니 when addressing and/or referring to their friend’s
mother. When addressing a stranger who looks obviously old (say, over 60s), Koreans use 할아버지 or
할머니.
Indefinite pronouns.
People use indefinite pronouns when they refer to something that does not have a specific referent. The
examples of indefinite pronouns in English include something, someone, sometimes, somewhere,
anything, anyone, and so forth. Korean interrogative words such as 어디[eodi] “where” , 언제 [eonje]
“when”, 누구 [nugu] “who”, 무엇 [mueot] “what”, and 어느 [eoneu]“which” function as question words
as well as indefinite pronouns. What determines the use of these words as question word has a rising
intonation at the end. However, without a rising intonation, the question word functions as an indefinite
pronoun.
As a question word: 누가 와요?[nugawayo] (with a rising intonation) “Who is coming?”
As an indefinite pronoun: 누가 와요 (with a falling intonation) “Someone is coming.”
◼ Conversation A
민지[minji]: 윤원아. 진짜 오랜만이다. 이번 영국 여행 어땠어?
Yunwon!Long time no see! How was your trip to England?
[ yunwona. jinjja oraenmanida. ibeon yeongguk yeohaeng eottaesseo?]
윤원[yunwon]: 그냥 그랬어. 그래도 네가 추천해 준 카페에서 애프터눈 티 세트 먹었는데 맛있더라.
Soso. Still, I had afternoon tea set at the café that you recommended and it was really good.
[geunyang geuraesseo. geuraedo nega chucheonhae jun kapeeseo aepeuteonun ti seteu
meogeonneunde masitdeora]
민지: 수영이가 너 루아나라는 친구 사귀어서 잘 지내고 있다고 했었어. 너희 같이 노르웨이
갔었다고 하던데?
Su yeong told me that you are doing well with a friend named Luana. You guys went to Norway together
right?
[suyeongiga neo ruanaraneun chingu sagwieoseo jal jinaego itdago haesseosseo. neohui gachi
noreuwei gasseotdago hadeonde?]
윤원: 맞아. 우리 루아나.. 정말 보고 싶다.
Yes. I do really miss Luana.
[maja. uri ruana.. jeongmal bogo sipda]
민지: 부럽다. 나도 독일에 있었을 때 진짜 행복했었는데. 대학원 그만두고 유럽여행 가고 싶다.
I am so jealous of you. I was really happy when I was in Germany. I want to travel Europe being away
from all the stress from graduate school
[bureopda. nado dogire isseosseul ttae jinjja haengbokaesseonneunde. daehagwon geumandugo
yureobyeohaeng gago sipda.]
윤원: 너 올해 어머니랑 이탈리아 다녀왔잖아. 우리 이번엔 여름휴가로 같이 제주도 가자.
You’ve been to Italy with your mother this year. Let’s go to Jeju island together for this summer
vacation.
[neo olhae eomeonirang itallia danyeowatjana. uri ibeonen yeoreumhyugaro gachi jejudo gaja]
민지: 그래. 내가 단톡방 만들게.
I’ll make a group chat room
[geurae. naega dantokbang mandeulge]
*단톡방(dantokbang) is short form of ‘단체 카카오톡 그룹 채팅방‘ which means ‘group Kakaotalk chat
room’.
Kakaotalk is the most commonly used chatting application in Korea instead of whatssapp.
We use the term ‘단톡방’ quite often and it’s very colloquial style*
◼ Conversation B
고모부[gomobu]: 채경아 취직은 했니?
Chaekyung, did you get a job?
[chaegyeonga chwijigeun haenni?]
채경[chaegyeong]: 아니요. 준비 중이에요.
No. I am working on it.
[aniyo. junbi jungieyo]
고모부: 우리 딸은 이번에 승진했거든. 언니한테 조언도 구하고 그래라. 너도 얼른 취직해야지.
My daughter was promoted recently. Ask your sister for advice. You should get a job soon too.
[uri ttareun ibeone seungjinhaetgeodeun. eonnihante joeondo guhago geuraera. neodo eolleun
chwijikaeyaji]
채경: 저희 어머니는 이번에 서초동에 있는 건물 계약하셨거든요. 취직은 이번에 볼리비아 여행
다녀와서 차근차근 준비해 보려고요. 저희 어머니도 저는 아직 나이도 어려서 급할 것 없다고
하셨어요.
My mother purchased building in Seocho-dong recently. I’m going to working on things after trip to
Bolivia. My mother also told me that I am still young and there is no hurry
[jeohi eomeonineun ibeone seochodonge inneun geonmul gyeyakasyeotgeodeunyo. chwijigeun ibeone
bollibia yeohaeng danyeowaseo chageunchageun junbihae boryeogoyo. jeohi eomeonido jeoneun ajik
naido eoryeoseo geupal geot eopdago hasyeosseoyo]
◼ Sentence drill practice
1. 내일 체스카 갈래?
[naeil cheseuka gallae?]
Do you want to go to Cheska tomorrow?
 (Time) (location) 갈래?
2. 나 수업 듣고 오는 길이야.
[na sueop deutgo oneun giriya]
I am on my way back from a class.
 나 (the things that you were doing) 듣고/하고 오는 길이야.
3. 너 밖에 나가는 김에 쓰레기 좀 버려줄래?
[neo bakke naganeun gime sseuregijom beoryeojullae?]
Could you throw this trash away while you are outside?
 너 밖에 나가는 김에 ( things that you want other person to do)?
4. 여기까지 와서 맥도날드를 먹어야겠어?
[yeogikkaji waseo maekdonaldeureul meogeoyagesseo?]
What’s the point of coming all the way here if we are going to go to Mc Donalds.
 여기까지 와서 (things that you don’t want to do while others want to )?
5. 너 영어 실력이 정말 많이 늘었구나.
[neo yeongeosillyeogi jeongmal mani neureotguna]
Your English has improved.
 너 (things that you are learning) 실력이 정말 많이 늘었구나
6. 나 다시 강의실에 갔다 올게. 핸드폰을 두고 왔어.
[na ganguisire dasi gatda olge. haendeuponeul dugo wasseo.]
I will go back to classroom again. I left my cell phone there.
 나 다시 (location) 에 갔다 올게. (Things that you lost) 을 두고왔어.
7. 너 이럴 때마다 진짜 짜증 나.
[neo ireolttaemada jeongmal jjajeungna]
You are so annoying whenever you are doing this.
 너 이럴 때마다 진짜 (feeling you feel)
8. 너 그 가방 어디서 샀어? 정말 예쁘다.
[neo geu gabang eodiseo sasseo? jeongmal yeppeuda]
Where did you buy that bag? It’s really pretty.
 너 (a thing you find cool) 어디서 샀어? 정말 예쁘다.
9. 너 콜미바이유어네임 봤다며. 그 영화 어땠어?
[neo kolmibaiyueoneim bwatdamyeo. geu yeonghwa eottaesseo?]
I heard that you watched ‘ Call me by your name’. How was it?
 너 (movie/drama/series) 봤다며. 어땠어?
10. 나 오늘 하루종일 시험공부 해야 돼.
[na oneul harujongil siheom gongbu haeya dwae]
I have to study for exam all day today.
 나 오늘 하루종일 ( things that you must finish) 해야 돼.
◼ Exercise A
Choose the appropriate first person pronoun for each situation:
Example: A grown up son taking to his old father (나, 저)
=저
1. A brother talking to his brother (나, 저)
2. A student talking to her/his teacher (나, 저)
3. A boss talking to her/his employees (in public speaking) (나, 저 )
4. Employees talking to their boss (우리, 저희)
5. Teenagers talking to their peers (우리, 저희)
◼ Exercise B
Choose the right answer.
1. 윤원: 오늘 우리 집에서 같이 과제 할래?
민지: 그래. 너희 집 주소 좀 메시지로 보내줘.
 윤원 is 민지‘s ( friend, older sister, boss, younger sister)
2. 민준: 과장님. 오늘 제가 보내드린 파일 받으셨나요?
혜인: 확인해 볼게요.
 혜인 is 민준‘s ( friend, boss, oder sister, younger sister)
3. 채경: 너, 숙제는 다 하고 티비 보는 거니?
서준: 지금 하려고 했어.
 채경 is 서준‘s (younger sister, older sister )
◼ Exercise c.
Circle the gender of each speaker.
Example: 우리 누나는 경찰이에요 “My older sister is a policewoman.”
1. 우리 언니가 영국에 있어요. “My older sister is in UK.” (M/F)
2. 우리 형이 한국에 있어요. “My older brother is in Korea.” (M/F)
3. 오늘 저희 시어머니가 오세요. “My mother-in-law comes today.” (M/F)
4. 오늘 저희 장모님이 오세요. “My mother-in-law comes today.” (M/F)
5. 우리 부인이 법무부 장관이에요. “My wife is the minister of justice.” (M/F)
6. 우리 남편이 프랑스 사람이에요. “My husband is French.” (M/F)
7. 우리 오빠는 고등학생 이에요. “My older brother is a high school student.”
◼ Exercise D
Translate the following into Korean.
1. My major is English literature. (A student talking to professor)
=
2. My older sister is a master’s degree student. ( a 23 years old person talking to her friend who is
also 23 years old)
=
3. My family is in Brno. ( 20years old boy talking to 66years old lady)
=
Answer
Exercise A
1. 나
2. 저
3. 저
4. 저희
5. 우리
Exercise B
1. Friend
2. Boss
3. Older sister
Exercise C
1. F
2. M
3. F
4. M
5. M
6. F
7. F
Exercise D
1. 제 전공은 영문학 입니다/이에요.
2. 우리 언니는 석사생 이야/ 대학원생 이야
3. 제 가족은 브루노에 있어요/ 있습니다.
Dear students,
I am more than grateful to have this opportunity to make Korean study materials for you.
I understand how difficult it is to study a new language which is completely different from your mother
tongue because I am also studying a second foreign language.
If you need any help learning Korean (correction of composition and so forth) , don’t hesitate to E-mail
me.
I will try to answer every mail as far as in me lies.
2.ssoct@gmail.com
Best regards,
SU