Korean Language 35

[prefinal ending] The 5 usages of -겠-

The primary function of -겠- is to make a verb or adjective future tense. However, -겠- has 4 more functions, which are also as frequently used as the future tense. The 5 usages of -겠- 1. to make the future tense or assumption [future tense] 내일 우리나라가 태풍의 영향권 아래에 들어가겠습니다. Tomorrow, our country will be under the influence of the typhoon. [assumption] 민수는 1시간 전에 시험을 다 쳤겠다. Minsu may have finished his..

[similar verbs] 수정하다 vs. 교정하다 vs. 조정하다

They all have the meaning of correction or making something go in the right way. The difference is: 수정 - 수(修): cultivate, better, polish, trim, or improve 수양(修養) = self-discipline 교정 - 교(矯): correct, rectify, straighten, or tighten the error, distortion, or mishavarior 교도소(矯導所) = jail 조정 - 조(調): adjust or make something harmonious, even, or soft 조화(調和) = harmony In addition, the three words have..

[transformative endings] -기 vs. -ㄴ/는 것

There are several forms of noun clauses. -기 : 나는 네가 노력하기를 바란다. I hope that you try hard. -ㅁ/음 : 네가 노력하고 있음을 잘 알아. I know that you are trying hard. -ㄴ/는 것 : 네가 노력하고 있는 것을 잘 알아. I know that you are trying hard. The three are interchangeable, but the meanings are slightly different. The ending ‘-기’ implies something that has not yet happened, while the expression ‘-ㄴ/는 것’ and the ending ‘-ㅁ/음’ impl..

Personal Pronouns 2. the second-person pronouns

There are honorifics for the second-person pronouns, but their usage is different from those of the first-person. In a conversation with someone higher/older than you, you need to lower yourself and heighten the other. That's the reason why you should use '저' instead of '나' in such a situation, and this is what I dealt with in the previous article. First of all, let's figure out the types of sec..

[Connective Endings] -길래(기에) vs. -ㄴ데/는데

There are several connective endings that link two clauses in the relation of a reason and result, cause and effect, and the basis and following action. -길래(기에) and -ㄴ데/는데 are two of them, and I'd like to show you the difference between them. When using -길래(-기에), the full sentence just expresses a simple fact. The type of sentence is usually a declarative one. 비가 많이 오길래 그냥 집에 있었어. It rained a lo..

Personal Pronouns 1. the first-person pronouns

We've figured out the two critical concepts in personal pronouns in the previous article: the usage of pronouns to compose a sentence and the existence of some particular pronouns used in honorifics. Now, let's see how the first-person pronouns work. [Table 1. Types of first-person pronouns] Forms singular plural ordinary 나 우리(들) honorific 저 저희(들) In plural forms, you can add -들 after 우리 or 저희. ..

Personal Pronouns 0. the Basics

Before we start, let's make sure of two basic concepts regarding personal pronouns. 1. Pronouns compose sentences with particles attached behind them. Take '나(I)' for an example. Case Subjective Possessive Objective Possessive Pronoun Reflective English I my me mine myself Korean 내가, 나는 나의 나를 나의 것 나 자신 In English sentences, the location of each word decides its role in a sentence. In Korean howe..

Abstract Dependent Nouns 3. 지, 만, and 만큼

지 refers to the period from the point something happened to the present 그가 떠난 지 3년이 지났다. It has been three years since he left (here). 출발한 지가 언제인데 왜 아직도 도착하지 않은 거야? It has been a while since you left. Why haven't you arrived here yet? 만 refers to the period or distance the preceding noun indicates 그녀는 3년 만에 드디어 그 시험에 합격했다. She finally passed that example in 3 years. 나는 이틀 만에 그 책을 다 읽었다. I read t..

Abstract Dependent Nouns 2. 수, 줄 and 뿐

Following the previous article, I will show you some frequently used abstract-dependent nouns. It is hard to find an English word that exactly corresponds to each noun below. I recommend you understand the meaning of each noun, with an English translation for reference only. 수 refers to an ability to do something, or the possibility that something will happen 일을 하다 보면 그럴 수도 있지. Things can happen..

Abstract Dependent Nouns 1. 것, 바, and 데

In Korean, there are several dependent nouns that need other words or phrases to modificate them. Let's take a look at some examples. Some dependent nouns represent somewhat abstract concepts. I'll show you some nouns that are frequently used. 것 것[걷]. 1. refers to an object, an event, or a phenomenon abstractly. = thing, one 마실 것을 준비하세요. Prepare something to drink. 저는 밀가루로 된 것은 다 좋아해요. I like an..