What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 그 말 (those words), 을 (object marker), 들으니 (since/because I hear) and 좋네요 (is good/nice).
Which one should you use?
While 그 말을 들으니 좋네요 is a general way to say it is good to hear something, if the news specifically means that a problem has been resolved or a bad situation was avoided, the phrase 다행이네요 is a more natural response.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 그 말을 들으니 좋네요 is polite and suitable for use with acquaintances, colleagues or people older than you. To make the phrase informal and suitable only for close friends or people younger than you, you can change the ending to 그 말을 들으니 좋다. Other related variations include the formal 좋은 소식이에요 (It's good news) and the informal 좋은 소식이네 (Good news!) or 진짜 기뻐 (I'm really glad).
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending -네요 in 그 말을 들으니 좋네요 expresses a sense of realization or a reaction to new information, making it a natural way to react to news.
How do you pronounce it?
geu mareul deureuni jonneyo
Did you know?
- The word 말 in 그 말 can mean both 'speech' and 'horse'. In this context, it refers to the words spoken, but the ambiguity is a common feature of the Korean language.
- The word 그 in 그 말 was originally a demonstrative meaning 'that'. Its use as a third-person pronoun is believed to be a modern influence from European languages via Japanese.
- Although 그 말을 들으니 좋네요 is polite, it is not the highest level of formality. In extremely formal business or military settings, a speaker would likely use a different sentence structure entirely to show deference.
Examples in context
- 건강해졌다는 그 말을 들으니 좋네요.geon-gang-hae-jeot-da-neun geu mareul deul-euni jon-neyo.It is good to hear that you have gotten healthy.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-woo are talking on the phone about Hyeon-woo's new job.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 새 직장은 마음에 들어요?Hyeon-u ssi, sae jik-jang-eun ma-eum-e deu-reo-yo?Hyeon-woo, do you like your new job?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 동료들도 정말 친절해요.Ne, dong-ryo-deul-do jeong-mal chin-jeol-hae-yo.Yes, the colleagues are also very kind.
- 지은 Ji-eun그 말을 들으니 좋네요.geu mareul deul-euni jon-neyo.It is good to hear that.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo걱정해 주셔서 고마워요, 지은 씨.geok-jeong-hae ju-shyeo-seo go-ma-wo-yo, Ji-eun ssi.Thank you for worrying about me, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 그, CC BY-SA 4.0.
