Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 그 | geu | [kɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 그이 | geu'i | [kɯi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 이 사람 | i saram | polite | |
| 이분 | ibun | [ibun] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | polite |
| 걔 | gyae | [kjɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kje̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
colloquial |
The form 그 is primarily used in written Korean, such as in novels, news or formal essays, rather than in spoken conversation.
Which one should you use?
While 그 is used in writing, 걔 is the common way to refer to a male peer or someone younger in casual spoken conversation. The form 그이 is a more respectful way to refer to a man, often used when speaking about a husband or a person of slightly higher status in a soft, polite manner.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When referring to a man in a polite or formal setting, it is more natural to use 이분 (this person) or 그분 (that person) rather than the direct pronoun 그. The form 이 사람 is also used in polite contexts. Conversely, 걔 is a colloquial form.
How do you pronounce it?
geu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use 그 in spoken Korean, but using it in daily speech can sound unnatural or overly literary. It is better to use a title or a name with a person's position.
Did you know?
- The modern way to say 'she', 그녀, was actually a 20th-century invention by the writer Kim Dong-in. He created it as a direct translation of Western gendered pronouns, likely influenced by the Japanese word かれ.
- The word 이 사람 is a polite way to identify a man, but using it with a superior can be risky as it can sometimes sound like you are pointing them out as an object of discussion.
- The casual form 걔 is used specifically for peers or those younger, as using it for someone older would be considered a serious social mistake.
Examples in context
- 그 사람은 키가 커.He is tall.This sentence demonstrates the use of 그.Tatoeba #8361775 by Eunhee, translation #773336 by marloncori
- 그는 곧 올 것이다.He will come soon.This sentence shows how 그 is used.Tatoeba #11105679 by intertime, translation #394248 by CK
- 그는 흠잡을 데 없다.He is impeccable.This sentence uses 그.Tatoeba #6295646 by okja, translation #6168881 by carlosalberto
- 그분은 어떤 분야에서 경험이 있으신가요?What field does he have experience in?
- 그는 어제 뭐 했어?What did he do yesterday?
- 427 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-woo are talking about a male colleague.
- 지은 Ji-eun그는 지금 어디에 있어요?geuneun jigeum eodie isseoyo?Where is he now?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo회의실에 있는 것 같아요.hoeuisire in-neun geot gat-ayo.I think he is in the meeting room.
- 지은 Ji-eun그가 이 서류를 가지고 있나요?geuga i seoryureul gajigo innayo?Does he have this document?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 제가 아까 줬어요.ne, jega akka jwosseoyo.Yes, I gave it to him a while ago.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “he” translations and entries 그, 그이, 이분, 걔, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 그, 그이, 이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
