그녀
geunyeo[kɯɲʌ̹]
In Korean, her is 그녀 (geunyeo).
그녀 is a pronoun used to refer to a woman or girl previously mentioned. While it translates to she/her, it is primarily a literary term found in written texts like novels or poems. In natural spoken conversation, it is rarely used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the pronoun changes depending on its grammatical role in a sentence. To use 그녀 as the subject, add the subject marker 가 to form 그녀가. To use it as a direct object, add the object marker 를 to form 그녀를. For the possessive form (her…), add the particle 의 to form 그녀의.
How do you pronounce it?
geunyeo
Did you know?
- The word 그녀 is a linguistic 'calque', meaning it was structurally modeled after the Japanese word 彼女 to create a new Korean pronoun.
- Korean often omits 'her' entirely if the context makes it clear who is being discussed, a feature called 'pro-drop'.
- In many contexts, using a pronoun to refer to a woman can actually feel less polite than using her specific social title or position.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 숙제를 다 했다.She has done her homework.This sentence shows how to use 그녀 as the subject.Tatoeba #11105322 by intertime, translation #314945 by CK
- 나는 그녀 옆에 앉았어.I sat down beside her on the floor.Tatoeba #13756391 by qlTmalffk, translation #10608518 by sundown
- 그녀를 놀라게 해줄 거야.I'll surprise her.This sentence shows the use of 그녀 as a direct object.Tatoeba #4965449 by rainbow4us, translation #3909287 by CH
- 그녀는 항상 자신의 일에 최선을 다 합니다.She always gives her best in her work.
- 지은이가 학교에 갔다.She went to school.
- 지은이가 피아노를 잘 칩니다.Jieun plays the piano well.
- 여동생이 학교에 가요.Younger sister goes to school.
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are talking about a new colleague.
- 수빈 Su-bin새로 온 동료 봤어?saero on dongryo bwasseo?Did you see the new colleague?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 그녀는 정말 친절해 보여.eung, geunyeoneun jeongmal chinjeolhae boyeo.Yes, she seems really kind.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아, 나도 그렇게 생각했어.maja, nado geureoke saenggakhaesseo.Right, I thought so too.
- 민준 Min-jun나중에 그녀에게 인사하자.najunge geunyeoege insahaja.Let's say hello to her later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 그녀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 그녀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
