그것
geugeot[kɯɡʌ̹t̚]
In Korean, the English word "it" is translated as 그것 (geugeot).
그것 is used as a pronoun for an inanimate thing. While 그것 is the standard dictionary form, in natural conversation, the word is often omitted entirely if the context is clear.
Meaning: subject, inanimate thing (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 그것 is composed of 그 (that) and 것 (thing).
Which one should you use?
그것 (it/that thing) is used for objects distant from the speaker, whereas 이것 (this thing) is used for objects close to the speaker.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Korean, 그것이 is frequently contracted to 그게. In spoken Korean, 그것을 is frequently contracted to 그걸.
How do you pronounce it?
geugeot
Did you know?
- The word 그것 is part of a three-way system of distance. Unlike English 'this' and 'that', Korean uses 이것 for things near the speaker, 그것 for things near the listener, and 저것 for things far from both.
- Using 그것 to refer to a person can be an intentional insult. Because it literally means 'that thing', it strips the person of their humanity, similar to calling someone 'it' in English.
- While 그것 means 'it', Koreans often avoid using any pronoun for people to avoid being rude. Using a pronoun like 'he' or 'she' can sound overly blunt or unnatural in social settings.
Examples in context
- 톰은 그것을 위해 달렸다.Tom ran for it.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 그것 to represent a reason or purpose.Tatoeba #11107502 by intertime, translation #2649089 by CK
- 아무도 그것에 대해선 몰랐어.Nobody knew about it.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 그것 to represent a topic of knowledge.Tatoeba #8533799 by Eunhee, translation #8510654 by CK
- 나는 그에게 그것을 설명했다.I explained it to him.This sentence is useful for showing how to use 그것 as a direct object in an explanation.Tatoeba #11106508 by intertime, translation #260447 by CK
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Subin and Jihoon are looking at a strange object on a table.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈, 그것이 뭐예요?Jihun, geugeosi mwoyeyo?Jihoon, what is it?
- 지훈 Ji-hun그것은 제 선물이에요.Geugeoseun je seonmuryeyo.It is my gift.
- 수빈 Su-bin그것은 정말 예쁘네요.Geugeoseun jeongmal yeppeuneyo.It is really pretty.
- 지훈 Ji-hun감사합니다, 수빈 씨.Gamsahamnida, Subin ssi.Thank you, Subin.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 그것, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
