언어들
eoneodeul
The Korean phrase for "languages" is 언어들 (eoneodeul).
언어들 refers to more than one system of communication used by people.
What does it mean word for word?
This word is composed of the noun 언어, meaning "language" and the plural suffix 들, which acts as a plural marker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural suffix 들 is attached directly to the noun 언어 to form 언어들. However, in Korean, the suffix 들 is often omitted if the context already implies plurality. Therefore, the single form 언어 can mean both "language" and "languages".
How do you pronounce it?
eoneodeul
Did you know?
- The word 말, meaning 'language' or 'speech', is a homonym that also means 'horse', depending on the context of the sentence.
- Korean uses a unique system called 'honorifics' that allows the language to express respect through specific word endings and suffixes, rather than just using polite words like 'sir' or 'ma'am'.
- The word 언어 is often used in academic or scientific contexts to discuss the biological or cognitive faculty of language itself, whereas 말 is used for the actual spoken words.
Examples in context
- 나는 프랑스어 못 해.I can't speak French.
- 세계에는 정말 다양한 언어들이 있다.segye-eneun jeongmal dayanghan eoneodeuri issda.There are truly diverse languages in the world.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are talking about their hobbies.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨는 취미가 뭐예요?jieun ssineun chwimiga mwoyeyo?Jieun, what is your hobby?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 새로운 언어들을 배우는 것을 좋아해요.jeoneun saeroun eoneodeureul baeuneun geoseul joahaeyo.I like learning new languages.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 멋지네요. 지금 몇 개 국어를 하세요?jeongmal meotjineyo. jigeum myeot gae gugeoreul haseyo?That's really cool. How many languages do you speak now?
- 지은 Ji-eun영어와 일본어 두 가지를 공부하고 있어요.yeongeowa ilboneo du gajireul gongbuhago isseoyo.I am studying two: English and Japanese.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
