내 것 같은
nae geot gateun
The Korean phrase for "like mine" is 내 것 같은 (nae geot gateun).
Used to describe something that is similar to something belonging to the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 내 (my), 것 (thing/object) and 같은 (like/similar to).
Which one should you use?
The phrase 내 것 같은 is used for similarity, whereas 내 것 alone simply means "mine".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 내 것 같은 is a casual way to express "like mine" or "similar to mine". In polite or formal situations, 내 (my) should be replaced with 제 (my) to become 제 것 같은. Other formal variations include 제 것처럼.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 내 것 같은 is an adjective phrase used to modify a noun that follows it.
How do you pronounce it?
nae geot gateun
Did you know?
- The syllable 내 was originally the general word for 'smoke' before it was replaced by the Sino-Korean word 연기 to avoid confusion with too many homophones.
- The term 같은 can be used to express not just literal similarity, but also a subjective intuition or a feeling.
- The word 것 used to mean 'thing' in this phrase allows Korean speakers to turn almost any adjective into a noun phrase, effectively creating a 'placeholder' for an object.
Examples in context
- 그 경우는 마치 제 것처럼 보였습니다.In that case, it seemed as if it were mine.
- 너의 자동차는 내 것 같았어!Your car seemed like mine!
- 그래? 내 것과 비슷하게 생겼네.Really? It looks similar to mine.
- 내 것 같은 옷을 입었네.nae geot gat-eun ot-eul ib-eot-ne.You are wearing clothes like mine.
- 그 신발은 내 것 같은 디자인이야.geu sin-bal-eun nae geot gat-eun di-ja-in-i-ya.Those shoes are a design like mine.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Subin are looking at phone cases in a store.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 내 것 같은 케이스 여기 있어요.Subin ssi, nae geot gateun keiseu yeogi isseoyo.Subin, here is a case like mine.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 색깔이 아주 비슷하네요.jeongmallyo? saekkkari aju biseuthaneyo.Really? The color is very similar.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 디자인도 내 것 같은 스타일이에요.ne, dijain-do nae geot gateun seutail-ieyo.Yes, the design is a style like mine, too.
- 수빈 Su-bin저도 이걸로 하나 살게요.jeodo igeollo hana salgeyo.I will buy one of these too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
