Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 내 것 | nae geot | |
| 나의 것 | na-ui geot | |
| 저의 것 | jeo-ui geot | humble |
The phrase is used to indicate that something belongs to the speaker. Note that the word "mine" can also refer to an excavation for ore, which is 광산 or a military exploding device, which is 지뢰.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 내 것 is a combination of the possessive form of "I" (내) and the noun for "thing" or "object" (것).
Which one should you use?
내 것 is an informal or neutral way to say "mine", while 저의 것 is a polite and humble form used to show respect to the listener. 나의 것 is another way to express the same meaning.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
내 것 is an informal way to say "mine" and is used when speaking to someone of equal or lower social status. For a humble approach when speaking to someone of higher status, use 저의 것. Additionally, 제 것 serves as a formal way to express "mine".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "it is mine" in a complete sentence, you typically add the verb 이다 (to be) to the end, resulting in 내 것이다. In spoken, colloquial Korean, the noun 것 is frequently shortened to 거, so 내 것 often sounds like 내 거.
How do you pronounce it?
nae geot
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 이 사전은 내 것이다.This dictionary is mine.This sentence shows how to use 내 것 to identify ownership of a dictionary.Tatoeba #7342940 by yesjustryan, translation #1766709 by CK
- 너는 내 것을 가질 수 있다.You can have mine.This sentence uses 내 것 to indicate that someone else is allowed to have the speaker's object.Tatoeba #5526107 by raining211, translation #1125436 by Scott
- 이 집은 내 것이지 네 것이 아니다.This house is mine, not yours.This sentence uses 내 것 to contrast the speaker's ownership of a house with someone else's.Tatoeba #11105508 by intertime, translation #60148 by Eldad
- 이 책은 제 것입니다.This book is mine.
- 그 자동차는 제 것이에요.That car is mine.
- 이 펜은 내 것이야.This pen is mine.
- 그 가방은 내 것이야.That bag is mine.
- 이 컴퓨터는 나의 것이야.This computer is mine.
- 그 영화는 나의 것이야.That movie is mine.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are in a cafe looking for their lost items.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 가방은 내 것이야.i gabang-eun nae geos-iya.This bag is mine.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 이 지갑은 뭐야?geureom i jigap-eun mwoya?Then what is this wallet?
- 도현 Do-hyeon아, 그것도 내 것이야.a, geugeot-do nae geos-iya.Ah, that is mine too.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 다 네 것이구나!jeongmal da ne geos-iguna!Everything really belongs to you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mine” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 것, 나의, 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
