내 가방
nae gabang
The English phrase "my bag" is translated into Korean as 내 가방 (nae gabang).
This phrase is used to refer to a bag that belongs to the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 내 (my) and 가방 (bag).
Which one should you use?
제 짐 is a formal expression for 'my bag' where 짐 means 'luggage' or 'baggage'. In terms of social context, 내 가방 is the informal version, whereas 제 가방 is the polite version.
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite or formal speech, the word 내 (my) is replaced with 제 (my) to show respect to the listener.
How do you pronounce it?
nae gabang
Did you know?
- The word 내 (my) was once used to mean 'smoke', but it was replaced by the word 연기 because 내 developed too many different meanings.
- The term 가방 is used so broadly that it can refer to anything from a tiny clutch to a massive suitcase, whereas other languages often have distinct words for these items.
- While 내 가방 is standard, Koreans often omit the word 'my' entirely if it is obvious who the bag belongs to, simply saying 가방.
Examples in context
- 내 가방은 비어 있다.My bag is empty.This sentence is useful for describing the state of the bag using 내 가방.Tatoeba #11105906 by intertime, translation #689919 by ulyssemc1
- 열쇠는 내 가방에 있었다.The keys were in my bag.This sentence is useful for describing the location of keys using 내 가방.Tatoeba #5526748 by raining211, translation #2645450 by CK
- 저 남자가 내 가방을 훔쳤다.That man stole my bag.This sentence is useful for describing an action involving 내 가방.Tatoeba #10605435 by ssuss32, translation #10604818 by shekitten
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are at a cafe, and Minji is looking for her things.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 내 가방 보여요?Minji ssi, nae gabang boyeoyo?Minji, do you see my bag?
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 저기 의자 위에 있어요.Hyunwoo ssi, jeogi uija wie isseoyo.Hyunwoo, it is over there on the chair.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 여기 있었네요. 고마워요.A, yeogi isseotneyo. Gomawoyo.Ah, here it was. Thank you.
- 민지 Min-ji아니에요, 다행이에요.Anieyo, dahaengieyo.No problem, I'm glad you found it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
