아, 그렇구나
a, geureokguna
In Korean, the phrase "oh, I see" is expressed as 아, 그렇구나 (a, geureokguna).
This phrase is typically used as a reaction to a piece of information that explains a situation or provides a reason for something. The interjection 아 (ah) is used to indicate realization or understanding.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the interjection 아 (oh) and 그렇구나, which is a combination of 그렇다 (to be so) and the exclamatory suffix -구나. Literally, it means "Oh, it is so" or "Oh, that is the case".
Which one should you use?
While 아, 그렇구나 is a statement of realization, you can use the polite question 아, 그래요? to express "Oh, is that so?" in response to new information.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are speaking to someone older than you or in a formal setting, use the polite version 아, 그렇군요 to show respect. For a very respectful and polite way to show that you understand or comprehend something, use 알겠습니다. The informal way to say this is 아, 알았어, where 알았어 means "I got it" or "I understood".
How do you pronounce it?
a, geureokguna
Did you know?
- In digital chatting, Koreans often replace the full phrase 아, 그렇구나 with the consonant ㅇㄱㄴ or just ㅇ, which functions as a shorthand for 'I see'.
- Korean has multiple words for 'understanding' that distinguish between intellectual comprehension, like 그렇구나, and emotional empathy or 'getting' someone's feelings.
- Repeating the phrase 그렇구나, 그렇구나 (so it is, so it is) can sometimes be perceived as dismissive or sarcastic, similar to saying 'yeah, sure' in English.
Examples in context
- 아, 그렇구나. 이제 알겠어.a, geureokuna. ije algesseo.Oh, I see. Now I understand.
- 아, 그렇구나! 정말 신기하다.a, geureokuna! jeongmal singihada.Oh, I see! That's really amazing.
- 아, 그렇구나. 몰랐어.a, geureokuna. mollasseo.Oh, I see. I didn't know that.
Example conversation
Seoyeon tells Hyunwoo why she was late for the meeting.
- 서연 Seo-yeon차가 너무 막혀서 늦었어요.chaga neomu makyeoseo neujeosseoyo.I'm late because the traffic was too heavy.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 그렇구나. 괜찮아요, 서연 씨.a, geureokuna. gwaenchannayo, Seoyeon ssi.Oh, I see. It's okay, Seoyeon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon기다리게 해서 미안해요.gidarige haeseo mianhaeyo.I'm sorry for making you wait.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니에요. 이제 들어가요.anieyo. ije deureogayo.Not at all. Let's go inside now.
