Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 그녀 | geunyeo | [kɯɲʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 이분 | ibun | [ibun] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 그 | geu | [kɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | feminine, masculine |
The word 그녀 is used to mean 'she', but it is primarily found in written literature or song lyrics rather than in spoken conversation.
Which one should you use?
The form 그녀 is specifically feminine. In contrast, the form 그 can function as a generic demonstrative meaning 'that' or can be used as 'he' in various contexts. While 그녀 is used for 'she' in writing, when you are speaking and wish to refer to a woman politely, it is more natural to use 이분.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
이분 is a polite way to refer to a person (this person) in speech. Conversely, 그녀 is a literary term.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 그녀 is the subject of a sentence, you add the particle 가 to form 그녀가.
How do you pronounce it?
geunyeo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use 그녀 in spoken Korean. Instead, native speakers typically use the person's name or a title.
Did you know?
- The word 그녀 was coined by the writer Kim Dong-in before 1951. It was created by combining 그 meaning 'that' and 녀 meaning 'woman'.
- The polite form 이분 literally translates to 'this person', highlighting how Korean focuses more on social status than gender when referring to someone.
Examples in context
- 그 사람 집에 있어?Is she at home?This sentence is useful for seeing how 그 can be used to refer to a person in a question.Tatoeba #11121262 by Eunhee, translation #312846 by CK
- 그녀는 안다. 늘 안다.She knows. She always knows.Tatoeba #3681002 by Uwe, translation #1693726 by CK
- 그녀는 숙제를 다 했다.She has done her homework.Tatoeba #11105322 by intertime, translation #314945 by CK
- 그녀는 매우 친절하고 예쁩니다.She is very kind and beautiful.
- 그녀는 내 최고의 친구입니다.She is my best friend.
- 213 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are talking about a new coworker.
- 서연 Seo-yeon새로 온 동료 봤어?saero on dongryo bwasseo?Did you see the new coworker?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 그녀는 정말 친절해.eung, geunyeoneun jeongmal chinjeolhae.Yes, she is really kind.
- 서연 Seo-yeon어느 부서에서 일해?eoneu buseo-eseo ilhae?Which department does she work in?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo마케팅 팀에서 일한대.maketing tim-eseo ilhandae.I heard she works in the marketing team.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “she” translations and entries 그녀, 이분, 그, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 그, 그녀, 이분, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
