누군가
nugun'ga[nuɡunɡa̠]
The English word 'someone' is translated into Korean as 누군가 (nugun'ga). Wiktionary also lists 어떤 사람 (eotteon saram).
Meaning: some person (pron)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 누군가 | nugun'ga | [nuɡunɡa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 어떤 사람 | eotteon saram |
What does it mean word for word?
누군가 is a contraction of 누구, meaning 'who' and the indeterminate particle -ㄴ가.
Which one should you use?
누군가 is used as a subject pronoun. In contrast, 어떤 사람 is a noun phrase used to describe a specific but unidentified individual.
How does it change in a sentence?
The subject marker 가 can be attached to 누군가 to form 누군가가, though in casual speech the marker is often dropped.
How do you pronounce it?
nugun'ga
Did you know?
- The phrase 어떤 사람 can be used to subtly distance the speaker from the person they are mentioning, acting as a way to avoid naming someone out of politeness or disdain.
- The word for 'person' in the phrase 어떤 사람 is etymologically linked to the verb 'to live'. Historically, the term literally meant 'one who is alive'.
- In written literature or poetry, 누군가 is often used to evoke a sense of longing or mystery, whereas 어떤 사람 is more common in descriptive or report-like prose.
Examples in context
- 누군가 내 시계를 훔쳤어.Someone stole my watch.This sentence shows how to use 누군가 as a subject when someone stole an object.Tatoeba #8357727 by Eunhee, translation #3153890 by CK
- 누군가 문에 노크를 했다.Someone knocked on the door.This sentence demonstrates the use of 누군가 when someone makes a sound at a door.Tatoeba #11105319 by intertime, translation #276122 by CK
- 누군가는 값을 치러야 한다.Someone has to pay the price.This sentence illustrates using 누군가 when referring to an unspecified person who must fulfill an obligation.Tatoeba #13188659 by Uwe, translation #2996727 by CK
- 어떤 분이 계신가요?Is there someone here?
- 누군가 나를 도와줄 수 있을까요?Can someone help me?
- 누가 카페에 가고 싶어?Does anyone want to go to a cafe?
- 어제 집 앞에서 누군가 나를 기다리고 있었어요.Yesterday, someone was waiting for me in front of my house.
- 누가 그 영화를 본 적이 있나요?Has anyone seen that movie?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are talking about a mysterious gift on the desk.
- 지은 Ji-eun누군가 여기에 꽃을 두고 갔어.nugunga yeogiye kkocheul dugo gasseo.Someone left flowers here.
- 민준 Min-jun정말? 누가 준 걸까?jeongmal? nuga jun geolkka?Really? I wonder who gave them.
- 지은 Ji-eun누군가 민준 씨를 위해 준비한 것 같아.nugunga Minjun ssireul wihae junbihan geot gata.It looks like someone prepared them for you, Min-jun.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워, 정말 기쁘다.gomawo, jeongmal gippeuda.Thank you, I'm really happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “someone” translations and entries 누군가, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사람, 어떤, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
