것들
The English phrase "things" is translated into Korean as 것들.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 것들 is composed of the bound noun 것 (thing/object) and the plural suffix 들 (plural marker).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form 것들 is used to emphasize that there are multiple distinct items or entities. In Korean, the plural marker 들 is often omitted when the context already implies plurality, so 'thing' (것) can frequently be used to mean 'things'. Additionally, in spoken Korean, the form 것 is frequently contracted to 거.
Did you know?
- When talking about people, instead of using 것들 for 'things', you must use 사람들 or other specific counters. Using 것들 to refer to people is highly offensive as it treats humans as inanimate objects.
- When used as an ending in sentences like -ㄴ 것 같다, the word 것 transforms the entire statement into a guess or an opinion, meaning 'it seems like a thing that…'.
- Korean has a separate word 물건 specifically for physical, tangible 'things' or merchandise, whereas 것 is a more abstract concept of 'thing'.
Examples in context
- 운에 맡길 수 없는 것들이 있다.There are things that can't be left to chance.This sentence illustrates the use of 것들 when discussing things that cannot be left to chance.Tatoeba #7965168 by EstasKorea, translation #7965143 by CK
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Su-bin are packing for a trip.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈아, 챙겨야 할 것들 다 챙겼어?Subin-a, chaenggyeoya hal geotdeul da chaenggyeosseo?Subin, did you pack all the things we need to bring?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 여기 가방에 다 넣었어.eung, yeogi gabange da neoeosseo.Yes, I put them all in the bag here.
- 지훈 Ji-hun빠뜨린 것들은 없는 거지?ppatteurin geotdeureun eomneun geoji?There aren't any things we missed, right?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 걱정 마. 다 있어.eung, geokjeong ma. da isseo.Yes, don't worry. Everything is here.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
