What does it mean word for word?
The word 이것 is a compound of 이, meaning 'this' and 것, meaning 'thing' or 'object', literally translating to 'this thing'.
Which one should you use?
While 이것 refers to something near the speaker, 그것 is used to refer to something near the listener or something that has just been mentioned in conversation. Additionally, the related form 이런 is used as a determiner for a known thing that is about to be mentioned.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 이거 is an informal contraction of 이것 and is very common in daily, colloquial conversations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Korean, several contractions are frequently used for efficiency. When 이것 is used with a subject particle (이것이), it often contracts to 이게. When it is used with an object particle (이것을), it often contracts to 이걸.
How do you pronounce it?
igeot
Did you know?
- Korean uses a three-way distinction for 'this' and 'that', whereas English only has two. This includes a specific word 저것 for things far from both the speaker and listener.
- While English speakers use 'this' to refer to an idea just mentioned, Koreans use 그것 ('that') for the same purpose.
- While 이것 refers to a physical item, the component 것 is actually a 'bound noun', meaning it cannot stand alone in a sentence and must always be preceded by a modifier like 'this' or 'that'.
Examples in context
- 나는 이것을 사고 싶다.I'd like to buy this.This sentence shows how to express a desire to purchase 이것.Tatoeba #11104816 by intertime, translation #9823892 by CK
- 톰은 이것 하나를 원한다.Tom wants this one.This sentence demonstrates the use of 이것 to indicate a single item being wanted.Tatoeba #11105538 by intertime, translation #1141029 by CK
- 예를 들면, 이것은 펜이다.For example, this is a pen.This sentence shows how to use 이것 to identify an object in an example.Tatoeba #3684965 by intertime, translation #326004 by Zifre
- 이 책은 저의 것입니다.This book is mine.
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-hun and Ji-eun are looking at a gift in a store.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 이것 좀 보세요.Ji-eun ssi, igeot jom boseyo.Ji-eun, look at this.
- 지은 Ji-eun와, 이것 정말 예쁘네요!Wa, igeot jeongmal yeppeuneyo!Wow, this is really pretty!
- 지훈 Ji-hun선물로 이것이 좋을까요?Seonmullo igeosi jo-eulkkayo?Would this be good as a gift?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 이것으로 해요.Ne, igeoseuro haeyo.Yes, let's go with this one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “this” translations and entries 이것, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
