이게 나야
ige naya
The English phrase "this is me" is translated into Korean as 이게 나야 (ige naya).
이게 나야 is used to identify oneself, such as when pointing to a photograph or describing one's true nature.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 이게, which means "this [subject]" and 나야, which means "am me [informal]".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 이게 나야 uses the subject marker 가 (which is contracted in 이게) to emphasize that *this* specific thing or person is the one being identified. For a polite version, use 이게 저예요. Additionally, the word 입니다 is the formal way to say "is" or "am" and 소개 means "introduction".
How do you pronounce it?
ige naya
Did you know?
- In Korean, saying 나야 ('it is me') on the phone is the standard way to announce your identity, whereas English speakers typically say 'this is [name]'.
- The contraction in 이게 hides the original noun 것 (geot), which means 'thing', making the phrase literally 'this thing is me' in a grammatical sense.
- When pointing to a photo of yourself, a Korean speaker might use the word 본인 (bonin) in a professional context, which literally means 'the person themselves' to refer to 'me' more objectively.
Examples in context
- 안녕하십니까, 저는 제인입니다.Hello, this is Jane.
Example conversation
Ji-eun is showing Min-jun an old childhood photograph.
- 지은 Ji-eun이 사진 속 아이가 누구야?i sajin sok a-iga nuguya?Who is the child in this photo?
- 민준 Min-jun잘 봐, 이게 나야.jal bwa, ige naya.Look closely, this is me.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말? 전혀 안 닮았어!jeongmal? jeonhyeo an dalmasseo!Really? You don't look like this at all!
- 민준 Min-jun그렇지? 나도 그렇게 생각해.geureotji? nado geureoke saenggak-hae.Right? I think so too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 이게, CC BY-SA 4.0.
