이건 내 거야
igeon nae geoya
In Korean, "this is mine" is expressed as 이건 내 거야 (igeon nae geoya).
This phrase is a statement used to claim ownership of an object. The word 이건 means "this".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 이건 (this [topic]), 내 (my) and 거야 (is thing/is a thing).
Which one should you use?
The word 이건 is a contraction of 이것은 (this thing [topic]), which is common in spoken Korean.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 이건 내 거야 is in the banmal (informal/casual) style, used with friends or people younger than you. To make the phrase polite when speaking to elders or strangers, use 이건 제 거예요 instead of 이건 내 거야.
How do you pronounce it?
igeon nae geoya
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, claiming ownership with 이건 내 거야 can sound aggressive or childish depending on the tone, often sounding like a child fighting over a toy.
- The word 내 is a homonym for several other words, including a term for 'smoke' that was eventually replaced by a Chinese-derived word to avoid confusion.
- Depending on the context, saying 'this is mine' in Korean can be avoided entirely by using a gesture or a different verb to maintain politeness.
Examples in context
- 이건 내 거야.igeon nae geoya.This is mine.
- 지갑? 이건 내 거야.jigap? igeon nae geoya.The wallet? This is mine.
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin are looking at a stray pen on a desk.
- 민준 Min-jun이 펜 써도 돼?i pen sseodo dwae?Can I use this pen?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니, 이건 내 거야.ani, igeon nae geoya.No, this is mine.
- 민준 Min-jun아, 진짜? 미안.a, jinjja? mian.Oh, really? Sorry.
- 수빈 Su-bin괜찮아.gwaenchana.It's okay.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 내, CC BY-SA 4.0.
