Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to express “this” or “that” in Korean! Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate learner, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to convey this concept, while also providing regional variations when necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Using “This” or “That” in Formal Korean
If you want to speak formally or politely, you can utilize the following expressions:
1. 이 (i) for “This”:
Example: 이 책 (i chaek) – This book
The word 이 (i) is used to indicate proximity and should be paired with the noun you want to refer to.
2. 그 (geu) for “That”:
Example: 그 사람 (geu saram) – That person
The term 그 (geu) is employed to express something that is a bit more distant or removed from the speaker.
Using “This” or “That” in Informal Korean
If you’re in a casual context or speaking to someone of the same age or younger, you can use the following expressions:
1. 이거 (igeo) for “This”:
Example: 이거 사과야 (igeo sagwa ya) – This is an apple.
The term 이거 (igeo) combines 이 (i) meaning “this” and 것 (geo) meaning “thing” to form a shorter and more informal way to express “this.”
2. 그거 (geugeo) for “That”:
Example: 그거 신기해 (geugeo singihae) – That’s amazing.
The expression 그거 (geugeo) combines 그 (geu) meaning “that” and 것 (geo) meaning “thing” to create a less formal manner of saying “that.”
Regional Variations on “This” or “That”
While standard Korean is used throughout the country, there are slight regional variations in vocabulary and pronunciation. Here are a few regional variations for “this” and “that”:
1. 이따 (idda) for “This” or “That”:
Example: 이따 맛있어 (idda masisseo) – This/That is delicious.
This expression is commonly used in Busan and nearby regions. It has the same meaning as 이 (i) or 그 (geu), but with a regional flavor.
2. 저기 (jeogi) for “That”:
Example: 저기 카페가 어때? (jeogi kapega eottae?) – How about that café over there?
This term is widely used in Seoul and roughly translates to “that” or “over there.”
Tips to Keep in Mind
Here are some helpful tips to further enhance your understanding of expressing “this” or “that” in Korean:
- Practice Makes Perfect: Make an effort to use these phrases in everyday conversations to become more familiar with them.
- Context Matters: Consider the situation and determine whether formal or informal language is appropriate.
- Pay Attention to Intonation: Koreans often use intonation and context to convey meaning, so try to mimic it for better communication.
- Body Language: Coupling your words with appropriate hand gestures or pointing can strengthen your message.
Now you have the tools to confidently express “this” or “that” in Korean. Remember to keep practicing and incorporating these phrases into your Korean conversations. Happy learning!
