이것
igeot[iɡʌ̹t̚]
In Korean, 'this' is expressed as 이것 (igeot).
이것 is used to indicate the thing, item, etc. being indicated.
Meaning: the thing, item, etc. being indicated (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 이것 is a compound of 이, which means 'this' and 것, which means 'thing' or 'object'. Literally, it means 'this thing'.
Which one should you use?
While 이것 refers to something close to the speaker, 그것 refers to something close to the listener or something previously mentioned. Additionally, 이런 is a related form used as a determiner meaning 'known (thing) about to be mentioned'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In everyday spoken conversation, the colloquial contraction 이거 is very common and is considered informal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Korean, 이것이 (this is the subject) is frequently contracted to 이게 and 이것을 (this as an object) is frequently contracted to 이걸.
How do you pronounce it?
igeot
Did you know?
- If you are referring to a person as 'this person' in a polite way, you would not use 이것, but rather the honorific term 이분.
- While 이것 means 'this thing', Korean speakers often omit it entirely if the object is obvious from the context, making the sentence grammatically correct without a subject or object.
- The distinction between 이것 (this) and 그것 (that) is not just about physical distance, but also about whether the information is shared knowledge between the speaker and listener.
Examples in context
- 나는 이것을 사고 싶다.I'd like to buy this.The sentence uses 이것 to express a desire to purchase something.Tatoeba #11104816 by intertime, translation #9823892 by CK
- 톰은 이것 하나를 원한다.Tom wants this one.The sentence uses 이것 to indicate a single item that is wanted.Tatoeba #11105538 by intertime, translation #1141029 by CK
- 예를 들면, 이것은 펜이다.For example, this is a pen.The sentence uses 이것 to provide an example of an object.Tatoeba #3684965 by intertime, translation #326004 by Zifre
- 이 책This book
- 이거 사과야This is an apple.
- 66 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Min-ji are looking at a gift in a shop.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 이것 좀 보세요.Min-ji ssi, igeot jom boseyo.Min-ji, please look at this.
- 민지 Min-ji우와, 이것 정말 예쁘네요!Uwa, igeot jeongmal yeppeuneyo!Wow, this is really pretty!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이것을 선물로 줄까요?Igeoseul seonmullou julkayo?Shall I give this as a gift?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 아주 좋을 것 같아요.Ne, aju joeul geot gat-ayo.Yes, I think it would be great.
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.
