Tag: Korean grammar
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Korean 사잇소리 현상 and 사이시옷
Introduction In Korean compound nouns, the sound at the boundary often changes. This is called 사잇소리 현상. The important point is that the ㅅ (사이시옷) in spelling does not create the sound; it is only a way to represent part of this phenomenon in writing. The sound change itself happens naturally to make words easier…
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Korean Spacing Rules (띄어쓰기)
1. Introduction Spacing in Korean is essential for correct meaning and readability. Unlike English, where spacing is consistent, Korean rules depend on particles (조사), dependent nouns, and whether expressions are established words or not. Wrong spacing can completely change interpretation. 2. Basic Rules 2-1. Particles (조사) Particles always attach to the preceding word. 2-2. Main…
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Basic Korean Sentence Structure
Korean usually follows a Subject–Object–Verb (SOV) order (English is SVO). The predicate (verb/adjective) normally comes at the end. Because Korean uses particles (이/가, 을/를, 은/는), word order can shift for nuance, and subjects/objects are often omitted when clear from context.(Particles themselves will be explained in a separate post.) 1) Sentence Components (문장의 구성 요소) A.…
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How to Talk About Days in Korean
1. Basic Day Expressions ✅ Example: 2. Native Korean Counters (including “몇”) 👉 Note: 이레, 여드레, 아흐레 are rarely used today. People usually say 일주일 (칠 일), 팔 일, 구 일 instead. But in practice, 일주일 is the natural and common choice. ✅ Example: 3. Period and Time Expressions ✅ Example: 4. Weeks, Months, Years,…
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은/는 vs 이/가 – Key Differences and Usage in Korean
If you’re learning Korean, you’ve probably seen 은/는 and 이/가 used in similar sentences. While both are subject markers, they have different meanings and functions. Understanding when to use each will help you sound more natural in Korean conversations. 1. “은/는” – Topic Marker 은/는 is used to introduce or emphasize the topic of a…
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“지금” (Jigeum) vs “이제” (Ije) – Key Differences and Usage in Korean
If you’re learning Korean, you may have come across “지금” and “이제”, both of which can be translated as “now” in English. However, they carry distinct nuances and are used in different contexts. Understanding the difference between these two words will help you sound more natural in Korean conversations. 1. “지금” (Jigeum) – “Right Now…