Lesson 16
When writing in Korean, in order to avoid unclear and confusing sentences, it is important to understand the use of spacing.
Spacing rules in Korean
Spacing (띄어쓰기) in Korean is similar to, but still very different from, English. In terms of words, independent words can be written separately (with a space between two words), but there are some cases in which you should NOT have a space between two words.
There should be a space between:
- an adjective and a noun
Ex)
예쁜 강아지 = a pretty puppy
부지런한 사람 = a hardworking person
- an adverb and a verb
Ex)
조용히 걷다 = to walk quietly
빨리 말하다 = to speak fast
- a noun (+ marker) and a verb
Ex)
이거(를) 샀어요. = I bought this.
그것(을) 만들었어요. = I made it.
- a noun and another noun
Ex)
한국 여행 = trip to Korea
지갑 가격 = the cost of a wallet
There is no space between:
- a noun/pronoun and a marker
Ex)
저 + 는 = 저는 = I + subject marker
저 + 를 = 저를 = I + object marker
- nouns in a proper name (if it has been decided that the name is to be in that format)
Ex)
한국관광공사 = Korea Tourism Organization
서울도시철도공사 = Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit
Exceptions
- Words which form fixed expressions can be written together without space.
Ex)
이 + 것 = 이 것 → 이것
* These two words are put together because they are commonly used together.
Ex)
여자 친구 = 여자친구
* 여자 친구 is the correct way to write “girlfriend”, but many people write it as a single word without a space since it is such a commonly used word. In fact, it is so common that quite often it is condensed simply to 여친 in casual scenarios (amongst younger speakers).
** This lack of spacing is commonly found in Sino-Korean words.
- Noun + 하다
- 공부(를) 하다 = 공부 하다 → 공부하다
- 운동(을) 하다 = 운동 하다 → 운동하다
- 청소(를) 하다 = 청소 하다 → 청소하다