Lesson 17
In the previous lesson, you just barely scratched the surface of spacing rules in Korean. By digging a bit deeper, you can learn about some more common word contractions.
Topic marker contractions
When topic markers are used after nouns and pronouns, sometimes they are shortened so people can speak faster.
- 저는 → 전 [polite]
Ex)
저는 괜찮아요. = I am alright. → 전 괜찮아요.
- 나는 → 난 [casual]
Ex)
나는 여기 있을게. = I will stay here. → 난 여기 있을게.
- 이것은 [very formal] → 이거는 [casual] → 이건 [casual]
Ex)
이것은 뭐예요? = What is this? → 이건 뭐예요?
- 서울에는 → 서울엔
Ex)
서울에는 왜 왔어요? = What brings you to Seoul? → 서울엔 왜 왔어요?
- 어제는 → 어젠
Ex)
어제는 왜 안 왔어요? = Why didn’t you come yesterday? → 어젠 왜 안 왔어요?
Subject marker contractions
When the subject marker -이 is used after 것, it is contracted to 게.
- 이것이 [formal] → 이게 [casual]
Ex)
이것이 좋아요. = This one is good. → 이게 좋아요.
- 저것이 [formal] → 저게 [causal]
Ex)
저것이 더 예뻐요. = That (over there) is prettier. → 저게 더 예뻐요.
- 그것이 [formal] → 그게 [causal]
Ex)
그것이 어디 있어요? = Where is it? → 그게 어디 있어요?
* You can use these shortened forms anytime except in extremely formal situations.
Sample Sentences
전 학생이에요.
= I am a student.
이건 제 거예요.
= This is mine.
서울엔 눈이 오고 있어요.
= (Well, in other areas I do not know, but) As far as Seoul is concerned, it is snowing.
어젠 뭐 했어요?
= What did you do yesterday?
저게 편해요.
=That is convenient. / There are no other things as convenient as that one.
저는 그게 없어요.
= I do not have it.