### korean abstract art
This lesson explores the Korean third-person neuter pronoun "it," which manifests through a sophisticated system of demonstrative pronouns based on spatial and psychological distance. As an autodidact student, you'll discover how Korean's three-way distinction system (이/그/저) provides more precision than English's simple "it," encoding the speaker's relationship to objects in physical and conceptual space.
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
FAQ: What does "it" mean in Korean? Answer: Korean expresses "it" through demonstrative pronouns that indicate distance from the speaker: 이것 (igeot) for "this" (near speaker), 그것 (geugeot) for "that" (near listener or previously mentioned), and 저것 (jeogeot) for "that over there" (far from both). These can be shortened to 이거, 그거, 저거 in casual speech. Additionally, Korean often omits pronouns entirely when context is clear, and the subject marker 이/가 or topic marker 은/는 alone can imply "it" in many sentences.
In the following 15 examples, you'll see how "it" functions in Korean through demonstratives, pronoun dropping, and various grammatical constructions. The examples show how Korean speakers navigate between explicit pronoun use and contextual understanding, demonstrating the language's preference for economy when meaning is clear.
Educational Classification: This is language learning material designed for English speakers studying Korean as a foreign language, using the Latinum Institute's interlinear glossing method for accelerated comprehension.
Key Takeaways: -
Korean uses a three-way spatial distinction (이/그/저) -
Pronouns are frequently dropped when context is clear -
Demonstratives change form when modifying nouns -
Formal and informal speech affects pronoun choice -
Topic and subject markers can imply "it" without stating it
Korean uses Hangul (한글), an alphabetic writing system where letters combine into syllable blocks. Romanization follows the Revised Romanization of Korean (RR) system: -
eo = ㅓ (like "uh") -
eu = ㅡ (no English equivalent, unrounded "u") -
Double consonants (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ) are tense -
ㅇ is silent initially, pronounced [ŋ] finally
Common learner mistakes: -
Overusing pronouns (Korean drops them when clear) -
Confusing the three-way distinction (이/그/저) -
Using the wrong formality level -
Not recognizing when particles alone imply "it" -
Mixing pronoun and modifier forms
10.1 그것은 (geugeoseun) that-thing-TOP 책 (chaek) book 입니다 (imnida) is-FORMAL
10.2 이거 (igeo) this-thing 뭐야 (mwoya) what-is-INFORMAL ? (?) QUESTION
10.3 저것을 (jeogeoseul) that-over-there-ACC 가져 (gajyeo) bring 오세요 (oseyo) come-POLITE
10.4 그게 (geuge) that-CONTR 정말 (jeongmal) really 좋아요 (joayo) good-POLITE
10.5 이건 (igeon) this-CONTR-TOP 제 (je) my 것 (geot) thing 이에요 (ieyo) is-POLITE
10.6 그것이 (geugeosi) that-thing-NOM 문제 (munje) problem 야 (ya) is-INFORMAL
10.7 비가 (biga) rain-NOM 와요 (wayo) comes-POLITE 그래서 (geuraeseo) therefore 우산을 (usaneul) umbrella-ACC 가져가요 (gajyeogayo) take-POLITE
10.8 이것도 (igeotdo) this-thing-also 저것도 (jeogeotdo) that-thing-also 다 (da) all 필요해요 (piryohaeyo) necessary-POLITE
10.9 그건 (geugeon) that-CONTR-TOP 어디 (eodi) where 있어 (isseo) exist-INFORMAL ? (?) QUESTION
10.10 저거 (jeogeo) that-over-there 누구 (nugu) who 거예요 (geoyeyo) thing-is-POLITE ? (?) QUESTION
10.11 맛있어요 (masisseoyo) delicious-POLITE 그렇지만 (geureochiman) however 비싸요 (bissayo) expensive-POLITE
10.12 이게 (ige) this-CONTR-NOM 뭔지 (mwonji) what-is-whether 알아요 (arayo) know-POLITE ? (?) QUESTION
10.13 그것은 (geugeoseun) that-thing-TOP 그것 (geugeot) that-thing 대로 (daero) as-it-is 두세요 (duseyo) leave-POLITE
10.14 좋아해요 (joahaeyo) like-POLITE 왜냐하면 (waenyahamyeon) because 재미있거든요 (jaemiitgeodeunyo) interesting-because-POLITE
10.15 이것을 (igeoseul) this-thing-ACC 저것과 (jeogeotgwa) that-thing-with 바꿔요 (bakkwoyo) exchange-POLITE
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10.1 그것은 책입니다. It is a book.
10.2 이거 뭐야? What is this?
10.3 저것을 가져오세요. Please bring that (over there).
10.4 그게 정말 좋아요. That's really good.
10.5 이건 제 것이에요. This is mine.
10.6 그것이 문제야. That's the problem.
10.7 비가 와요. 그래서 우산을 가져가요. It's raining. So (I'm) taking an umbrella.
10.8 이것도 저것도 다 필요해요. Both this and that are necessary.
10.9 그건 어디 있어? Where is it?
10.10 저거 누구 거예요? Whose is that (over there)?
10.11 맛있어요. 그렇지만 비싸요. It's delicious. However, it's expensive.
10.12 이게 뭔지 알아요? Do you know what this is?
10.13 그것은 그것대로 두세요. Leave it as it is.
10.14 좋아해요. 왜냐하면 재미있거든요. (I) like it because it's interesting.
10.15 이것을 저것과 바꿔요. Exchange this with that.
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10.1 그것은 책입니다.
10.2 이거 뭐야?
10.3 저것을 가져오세요.
10.4 그게 정말 좋아요.
10.5 이건 제 것이에요.
10.6 그것이 문제야.
10.7 비가 와요. 그래서 우산을 가져가요.
10.8 이것도 저것도 다 필요해요.
10.9 그건 어디 있어?
10.10 저거 누구 거예요?
10.11 맛있어요. 그렇지만 비싸요.
10.12 이게 뭔지 알아요?
10.13 그것은 그것대로 두세요.
10.14 좋아해요. 왜냐하면 재미있거든요.
10.15 이것을 저것과 바꿔요.
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These are the grammar rules for Korean third-person neuter pronouns:
Three-Way Distinction System: Korean demonstratives follow a spatial/psychological distance pattern: -
이 (i) series - Proximal (near speaker): -
이것 (igeot) = this thing/it (formal) -
이거 (igeo) = this/it (casual) -
이게 (ige) = this/it (contracted with subject marker) -
이건 (igeon) = this/it (contracted with topic marker) -
그 (geu) series - Medial (near listener/previously mentioned): -
그것 (geugeot) = that thing/it (formal) -
그거 (geugeo) = that/it (casual) -
그게 (geuge) = that/it (with subject marker) -
그건 (geugeon) = that/it (with topic marker) -
저 (jeo) series - Distal (far from both): -
저것 (jeogeot) = that thing over there/it (formal) -
저거 (jeogeo) = that over there/it (casual) -
저게 (jeoge) = that/it (with subject marker) -
저건 (jeogeon) = that/it (with topic marker)
Pronoun Dropping: Korean frequently omits pronouns when context is clear: -
좋아요 (joayo) = "(It) is good" -
필요해요 (piryohaeyo) = "(It) is necessary" -
어디 있어? (eodi isseo?) = "Where is (it)?"
Common Mistakes: -
Using 그것 when 이것 or 저것 is appropriate -
Overusing pronouns in Korean (sounds unnatural) -
Confusing pronoun forms with modifier forms (이/그/저 + noun) -
Using wrong contraction forms with particles -
Not recognizing implied "it" in subjectless sentences
Comparison with English: English "it" is neutral regarding distance, while Korean encodes spatial/contextual information. English requires explicit "it" in most sentences, Korean often omits it. English uses "it" as dummy subject ("It's raining"), Korean doesn't need this construction (비가 온다 = "rain comes").
Step-by-Step Usage: -
Determine distance/context (near me/you/far) -
Choose appropriate series (이/그/저) -
Select form (formal 것 or casual shortening) -
Add particles as needed (은/는, 이/가, 을/를) -
Consider if pronoun can be dropped entirely
Grammatical Summary: -
No gender distinction (unlike he/she/it in English) -
Distance-based rather than person-based -
Contracts with particles in casual speech -
Can function as determiners before nouns -
Often implied rather than stated
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Formal and Informal Usage: The choice between 그것 (formal) and 그거 (casual) reflects social relationships and contexts. In business or academic settings, 그것 maintains professional distance. Among friends, 그거 creates warmth. The contracted forms (그게, 그건) are even more casual, used in rapid conversation. Formal written Korean prefers full forms, while texting uses maximum contraction.
Cultural Significance: The three-way distinction reflects Korean spatial awareness and social positioning. 그것 often refers to shared knowledge between speaker and listener, creating in-group understanding. The distinction helps maintain 눈치 (nunchi) - social awareness - by showing speakers track what's near listeners versus themselves.
Regional Variations: -
Seoul: Standard three-way distinction strictly maintained -
Gyeongsang dialect: Sometimes merges 이것/그것 in casual speech -
Jeolla dialect: Unique intonation patterns on demonstratives -
Jeju: Has additional demonstrative forms not found in standard Korean
Idiomatic Expressions: -
그게 그거야 (geuge geugeoya) = "It's all the same" -
이거저거 (igeojeogeo) = "this and that" (various things) -
그것 봐! (geugeot bwa!) = "See! I told you!" -
저건 저거고 (jeogeon jeogeogo) = "That's that" (separate matter) -
이게 뭐야? (ige mwoya?) = "What is this?" (expressing surprise/frustration)
Syntactical Peculiarities: Korean demonstratives can stack with other demonstratives for emphasis: 그 그것 (geu geugeot) "that thing there." They combine with particles creating portmanteau forms unknown to learners. In reported speech, 그것 maintains reference to something in the original context, not the reporting context. Questions often use rising intonation alone rather than question markers with demonstratives.
Observations on Modern Usage: Digital communication favors abbreviated forms (ㅇㄱ for 이거). Young speakers increasingly use 그거 as default "it" regardless of distance. English loanwords sometimes replace demonstratives in tech contexts. K-pop and K-drama spread Seoul pronunciation patterns globally, standardizing usage among learners.
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From 김소월 (Kim Sowol)'s poem "진달래꽃" (Azaleas), 1925:
Original Text (52 words): 나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 말없이 고이 보내 드리우리다. 영변에 약산 진달래꽃 아름 따다 가실 길에 뿌리우리다. 가시는 걸음걸음 놓인 그 꽃을 사뿐히 즈려밟고 가시옵소서. 나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 죽어도 아니 눈물 흘리우리다.
나 (na) I 보기가 (bogiga) seeing-NOM 역겨워 (yeokgyeowo) disgusting 가실 (gasil) go-HON-FUT 때에는 (ttaeeneun) time-at-TOP 말없이 (mareopsi) word-without 고이 (goi) carefully 보내 (bonae) send 드리우리다 (deuriurida) give-HON-FUT 영변에 (Yeongbyeone) Yeongbyeon-at 약산 (Yaksan) Yaksan 진달래꽃 (jindallaekkkot) azalea-flowers 아름 (areum) armful 따다 (ttada) pick 가실 (gasil) go-HON-FUT 길에 (gire) road-on 뿌리우리다 (ppuriurida) scatter-FUT 가시는 (gasineun) go-HON-CONT 걸음걸음 (georeumgeoreum) step-step 놓인 (noin) placed-PAST 그 (geu) that 꽃을 (kkkocheul) flower-ACC 사뿐히 (sappunhi) lightly 즈려밟고 (jeuryeobapgo) tread-and 가시옵소서 (gasiopseoseo) go-HON-IMP 나 (na) I 보기가 (bogiga) seeing-NOM 역겨워 (yeokgyeowo) disgusting 가실 (gasil) go-HON-FUT 때에는 (ttaeeneun) time-at-TOP 죽어도 (jugeodo) die-even 아니 (ani) not 눈물 (nunmul) tears 흘리우리다 (heulliurida) shed-FUT
나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 말없이 고이 보내 드리우리다. 영변에 약산 진달래꽃 아름 따다 가실 길에 뿌리우리다. 가시는 걸음걸음 놓인 그 꽃을 사뿐히 즈려밟고 가시옵소서. 나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 죽어도 아니 눈물 흘리우리다.
When you leave because you're sick of seeing me, I will send you away quietly without a word. I will pick armfuls of azaleas from Yaksan in Yeongbyeon and scatter them on your path. Please tread lightly on those flowers placed at your every step as you go. When you leave because you're sick of seeing me, I won't shed tears even if I die.
나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 말없이 고이 보내 드리우리다. 영변에 약산 진달래꽃 아름 따다 가실 길에 뿌리우리다. 가시는 걸음걸음 놓인 그 꽃을 사뿐히 즈려밟고 가시옵소서. 나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 죽어도 아니 눈물 흘리우리다.
This poem demonstrates classical Korean demonstrative usage with "그 꽃" (that flower), where 그 creates emotional distance despite physical proximity. The archaic verbal endings (-우리다, -옵소서) show historical formal speech surpassing modern 습니다 forms. The poem avoids explicit pronouns for "you," using honorific verb inflections (가실, 가시는) instead. The demonstrative 그 appears only once, marking the flowers as emotionally distant despite being physically present. The phrase "죽어도" (even if I die) uses the conditional -어도 without stating "it" as subject. Kim Sowol's language bridges classical and modern Korean, using traditional poetic forms with colloquial emotion, making it accessible yet elevated.
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10.16 그것은 (geugeoseun) that-TOP 새로운 (saeroun) new 인공지능 (ingongjineung) artificial-intelligence 기술 (gisul) technology 입니다 (imnida) is-FORMAL
10.17 이 (i) this 앱은 (aebeun) app-TOP 스마트폰에서 (seumateuponeseo) smartphone-on 작동합니다 (jakdonghamnida) operates-FORMAL
10.18 저 (jeo) that 회사는 (hoesaneun) company-TOP 그것을 (geugeoseul) that-ACC 개발하는 (gaebalhaneun) developing 데 (de) NOMINALIZER 5년 (onyeon) five-years 걸렸어요 (geollyeosseoyo) took-POLITE
10.19 이것이 (igeosi) this-NOM 미래의 (miraeui) future-GEN 기술이에요 (gisurieyo) technology-is-POLITE
10.20 그 (geu) that 프로그램은 (peurogeuraemeun) program-TOP 자동으로 (jadong-euro) automatically 업데이트됩니다 (eobdeiteu-doebnida) update-PASSIVE-FORMAL
10.21 저것들은 (jeogeotdeureun) those-things-TOP 모두 (modu) all 클라우드에 (keullaudeue) cloud-in 저장돼요 (jeojangdwaeyo) stored-PASSIVE-POLITE
10.22 이게 (ige) this-NOM 바로 (baro) exactly 우리가 (uriga) we-NOM 찾던 (chatdeon) searching-PAST-REL 솔루션이야 (sollusyeoniya) solution-is-INFORMAL
10.23 그건 (geugeon) that-TOP 보안 (boan) security 문제가 (munjega) problem-NOM 있어서 (isseoseo) exist-because 안 (an) not 돼요 (dwaeyo) work-POLITE
10.24 이 (i) this 기기는 (gigineun) device-TOP 배터리가 (baeteoriga) battery-NOM 오래 (orae) long 갑니다 (gamnida) goes-FORMAL
10.25 저 (jeo) that 시스템은 (siseutemeun) system-TOP AI를 (AIreul) AI-ACC 사용해요 (sayonghaeyo) uses-POLITE
10.26 그것으로 (geugeoseuro) that-with 데이터를 (deiteoreul) data-ACC 분석할 (bunseokhal) analyze-FUT 수 (su) ability 있습니다 (itsseumnida) exists-FORMAL
10.27 이것은 (igeoseun) this-TOP 오픈소스 (opeun-soseu) open-source 소프트웨어예요 (sopeuteuweeo-yeyo) software-is-POLITE
10.28 그게 (geuge) that-NOM 왜 (wae) why 중요한지 (jungyohanji) important-whether 아세요 (aseyo) know-POLITE ? (?) QUESTION
10.29 저것을 (jeogeoseul) that-ACC 다운로드하려면 (daunrodeu-haryeomyeon) download-if-want 회원가입이 (hoewongagibi) membership-NOM 필요해요 (piryohaeyo) necessary-POLITE
10.30 이건 (igeon) this-TOP 혁신적인 (hyeoksinjeog-in) innovative 기술이라고 (gisurirago) technology-QUOTE 생각해요 (saenggakhaeyo) think-POLITE
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10.16 그것은 새로운 인공지능 기술입니다. It is a new artificial intelligence technology.
10.17 이 앱은 스마트폰에서 작동합니다. This app operates on smartphones.
10.18 저 회사는 그것을 개발하는 데 5년 걸렸어요. That company took five years to develop it.
10.19 이것이 미래의 기술이에요. This is the technology of the future.
10.20 그 프로그램은 자동으로 업데이트됩니다. The program updates automatically.
10.21 저것들은 모두 클라우드에 저장돼요. Those are all stored in the cloud.
10.22 이게 바로 우리가 찾던 솔루션이야. This is exactly the solution we were looking for.
10.23 그건 보안 문제가 있어서 안 돼요. That won't work because it has security issues.
10.24 이 기기는 배터리가 오래 갑니다. This device's battery lasts long.
10.25 저 시스템은 AI를 사용해요. That system uses AI.
10.26 그것으로 데이터를 분석할 수 있습니다. You can analyze data with it.
10.27 이것은 오픈소스 소프트웨어예요. This is open-source software.
10.28 그게 왜 중요한지 아세요? Do you know why that's important?
10.29 저것을 다운로드하려면 회원가입이 필요해요. You need to register to download that.
10.30 이건 혁신적인 기술이라고 생각해요. I think this is innovative technology.
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10.16 그것은 새로운 인공지능 기술입니다.
10.17 이 앱은 스마트폰에서 작동합니다.
10.18 저 회사는 그것을 개발하는 데 5년 걸렸어요.
10.19 이것이 미래의 기술이에요.
10.20 그 프로그램은 자동으로 업데이트됩니다.
10.21 저것들은 모두 클라우드에 저장돼요.
10.22 이게 바로 우리가 찾던 솔루션이야.
10.23 그건 보안 문제가 있어서 안 돼요.
10.24 이 기기는 배터리가 오래 갑니다.
10.25 저 시스템은 AI를 사용해요.
10.26 그것으로 데이터를 분석할 수 있습니다.
10.27 이것은 오픈소스 소프트웨어예요.
10.28 그게 왜 중요한지 아세요?
10.29 저것을 다운로드하려면 회원가입이 필요해요.
10.30 이건 혁신적인 기술이라고 생각해요.
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This technology article demonstrates modern Korean's adaptation to digital discourse. English loanwords (앱, 클라우드, AI, 오픈소스) integrate seamlessly with Korean grammar, taking native particles and verb endings. The demonstratives distinguish between immediate technology (이 앱), discussed technology (그 프로그램), and distant technology (저 시스템).
Passive constructions appear frequently in tech Korean: 저장돼요 (is stored), 업데이트됩니다 (is updated). These forms use the passive suffix -되다 attached to Sino-Korean verbs, a pattern common in formal technical writing. The nominalization pattern -는 데 (in doing something) appears in "개발하는 데" showing process focus typical of technical description.
Formal and informal registers mix based on context: 입니다 (formal copula) for definitions, -어요 (polite) for explanations, and -야 (informal) for discoveries. The conditional -려면 (if one wants to) in sentence 29 shows procedural language common in user instructions. Question forms like -ㄴ지 embedded in larger sentences demonstrate Korean's complex clause embedding.
The genre shows Korean's efficiency in pronoun use - many sentences omit subjects entirely when context is clear, relying on topic markers and verb inflections to maintain coherence. This reflects both traditional Korean grammar and modern technical writing's preference for conciseness.
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IPA Transcriptions for Key Terms: -
그것 [kɯɡʌt̚] - that thing/it -
이것 [iɡʌt̚] - this thing/it -
저것 [t͡ɕʌɡʌt̚] - that thing over there/it -
그거 [kɯɡʌ] - that (casual) -
이거 [iɡʌ] - this (casual) -
저거 [t͡ɕʌɡʌ] - that over there (casual)
Common Pronunciation Errors: -
Not distinguishing ㅓ [ʌ] from ㅗ [o] -
Pronouncing final ㅅ (should be unreleased [t̚]) -
Missing the subtle difference between ㅡ [ɯ] and ㅜ [u] -
Over-aspirating plain consonants -
Not tensing double consonants enough
Tone and Stress Patterns: Korean is not tonal but has predictable pitch patterns: -
Statements: falling intonation -
Questions: rising intonation -
Seoul dialect: first syllable often slightly higher -
Compounds: stress on first element -
Demonstratives: slight emphasis when contrasting
Liaison (연음) Rules: When 것 is followed by particles: -
것이 → [거시] (geosi) -
것을 → [거슬] (geoseul) -
것은 → [거슨] (geoseun)
Audio Reference Suggestions: -
KBS Korean news for formal pronunciation -
Talk To Me In Korean for clear educational pronunciation -
Korean dramas for natural casual speech -
Naver Dictionary audio function for individual words -
YouTube Korean pronunciation guides
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative language learning materials since 2006, pioneering the use of comprehensible input through interlinear glossing and construed texts. This method, inspired by Renaissance polyglot traditions, enables autodidact learners to rapidly acquire reading comprehension in any language by presenting the target language with immediate, word-by-word English glosses.
Our Korean course addresses the unique challenges of the Hangul writing system and Korean's agglutinative grammar. The interlinear method particularly benefits Korean learners by revealing how particles attach to words, how verbs conjugate through suffixes, and how meaning builds through systematic morphological processes. Rather than memorizing conjugation tables, students see patterns emerge naturally through repeated exposure to glossed examples.
The course integrates both traditional Korean literature and contemporary materials, from classical poetry to modern technology articles, reflecting Korea's rapid modernization while maintaining cultural roots. Each lesson presents authentic Korean in multiple formats—from carefully glossed beginner texts to unmodified native materials—allowing learners to gradually develop independent reading skills while appreciating Korean's logical structure and elegant efficiency.
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