Korean/Demonstrative pronouns

Demonstrative object pronouns

Korean has three demonstrative pronouns for objects:

• 이것 (this, i-geot) is used when the object is nearby the speaker.
• 그것 (that, geu-geot) is used when the object is near the listener. It is also used when the speaker already mentioned the object.
• 저것 (that [over there], jeo-geot) is used when the object is far from the speaker and the listener.

Examples:

• 이것은 이상하다: This is strange.
• 그것은 이상하다: That is strange.
• 저것은 이상하다: That [over there] is strange.

When 은 (the topic marker) follows those pronouns, they are often contracted as follows:

• 이건: contraction of 이것은
• 그건: contraction of 그것은
• 저건: contraction of 저것은

Examples:

• 이건 이상하다: This is strange.
• 그건 이상하다: That is strange.
• 저건 이상하다: That [over there] is strange.

When 이 (the subject marker) follows those pronouns, they are often contracted as follows:

• 이게: contraction of 이것이
• 그게: contraction of 그것이
• 저게: contraction of 저것이

Examples:

• 이게 이상하다: This is strange.
• 그게 이상하다: That is strange.
• 저게 이상하다: That [over there] is strange.

Demonstrative personal pronouns

Korean has three demonstrative pronouns for people.

• 이분 is used when the person is nearby the speaker.
• 그분 is used when the person is near the listener.
• 저분 is used when the person is far from the speaker and the listener.

Examples:

• 이분 이 누구입니까?: Who is this person?
• 그분 이 누구입니까?: Who is that person?
• 저분 이 누구입니까?: Who is that person [over there]?

Demonstrative determiners

Also 이, 저, and 그 can be used in front of nouns:

• 이 식사가 맛있어요.

  This dish is delicious.

• 그 연필을 이용해요?

  Are you using that pencil?

• 저 식당에 갑시다.

  Lets go to that restaurant.