Demonstratives (지시사)
A demonstrative is a word that points out objects (things) based on the speaker's perspective and situation. It indicates the objects (things) that are referenced to other objects in the same category and are particularly used as pronouns or determiners.
Refer to the third-person pronouns.
1. Demonstrative Pronouns
이것:
이것은 무엇인가요?
(What is this?)
그것:
그것은 공책입니다.
(That is a notebook)
저것:
저것은 어떤 종류의 음식인가요?
(What kind of food is that over there?)
2. Demonstratives Adjectives
이:
이 사람은 내 동생이에요.
(This person is my younger sibling)
그:
그 친구는 아직 오지 않았어.
(That friend hasn't arrived yet)
저:
저 새는 어떤 종류인가요?
(What type of bird is that over there?)
3. Location ("here or there")
여기:
여기에서는 흡연이 금지되어 있습니다.
(Smoking is prohibited here)
거기:
거기에 식당이 많아요.
(There are many restaurants over there)
저기:
저기에 좋은 카페가 있어요.
(There's a nice cafe over there)
4. Direction ("way")
여기(로)/이리(로):
여기(로)/이리(로) 좀 더 다가와봐.
(Come close this way)
거기(로)/그리(로):
거기(로)/그리(로) 가면 시장이 나와요.
(If you go that way, you'll find the market)
저기(로)/저리(로):
저기(로)/저리(로) 가세요.
(Please go that way over there)
5. Method ("like")
이렇게:
이렇게 매일 운동하니까 체력이 많이 좋아졌어.
(Since I exercise like this every day, my stamina has improved a lot)
그렇게:
그렇게 하면 안 되요.
(You can't do it like that)
저렇게:
저렇게 큰 건물을 짓는 건 어려운 일이에요.
(It's difficult to build a big building like that)
6. Kind ("such")
이런 + Noun/것:
이런 좋은 기회를 놓치면 후회할 거예요.
(If you miss such a good opportunity like this, you will regret it)
그런 + Noun/것:
그런 것은 하지 마세요.
(Don't do things like that)
저런 + Noun/것:
저런 사람을 보면 정말 화가 나요.
(It makes me angry when I see things such as the one over there)
Additional Expressions
There are some expressions that we could use in daily conversation. It has the same meaning but Koreans are used to it in casual speech.
[Subject]
1. 이게 (이것 +이) = 이게 뭐예요? (What is this?)
2. 그게 (그것 +이) = 그게 공책이에요 (That is a notebook)
3. 저게 (저것 +이) = 저게 어떤 종류의 음식인가요? (What kind of food is that over there?)
[Obejct]
4. 이걸 (이것 +을) = 이걸 내일까지 완성해야 해요 (I have to finish this by tomorrow)
5. 그걸 (그것 +을) = 그걸 사야 돼요 (You have to buy that)
6. 저걸 (저것 +을) = 저걸 가져가세요 (Please take that over there)
[Case Marker “-으(로)”]
4. 이걸로 (이것 +으로) = 이걸로 문제가 해결될 거예요 (The problem will be solved with this)
5. 그걸로 (그것 +으로) = 그녀는 그걸로 유명해졌지 (She became famous with that)
6. 저걸로 (저것 +으로) = 저걸로 하자 (Let’s do with that over there)
[Topic Marker “-은/는”]
7. 이건 (이것 +은) = 이건 내가 만든 거야 (As for this thing, I made it)
8. 그건 (그것 +은) = 그건 내일 하기로 했어 (As for that thing, we decided to do it tomorrow)
9. 저건 (저것 +은) = 저건 내 책이 아니에요 (As for that thing over there, that's not my book)
[Contrastive Marker “-은/는”]
10. 이건 (이것 +은) = 내가 이건 했다 (I did this thing, but not other things)
11. 그건 (그것 +은) = 내가 그건 팔았다 (I sold that thing, but not other things)
12. 저건 (저것 +은) = 그가 저건 끝냈다 (He ended that thing over there, but not other things)
Diminutives (지소사)
Diminutives are used as a suffix that indicates a smaller concept or a sense of endearment than the original meaning. It is often used to emphasize its smallness, cuteness, or insignificance in casual conversation. It can also refer to words derived by attaching such a suffix that means small at the end. Sometimes, the meaning can become stronger than the original adjective or adverb.
It's easy to create a diminutive form from a demonstrative.
1. If it refers to something close to the speaker, the first syllable is changed into [요].
2. If it refers to something close to the listener, the first syllable is changed into [고].
3. If it refers to something far from both the speaker and the listener, the first syllable is changed into [조].
Additional Vocabulary
할아버지 = Grandfather
할머니 = Grandmother
손주 = Grandchild
손자 = Grandson
손녀 = Granddaughter
장인어른 = Father-in-law to a male
장모님 = Mother-in-law to a male
시아버지 = Father-in-law to a female
시어머니 = Mother-in-law to a female
며느리 = Daughter in law
사위 = Son in law
아버지 = Father
어머니 = Mother
부모님 = Parents
형 = Older brother to a male
오빠 = Older brother to a female
누나 = Older sister to a male
언니 = Older sister to a female
남동생 = Younger brother
여동생 = Younger sister
아들 = Son
딸 = Daughter
삼촌 = Father’s brother (unmarried)
큰아버지 = Father’s older brother (married)
작은아버지 = Father’s younger brother (married)
고모 = Father’s sister
(외)삼촌 = Mother’s brother
이모 = Mother’s sister