Personal Pronouns

01

First Person: "I" and "We"

There are two main ways to say "I" in Korean. The choice dictates the politeness level of the entire sentence.

1. The Humble "I": 저 (chŏ)

Use this form when speaking to elders, strangers, or in formal settings. It lowers yourself to show respect to the listener.

• 저는 학생입니다.

  chŏ·nŭn hak·sæng·im·ni·da.jeo·neun hak·saeng·im·ni·da.chŏ·nŭn hak·saeng·im·ni·da.ce·nun hak·sayng·im·ni·ta.

  I am a student.

• 저도 가요.

  chŏ·do ka·yo.jeo·do ga·yo.chŏ·do ka·yo.ce·to ka·yo.

  I am going too.

2. The Casual "I": 나 (na)

Use this form with close friends, people younger than you, or when talking to yourself.

• 나는 바빠.

  na·nŭn pa·ppa.na·neun ba·bba.na·nŭn pa·ppa.na·nun pa·ppa.

  I am busy.

• 나 배고파.

  na pæ·go·pʰa.na bae·go·pa.na pae·go·p'a.na pay·ko·pha.

  I am hungry.

3. "We": 우리 (u·ri) and 저희 (chŏ·hwi)

Just like the singular forms, "we" has a casual form 우리 (u·riu·riu·riu·li) and a humble form 저희 (chŏ·hwijeo·hwichŏ·hwice·hui). 우리 (u·riu·riu·riu·li) is unique because it is also used where English speakers would say "my" to indicate a collective belonging. Koreans say "our house," "our mom," or "our country" rather than "my."

• 우리 엄마예요.

  u·ri ŏm·ma·ye·yo.u·ri eom·ma·ye·yo.u·ri ŏm·ma·ye·yo.u·li em·ma·yey·yo.

  She is my (our) mom.

• 저희가 할게요.

  chŏ·hwi·ga hal·ge·yo.jeo·hwi·ga hal·ge·yo.chŏ·hwi·ga hal·ge·yo.ce·hui·ka hal·key·yo.

  We will do it. (Polite)

02

Irregular Changes with Subject Marker 가 (ka)

When the specific subject marker 가 (kagakaka) is attached to "I" or "You," the pronoun changes shape. This is a crucial irregularity to memorize.

• 저 (chŏjeochŏce) + 가 (kagakaka) becomes 제가 (che·gaje·gache·gacey·ka)
• 나 (na) + 가 (kagakaka) becomes 내가 (næ·ganae·ganae·ganay·ka)
• 너 (nŏneonŏne) + 가 (kagakaka) becomes 네가 (ne·gane·gane·ganey·ka)

Note: In spoken Korean, 네가 (ne·gane·gane·ganey·ka) is almost always pronounced as 니가 (ni·gani·gani·gani·ka) to distinguish it clearly from 내가 (næ·ganae·ganae·ganay·ka).

• 제가 도와드릴게요.

  che·ga to·wa·dŭ·ril·ge·yo.je·ga do·wa·deu·ril·ge·yo.che·ga to·wa·dŭ·ril·ge·yo.cey·ka to·wa·tu·lil·key·yo.

  I will help you. (Polite)

• 내가 했어.

  næ·ga hæss·ŏ.nae·ga haess·eo.nae·ga haess·ŏ.nay·ka hayss·e.

  I did it. (Casual)

• 네가 좋아.

  ni·ga cho·a.ni·ga jo·a.ni·ga cho·a.ni·ka co·a.

  I like you. (Casual)

03

Second Person: The Problem with "You"

Translating "you" is one of the most difficult aspects for beginners because there is no single, safe word for "you" that can be used in all situations.

1. Casual "You": 너 (nŏ)

This is strictly for close friends and those younger than you. Using this with a stranger is considered rude.

• 너는 어디 살아?

  nŏ·nŭn ŏ·di sa·ra?neo·neun eo·di sa·ra?nŏ·nŭn ŏ·di sa·ra?ne·nun e·ti sa·la?

  Where do you live?

2. Polite "You": 당신 (tang·sin)

Learners often overuse this word. While it technically means "you," it is primarily used between married couples or in confrontational arguments. Using it with a stranger can sound aggressive.

3. The Correct Way to say "You"

To refer to the listener politely, Koreans avoid pronouns and instead use:

• Job Titles: Teacher 선생님 (sŏn·sæng·nimseon·saeng·nimsŏn·saeng·nimsen·sayng·nim), Manager 과장님 (kwa·jang·nimgwa·jang·nimkwa·jang·nimkwa·cang·nim).
• Names: Name + 씨 (ssi) or 님 (nim).
• Kinship Terms: Older brother, Auntie, etc., even if not related.

• 지민 씨는 뭐 해요?

  chi·min ssi·nŭn mwŏ hæ·yo?ji·min ssi·neun mwŏ hae·yo?chi·min ssi·nŭn mwŏ hae·yo?ci·min ssi·nun mwŏ hay·yo?

  What are you doing, Jimin? (Lit: What is Jimin doing?)

• 선생님은요?

  sŏn·sæng·nim·ŭn·yo?seon·saeng·nim·eun·yo?sŏn·saeng·nim·ŭn·yo?sen·sayng·nim·un·yo?

  How about you, teacher? (Lit: How about the teacher?)

04

Third Person: He, She, and They

Korean has specific pronouns for "he" 그 (kŭgeukŭku) and "she" 그녀 (kŭ·nyŏgeu·nyeokŭ·nyŏku·nye), but these are almost exclusively found in written literature, song lyrics, or translated texts. They sound unnatural in spoken conversation.

In speech, Koreans use demonstratives (this/that) combined with the words for "person" or "gentleman/lady."

• He/She (Casual): 그 사람 (kŭ sa·ramgeu sa·ramkŭ sa·ramku sa·lam) - Lit: That person.
• He/She (Casual): 이 사람 (i sa·rami sa·rami sa·rami sa·lam) - Lit: This person.
• He/She (Polite): 그분 (kŭ·bungeu·bunkŭ·bunku·pun) - Lit: That gentleman/lady.

• 그 사람은 의사예요.

  kŭ sa·ram·ŭn ŭi·sa·ye·yo.geu sa·ram·eun ui·sa·ye·yo.kŭ sa·ram·ŭn ŭi·sa·ye·yo.ku sa·lam·un uy·sa·yey·yo.

  He/She is a doctor.

• 이분이 제 친구예요.

  i·bun·i che chʰin·gu·ye·yo.i·bun·i je chin·gu·ye·yo.i·bun·i che ch'in·gu·ye·yo.i·pun·i cey chin·ku·yey·yo.

  This (person) is my friend.

05

Making Pronouns Plural

To make a pronoun plural, add the suffix 들 (dŭldeuldŭltul).

• You (plural/guys): 너희들 (nŏ·hwi·dŭlneo·hwi·deulnŏ·hwi·dŭlne·hui·tul) - Casual.
• They: 그들 (kŭ·dŭlgeu·deulkŭ·dŭlku·tul) or 그 사람들 (kŭ sa·ram·dŭlgeu sa·ram·deulkŭ sa·ram·dŭlku sa·lam·tul).

• 너희들 준비됐어?

  nŏ·hwi·dŭl chun·bi·dwæss·ŏ?neo·hwi·deul jun·bi·dwaess·eo?nŏ·hwi·dŭl chun·bi·dwaess·ŏ?ne·hui·tul cun·pi·twayss·e?

  Are you guys ready?