Hanja-eo (한자어) and Sino-Korean
Hanja-eo (한자어) and Sino-Korean are very similar concepts, though there is a slight difference.
- Hanja-eo: Refers to words in Korean that can be written with Chinese characters (Hanja) and mostly originate from Chinese. For example, words like "학교 (school, 學校)" and "사랑 (love, 愛)" fall under this category. While most Hanja-eo are Sino-Korean words, some Hanja-eo terms are uniquely Korean, created using Hanja characters but not directly borrowed from Chinese.
- Sino-Korean: Refers to Korean vocabulary that originated from Chinese, specifically those words that retain Chinese-derived pronunciation in Korean. Sino-Korean words are based on Chinese characters and reveal the influence of Chinese in Korean vocabulary.
Pure korean(고유어) and sino-korean(한자어)
In the Korean language, "pure Korean" and "Sino-Korean" refer to two main layers of vocabulary that differ based on their origins and usage within the language. To understand this distinction, let's look at each concept and its characteristics.
1. Pure Korean
Pure Korean words are native Korean terms that have developed independently of Chinese characters or foreign influences. These words are typically used for everyday, basic concepts, including terms related to the human body, natural phenomena, basic household items, and fundamental actions. Examples include:
- 사람 (person)
- 하늘 (sky)
- 바다 (sea)
- 손 (hand)
- 눈 (snow)
- 먹다 (eat)
These words form the foundation of the Korean language, and most Koreans encounter them naturally from a young age. Pure Korean vocabulary encapsulates the emotions and culture unique to Korean society, as it evolved without influence from Chinese characters.
2. Sino-Korean
Sino-Korean vocabulary consists of words that originated from Chinese characters, heavily influenced by Chinese. These terms often describe more abstract or academic concepts that may be difficult to express with native Korean words alone. Common examples include:
- 경제 (economy)
- 사회 (society)
- 문화 (culture)
- 과학 (science)
- 교육 (education)
Sino-Korean words are typically pronounced according to their Chinese readings, allowing for a more precise and nuanced expression of complex ideas. By absorbing meanings and sounds from Chinese characters, Korean has expanded its vocabulary to cover diverse fields of knowledge and abstract ideas.
Summary of Differences
| Category | Pure Korean | Sino-Korean (Chinese-based) |
| Origin | Native Korean | Influence from Chinese characters |
| Usage | Everyday, basic expressions | Abstract or academic expressions |
| Examples | 사람 (person), 하늘 (sky), 먹다 (eat) | 경제 (economy), 사회 (society), 과학 (science) |
| Characteristics | Simple, direct meaning | More complex, specific concepts |
The coexistence of pure Korean and Sino-Korean words contributes to the richness of the Korean language, allowing speakers to convey ideas effectively across various contexts in modern Korean.
1. Pure Korean
Pure Korean words are native Korean terms that have developed independently of Chinese characters or foreign influences. These words are typically used for everyday, basic concepts, including terms related to the human body, natural phenomena, basic household items, and fundamental actions. Examples include:
- 사람 (person)
- 하늘 (sky)
- 바다 (sea)
- 손 (hand)
- 눈 (snow)
- 먹다 (eat)
These words form the foundation of the Korean language, and most Koreans encounter them naturally from a young age. Pure Korean vocabulary encapsulates the emotions and culture unique to Korean society, as it evolved without influence from Chinese characters.
2. Sino-Korean
Sino-Korean vocabulary consists of words that originated from Chinese characters, heavily influenced by Chinese. These terms often describe more abstract or academic concepts that may be difficult to express with native Korean words alone. Common examples include:
- 경제 (economy)
- 사회 (society)
- 문화 (culture)
- 과학 (science)
- 교육 (education)
Sino-Korean words are typically pronounced according to their Chinese readings, allowing for a more precise and nuanced expression of complex ideas. By absorbing meanings and sounds from Chinese characters, Korean has expanded its vocabulary to cover diverse fields of knowledge and abstract ideas.
Summary of Differences
| Category | Pure Korean | Sino-Korean (Chinese-based) |
| Origin | Native Korean | Influence from Chinese characters |
| Usage | Everyday, basic expressions | Abstract or academic expressions |
| Examples | 사람 (person), 하늘 (sky), 먹다 (eat) | 경제 (economy), 사회 (society), 과학 (science) |
| Characteristics | Simple, direct meaning | More complex, specific concepts |
The coexistence of pure Korean and Sino-Korean words contributes to the richness of the Korean language, allowing speakers to convey ideas effectively across various contexts in modern Korean.
외래어(loanwords)
In Korean, loanwords are words that originated from foreign languages and have been incorporated into Korean. Loanwords were introduced to express new concepts or items that did not originally exist in Korean culture. Most loanwords come from English, though some are from other languages. Loanwords are either used with their original pronunciation or slightly modified to fit Korean pronunciation.
Examples of Loanwords:
1. 컴퓨터 (keompyuteo) – From English "computer," meaning an electronic calculating device.
2. 인터넷 (inteonet) – From English "internet," referring to a network-connected computer system.
3. 핸드폰 (haendeupon) – From English "hand phone," meaning mobile phone.
4. 초콜릿 (chokollit) – From French "chocolat," meaning chocolate.
5. 아이스크림 (aiseukeurim) – From English "ice cream," referring to a frozen dessert.
These words are foreign in origin but have been adapted to Korean pronunciation and are widely used in everyday Korean.
Examples of Loanwords:
1. 컴퓨터 (keompyuteo) – From English "computer," meaning an electronic calculating device.
2. 인터넷 (inteonet) – From English "internet," referring to a network-connected computer system.
3. 핸드폰 (haendeupon) – From English "hand phone," meaning mobile phone.
4. 초콜릿 (chokollit) – From French "chocolat," meaning chocolate.
5. 아이스크림 (aiseukeurim) – From English "ice cream," referring to a frozen dessert.
These words are foreign in origin but have been adapted to Korean pronunciation and are widely used in everyday Korean.
What is the difference between "가다" and "간다"?
'가다'와 '간다'는 한국어 동사 '가다'의 다른 형태로, 문법적 시제와 맥락에 따라 사용됩니다.
'가다' and '간다' are different forms of the Korean verb '가다,' used depending on grammatical tense and context.
'가다': 동사의 기본형으로, 사전형 또는 원형이라고도 합니다. 주로 사전에서 단어를 찾거나, 문법적 설명을 할 때 사용됩니다.
'가다' is the basic form of the verb, also known as the dictionary form or root form. It is mainly used when looking up words in a dictionary or providing grammatical explanations.
For example:
'간다': '가다'의 현재 시제 서술형으로, 주어가 3인칭이거나 화자가 자신의 행동을 서술할 때 사용됩니다.
'간다' is the present tense declarative form of '가다,' used when the subject is third-person or when the speaker is describing their actions.
For example:
따라서, '가다'는 동사의 기본 형태이며, '간다'는 현재 시제에서 주어의 행동을 서술할 때 사용하는 형태입니다.
Therefore, '가다' is the basic form of the verb, while '간다' is the form used to describe the subject's actions in the present tense.
'가다' and '간다' are different forms of the Korean verb '가다,' used depending on grammatical tense and context.
'가다': 동사의 기본형으로, 사전형 또는 원형이라고도 합니다. 주로 사전에서 단어를 찾거나, 문법적 설명을 할 때 사용됩니다.
'가다' is the basic form of the verb, also known as the dictionary form or root form. It is mainly used when looking up words in a dictionary or providing grammatical explanations.
For example:
- "동사 '가다'의 활용형을 공부합시다."
- "Let's study the conjugations of the verb '가다'.
'간다': '가다'의 현재 시제 서술형으로, 주어가 3인칭이거나 화자가 자신의 행동을 서술할 때 사용됩니다.
'간다' is the present tense declarative form of '가다,' used when the subject is third-person or when the speaker is describing their actions.
For example:
- "그는 학교에 간다."
- "He goes to school."
- "나는 지금 집에 간다."
- "I am going home now."
따라서, '가다'는 동사의 기본 형태이며, '간다'는 현재 시제에서 주어의 행동을 서술할 때 사용하는 형태입니다.
Therefore, '가다' is the basic form of the verb, while '간다' is the form used to describe the subject's actions in the present tense.
20 Korean verbs
No. Korean Romanization English Meaning Example Sentence (Korean) Example Sentence (English)
1 가다 gada to go 나는 학교에 간다. I go to school.
2 오다 oda to come 그는 집에 온다. He comes home.
3 먹다 meokda to eat 나는 밥을 먹는다. I eat rice.
4 마시다 masida to drink 그녀는 물을 마신다. She drinks water.
5 보다 boda to see 나는 영화를 본다. I watch a movie.
6 자다 jada to sleep 아이는 잔다. The child sleeps.
7 읽다 ikdda to read 나는 책을 읽는다. I read a book.
8 쓰다 sseuda to write 그는 편지를 쓴다. He writes a letter.
9 듣다 deutdda to listen 나는 음악을 듣는다. I listen to music.
10 배우다 baeuda to learn 나는 한국어를 배운다. I learn Korean.
11 일어나다 ireonada to wake up 나는 일찍 일어난다. I wake up early.
12 걷다 geotdda to walk 우리는 공원에서 걷는다. We walk in the park.
13 앉다 andda to sit 나는 의자에 앉는다. I sit on the chair.
14 만나다 mannada to meet 나는 친구를 만난다. I meet my friend.
15 공부하다 gongbuhada to study 그는 영어를 공부한다. He studies English.
16 요리하다 yorihada to cook 나는 저녁을 요리한다. I cook dinner.
17 사다 sada to buy 나는 책을 산다. I buy a book.
18 팔다 palda to sell 그는 차를 판다. He sells a car.
19 만들다 mandeulda to make 그녀는 케이크를 만든다. She makes a cake.
20 입다 ipda to wear 나는 옷을 입는다. I wear clothes.
1 가다 gada to go 나는 학교에 간다. I go to school.
2 오다 oda to come 그는 집에 온다. He comes home.
3 먹다 meokda to eat 나는 밥을 먹는다. I eat rice.
4 마시다 masida to drink 그녀는 물을 마신다. She drinks water.
5 보다 boda to see 나는 영화를 본다. I watch a movie.
6 자다 jada to sleep 아이는 잔다. The child sleeps.
7 읽다 ikdda to read 나는 책을 읽는다. I read a book.
8 쓰다 sseuda to write 그는 편지를 쓴다. He writes a letter.
9 듣다 deutdda to listen 나는 음악을 듣는다. I listen to music.
10 배우다 baeuda to learn 나는 한국어를 배운다. I learn Korean.
11 일어나다 ireonada to wake up 나는 일찍 일어난다. I wake up early.
12 걷다 geotdda to walk 우리는 공원에서 걷는다. We walk in the park.
13 앉다 andda to sit 나는 의자에 앉는다. I sit on the chair.
14 만나다 mannada to meet 나는 친구를 만난다. I meet my friend.
15 공부하다 gongbuhada to study 그는 영어를 공부한다. He studies English.
16 요리하다 yorihada to cook 나는 저녁을 요리한다. I cook dinner.
17 사다 sada to buy 나는 책을 산다. I buy a book.
18 팔다 palda to sell 그는 차를 판다. He sells a car.
19 만들다 mandeulda to make 그녀는 케이크를 만든다. She makes a cake.
20 입다 ipda to wear 나는 옷을 입는다. I wear clothes.
10 Commonly Used Korean Verbs and Simple Example Sentences
Basic form(informal polite form) - Example sentence.
- 가다 (가요) - 학교에 가요.
I go to school. - 오다 (와요) - 집에 와요.
I come home. - 먹다 (먹어요) - 밥을 먹어요.
I eat rice. - 마시다 (마셔요) - 물을 마셔요.
I drink water. - 보다 (봐요) - 영화를 봐요.
I watch a movie. - 읽다 (읽어요) - 책을 읽어요.
I read a book. - 쓰다 (써요) - 편지를 써요.
I write a letter. - 자다 (자요) - 늦게 자요.
I sleep late. - 일어나다 (일어나요) - 아침에 일어나요.
I wake up in the morning. - 걷다 (걸어요) - 공원에서 걸어요.
I walk in the park.