Korean Pronouns – Easy Grammar Lesson

In this lesson, we will cover everything you need to know aboutΒ Korean pronouns. We’ll be discussing with you the different Korean personal pronouns and cover the first person singular and plural, second person singular and plural, third-person singular and plural pronouns in Korean.

Here are a few of the personal pronouns in Korean:

  • I – λ‚˜ (na)
  • You – λ„ˆ (neo)
  • He – κ·Έ (geu)
  • She – κ·Έλ…€ (geu nyeo)
  • We – 우리 (uri)
  • They – κ·Έλ“€ (geu deul)

This will be useful to use along with basic rules for Korean grammar, such as conjunctions, particles, and honorifics. By learning the Korean pronouns and how to correctly use them, you can elevate the look of your written and spoken sentencesΒ in no time.

Pronouns are important to the Korean language, so let’s get ready to understand how and when to use them.

Let’s go!

An image with 2 women and 2 men

Below is a free PDF guide that you can download and take with you:

Get “Korean Pronouns” Free PDF Guide

Korean Pronouns

Korean pronouns work similarly to English pronouns. They are used in place of nouns to avoid repeating them over and over.

Korean speakers don’t use pronouns as often as English speakers do. In Korean, you don’t need to use pronouns for the sentences to have a whole meaning or thought. Therefore, you may not see pronouns very often in Korean sentences.

Let’s take a look at these example sentences.

병원에 κ°€μ•Όκ² μ–΄μš”. (byeongwone gayagesseoyo.)

I should go to the clinic.

도와 μ£Όμ…”μ„œ κ³ λ§ˆμ›Œμš”. (dowa jusyeoseo gomawoyo.)

Thanks for your help.

Korean pronouns, unlike in English, have formal and standard versions.

For example, the pronoun β€œI” can be expressed formally as μ €λŠ” (jeoneun) and λ‚˜λŠ” (naneun).

Pronouns in Korean

Pronouns in Korean are called λŒ€λͺ…사 (daemyeongsa). There are specific words in Korean for the various types of pronouns.

The word for personal pronouns in Korean is 인칭 λŒ€λͺ…사 (inching daemyeongsa), while impersonal pronouns are 비인칭 λŒ€λͺ…사 (biinching daemyeongsa).

The indefinite pronouns in Korean are called λΆ€μ • λŒ€λͺ…사 (bujeong daemyeongsa), and relative pronouns are 관계 λŒ€λͺ…사 (gwangye daemyeongsa).

Korean pronouns list

In this lesson, we’ll present you with different Korean pronouns that are commonly used when having conversations.Β  We’ll also give you how these personal pronouns in Korean look like when they are used with particles.

These are greatly helpful as you learn Korean and begin forming your own sentences both in written and spoken form. Below is a quick list of Korean personal pronouns to help you get started with speaking like native speakers.

Edit

English Pronouns Korean Pronouns Grammatical Person
I/Me μ € (jeo)λ‚˜ (na) First person – Singular
We 저희 (jeohui)저희듀 (jeohuideul)우리 (uri)μš°λ¦¬λ“€ (urideul) First person – Plural
You λ„ˆ (neo)μžλ„€ (jane)κ·ΈλŒ€ (geudae)λ‹Ήμ‹  (dangsin) Second person Singular
You λ„ˆν¬ (neohui)λ„ˆν¬λ“€ (neohuideul)λ„ˆλ„€ (neone)λ„ˆλ„€λ“€ (neonedeul)μžλ„€λ“€ (janedeul)κ·ΈλŒ€λ“€ (geudaedeul)λ‹Ήμ‹ λ“€ (dangsindeul) Second person Plural
He/She/It κ·Έ (geu)κ·Έλ…€ (geunyeo)*for female Third person – Singular
They κ·Έλ“€ (geudeul)κ·Έλ…€λ“€ (geunyeodeul)*for female Third person – Plural

There you have the Korean pronouns. However, to go deeper in learning the different Korean pronouns, let’s move on to the next part of the lesson.

I in Korean

The personal pronoun β€œI” in Korean is expressed with either λ‚˜ (na) and μ € (jeo). The Korean pronoun λ‚˜ (na) is used to express the informal version of the personal pronoun β€œI”.Β 

For example:

λ‚˜λŠ” 일본어 λ°°μ› μ–΄μš”. (naneun ilboneo baewosseoyo.)

I learned Japanese.

On the other hand, the Korean pronoun μ € (jeo) is used for the formal version of the pronoun β€œI.”

For example:

μ €λŠ” λŒ€ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (eoneun daehaksaengieyo.)

I am a university student.

It’s important to note that pronouns λ‚˜ (na) and μ € (jeo) can be both used with the standard ending μš” (yo) and formal ending -λ‹ˆλ‹€(-nida). However, μ € (jeo) can’t be used in an informal ending.

For example:

λ‚˜λŠ” λŒ€ν•™μƒμ΄μ•Ό. (naneun daehaksaengiya.) (O)

μ €λŠ” λŒ€ν•™μƒμ΄μ•Ό. (jeoneun daehaksaengiya.) (X)

Both sentences mean “I am a university student” but the latter is incorrect.

I in Korean and Me in Korean (Singular) – First-person

Let’s start with the personal pronoun “I” in Korean, which is the first-person singular pronoun. You will want to use the formal “I” when speaking to those older than you or in a higher position than you, but also when meeting with someone for the first time.

Although you are talking about yourself, maintaining formality offers your respect to your speaking partner. Once a friendship has been established, you may drop to referring to yourself on an informal level.

Girl Stands In A Warrior Pose.

I (formal) β†’ μ € (jeo)

I (informal) β†’ λ‚˜ (na)

Below is a list of the different forms of the Korean pronoun for “I”. We added the romanization for the rough approximation of the personal pronouns’ pronunciation. However, we recommend learning the Korean alphabet so you can pronounce these pronouns more accurately.

Edit

English Korean Pronouns Formality
I (topic) (jeoneun) (naneun) formalinformal
I (subject) (jega) (naega) formalinformal
Me (jeoreul) (nareul) formalinformal
Me too (jeodo) (nado) formalinformal
My (jeoui) (naui) formalinformal

Me in Korean

The personal pronoun β€œme” in Korean is expressed using the same Korean pronouns for β€œI”. This means the Korean pronouns λ‚˜ (na) and μ € (jeo) are also used to say β€œme” in Korean.

However, the particles used after them are different. The Korean particle λ₯Ό follows the pronouns λ‚˜ (na) and μ € (jeo) to express the personal pronoun β€œme” in Korean.Β 

Here are example sentences:

μ €λ₯Ό λ―ΏμœΌμ„Έμš”. (jeoreul mideuseyo.)

Please trust me.

μ €λ₯Ό μ†Œκ°œν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€. (jeoreul sogaehamnida.)

Let me introduce myself.

λ‚˜λ₯Ό μ‚¬λž‘ν•΄μ€˜. (nareul saranghaejwo.)

Please love me.

λ‚˜λ₯Ό λ– λ‚˜μ§€λ§ˆ. (nareul tteonajima.)

Don’t leave me.

My in Korean

Similar to β€œme” in Korean, the personal pronoun β€œmy” is also expressed using the pronouns λ‚˜ (na) and μ € (jeo) in Korean. However, the Korean particle that follows is them is 의 (eui).

Here are example sentences of the pronoun “my” in Korean:

μ €μ˜ κΏˆμ€ μ˜μ‚¬μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. (jeoui kkumeun uisaimnida.)

My dream is to become a doctor.

μ €μ˜ κ°€μž₯ μΉœν•œ μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” 5λͺ…μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. (jeoui gajang chinhan chinguneun 5myeongimnida.)

I have 5 best friends.

λ‚˜μ˜ κ°•μ•„μ§€λŠ” κ±΄κ°•ν•΄μš”. (naui gangajineun geonganghaeyo.)

My dog is healthy.

λ‚˜μ˜ 가쑱은 4λͺ…이야. (naui gajogeun 4myeongiya.)

There are four people in my family.

We in Korean

“We” in Korean is expressed using 2 different words. The usage of both pronouns depends on how formal you want to be with your sentence. You’ll use 저희 (jeohui) for formal “we” in Korean. But, you’ll use 우리 (uri) for informal “we” in Korean.

Below are example sentences:

μ €ν¬λŠ” 같은 μˆ˜μ—…μ„ λ“€μ–΄μš”. (jeohineun gateun sueobeul deureoyo.)

We take the same class.

저희 κ°€κ²ŒλŠ” μ• κ²¬λ™λ°˜μ΄ μ–΄λ ΅μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. (jeohi gageneun aegyeondongbani eoryeopseumnida.)

It is difficult to bring a dog with us.

μš°λ¦¬λŠ” κ±°κΈ° 자주 κ°€μš”. (urineun geogi jaju gayo.)

We go there often.

μš°λ¦¬λŠ” 무엇을 ν•  수 μžˆμ„κΉŒμš”? (urineun mueoseul hal su isseulkkayo?)

What can we do?

We in Korean (Plural) – First Person

The pronoun for “we” in Korean, both formal and informal, can be used for other pronouns such as “us” and “our” depending on the particle added to them.

We (formal) β†’ 저희 (jeohui)

We (informal) β†’ 우리 (uri)

When used together with the different common Korean particles, the Korean pronouns for “We” shape up like this:

Edit

English Korean Pronouns Formality
We (topic) (jeohuineun) (urieun) formalinformal
We (subject) (jeohuiga) (uriga) formalinformal
Us (jeohuireul) (urireul) formalinformal
We too (jeohuido) (urido) formalinformal
Our (jeohuiui) (uriui) formalinformal

Happy Father And Son Play In Video Game

Our in KoreanΒ 

The possessive pronoun β€œour” in Korean is expressed using the same Korean pronouns for β€œwe”. This means the Korean pronouns 저희 (jeohui) and 우리 (uri) are also used to say β€œour” in Korean.

However, the particles used after both pronouns are different. The Korean particle 의  follows the pronouns 저희 (jeohui) and 우리 (uri) to express the possessive pronoun β€œour” in Korean.Β 

Here are some examples:

이 μ œν’ˆμ€ μ €ν¬μ˜ μ΅œμ‹  λͺ¨λΈμ΄μ—μš”. (i jepumeun jeohiui choesin moderieyo.)

This product is our latest model.

우리의 생각은 ν•˜λ‚˜λ‹€. (uriui saenggageun hanada.)

Our thoughts are the same.

Us in Korean

Similar to β€œour” in Korean, the personal pronoun β€œus” is also expressed using the Korean pronouns 저희 (jeohui) and 우리 (uri). However, the Korean particle that follows them is λ₯Ό (reul).

Below are example sentences:

저희λ₯Ό 도와주싀 수 μžˆμœΌμ‹œκ² μ–΄μš”. (jeohireul dowajusil su isseusigesseoyo.)

Could you help us?

저희λ₯Ό λ΄μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (jeohireul bwajuseyo.)

Please look at us.

우리λ₯Ό λ– λ‚˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”. (urireul tteonaji maseyo.)

Don’t leave us.

우리λ₯Ό μ΄ˆλŒ€ν•΄ μ£Όμ…”μ„œ κ³ λ§™μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. (urireul chodaehae jusyeoseo gomapseumnida.)

Thank you for inviting us.

You in Korean

There are a number of ways to say “you” in Korean. There is a formal, polite, and informal ways of saying “you” in Korean. The pronoun “you” also changes when used in a singular and plural form.

You in Korean (Singular) Second Person

While the usage of the “I” pronouns is quite straightforward, you have to be more careful with the second-person singular pronoun “you”. First, let’s go over what the pronouns for the singular “you” are:

You (formal) β†’ λ‹Ήμ‹  (dangsin)

You (polite) β†’ κ·Έμͺ½/κ·ΈλŒ€ (geujjok/gudae)

You (informal) β†’ λ„ˆ (neo)

The singular second-person pronoun for “you” take the following forms when used together with particles:

Edit

English Korean Pronouns Formality
You (topic) (dangsineun) (geujjokeun) (gudaeneun) (neoneun) formalpolitepoliteinformal
You (subject) (dangsini) (geujjoki) (gudaega) (nega) formalpolitepoliteinformal
You too (dangsindo) (geujjokdo) (gudaedo) (neodo) formalpolitepoliteinformal
Your (dangsinui) (geujjogui) (gudaeui) (neoui) formalpolitepoliteinformal

You in Korean (Plural) Second Person

And here are the pronouns for “you” in plural form:

You (formal) β†’ λ‹Ήμ‹ λ“€ (dangsindeul)

You (polite) β†’ κ·ΈλŒ€λ“€ (geudaedeul)

You (informal) β†’ λ„ˆν¬, λ„ˆλ„€, μžλ„€ (neohui, neone, jane)

When used together with particles, the plural second-person pronoun for “you” shape up like these:

Edit

English Korean Pronouns Formality
You (topic) (dangsindeuleun) (geudaedeuleun) (neohuineun) (neoneneun) (janeneun) formal politeinformalinformalinformal
You (subject) (dangsindeuli) (geudaedeuli) (neohuiga) (neonega) (janega) formalpolite informalinformalinformal
You (dangsindeuleul) (geudaedeuleul) (neohuireul) (neonereul) (janereul) formalpoliteinformalinformal informal
You too (dangsindeuldo ) (geudaedeuldo) (neohuido) (neonedo) (janedo) formalpoliteinformal informalinformal
Yours (dangsindeului) (geudaedeului) (neohuiui) (neoneui) (janeui) formal polite informalinformal informal

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Why is “you” not used in the Korean language?

β€œYou” is used in the Korean language, but it’s not used in the same way as in English. There are language and cultural differences that make it so there isn’t a direct translation.

There’s a caution you need to take when using the pronouns for “you”. You will not offend anyone by using λ‹Ήμ‹  or κ·Έμͺ½, they are highly respective forms to use.

However, it is common in Korea to either use someone’s job title or family title, or alternatively, attach -씨 (ssi) or -λ‹˜ (nim) to the name of the person you are speaking to.

In addition, you should not use the casual “you” pronoun λ„ˆ unless the person you are speaking to is the same age or younger and you two have a close relationship. Otherwise, it is nicer of you to refer to them by 였빠, λˆ„λ‚˜, or an alternative similar term.

Your in Korean

The pronoun β€œyour” uses the same Korean pronouns used for β€œyou.” This means the Korean pronouns λ‹Ήμ‹  (dangsin), κ·Έμͺ½ (geujjok), κ·ΈλŒ€ (geudae), and λ„ˆ (neo) are also used for the pronoun β€œyour.”

The difference between β€œyou” and β€œyour” is the Korean particle that follows them. For β€œyour” in Korean, the particle used is 의 (eui).

Young Smiling People With Books In Bookstore Students In University

He in Korean

β€œHe” in Korean can be expressed as κ·Έ (geu).

For example:

κ·ΈλŠ” μ„ μƒλ‹˜κ»˜ μΈμ‚¬ν•˜κΈ° μœ„ν•΄ 일어섰닀. (geuneun seonsaengnimkke insahagi wihae ireoseotda.)

He stood up to bow to his teacher.

If you’re referring to a group of men or a group of people, you can add the plural particle λ“€ after it.

For example:

그듀은 μ„œλ‘œ μΈμ‚¬ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (geudeureun seoro insahaesseoyo.)

They said hello to each other.

Him in Korean

The pronoun β€œhim” in Korean is also expressed with the same Korean pronoun as β€œhe” in Korean. This means the pronoun κ·Έ (geu) is used for β€œhim.” 

However, the Korean particle λ₯Ό (reul) follows the pronoun κ·Έ (geu), making it κ·Έλ₯Ό (geureul) to express β€œhim” in Korean.

For example:

κ·Έλ₯Ό μ–Έμ œ λ³΄μ•˜μ–΄μš”? (geureul eonje boasseoyo?)

When did you see him?

She in Korean

β€œShe” in Korean is κ·Έλ…€ (geunyeo).

For example:

κ·Έλ…€λŠ” μ•„μ£Ό μ°©ν•΄μš”. (geunyeoneun aju chakaeyo.)

She’s very nice.

This is the same pronoun used when talking about a group of women.Β Β 

Her in Korean

The pronoun β€œher” in Korean uses the same Korean pronoun as β€œshe.” This means κ·Έλ…€ (geunyeo) is used to express β€œher” in Korean.Β 

However, the particle λ₯Ό (reul) follows κ·Έλ…€ (geunyeo) and not λŠ” (neun). The Korean particle.

For example:

κ·Έλ…€λ₯Ό ν–₯ν•œ λ‚΄ μ‚¬λž‘μ€ 변함이 μ—†μ–΄μš”. (geunyeoreul hyanghan nae sarangeun byeonhami eopseoyo.)

My love for her remains the same.

They in Korean

“They” in Korean can be expressed using 2 pronouns. You can use κ·Έ (geu) and κ·Έλ…€ (geunyeo) and add λ“€ after them.

κ·Έλ“€ (geudeul) is used if your talking about a group of men while κ·Έλ…€λ“€ (geunyeodeul) for a group of women.

The Korean pronouns for the third person pronouns “he”, “she”, and “they” take the forms below when used together with the Korean particles:

Edit

English Korean Pronouns
HeShe or They(group of women) (geuneun) (geunyeoneun)
He isShe is (geuga) (geunyeoga)
Him Her (geureul) (geunyeoreul)
Him tooShe too (geudo) (geunyeodo)
HisHer (geuui) (geunyeoui)

If you want to emphasize that you are speaking of “they” in the plural, simply add λ“€ (deul) after κ·Έ (geu) or κ·Έλ…€ (geunyeo). It is good to know these third-person pronouns in Korean just in case. However, do note that they are not usually used outside of certain written situations.

And there you have the pronouns for both singular and plural in the Korean language! The list may seem overwhelming at first, but as you have a few examples laid in front of you on the list, memorizing these pronouns should be quick and easy. So do not worry and instead trust as when we say you’ll learn them in no time. And when you feel ready and confident, we would love for you to share a sentence or two of your own choosing, including one of these pronouns, with us! Keep browsing our blog and website for more Korean grammar and phrases!

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84 thoughts on “Korean Pronouns – Easy Grammar Lesson”

  1. hello! is there a singular gender-neutral pronoun like they / them in korean? and how do you apply these pronouns to all forms?? thanks :))

  2. Why is there polite form. If there is formal one .. when we will use the polite ones and formal ones .. and also can we just use one the informal anytime to anyone .. won’t it be wrong ??

  3. Wow it’s really very helpful and easy to learn. I love the way of learning korean language. Thank you so much. I will suggest this to my friends tooπŸ‘

  4. I want to clarify the pronounciation for the terms λ‚˜λŠ” and λ„ˆλŠ”… I know it’s ‘naneun’ and ‘neonan’, but most of the times i hear them like ‘daneun’ and ‘deoneun’.
    When λ„ˆλŠ” λ‚˜λŠ” λ‚΄κ°€ is pronounced with ‘n’ sound then why so?

    1. Hi, μžμ•Ό! That’s because you’re not familiar with Korean yet. If you get used to Korean and know what words are used in context, you will be able to hear the pronunciation more accurately. ^^

    2. Vero, a volte succede anche quando dicono “λ„€” Al telefono e sembra “de”, credo sia solo la loro pronuncia

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