[Grammar] N의, N1이 N2

 

1. Meaning

 

The particle "의" in Korean is used to indicate possession or relationship, similar to the English possessive "'s" or "of". It shows that something belongs to someone or something.

 

 

2. Form

"의" is attached directly to the noun indicating the possessor.

 

 

 

N의	저의/ 지수의
N1의 N2	저의 동생 (= 제 동생)
	우리 언니/ 저희저희 언니 (lowered speech of '우리)

 

When you talk about something that doesn't entirely belong to you, or is close to you, suh as your family, country, school or company, you use '우리(our)' rather than '저의(my)'.

 

 

3. Examples

 

1. 제 친구의 책 (My friend's book)
2. 어머니의 가방 (Mother's bag)
3. 아버지의 차 (Father's car)
4. 학생의 숙제 (Student's homework)
5. 선생님의 컴퓨터 (Teacher's computer)
6. 한국의 문화 (Korean culture)
7. 회사의 이름 (Company's name)
8. 아이의 장난감 (Child's toy)
9. 고양이의 집 (Cat's house)
10. 날씨의 변화 (Weather change)

 

4. Pronunciation

 

- The possessive particle "의" is pronounced differently in formal and casual spoken Korean.

1) In formal or careful speech, "의" is pronounced as [e].

2) casual speech "의" can be contracted to make speech smoother and more natural. This often happens when "의" is followed by another vowel sound.

 

 

5. Examples of Pronunciation and Contraction

 

1) 제 친구의 책 (je chingu-ui chaek)

Formal: [je chingu-e chaek]

Contracted: 제 친구 책 [je chingu chaek]

 

2) 어머니의 가방 (eomeoni-ui gabang)

Formal: [eomeoni-e gabang]

Contracted: 어머니 가방 [eomeoni gabang]

 

3) 아버지의 차 (abeoji-ui cha)

Formal: [abeoji-e cha]

Contracted: 아버지 차 [abeoji cha]

 

4) 학생의 숙제 (haksaeng-ui sukje)

Formal: [haksaeng-e sukje]

Contracted: 학생 숙제 [haksaeng sukje]

 

5) 선생님의 컴퓨터 (seonsaengnim-ui keompyuteo)

Formal: [seonsaengnim-e keompyuteo]

Contracted: 선생님 컴퓨터 [seonsaengnim keompyuteo]

 

6) 한국의 문화 (hanguk-ui munhwa)

Formal: [hanguk-e munhwa]

Contracted: 한국 문화 [hanguk munhwa]