Welcome to the first session of Pronoun!
The word “pronoun” is used to substitute for the noun or noun phrase mentioned previously. So it is easy to understand that a pronoun has the function of substituting for a noun. However, a pronoun directly points to a referent without going through a noun. If a pronoun substitutes for a noun, then it is impossible to refer to a nameless referent or without a name using a pronoun.
It is a word that points to a person, thing, concept, or place, replacing the name of the referent. Pronouns can be divided into two categories: those that replace the name of a thing or place and those that replace the name of a person.
Let’s learn about the personal and reflexive pronouns in this session.
Personal Pronouns
It refers to a person. It’s common to have sentences with missing subjects, objects, and other elements, as long as the context makes it clear or they can be easily inferred in normal conversation. However, a speaker may provide complete information in their questions and responses to avoid confusion or show more respect towards each other in formal conversation. In English, pronouns have different word forms depending on their role in the sentence as a subject, object, or possessive.
For example,
취미가 뭐예요? (What are your hobbies?)
선생님(의) 취미가 뭐예요? (What are your hobbies?)
1. First Person Pronouns (1인칭 대명사)
The first-person pronoun refers to the speaker or those around the speaker.
| First Person Pronouns | Subject | Non-subject | Non-subject | Subject (respect) | Non-subject (respect) | Possessive (respect) |
| Singular | 내 | 나 | 내 | 제 | 저 | 제 |
| Plural | 우리 | 저희 | ||||
You have learned that Koreans use honorific sentence endings to show respect to the listener when they talk to someone who is older than them or has a higher social status. Therefore, when you attach the honorific suffix “-ㅂ/습니다” or “-아/어요,” these respect forms of the first person pronouns such as “제, 저, 저희” can be accompanied whenever you need to refer to yourself by lowering your status concerning the listeners.
Examples of First-Person Pronouns
1. 내 (subject) : 내가 오늘은 일찍 일어났다. (I woke up early today)
2. 나 (non-subject) : 친구는 나를 싫어한다. (My friend doesn’t like me)
3. 내 (possessive) : 내 가방이 침대 위에 있다. (My bag is on the bed)
4. 제 (subject, respect) : 제가 오늘은 바쁩니다. (I am busy today)
5. 저 (non-subject, respect) : 저를 도와주세요. (Please help me)
6. 제 (possessive, respect) : 제 책입니다. (It is my book)
1. 우리 (subject) : 우리가 해야합니다. (We have to do)
2. 우리 (non-subject) : 선생님이 우리에게 경고를 했습니다. (The teacher warned against us)
3. 우리 (possessive) : 우리 집에는 고양이가 있어요. (We have a cat at our house)
4. 저희 (subject, respect) : 저희가 저녁을 만들겠습니다. (We will cook for dinner)
5. 저희 (non-subject, respect) : 저희를 믿어주세요. (Please trust us)
6. 저희 (possessive, respect) : 저희 집에 놀러 오세요. (Please come visit our house)
Another Aspect
Koreans often use the plural forms of “우리” or “저희” to express the solidarity of a group to which he/she belongs. The speaker can use the singular form, but it does not sound familiar to Koreans. So, it is highly recommended to use the plural form whenever it is possible. There are certain words that express the speaker’s solidarity with the group, so it is good to memorize them as a default expression.
1. 내 나라 => 우리 나라 or 저희 나라 (My country)
2. 내 집 => 우리 집 or 저희 집 (My house)
3. 내 학교 => 우리 학교 or 저희 학교 (My school)
4. 내 회사 => 우리 회사 or 저희 회사 (My company)
5. 내 가족 => 우리 가족 or 저희 가족 (My family)
6. 내 아버지 => 우리 아버지 or 저희 아버지 (My father)
7. 내 어머니 => 우리 어머니 or 저희 어머니 (My mother)
2. Second Person Pronouns (2인칭 대명사)
The second-person pronoun refers to the recipient or someone close to the recipient.
| Second Person Pronouns | Subject | Non-subject | Possessive | Alienated (honorific) | Literary (honorific) |
| Singular | 네/니 | 너 | 네/니 | 당신/자네 | 그대 |
| Plural | 너희, 니네/니네들 | 당신들 | 그대들 | ||
The second-person pronouns are usually considered too direct and offensive to refer to a person. For instance, the non-subject “너” can be used only when you use it for a younger person or friends. The pronoun “당신” serves as several terms. It can be used for a negative meaning to accuse someone in an argument. However, it is also can be a term that couples use to call each other. They often use the term “당신”, “여보(honey)”, or “자기(야)(sweetheart).” The other pronoun “자네” can be used by an older man to call a younger person in various situations such as between teacher and student, father-in-law and son-in-law, senior employee and young employee, etc.
Examples of Second-Person Pronouns
1. 네 (subject) : 네가 가봐. (You go ahead)
2. 니 (subject) : 니는 살 못 빼. (You can’t lose weight)
3. 너 (non-subject) : 나는 너를 못 믿어. (I cannot trust you)
4. 네 (possessive) : 네 동생이 내 돈을 다 썼어. (Your brother spent all my money)
5. 니 (possessive) : 니 가방 가져가. (Take your bag)
6. 당신 (alienated, honorific) : 당신이 원하는대로 하세요. (Do whatever you want)
7. 자네 (alienated, honorific) : 자네는 고향이 어딘가? (Where is your hometown?)
8. 그대 (literary, honorific) : 그대를 사랑합니다. (I love you)
1. 너희 (subject) : 너희가 선택한 일이야. (This is what you chose)
2. 니네 (non-subject) : 나는 니네를 믿는다. (I trust you)
3. 니네들 (possessive) : 니네들 어머니가 누구니? (Who is your mother, guys?)
4. 당신들 (alienated, honorific) : 당신들이 누군지 상관 없어요. (I don’t care who you folks are)
5. 그대들 (literary, honorific) : 그대에게 줄 선물이 있어요. (I have a gift for you folks)
Another Aspect
You have learned the honorific suffix “-님” that can be attached to the name or title to show respect to the person in the session of Verbs. Let’s learn some other titles that are commonly used with the honorific suffix “-님.”
Title for Company
1. 대리 (Assistant manager)
2. 과장 (Senior manager)
3. 차장 (Deputy general manager)
4. 부장 (General manager)
5. 팀장 (Team leader)
6. 상무 (Managing director)
7. 전무 (Executive director)
8. 사장 (President)
9. 부회장 (Vice chief executive officer)
10. 회장 (Chief executive officer)
Title for Job
1. 판사 (Judge)
2. 검사 (Prosecutor)
3. 변호사 (Lawyer)
4. 은행장 (Chief of a bank)
5. 지점장 (Branch chief of a bank)
6. 교장(선생님) (Principal)
7. 교감(선생님) (Vice principal)
8. 기사 (Driver)
9. 기장 (Airport pilot)
10. 감독 (Movie/Music director)
Title for Government
1. 대통령 (President)
2. 장관 (Minister)
3. 도지사 (Governor)
4. 시장 (Major)
5. 국무총리 (Prime minister)
6. 국회의원 (National assemblyman)
7. 대법원장 (Supreme Court chief justice)
8. 검찰총장 (Attorney general)
9. 경찰총장 (National police chief)
10. 육군/해군/공군참모총장 (Army/Navy/Air Force chief of staff)
3. Third Person Pronouns (3인칭 대명사)
The third-person pronoun refers to neither the speaker nor the listener but to a third party.
| Third Person Pronouns | Subject | Non-subject | Possessive |
| Singular | 이/그/저 + counter/noun | ||
| Plural | 이/그/저 + counter/noun + 들 | ||
The third-person pronouns are usually formed by combining the demonstratives “이, 그, 저” with other counters or nouns such as “분(honorific)”, “사람(person)”, and “것(thing).” If they are used as “그, 이들, 그들, 저들,” these pronouns do not combine with a counter or noun, but they directly refer to “He, She, They” and are often used in literary text.
그가 온다. (He is coming)
학교에서 그녀를 봤다. (I saw her at school)
저들을 용서해 주세요. (Please forgive them)
이들이 누군지 아무도 모른다. (No one knows who these people are)
Examples of Third Person Pronouns
1. 이분 (subject) : 이분이 제가 말한 그 분이에요. (This person is the one that I mentioned)
2. 그분 (subject) : 그분이 오시면 제게 전화해 주세요. (Please call me when the person comes)
3. 저 사람 (subject) : 저 사람 누구예요? (Who is that person?)
1. 이분 (non-subject) : 이분을 도와드리겠습니다. (I will help this person)
2. 그 사람 (non-subject) : 그 사람을 좀 더 알고 싶어요. (I want to get to know that person more)
3. 저분 (non-subject) : 저분을 찾으시나요? (Are you looking for that person?)
1. 이 사람 (possessive) : 이 사람의 이름이 기억 안 나요. (I don’t remember this person’s name)
2. 그분 (possessive) : 그분의 이메일을 받았어요. (I received an email from that person)
3. 저분 (possessive) : 저분의 의견을 존중해야 해요. (We should respect that person’s opinion)
1. 이분들 (subject) : 이분들은 어디서 오셨나요? (Where did these people come from?
2. 그분들 (subject) : 그분들은 내일 도착할 겁니다. (Those people will arrive tomorrow)
3. 저 사람들 (subject) : 저 사람들이 제 친구들입니다. (Those people are my friends)
1. 이분들 (non-subject) : 이분들에게 기회를 주겠습니다. (I will give a chance to these people)
2. 그 사람들 (non-subject) : 그 사람들을 도와주세요. (Please help those people)
3. 저분들 (non-subject) : 저분들에게 희망은 없습니다. (There is no hope for them)
1. 이 사람들 (possessive) : 이 사람들의 노력이 빛을 발했습니다. (Their efforts shone brightly)
2. 그분들 (possessive) : 그분들의 지원에 감사드립니다. (We appreciate their support)
3. 저분들 (possessive) : 저분들의 기여가 큽니다. (Their contribution is significant)
There are also other types of third-person pronouns that are commonly used in casual conversation.
“얘” : it is a combination of the demonstrative “이” and the noun “아이(kid).”
“걔” : it is a combination of the demonstrative “그” and the noun “아이(kid).”
“쟤” : it is a combination of the demonstrative “저” and the noun “아이(kid).”
The plural form of these pronouns are “얘들/얘네(들)”, “걔들/걔네(들)”, and “쟤들/쟤네(들).”
Examples of Third Person Pronouns
1. 얘 (이 아이) : 얘는 항상 기분이 좋아. [This kid(person) always feel happy]
2. 걔 (그 아이) : 걔 만나면 조심하라고 해. [Tell him/her to watch out if they meet that kid(person)]
3. 쟤 (저 아이) : 쟤 아버지가 의사래. [That kid(person) over there, his/her father is a doctor]
1. 얘들/얘네(들) : 얘들/얘네(들)은 여기서 놀면 안돼. (These kids should not play here)
2. 걔들/걔네(들) : 걔들/걔네(들)은 항상 서로 도와줘. (Those kids always help each other)
3. 쟤들/쟤네(들) : 쟤들/쟤네(들) 지금 뭐해? (What are those guys doing now?)
Note
“이” and “저” cannot be used in this form of personal pronouns because it is hard to know what is a subject. The third-person pronoun shall be used with a counter or a noun.
이가/저가 대학교에서 만났다. (X)
내가 이를/저를 모른다. (X)
이의 노력을 아무도 모른다. (X)
저의 노력을 아무도 모릅니다. (O) = “저의” can be used as a subject possessive.
Reflexive Pronouns (재귀대명사)
The usage of reflexive pronouns as an object to represent oneself is called a reflexive construction.
| Third Person Pronouns | Subject | Non-subject | Possessive |
| Singular | 자기, 자신, 자기 자신Pronoun + 자신 | ||
| Plural | 자기들, 자신들, 자기 자신들Pronoun + 들 + 자신 | ||
자기 (subject) : 자기가 할 수 있는 것부터 시작하세요. (Start with what you can do yourself)
자신 (non-subject) : 그녀는 자신에게 너그럽다. (She is generous to herself)
자기 자신 (non-subject) : 그는 자기 자신에 대해 이야기 했다. (He talked about himself)
Pronoun + 자신 (possessive) : 네 자신의 목표를 설정해라. (Set your own goals)
자기들 (subject) : 자기들이 영웅인 줄 안다. (It seems like they think of themselves as heroes)
자기 자신들 (non-subject) : 자기 자신들을 돌아봐라. (Look back at yourselves)
자신들 (possessive) : 자신들의 결정에 대해 후회하지 마. (Don’t regret your own decisions)
Pronoun + 들 + 자신 (possessive) : 그들 자신의 문제를 말했다. (They talked about their own problems)