Korean Grammar Bank

KOREAN POSSESSIVE PARTICLE

Korean language uses particles to indicate the different roles of nouns within a sentence.

We already mentioned in another lesson, that particles 이/가 are used for subjects, and 을/를 are used for objects.

We will walk you through on how to use the Korean particle 의.  

BASIC STRUCTURE WITH 의

The basic structure for using 의 is very simple – you just have to add 의 next to the possessing noun as a suffix.

PATTERN

Noun + 의

The structure is very similar to how the possessive form ‘s is used in English.

Let’s take a few examples:

jonggugui keompyuteo

종국의 컴퓨터

Jong-Guk’s computer
minaui gabang

미나의 가방

Mina’s bag
hakgyoui jeongwon

학교의 정원

School’s garden

This basic structure also applies to plurals and pronouns.

Here are a few examples of using 의 with pronouns:

naui haengbok

나의 행복

My happiness
neoui juso

너의 주소

Your address
jeoui chaegim

저의 책임

My responsibility

Finally, it is interesting to note that 의 can be used with interrogative pronouns as well.

The basic structure is the same:

nuguui jadongcha ipnikka?

누구의 자동차 입니까?

Whose car is it?
eonjeui girok ipnikka?

언제의 기록 입니까?

From when the record is?

USING CONTRACTIONS

In spoken Korean, a contraction form can be used when the possessive particle is used with pronouns.

For example:

EXAMPLEENGLISH
나의 집 (naui jip)→ 내 집 (nae jip)My house
너의 가방 (neoui gabang)→ 네 가방 (nae gabang)Your bag
저의 이름 (jeoui ireum)→ 제 이름 (je ireum)My name

FOCUS ON 우리

The word 우리 it the 1st person plural subject pronoun.

With 우리, the possessive particle is generally not used when the possessed nouns refer to a place, transportation or a member of family.

For example: 

urinara

우리나라

Our country
urijip

우리집

Our house
uridongne

우리동네

Our town
urieomma

우리엄마

Our mother

On the other hand, here are examples where 의 is used with 우리: 

EXAMPLEROMANISATIONENGLISH
우리의 행복uriui haengbokOur happiness
우리의 관계uriui gwangyeOur relationship

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FAQs

What is the meaning of “의” in Korean?

“의” is a Korean particle that can be translated to “of” or “apostrophe s” in English.

It is used to show possession or to indicate a relationship between two nouns.

How do you use “의” in a sentence?

To use “의” in a sentence, you need to place it after the noun that is possessing something or that has a relationship with another noun.

For example, “제 친구의 차는 빨강색입니다.” (My friend’s car is red.)

Here, “의” follows the noun “친구” (friend) to indicate that the car belongs to the speaker’s friend.

Can “의” be used with verbs in Korean?

No, “의” cannot be used with verbs in Korean.

It is only used to indicate possession or a relationship between two nouns.

To indicate an action or a verb’s subject or object, other particles like “을/를” or “이/가” are used.

For example, “나는 한국어를 공부합니다.” (I study Korean.)

Here, “을” is used to indicate the object “한국어” (Korean) that the speaker studies.

What are some other Korean particles?

Here are some more Korean particles:

이/가 (i/ga): marks the subject of a sentence or clause

을/를 (eul/reul): marks the direct object of a sentence or clause

에 (e): indicates a location or a time

으로/로 (euro/ro): indicates a direction

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