E

*e 에 PARTICLE

1 = at, in, on (time)

보통 몇 시에 일어나세요? Botong myeot ssie ireonaseyo? At what time do you usually wake up?

2 = in, to (direction)

지금 학교에 가고 있어요. Jigeum hakkkyoe gago isseoyo. I’m going to school now.

3 = at, in, on (location)

돈은 지갑에 있어요. Doneun jigabe isseoyo. The money is in the purse.

NOTE: To check out the difference between 에 3 and 에서, see the note on 에서 eseo.

*eeokeon 에어컨 [from English air con(ditioner)] NOUN = air conditioner

에어컨 틀었으니까 창문 닫아라. Eeokeon teureosseunikka changmun dadara. Close the window since I’ve turned the air conditioner on.

*ege 에게 PARTICLE = to (a person) (SYN. 한테)

누구에게 편지 쓰고 있어요? Nuguege pyeonji sseugo isseoyo? To whom are you writing a letter?

NOTE: In spoken language, 한테 is used more frequently than 에게. In writing, vice versa.

egeseo 에게서 PARTICLE = from (a person) (SYN. 한테서)

오늘 아침에 미국에 계신 부모님에게서 전화가 왔어요. Oneul achime miguge gyesin bumonimegeseo jeonhwaga wasseoyo. I got a call from my parents in the U.S.

NOTE: In spoken language, 한테서 is used more frequently than 에게서. In writing, vice versa.

ellibeiteo 엘리베이터 [from English elevator] NOUN = elevator

엘리베이터를 타시고 두 층만 올라가세요. Ellibeiteoreul tasigo du cheungman ollagaseyo. Just get on the elevator and go up two floors.

eneoji 에너지 [from English energy] NOUN = energy

에너지를 절약합시다. Eneojireul jeoryakapssida. Let’s save energy.

enjin 엔진 [from English engine] NOUN = engine

엔진에 문제가 있는 것 같은데요. Enjine munjega inneun geot gateundeyo. There seems to be something wrong with the engine.

*eo 어¹ INTERJECTION

1 = ah

어, 벌써 시간이 이렇게 됐구나. Eo, beolsseo sigani ireoke dwaetkkuna. Oh, look at the time already.

2 = yes, yeah (SYN. 응)

물 줄까? - 어, 고마워. Mul julkka? - Eo, gomawo. You want water? - Yeah, thanks.

*eo 어² ENDING

1 = 어서² eoseo

2 = ending linking prime verbs/adjectives and auxiliary ones

찬성하시면 손을 들어 주세요. Chanseonghasimyeon soneul deureo juseyo. Raise your hands if you’re in favor.

NOTE: See the note on 아³ a.

*eo 어³ ENDING

1 = declarative ending

나는 술 못 마셔. Naneun sul mon masyeo. I can’t drink.

2 = inquisitive ending

뭐가 그리 우스워? Mwoga geuri useuwo? What’s so funny?

3 = imperative ending

술 좀 그만 마셔. Sul jom geuman masyeo. Stop drinking.

NOTE: See the note on 아⁴ a.

eodeomeoktta 얻어먹다 /어더먹따/ [얻어 get (from 얻다) + 먹다 eat] VERB = get treated to, freeload

오늘 점심은 내가 얻어먹었으니 다음에는 내가 쏠게. Oneul jeomsimeun naega eodeomeogeosseuni daeumeneun naega ssolkke. I was treated to this lunch, and next time is on me.

*eodi 어디 PRONOUN

1 = where

내 옷 어디 있지? Nae ot eodi itjji? Where are my clothes?

2 = somewhere

어디 다친 데는 없어? Eodi dachin deneun eopsseo? Are you hurt anywhere?

eodo 어도 ENDING = (even) if, though

내일 비가 내려도 소풍을 가나요? Naeil biga naeryeodo sopungeul ganayo? Is the picnic still on even if it rains tomorrow?

NOTE: See the note on 아도 ado.

eodum 어둠 [어두 dark (from 어둡다) + ㅁ nominal suffix] NOUN = darkness

고양이는 어둠 속에서도 볼 수 있다. Goyangineun eodum sogeseodo bol ssu ittta. Cats can see even in the dark.

eoduptta 어둡다 /어둡따/ ADJECTIVE = dark, gloomy (ANT. 밝다)

이제 밖은 어두워. Ije bakkeun eoduwo. It is dark outside now.

분위기가 너무 어두워서 아무 말도 할 수 없었어요. Bunwigiga neomu eoduwoseo amu maldo hal ssu eopsseosseoyo. I couldn’t say anything because of the depressed mood.

eogida 어기다 VERB = break, violate

규칙을 어겼으면 벌을 받는 게 당연해. Gyuchigeul eogyeosseumyeon beoreul banneun ge dangyeonhae. It’s only natural that you get punishment for breaking the rules.

eogulhada 억울하다 /어굴하다/ [抑 repress + 鬱 depressed + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = unfair

저는 억울해요. Jeoneun eogulhaeyo. This is so unfair.

*eoje 어제 NOUN, ADVERB = yesterday

어제는 하루 종일 잠만 잤어요. Eojeneun haru jongil jamman jasseoyo. All I did yesterday was sleep.

도대체 어제 어디 있었어? Dodaeche eoje eodi isseosseo? Where on earth were you yesterday?

eojeokke 어저께 = 어제 eoje

eojeppam 어젯밤 /어제빰/ [어제 yesterday + ㅅ infix + 밤 night] NOUN = last night

어젯밤에 연극 보러 왜 안 왔어? Eojeppame yeongeuk boreo wae a nwasseo? Why didn’t you come to the play last night?

eojireoptta 어지럽다 /어지럽따/ ADJECTIVE = dizzy

앉았다 일어날 때마다 머리가 어지러워요. Anjattta ireonal ttaemada meoriga eojireowoyo. I feel dizzy whenever I stand up.

eojjaeseo 어째서 ADVERB = how come, why

어째서 그런 일이 생겼는지 모르겠군요. Eojjaeseo geureo niri saenggyeonneunji moreugetkkunnyo. I don’t understand how something like that happened.

eojjaettteun 어쨌든 /어짿뜬/ ADVERB = anyway (SYN. 아무튼, 하여튼)

어쨌든 재미있었다니 다행이다. Eojjaettteun jaemiisseotttani dahaengida. It’s good that you had fun anyway.

eojjeoda 어쩌다¹ VERB

1 = how am one supposed to do (SYN. 어떡하다)

나보고 어쩌란 말이냐? Nabogo eojjeoran marinya? What do you expect me to do?

2 = what

어쩐 일로 오셨어요? Eojjeo nillo osyeosseoyo? What brings you here?

NOTE: With meaning 2, 어쩌다 is used as 어쩐.

eojjeoda 어쩌다² = 어쩌다가 eojjeodaga

eojjeodaga 어쩌다가 ADVERB

1 = accidentally, by chance

어쩌다가 등을 다쳤어요? Eojjeodaga deungeul dacheosseoyo? How did you hurt your back?

2 = sometimes, occasionally

술은 어쩌다가 한 번 마십니다. Sureun eojjeodaga han beon masimnida. I drink once in a while.

eojjeomyeon 어쩌면 ADVERB = maybe, perhaps

어쩌면 네 말이 맞을지도 모른다. Eojjeomyeon ne mari majeuljjido moreunda. You might be right.

eojjeonji 어쩐지 ADVERB = somehow, for some reason (SYN. 왠지)

오늘은 어쩐지 일할 기분이 아니야. Oneureun eojjeonji ilhal kkibuni aniya. I’m not really in the mood for work today.

eojji 어찌 ADVERB = how

내가 어찌 알겠어? Naega eojji algesseo? How should I know?

NOTE: 어찌 can be replaced with 어떻게.

eojjina 어찌나 ADVERB = very, so

영화가 어찌나 지루한지 내내 잤어. Yeonghwaga eojjina jiruhanji naenae jasseo. The movie was so boring that I slept throughout the running time.

NOTE: 어찌나 is followed by - ㄴ지/는지.

eok 억 [億 hundred million] NUMERAL = one hundred million

일본의 인구는 1억이 넘어요. Ilbone inguneun ireogi neomeoyo. Japan has a population of more than one hundred million.

NOTE: In Korean numerals, the 일, the equivalent of one, is usually omitted, e.g.: (일) 백 = one hundred, (일) 천 = one thousand, (일) 만 = ten thousand. But the 일억 is always used as 일억, and not simply 억.

*eokkae 어깨 NOUN = shoulder

운동하다 어깨를 다쳤어요. Undonghada eokkaereul dacheosseoyo. I hurt my shoulder working out.

IDIOMS

eokkaega gabyeoptta 어깨가 가볍다 = feel relieved

그 일을 끝내고 나니 어깨가 가볍겠네. Geu ireul kkeunnaego nani eokkaega gabyeopkkenne. You must feel relieved now that the work is finished.

eokkaega mugeoptta 어깨가 무겁다 = shoulder heavy responsibility

아기가 생기고 나니 어깨가 무거워요. Agiga saenggigo nani eokkaega mugeowoyo. I feel burdened with responsibilities now that I have a baby.

eokkaereul pyeoda 어깨를 펴다 = have confidence

넌 잘못한 게 없어. 어깨 펴고 다녀. Neon jalmotan ge eopsseo. Eokkae pyeogo danyeo. You did nothing wrong. Be confident.

eokkaee himeul juda 어깨에 힘을 주다 = be arrogant, be in high spirits (SYN. 목에 힘을 주다)

그 사람은 딸이 검사라고 어깨에 힘을 주고 다녀. Geu sarameun ttari geomsarago eokkaee himeul jugo danyeo. He goes around boasting that his daughter is a prosecutor.

eolda 얼다 VERB = be frozen, freeze

너무 추워서 얼어 죽을 뻔했어. Neomu chuwoseo eoreo jugeul ppeonhaesseo. It was so cold that I almost froze to death.

*eolgul 얼굴 NOUN = face, look

큰 코가 그 사람 얼굴의 특징이야. Keun koga geu saram eolgure teukjjingiya. His big nose is the central feature of his face.

왜 그렇게 우울한 얼굴을 하고 있니? Wae geureoke uulha neolgureul hago inni? Why the long face?

IDIOMS

eolguri dukkeoptta 얼굴이 두껍다 = be shameless

나한테 돈을 꾸러 오다니 참 얼굴도 두껍다. Nahante doneul kkureo odani cham eolguldo dukkeoptta. You’re so shameless. How dare you come to borrow money from me?

eolgure ssieo ittta 얼굴에 씌어 있다 = written all over one’s face

거짓말하지 마. 얼굴에 다 씌어 있어. Geojinmalhaji ma. Eolgure da ssieo isseo. = Don’t lie. It’s written all over your face.

eolleun 얼른 ADVERB = at once, quickly

마음 변하기 전에 얼른 골라. Maeum byeonhagi jeone eolleun golla. Hurry up and choose before I change my mind.

eollida 얼리다 [얼다 be frozen + 리 causative suffix] VERB = freeze

내일 야외에서 마시게 물 얼려 놔라. Naeil yaoeeseo masige mul eollyeo nwara. Freeze water so we can drink it outdoors tomorrow.

eollon 언론 /얼론/ [言 speak + 論 argue → a business where people speak and argue about social issues] NOUN = the press, the media (SYN. 미디어)

언론의 자유를 보장해야 한다. Eollone jayureul bojanghaeya handa. Freedom of press should be guaranteed.

*eolma 얼마 NOUN

1 = how much, what

그거 얼마예요? Geugeo eolmayeyo? How much is it?

2 = some extent

이제 시간이 얼마 안 남았어요. Ije sigani eolma an namasseoyo. There isn’t a lot of time left now.

*eolmana 얼마나 ADVERB = how

여기서 집까지 얼마나 걸려요? Yeogiseo jipkkaji eolmana geollyeoyo? How long does it take to go home from here?

내일이 일요일이라면 얼마나 좋을까! Naeiri iryoiriramyeon eolmana joeulkka! How I wish tomorrow was Sunday!

eolpit 얼핏 /얼핃/ ADVERB = at a glance

얼핏 보면 진짜 같아요. Eolpit ppomyeon jinjja gatayo. At a quick glance, it might look real.

eomcheong 엄청 ADVERB = very, much

사람이 엄청 많아서 움직일 수가 없어요. Sarami eomcheong manaseo umjigil ssuga eopsseoyo. There’re so many people that I can’t move.

eomcheongnada 엄청나다 ADJECTIVE = huge, great (SYN. 대단하다, 굉장하다)

이건 엄청난 실수야. Igeon eomcheongnan silssuya. This is a huge mistake.

eomeo 어머 INTERJECTION = oh!, dear me!

어머! 이게 어릴 적 당신이에요? Eomeo! Ige eoril jjeok dangsinieyo? Oh! Is this you when you were young?

NOTE: 어머 is generally used by women.

*eomeoni 어머니 NOUN = mother (ANT. 아버지)

우리 어머니는 중학교에서 음악을 가르치세요. Uri eomeonineun junghakkkyoeseo eumageul gareuchiseyo. My mother teaches music in middle school.

eomeonim 어머님 [어머 mother (from 어머니) + 님 sir] NOUN = mother, mother-in-law (ANT. 아버님)

어머님은 안녕하시니? Eomeonimeun annyeonghasini? How is your mother doing?

eomhada 엄하다 [嚴 strict + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = strict, stern (SYN. 엄격하다)

우리 담임 선생님은 굉장히 엄한 분이세요. Uri damim seonsaengnimeun goengjanghi eomhan buniseyo. Our home room teacher is very strict.

eomkkyeokada 엄격하다 /엄껴카다/ [嚴 strict + 格 character + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = strict, severe (SYN. 엄하다)

저는 엄격한 아버지가 되고 싶지 않아요. Jeoneun eomkkyeoka nabeojiga doego sipjji anayo. I don’t want to be a strict dad.

*eomma 엄마 NOUN = mom (ANT. 아빠)

엄마, 오늘 저녁은 뭐예요? Eomma, oneul jeonyeogeun mwoyeyo? Mom, what’s for dinner tonight?

eommu 업무 /엄무/ [業 work + 務 exert] NOUN = work, task, job

소영 씨는 업무 때문에 외출 중입니다. Soyeong ssineun eommu ttaemune oechul jungimnida. Soyoung is out on business.

eomsukada 엄숙하다 /엄수카다/ [嚴 strict + 肅 solemn + 하다 adjectival suffix] ADJECTIVE = solemn, sober

교회의 분위기는 엄숙했다. Gyohoee bunwigineun eomsukaettta. The church had a solemn atmosphere.

eondeok 언덕 NOUN = hill, slope

우리 학교는 언덕 위에 있어요. Uri hakkkyoneun eondeok wie isseoyo. Our school is on top of a hill.

eoneo 언어 /어너/ [言 speak + 語 language] NOUN = language

언어를 배우는 데는 시간이 걸린다. Eoneoreul baeuneun deneun sigani geollinda. Learning a language takes time.

*eoneu 어느 DETERMINER

1 = which

어느 게 더 마음에 드세요? Eoneu ge deo maeume deuseyo? Which one do you prefer?

2 = some, certain

말씀하시는 것에 어느 정도는 동의합니다. Malsseumhasineun geose eoneu jeongdoneun dongihamnida. I agree with you to a certain extent.

eoneudeot 어느덧 /어느덛/ = 어느새 eoneusae

eoneusae 어느새 [어느 certain + 새 during] ADVERB = without one’s knowing, already

그 꼬마가 어느새 커서 어른이 되었구나. Geu kkomaga eoneusae keoseo eoreuni doeeotkkuna. The little kid has already grown up.

eongdeongi 엉덩이 NOUN = buttocks, bottom

하루 종일 앉아 있었더니 엉덩이가 아파요. Haru jongil anja isseottteoni eongdeongiga apayo. My butt is sore from sitting down all day.

eongmang 엉망 NOUN = wreck, mess, ruin

방이 엉망이라 미안해. Bangi eongmangira mianhae. I’m sorry that my room is a total wreck.

eongteori 엉터리 NOUN = nonsense, sham

그 사람 하는 말은 전부 엉터리예요. 믿지 마세요. Geu saram haneun mareun jeonbu eongteoriyeyo. Mitjji maseyo. Don’t believe anything he says because it’s all nonsense.

eongttunghada 엉뚱하다 ADJECTIVE = unpredictable, strange, wrong

그럼, 피자가 엉뚱한 집으로 간 건가요? Geureom, pijaga eongttunghan jibeuro gan geongayo? Oh, did the pizza go to the wrong house?

그 아이는 엉뚱한 데가 있어. Geu aineun eongttunghan dega isseo. That child has an unpredictable side to him.

*eonje 언제 ADVERB, PRONOUN

1 = when

예약은 언제 하셨죠? Yeyageun eonje hasyeotjjyo? When did you make a reservation?

휴가 날짜가 언제예요? Hyuga naljjaga eonjeyeyo? What’s the date of your vacation?

2 = sometime

언제 게임 한번 하자. Eonje geim hanbeon haja. Let’s play a game sometime.

*eonjena 언제나 ADVERB = always (SYN. 늘, 항상)

나는 언제나 네 편이야. Naneun eonjena ne pyeoniya. I’m always on your side.

eonjenga 언젠가 ADVERB = sometime

언젠가 나도 해 봐야겠어. Eonjenga nado hae bwayagesseo. Maybe I’ll give it a try sometime.

*eonni 언니 NOUN = woman’s elder sister

어머님이 언니라고 해도 믿을 것 같은데요. Eomeonimi eonnirago haedo mideul kkeot gateundeyo. Your mother could easily pass for your sister.

NOTE: See the note on 형 hyeong.

eontta 얹다 /언따/ VERB = put on, lay

위에 버터를 얹어 드릴까요? Wie beoteoreul eonjeo deurilkkayo? Do you want butter on that?

eopche 업체 [業 work + 體 body] NOUN = business, enterprise

우리 회사는 가격 면에서 경쟁 업체에 뒤지고 있습니다. Uri hoesaneun gagyeok myeoneseo gyeongjaeng eopchee dwijigo itsseumnida. Our company is behind our competitors in terms of price.

eopjjong 업종 /업쫑/ [業 work + 種 class] NOUN = type of business

서비스 업종에서는 특히 고객을 대하는 태도가 중요하다. Seobiseu eopjjongeseoneun teuki gogaegeul daehaneun taedoga jungyohada. Especially in the service industry, attitude toward customers is important.

eopssaeda 없애다 /업쌔다/ [없다 no + 애 causative suffix] VERB = remove, get rid of (SYN. 제 거하다)

얼굴에 있는 여드름 좀 싹 없앨 방법 없을까? Eolgure inneun nyeodeureum jom ssa geopssael ppangbeop eopsseulkka? I wonder if there’s a way to have the pimples completely removed from my face?

eopsseojida 없어지다 /업써지다/ [없어 no (from 없다) + 지다 become] VERB = disappear, be missing (SYN. 사라지다)

제 차가 없어졌어요! Je chaga eopsseojeosseoyo! My car is gone!

eopssi 없이 /업씨/ [없 no (from 없다) + 이 adverbial suffix] ADVERB = without

저는 컴퓨터 없이는 하루도 살 수가 없어요. Jeoneun keompyuteo eopssineun harudo sal ssuga eopsseoyo. Without a computer, I couldn’t live even a single day.

eoptta 업다 /업따/ VERB = carry sb on one’s back

아빠, 업어 줘. Appa, eobeo jwo. Dad, give me a piggyback.

*eoptta 없다 /업따/ ADJECTIVE = (there is) no (ANT. 있다¹ 1)

내일은 저녁까지 집에 없을 거예요. Naeireun jeonyeokkkaji jibe eopsseul kkeoyeyo. Tomorrow I won’t be home until the evening.

더 이상 드릴 말씀이 없습니다. Deo isang deuril malsseumi eopsseumnida. I have nothing more to say.

eoptteurida 엎드리다 /업뜨리다/ VERB = lie face down

어젯밤에 엎드려 잤더니 허리가 아파요. Eojeppame eoptteuryeo jattteoni heoriga apayo. My back hurts because I slept on my stomach last night.

*eora 어라 ENDING = imperative ending

천천히 먹어라. Cheoncheonhi meogeora. Take your time with the food.

NOTE: See the note on 아라 ara.

eoreum 얼음 /어름/ NOUN = ice

얼음이 녹을 때까지는 운전하지 않는 게 어때? Eoreumi nogeul ttaekkajineun unjeonhaji anneun ge eottae? How about not driving until the ice melts?

*eoreun 어른 NOUN

1 = adult, grown-up (SYN. 성인)

어른 표 두 장하고 어린이 표 세 장 주세요. Eoreun pyo du janghago eorini pyo se jang juseyo. Two tickets for adults and three for children, please.

2 = senior, one’s elders

어른 앞에서 담배를 피면 안 된다. Eoreun apeseo dambaereul pimyeon an doenda. You shouldn’t smoke in front of elders.

eorida 어리다 ADJECTIVE = young, little

넌 어렸을 때 뭐가 되고 싶었니? Neon eoryeosseul ttae mwoga doego sipeonni? What did you want to be when you were young?

eorinae 어린애 /어리내/ = shortened form of

어린아이 eorinai

eorinai 어린아이 /어리나이/ [어린 young (from 어리다) + 아이 child] NOUN = child

그 물음에는 어린아이도 대답할 수 있겠다. Geu mureumeneun eorinaido daedapal ssu itkkettta. Even a child could answer the question.

*eorini 어린이 /어리니/ NOUN = [formal] child

어린이 요금은 얼마입니까? Eorini yogeumeun eolmaimnikka? How much is it for children?

eoriseoktta 어리석다 /어리석따/ ADJECTIVE = foolish, absurd

그걸 믿다니 너도 참 어리석구나. Geugeol mitttani neodo cha meoriseokkkuna. You’re so silly to believe that.

*eoryeoptta 어렵다 /어렵따/ ADJECTIVE = difficult, hard (SYN. 힘들다; ANT. 쉽다)

와, 이거 제가 생각했던 것보다 더 어렵네요. Wa, igeo jega saenggakaettteon geotppoda deo eoryeomneyo. Wow, this is more difficult than I’d thought.

eoryeoum 어려움 [어려우 difficult (from 어렵다) + ㅁ nominal suffix] NOUN = difficulty, trouble

어려움은 없으신가요? Eoryeoumeun eopsseusingayo? Any difficulties?

eosaekada 어색하다 /어새카다/ [語 talk + 塞 block + 하다 adjectival suffix → of being in a situation where there is nothing to talk] ADJECTIVE = awkward

이 문장은 어색하다. I munjangeun eosaekada. This sentence is awkward.

잘 모르는 사람이랑 있으면 좀 어색해요. Jal moreuneun saramirang isseumyeon jom eosaekaeyo. It feels awkward to be with someone I don’t know well.

*eoseo 어서¹ ADVERB = quickly

어머니는 제가 어서 결혼하기를 바라세요. Eomeonineun jega eoseo gyeolhonhagireul baraseyo. My mother wants me to get married soon.

*eoseo 어서² ENDING

1 = and then

들어와서 커피 한 잔 해. Deureowaseo keopi han jan hae. Come in for a cup of coffee.

2 = and so

강이 깊어서 건널 수가 없어요. Gangi gipeoseo geonneol ssuga eopsseoyo. The river is too deep to cross.

NOTE: See the note on 아서 aseo.

*eot 었 /얻/ SUFFIX = past tense suffix

오늘 점심으로 피자를 먹었어요. Oneul jeomsimeuro pijareul meogeosseoyo. I had pizza for lunch today.

NOTE: See the note on 았 at.

eotkkallida 엇갈리다 /얻깔리다/ VERB

1 = miss (each other)

서로 길이 엇갈린 것 같은데요. Seoro giri eotkkallin geot gateundeyo. I think we have just missed each other.

2 = be in disagreement

남편과 저는 이 문제에 대해 서로 의견이 엇갈리고 있어요. Nampyeongwa jeoneun i munjee daehae seoro uigyeoni eotkkalligo isseoyo. My husband and I have different opinions on this matter.

eotkkeuje 엊그제 /얻끄제/ [엊 yesterday (from 어제) + 그제 the day before yesterday (from 그저 께)] ADVERB = a couple of days ago

우리 결혼한 게 엊그제 같은데 벌써 1년 됐어. Uri gyeolhonhan ge eotkkeuje gateunde beolsseo il nyeon dwaesseo. It seems like we got married a few days ago, but it’s already been a year.

*eotteohada 어떠하다 = 어떻다 eotteota

eotteokada 어떡하다 /어떠카다/ VERB = what am one supposed to do (SYN. 어쩌다¹ 1)

하지만 나중에 마음이 변하면 어떡해요? Hajiman najunge maeumi byeonhamyeon eotteokaeyo? But what if you change your mind later?

NOTE: 어떡하다 is often used in an inquisitive sentence.

*eotteon 어떤 DETERMINER

1 = what, which

어떤 컴퓨터 살 거야? Eotteon keompyuteo sal kkeoya? What kind of computer will you buy?

2 = some, certain

어떤 사람이 너를 찾아왔어. Eotteon sarami neoreul chajawasseo. Somebody is here to see you.

*eotteota 어떻다 /어떠타/ ADJECTIVE = how

요즘 몸은 좀 어때? Yojeum momeun jo meottae? How do you feel these days?

그걸 어떻게 알았니? Geugeol eotteoke aranni? How did you know that?

NOTE: 어떻다 is often used in an inquisitive sentence.

eottta 얻다 /얻따/ VERB = get, gain (ANT. 잃다 2)

종이랑 볼펜을 좀 얻을 수 있을까요? Jongi-rang bolpeneul jo meodeul ssu isseulkkayo? Can I get some paper and a ball-point pen?

저는 이번 성공으로 자신감을 얻었어요. Jeoneun ibeon seonggongeuro jasingameul eodeosseoyo. I gained self-confidence thanks to my recent success.

eoullida 어울리다 VERB

1 = hang out, get along

그 애랑 어울려 다니지 마라. Geu aerang eoullyeo daniji mara. Don’t hang out with him.

2 = match, go with

그 스웨터 너한테 잘 어울려. Geu seuweteo neohante ja reoullyeo. That sweater looks good on you.

eoya 어야 ENDING = only when

사람은 먹어야 산다. Sarameun meogeoya sanda. Humans have to eat to live.

NOTE: See the note on 아야 aya.

*eseo 에서 PARTICLE

1 = at, in, on (location)

아이가 놀이터에서 놀고 있어요. Aiga noriteoeseo nolgo isseoyo. A child is playing on the playground.

2 = from

어디에서 왔어요? Eodieseo wasseoyo? Where are you from?

*eui 의 PARTICLE = of

이 책의 저자가 누구지? I chaege jeojaga nuguji? Who is the author of this book?

바닷물의 온도를 재 봐. Badanmure ondoreul jae bwa. Measure the temperature of the sea.

NOTE: When 의 is used as a particle, it can be pronounced as / 에 e /. Because the pronunciation of / 의 eui / is tricky even for a native Korean speaker, let alone foreigners, the pronunciation / 에 e / is preferred over / 의 eui / in daily life.

*eul 을¹ PARTICLE = object particle

아버지께서 운전을 가르쳐 주셨어요. Abeojikkeseo unjeoneul gareucheo jusyeosseoyo. My father taught me how to drive.

NOTE: A noun with a consonant ending combines with 을, while a noun with a vowel ending combines with 를.

*eul 을² ENDING = future modifier

비자를 받을 필요가 없어요. Bijareul badeul piryoga eopsseoyo. You don’t have to get a visa.

NOTE: ㄹ/을 is attached to the stem of verbs/ adjectives to function as a future modifier for the following noun. It expresses an action or state which has not been realized yet. Verbs/adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㄹ as the ending sound, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 을.

*eulkka 을까 ENDING = inquisitive ending

누구한테 물어보면 제일 좋을까요? Nuguhante mureobomyeon jeil joeulkkayo? Who do you think is the best person to ask?

가족들이랑 떨어져 있으면 외롭지 않을까요? Gajoktteurirang tteoreojeo isseumyeon oeropjji aneulkkayo? Don’t you think it would be lonely to live away from your family?

NOTE: ㄹ까/을까 is attached to the stem of verbs/adjectives and functions as an inquisitive ending. It is used to ask the opinion of the listener or when one conjectures about the action or the state of the subject. The particle 요 can be added to show politeness. Verbs/adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㄹ까 as the ending, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 을까.

eulkke 을게 /을께/ ENDING = (I, we) promise

며칠 내로 꼭 갚을게. Myeochil naero kkok kkapeulkke. I promise to pay you back in a few days.

NOTE: ㄹ게/을게 is attached to the stem of verbs and expresses the speaker’s will to do something. The particle 요 can be added to show politeness. Be aware that 게 is pronounced as / 께 /. Verbs/ adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㄹ게 as the ending, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 을게.

eulkkeol 을걸 /을껄/ ENDING

1 = maybe

그 사람 벌써 떠났을걸요. Geu saram beolsseo tteonasseulkkeoryo. He is probably gone already.

2 = I wish I had

점심을 굶을걸 그랬어요. Jeomsimeul gulmeulkkeol geuraesseoyo. I should have skipped lunch.

NOTE: ㄹ걸/을걸 is attached to the stem of verbs/adjectives and has two meanings. When it is used as 1, usually 아마 precedes the ending. And the particle 요 can be added to show politeness. With meaning 2, it is often followed by 그 랬다. This indicates the speaker’s regret for not having done something, which means this particular ending is attached only to verbs. Verbs/ adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㄹ걸 as the ending, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 을걸.

eullae 을래 ENDING = will do, want to do

오늘 밤은 그냥 집에 있을래요. Oneul ppameun geunyang jibe isseullaeyo. I’ll just stay home tonight.

뭐 먹을래? Mwo meogeullae? What do you want to eat?

NOTE: ㄹ래/을래 is attached to the stem of verbs and shows the intention of the speaker or the listener. Thus, usually sentences with ㄹ래/ 을래 cannot refer to a third person who is not present. And the particle 요 can be added to show politeness. Verbs whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㄹ래 as the ending, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 을래.

eulssurok 을수록 /을쑤록/ ENDING = the more … the more

이 노래는 들을수록 좋아. I noraeneun deureulssurok joa. The more I hear this song, the more I like it.

NOTE: See the note on ㄹ수록 lssurok.

eum 음¹ INTERJECTION = um

글쎄요, 음, 그건 확실히 모르겠어요. Geulsseyo, eum, geugeon hwakssilhi moreugesseoyo. Well, um, I’m not sure about that.

eum 음² ENDING = nominal ending, …ing

출구 없음 chulgu eopsseum No exit

NOTE: See the note on ㅁ m.

*eumak 음악 /으막/ [音 sound + 樂 enjoy → an enjoyable sound] NOUN = music

사실 난 음악을 별로 많이 듣지 않아. Sasil ra neumageul byeollo mani deutjji ana. Actually, I don’t listen to music very much.

eumakkka 음악가 /으막까/ [音 sound + 樂 enjoy + 家 skilled person] NOUN = musician

정명훈의 누나들도 모두 세계적인 음악가야. Jeongmyeonghune nunadeuldo modu segyejeogi neumakkkaya. Myunghoon Jeong’s sisters are also world-class musicians.

NOTE: People also use the word 뮤지션. But usually it refers to pop musicians, while 음악가 referes to classical musicians.

eumban 음반 [音 sound + 盤 tray → something that carries sound and music in it like a tray] NOUN = record, album (SYN. 앨범 2)

요즘 음반 중에는 열 곡 이상 들어 있는 경우가 드물어요. Yojeum eumban jungeneun yeol kko gisang deureo inneun gyeonguga deumureoyo. These days, there’re few albums that have more than ten songs on them.

eumju 음주 [飮 drink + 酒 liquor] NOUN = drinking

지나친 음주는 건강에 해롭다. Jinachi neumjuneun geongange haeroptta. Excessive drinking is bad for your health.

eumnyeok 음력 /음녁/ [陰 the moon + 曆 calendar] NOUN = lunar calendar (ANT. 양력)

저는 음력 10월 26일에 태어났어요. Jeoneun eumnyeok si wo risipnyu gire taeeonasseoyo. I was born on October 26th in the lunar calendar.

eumnyosu 음료수 /음뇨수/ [飮 drink + 料 volume + 水 water → water to drink] NOUN = drink, beverage

제가 가서 음료수 좀 사 올게요. Jega gaseo eumnyosu jom sa olkkeyo. I’ll go get something to drink.

eumseong 음성 [音 sound + 聲 sound] NOUN = voice

음성 메시지를 남기시려면 3번을 눌러 주세요. Eumseong mesijireul namgisiryeomyeon sam beoneul nulleo juseyo. If you want to leave a voicemail, please press 3.

*eumsik 음식 [飮 drink + 食 eat → something to drink and to eat] NOUN = food

자장면은 한국 사람들이 제일 즐겨 먹는 중국 음식이에요. Jajangmyeoneun hanguk ssaramdeuri jeil jeulgyeo meongneun junggu geumsigieyo. Jajangmyeon is the most popular Chinese dish among Koreans.

eumsikjjeom 음식점 /음식쩜/ [飮 drink + 食 eat + 店 shop] NOUN = restaurant (SYN. 식당)

이 음식점은 김치찌개가 전문이야. I eumsikjjeomeun gimchijjigaega jeonmuniya. This restaurant specializes in kimchi stew.

eumsingmul 음식물 /음싱물/ [飮 drink + 食 eat + 物 thing] NOUN = food

음식물은 가지고 들어올 수 없습니다. Eumsingmureun gajigo deureool ssu eopsseumnida. You’re not allowed to bring food in.

*eumyeon 으면 ENDING = if, provided, when

돈이 있으면 좀 빌려 줄래? Doni isseumyeon jom billyeo jullae? If you have any money, can you lend me some?

NOTE: See the note on 면² myeon.

eumyeonseo 으면서 ENDING = while, at the same time

우리 걸으면서 얘기 좀 하자. Uri georeumyeonseo yaegi jom haja. Let’s talk as we walk.

NOTE: See the note on 면서 myeonseo.

eun 은¹ [銀 silver] NOUN = silver

이 목걸이는 은으로 만든 거예요. I mokkkeorineun euneuro mandeun geoyeyo. This necklace is made of silver.

*eun 은² PARTICLE

1 = topic particle

제 이름은 남소영입니다. Je ireumeun namsoyeongimnida. My name is Soyoung Nam.

2 = contrast particle

이 가게에 수박은 있는데 포도는 없어요. I gagee subageun inneunde podoneun eopsseoyo. This store carries watermelons, but no grapes.

NOTE: A noun with a consonant ending combines with 은, while a noun with a vowel ending combines with 는. For a beginner, it won’t be easy to distinguish when you should use the particle 은/는. An example in context may help: For instance, in a new class, a teacher is asking the names of students. She asks, “What’s your name?,” and you may answer, “ 제 이름은 남 소영이에요. My name is Soyoung Nam.” Literally, it means “As for my name, it is Soyoung Nam.” If you say, “ 제 이름이 남소영이에 요 ” instead, that sounds a bit strange because the subtle nuance of that is: “It’s me who has the name, Soyoung Nam.”

*eun 은³ ENDING = past/present modifier

그 책 다 읽은 후에 빌려 줄래? Geu chaek da ilgeun hue billyeo jullae? Can I borrow that book after you are done with reading it?

오늘은 맑은 날씨가 예상됩니다. Oneureun malgeun nalssiga yesangdoemnida. Sunny weather is forecast for today.

NOTE: ㄴ/은 is attached to the stem of verbs/adjectives to function as a modifier for the following noun. When attached to a verb, it indicates the action that has already happened in the past, on the other hand, when attached to an adjective, it expresses the current state. Verbs/adjectives whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㄴ as the ending sound, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 은.

*eunde 은데 ENDING = and, but, so

품질은 좋은데 약간 비싸네요. Pumjireun joeunde yakkkan bissaneyo. The quality is good, but it’s a little expensive.

NOTE: See the note on ㄴ데 nde.

eung 응 INTERJECTION = yes (SYN. 어¹ 2)

응, 물론이지. Eung, mulloniji. Yes, of course.

*eunhaeng 은행 [銀 money + 行 do → a financial institution that takes care of monetary transactions] NOUN = bank

저희 은행에 계좌를 갖고 계신가요? Jeohi eunhaenge gyejwareul gatkko gyesingayo? Do you have an account with our bank?

euni 으니 = 으니까 eunikka

eunikka 으니까 ENDING = since, and so

늦었으니까 택시를 탑시다. Neujeosseunikka taeksireul tapssida. We are late, so let’s take a taxi.

NOTE: See the note on 니까 nikka.

eupssida 읍시다 /읍씨다/ ENDING = propositive ending

구석 자리에 앉읍시다. Guseok jjarie anjeupssida. Let’s take corner seats.

NOTE: ㅂ시다/읍시다 is attached to the stem of verbs and functions as a propositive ending. This is a formal way of speaking. Verbs whose stem ends in a vowel or ㄹ will take ㅂ시다 as the ending, while those whose stem ends in any consonant but ㄹ will take 읍시다.

eureo 으러 ENDING = for the purpose of

점심 먹으러 식당에 가다가 소영이를 만났어요. Jeomsim meogeureo sikttange gadaga soyeongireul mannasseoyo. On the way to the cafeteria to eat lunch I met Soyoung.

NOTE: See the note on 러 reo.

*euro 으로 PARTICLE

1 = to, for (direction)

공항으로 가 주세요. Gonghangeuro ga juseyo. Let’s go to the airport.

2 = to, into (change)

물이 얼어서 얼음으로 변했어요. Muri eoreoseo eoreumeuro byeonhaesseoyo. The water has frozen and turned into ice.

3 = with, by, in (means)

책으로 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. Chaegeuro hangugeoreul gongbuhago isseoyo. I’m studying Korean with books.

4 = as

저를 반장으로 뽑아 주셔서 감사합니다. Jeoreul banjangeuro ppoba jusyeoseo gamsahamnida. Thank you for choosing me as a classroom representative.

5 = from

이모는 암으로 돌아가셨어요. Imoneun ameuro doragasyeosseoyo. My aunt died of cancer.

NOTE: A noun with a consonant ending combines with 으로, while a noun with a vowel ending combines with 로. An exception to this is a noun that ends with ㄹ, in this case, the noun combines with 로, and not with 으로.

eurobuteo 으로부터 [으로 to, for + 부터 from] PARTICLE = from, out of

이 펜은 삼촌으로부터 받은 거예요. I peneun samchoneurobuteo badeun geoyeyo. My uncle gave me this pen.

NOTE: A noun which ends in a consonant but ㄹ combines with 으로부터, while a noun which ends in a vowel or ㄹ combines with 로부터.

euryeo 으려 = 으려고 euryego

euryeogo 으려고 ENDING = for the purpose of

좀 적게 먹으려고 노력 중이야. Jom jeokkke meogeuryeogo noryeok jungiya. I’m trying to eat less.

NOTE: See the note on 려고 ryeogo.

euryeomyeon 으려면 ENDING = if you want to do, in order to

좋은 자리를 잡으려면 서둘러야 해. Joeun jarireul jabeuryeomyeon seodulleoya hae. We must hurry if we want to get good seats.

NOTE: See the note on 려면 ryeomyeon.

*euseyo 으세요 [으시 honorific suffix + 어 final ending + 요 honorific particle] ENDING

1 = declarative ending

아버지는 저한테 바라는 게 많으세요. Abeojineun jeohante baraneun ge maneuseyo. My father has high expectations of me.

2 = inquisitive ending

여기서 며칠이나 묵으세요? Yeogiseo myeochirina mugeuseyo? How many nights will you be spending here?

3 = imperative ending

여기 앉으세요. Yeogi anjeuseyo. Please take a seat.

NOTE: See the note on 세요 seyo.

*eusi 으시 SUFFIX = honorific suffix

다음엔 어디로 가고 싶으세요? Daeumen eodiro gago sipeuseyo? Where would you like to go next?

NOTE: See the note on 시⁴ si.

eusipssio 으십시오 /으십씨오/ ENDING = imperative ending

원하는 곳에 앉으십시오. Wonhaneun gose anjeusipssio. You can sit wherever you want.

NOTE: See the note on 십시오 sipssio.

*eyo 에요 ENDING

1 = declarative ending

그 사람은 참 좋은 사람이에요. Geu sarameun cham joeun saramieyo. He’s a very good person.

2 = inquisitive ending

두 사람 친구 아니에요? Du saram chingu anieyo? Aren’t you two buddies?

NOTE: 에요 is an honorific expression of the final ending 야³ ya. In other words, 에요 is attached to 이다 and 아니다 only. As a result, you get 이에요 and 아니에요. 이에요 can be shortened to 예요.