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이 means “this” in English, and is used as a demonstrative pronoun or demonstrative adjective in Korean to refer to objects, places or people close to the person speaking.
Using 이 (i) as a Demonstrative Adjective/Determiner
이 as a demonstrative adjective, is placed before a noun, it specifies that the noun is close in proximity to the speaker, similar to how “this” is used in English.
Examples:
- 이 책 = “this book”
- 이 사람 = “this person”
- 이 집 = “this house”
Using 이 (i) as a Demonstrative Pronoun
In Korean, 이 cannot stand alone as a demonstrative pronoun. To make it function as a demonstrative pronoun, you must pair it with “것” (geot) or the shortened form “거” (geo), which both mean “thing” or “one.”
By adding either 것 or 거, you turn “이” into a standalone expression referring to “this thing” or “this one.” Context typically provides what “이” is referencing.
Examples:
- 이거 물이에요. = “This is water.”
- 이거 좋아해요. = “I like this.”
- 이거 뭐예요? = “What is this?”
