Unit 7: This, That, It (이, 그, 저)

In the previous unit, we learned 이거 (this thing). Today, we will learn how to refer to things that are far away from you, and how to use these modifiers with other nouns!

1. The Three Modifiers: 이, 그, 저

In English, we mainly use "this" (near me) and "that" (far from me). In Korean, there are three distinctions based on who the object is close to.

• 이 (i) = This (Near you, the speaker)
• 그 (geu) = That (Near the listener, but far from you) OR (Something previously mentioned/out of sight)
• 저 (jeo) = That over there (Far from BOTH you and the listener)

Note: You might recognize 저 as the polite word for "I" (me). This is the exact same spelling/pronunciation, but a completely different meaning based on context!

2. Using them with "Thing" (것/거)

As we learned, 것 (geot) means "thing" and is shortened to 거 (geo).

• 이 + 거 = 이거 (This thing)
• 그 + 거 = 그거 (That thing near you / That thing we talked about)
• 저 + 거 = 저거 (That thing over there)

Examples: * 이거 뭐예요? = What is this? (Holding an object) * 그거 뭐예요? = What is that? (Pointing at what the listener is holding) * 저거 뭐예요? = What is that over there? (Pointing across the room)

3. Using them with other Nouns

You can also place 이, 그, 저 directly in front of any noun to modify it.

• 이 사람 (i sa-ram) = This person
• 그 컴퓨터 (geu keom-pyu-teo) = That computer (near you / the one we mentioned)
• 저 차 (jeo cha) = That car over there

Examples: * 이 사람은 제 친구예요. = This person is my friend. * 저 차는 제 차예요. = That car over there is my car.

Summary

• 이 = This (near me)
• 그 = That (near you, or in our minds)
• 저 = That over there (far from both of us)
• Add 거 to make them pronouns (this thing, that thing).
• Put them before a noun to modify it (this apple, that person).