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Easy Korean Level 4 - Unit 10: Among, Between / 중에서, 사이에서, 사이에

In this lesson, we will learn how to express "among" or "between" in Korean. Depending on what you are talking about (options, people, or physical space), you need to use different words.

1. 중에서 (Among choices / options)

Use 중에서 when you are choosing from a set of items, or saying "among these things." You can often shorten it to 중. (중 = middle/center)

  • 이 책들 중에서 하나 고르세요. (Choose one among these books.)
  • 한국 음식 중에서 비빔밥을 제일 좋아해요. (Among Korean foods, I like Bibimbap the best.)

Use 사이에서 when you mean "among" a group of people, or when talking about a relationship between people. It is often used to say something is popular among a certain demographic.

  • 이 가수는 학생들 사이에서 인기가 많아요. (This singer is popular among students.)
  • 우리 사이에서 비밀은 없어요. (There are no secrets between us / among us.)

3. 사이에 (Between physical objects or time)

Use 사이에 when you are talking about the physical space between two objects, or the time between two events.

  • 약국은 은행과 우체국 사이에 있어요. (The pharmacy is between the bank and the post office.)
  • 서울과 부산 사이에 대전이 있어요. (Daejeon is between Seoul and Busan.)
  • 2시와 3시 사이에 오세요. (Please come between 2 o'clock and 3 o'clock.)

Summary

  • 중에서: Choosing one out of many options.
  • 사이에서: Among a group of people (relationships, popularity).
  • 사이에: Physical space or time between A and B.