‘ㅎ’ Irregular
안녕! Hey guys! How is everyone doing? This post is going to be a bit long, but it has TONS of useful information, so keep reading. Let’s go! 가자!
그렇다
그렇다 is usually used as an adjective or adverb.
As an adjective, it’s 그런, which means « that sort of/that kind of/that type of » An example is 저는 그런 사람을 믿지 않아요 « I don’t trust those kinds of people/that type of person »
As an adverb, it’s 그렇게, which means « like that » An example is 저는 그렇게 생각하지 않아요 « I don’t think like that »
이렇다
이렇다 can also be an adjective or adverb. It also means « like this »
As an adjective, it’s 이런, which means « this sort of/this kind of/this type of » An example is 이런 차는 너무 커요 « This type of car is too big »
As an adverb, it’s 이렇게, which means « like this » An example is 왜 이렇게 일찍 가요? « Why are you going to early (like this)? »
*Note, the words « like this » in English aren’t really needed in a sentence. This is something that you just pick up after a while when learning Korean. When Korean people ask a « why » question, they often stress the phrase « why » by using 이렇게*
저렇다
저렇다 can be used just like 그렇다 and 이렇다, you just have to keep in mind the differences in the meaning of 이, 그, and 저.
Example as an adjective are 저는 저런 차를 사고 싶어요 « I want to buy that type of car »
Example as an adverb is 아빠는 왜 저렇게 말하고 있어요? « Why is dad talking like that? »
이렇다, 그렇다 and 저렇다 can also be used as the predicating word/end of a sentence (these are usually only seen in simple sentences asking/indicating if something is « like this » or « like that »).
Examples are:
이 학교도 그렇지 않습니까? « Is this school no like that as well? »
네, 그렇습니다 « Yes, that is correct/that is the way it is »
The most common way you’ll see these ad a beginner is like this:
왜 이래?
왜 그래?
왜 저래?
When adding ‘~어/아’ (or one of its derivatives), the ‘ㅎ’ is dropped and the ‘ㅓ’ turns into ‘ㅐ’
Saying « Why are you like this/like that? » is Korean is very common in conversation. It could be compared to the English « What’s wrong? » or « What’s the matter? »
그렇다 is used very often as Koreans will use it as an agreement to something. Example:
Person A: 제가 지금 가요. « I’m going to go now »
Person B: 그래요! « Sure! (Like that is fine!) »
Similarly, it can also be used to show shock or disbelief, but not an in actuality way, but in more of a « Oh, I’m interested in the conversation » type of way. It’s like the English phrase « really?! »
Example:
Person A: 저는 지난 주에 미국에 있었어요. « Last week I went to the United States. »
Person B: 그래요? 어디에 갔어요? « Really?! Where did you go? »
And that was today’s lesson! Was it useful? Did you learn some new grammar points or vocabulary? Do you like posts like these? I’m going to do a post with a topic similar to this soon, so be ready for that because it’s also very useful information. See you all next time! 안녕!