TOPIK · Level 125
16 words
Korean word
걔
Pronunciation
Romanizationkyae
Meaning
- pronounthat kid
Example
걔가 오늘 안 왔어.kyae ga o neul an wa sseo
That kid didn't come today.
More examples
걔랑 같이 가자.kyae rang ka chi ka ja
Let's go with that kid.
Core concept
A familiar, casual pointer to a known third person, often someone about the speaker's age or younger.
Common phrases
걔랑 같이kyae rang ka chi
with that kid
걔 때문에kyae ttae mu ne
because of that kid
걔한테서kyae han te seo
from that kid
Similar words
그 사람keu saram: A usual conversational way to refer to someone who is not part of the conversation.
그분keubun: A polite way to refer to a third person with respect.
저 사람cheo saram: A way to point to a person who is farther from the speaker.
그 애keu ae: A friendly, informal way to refer to a child or young person.
Definition in Korean
말하는 사람과 듣는 사람이 모두 알고 있는 제삼의 사람을 친근하게 가리키는 비격식 대명사로, 주로 나이가 비슷하거나 어린 사람을 가리킬 때 쓰인다.mal ha neun sa ram gwa teun neun sa ra mi mo du al go in neun che sa mui sa ra meul chin geun ha ge ka ri ki neun pi gyeok ssik tae myeong sa ro chu ro na i ga pi seu ta geo na eo rin sa ra meul ka ri kil ttae sseu in da
Word origin
걔 (gyae, "that kid") is a colloquial shortening of an older Korean phrase meaning "that child".
Usage tips
- Because it refers to someone both speakers know, it sounds natural among friends but can sound too casual for an older person or a stranger.
Related words
- 걔들kyaedeulthose kidspronoun