저거

The Korean word 저거 (jeogeo) is a fundamental demonstrative pronoun that every learner must master at the very beginning of their journey. At its core, it translates to 'that thing' or 'that one' in English, but it carries a specific spatial nuance that is distinct from other demonstratives like 이거 (igeo) or 그거 (geugeo). In the Korean spatial logic system, distance is categorized into three distinct zones: near the speaker, near the listener, and far from both. 저거 belongs exclusively to the third category. It is used when both you and the person you are talking to are looking at something that is physically distant from both of you. Imagine you are standing on a hill with a friend, and you see a distant mountain peak or a bird flying high in the sky; that is the perfect moment to use 저거.

Spatial Category

Distal (Far from both speaker and listener)

Grammatical Form

Pronoun (Contraction of 저것)

The word is actually a spoken contraction of the more formal term 저것 (jeogeot). While 저것 is frequently found in written texts, literature, and formal speeches, 저거 is the king of daily conversation. It flows more naturally and allows for easier attachment of particles. For instance, when you want to ask 'What is that?' while pointing at a distant object, you would say 저거 뭐예요? (Jeogeo mwoyeyo?). This spatial clarity is vital in Korean culture because it helps establish a shared perspective between the interlocutors. By using 저거, you are implicitly confirming that the object is outside the immediate personal space of both parties, creating a shared external focus.

Beyond physical distance, 저거 can sometimes be used to refer to something that is psychologically distant or something that was mentioned much earlier in a conversation and is no longer in the immediate 'mental' space of the speakers. However, its primary use remains physical. In a restaurant, if you see a dish being served to a table far away and you want the same thing, you point and say 저거 주세요 (Jeogeo juseyo). It acts as a bridge between your intention and an object that is currently out of reach. It is also important to note that 저거 refers to inanimate objects or animals. Using it to refer to a person is considered extremely rude and dehumanizing; for people, you must use 저 사람 (jeo saram) or the polite 저분 (jeobun).

In terms of frequency, 저거 is one of the top 100 most used words in spoken Korean. Its versatility allows it to function as a subject, object, or topic of a sentence. Because Korean is a high-context language, 저거 often saves speakers from having to remember the specific name of an object. If you forget the word for 'airplane' while looking at the sky, simply saying 저거 진짜 빠르다! (That thing is really fast!) conveys the message perfectly. This makes it an essential 'survival word' for beginners who are still building their vocabulary but need to communicate about the world around them.

Common Usage Scenario 1

Pointing at a menu item on a wall across the room.

Common Usage Scenario 2

Identifying a star or a cloud in the sky.

Finally, let's look at the emotional weight. Sometimes, 저거 is used with a sense of wonder or even disdain. If someone is doing something strange far away, a speaker might say 저거 봐 (Look at that) with a tone of disbelief. The distance provided by the word '저' creates a buffer, allowing the speaker to observe from a detached perspective. This linguistic distancing is a key feature of how Koreans navigate social and physical space. Whether you are admiring a distant sunset or questioning a weird billboard, 저거 is your go-to tool for referencing the world 'out there'.

Using 저거 (jeogeo) correctly involves understanding how it interacts with Korean particles. Since 저거 is a pronoun, it frequently takes on the roles of subject, object, or topic within a sentence. The beauty of the spoken form 저거 is that it naturally contracts when combined with these particles, making your Korean sound much more fluid and native-like. Understanding these contractions is the first step toward moving from 'textbook Korean' to 'real-world Korean'.

Topic Marker (는)

저거 + 는 = 저건 (Used for contrast or general topics)

Subject Marker (이)

저거 + 이 = 저게 (Used for specific identification)

Object Marker (를)

저거 + 를 = 저걸 (Used when 'that thing' is receiving an action)

Let's break down the subject marker contraction 저게. This is perhaps the most common form you will hear. If you are walking and see something strange, you don't say '저거이 뭐예요?'; you say 저게 뭐예요?. The '이' marker emphasizes the identity of the object. Similarly, the topic marker contraction 저건 is used when you are comparing two things. For example, '이건 사과예요. 저건 배예요.' (This is an apple. That [over there] is a pear.) Here, the contrast between the thing near you and the thing far away is highlighted by the topic marker.

When 저거 acts as an object, the contraction 저걸 is used. If you are in a shop and pointing to a bag on a high shelf, you would say 저걸 사고 싶어요 (I want to buy that). In very casual speech, particles are often dropped entirely, so you might just hear 저거 사줘 (Buy me that). However, as a learner, mastering the contractions 저건, 저게, 저걸 will give you a significant boost in sounding natural. It's also worth noting that 저거 can be followed by the possessive particle '의', though this is rare. Usually, we just say 저거 주인 (the owner of that) rather than 저거의 주인 in casual speech.

Another important aspect of using 저거 is its placement in the sentence. Korean follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, but demonstratives almost always come at the beginning of the phrase they modify or as the standalone subject. If you are using it as a pronoun, it stands alone. If you want to say 'that car', you use the determiner form 저 (저 차), not 저거 차. This is a common mistake for beginners. Remember: 저거 is 'that thing' (noun), while 저 is 'that' (adjective/determiner).

In polite conversation, you might add the polite ending 요 directly to the pronoun in very short, fragmented sentences. For example, if someone asks 'Which one do you want?', you can simply point and say 저거요 (That one). This is perfectly acceptable and polite in a service environment like a cafe or a department store. It avoids the stiffness of full sentences while maintaining social decorum. As you progress, you will find 저거 appearing in complex sentences, acting as the anchor for relative clauses, such as '저거 내가 어제 말한 거야' (That is the thing I talked about yesterday).

Sentence Pattern 1

저거 + [Noun] + 이에요/예요? (Is that a [Noun]?)

Sentence Pattern 2

저거 + [Adjective] + 네요! (That thing is so [Adjective]!)

To summarize, using 저거 effectively requires a mix of spatial awareness and grammatical agility. You must first ensure the object is far from both you and your listener. Then, you must choose the correct contraction based on the particle required by the verb. Whether you are identifying, contrasting, or acting upon a distant object, these patterns will form the backbone of your daily interactions in Korean.

If you spend a day in Seoul, you will hear the word 저거 (jeogeo) hundreds of times. It is the soundtrack of public life, echoing through subway stations, traditional markets, and modern shopping malls. One of the most common places to hear it is at a pojangmacha (street food stall). Customers often point to a specific type of twigim (fried food) or tteokbokki that is slightly out of reach and say, '저거 일 인분 주세요' (Please give me one serving of that). In this context, 저거 acts as a physical pointer, bridging the gap between the customer and the delicious food on display.

Another frequent setting is during outdoor activities like hiking or sightseeing. Korea is a mountainous country, and Koreans love to hike. On the trail, you will often hear hikers pointing at distant peaks, temples, or even birds, using 저거 to share the view with their companions. '저거 북한산 맞죠?' (That's Bukhansan, right?) is a typical sentence you might hear. In these wide-open spaces, the spatial 'far-from-both' definition of 저거 is perfectly illustrated. It creates a shared moment of observation, drawing the listener's eyes to the same distant point of interest.

In the world of Korean dramas (K-Dramas) and variety shows, 저거 is used for comedic or dramatic effect. In variety shows like 'Running Man', cast members often shout 저거 봐! (Look at that!) when a mission objective appears in the distance or when another member is doing something ridiculous far away. The word helps build suspense and directs the camera's (and the audience's) attention. In dramas, a character might use 저거 to refer to a distant memory or a symbolic object, like a lighthouse or a star, adding a layer of poetic distance to the dialogue.

In the Subway

Pointing at the electronic display board: '저거 우리 열차 아니야?' (Isn't that our train?)

In a Department Store

Pointing at a mannequin's outfit: '저거 진짜 예쁘다.' (That thing is really pretty.)

You will also hear 저거 in educational settings. A teacher might point to a diagram on the far end of the chalkboard or a poster on the back wall and say, '저거 잘 보세요' (Look at that carefully). Here, it functions as a pedagogical tool to focus the students' attention. Even in tech-savvy Korea, people use 저거 when pointing at screens during presentations or when discussing a distant drone in the sky. It is a word that adapts to any environment where something is visible but not immediately touchable.

Finally, 저거 is ubiquitous in the language of children. Kids are constantly discovering the world and pointing at things—airplanes, dogs across the street, colorful signs. Their frequent use of 저거 뭐야? (What's that?) is how they build their vocabulary. As a learner, you can adopt this same strategy. Don't know the word for something? Point and ask. It's the most natural way to learn, and 저거 is the key that unlocks that door. Whether you're in a bustling city or a quiet village, keep your ears open for this word; it's the sound of people connecting with the world around them.

One of the most frequent hurdles for English speakers learning Korean is the 'Demonstrative Trap'. In English, we only have 'this' and 'that'. In Korean, we have 이거, 그거, and 저거. The most common mistake is using 저거 (jeogeo) when you should actually use 그거 (geugeo). Remember: 그거 is for things near the listener or things already mentioned. 저거 is ONLY for things far from both. If your friend is holding a pen and you say '저거 뭐야?', it sounds very strange, as if the pen is somehow miles away from both of you. In that case, you must use 그거.

Mistake 1: Confusing 저거 and 그거

Using '저거' for something the listener is holding. (Correct: 그거)

Mistake 2: Using 저거 for People

Calling a person '저거'. (Correct: 저 사람 or 저분)

Another significant error is the 'Noun vs. Determiner' confusion. Many students try to say 저거 차 (jeogeo cha) to mean 'that car'. This is grammatically incorrect. 저거 is a standalone pronoun meaning 'that thing'. If you want to modify a noun, you must use the determiner form 저 (jeo). So, 'that car' is 저 차. Think of it this way: 저거 already has the 'thing' (거/것) built into it. Saying 저거 차 is like saying 'that thing car' in English. It's redundant and sounds clumsy to native ears.

A more subtle mistake involves social hierarchy and politeness. While 저거 itself isn't inherently 'impolite', pointing at things can be. In formal situations, such as a business meeting or when speaking to an elder, overusing 저거 while pointing aggressively can come across as unrefined. In these cases, it's better to use more descriptive language or the formal 저것. Furthermore, never use 저거 to refer to your own belongings in a way that suggests they are distant from you, unless they actually are. It can create a strange sense of alienation from your own objects.

Misusing contractions is also a common pitfall. Students often forget to change 저거 to 저게 when it's the subject. Saying '저거가 맛있어요' is technically understandable but sounds like 'That thing-y is delicious'—it's very childish. Using the proper contraction 저게 맛있어요 immediately elevates your speech. Similarly, using 저거를 in fast conversation instead of 저걸 can make your speech sound robotic. The goal is to internalize these contractions until they become second nature, allowing the rhythm of the language to take over.

Lastly, be careful with the 'Mental Distance' usage. While 그거 is usually used for things previously mentioned in a conversation, beginners sometimes use 저거 for things they just talked about. Unless you are specifically trying to create a sense of 'that thing way back then', you should stick to 그거 for conversational reference. Using 저거 for a topic that was just discussed can make the listener feel like you've already moved on or are distancing yourself from the subject. Mastery of these nuances is what separates a beginner from an intermediate speaker.

To truly understand 저거 (jeogeo), we must look at its siblings in the Korean demonstrative family. The Korean system is a 'tripartite' system, meaning it has three parts, unlike the English 'bipartite' (this/that) system. This is the most crucial comparison for any learner. Let's look at the three primary pronouns side-by-side to see how they differ in function and spatial orientation.

이거 (Igeo)

'This thing' - Near the speaker. If you can touch it, use this.

그거 (Geugeo)

'That thing' - Near the listener OR previously mentioned in conversation.

저거 (Jeogeo)

'That thing over there' - Far from both speaker and listener.

Another important comparison is between 저거 and its formal counterpart, 저것 (jeogeot). As mentioned before, 저거 is the spoken contraction. In formal writing, academic papers, or news broadcasts, you will almost exclusively see 저것. If you are writing an essay, avoid 저거. If you are chatting with a friend at a cafe, avoid 저것. Using the formal form in a casual setting can make you sound like a robot or a character from a historical drama. Conversely, using the casual form in a formal essay can make your writing seem unprofessional.

We also need to distinguish 저거 from 저기 (jeogi). While 저거 refers to a 'thing' (object), 저기 refers to a 'place' (location). Beginners often mix these up. If you want to say 'Look over there', you say 저기 봐. If you want to say 'Look at that thing', you say 저거 봐. However, in Korean, 저기요 (jeogiyo) is also used as a common way to get someone's attention, similar to 'Excuse me'. You would never say 저거요 to get a waiter's attention; that would be like calling them 'Hey, that thing!'.

In some contexts, you might hear 저 아이 (jeo ai) or 저 친구 (jeo chingu) used as alternatives when referring to people far away. Even if you are pointing at a person, 저거 is strictly for objects. If you want to be slightly more descriptive, you can use the determiner 저 with a specific noun, like 저 건물 (jeo geonmul - that building) or 저 나무 (jeo namu - that tree). Using the specific noun is often clearer and more sophisticated than just saying 'that thing'.

Lastly, consider the plural form 저것들 (jeogeot-deul). While 저거 can technically be used for multiple things in casual speech, 저것들 specifically denotes 'those things'. If you are pointing at a group of birds or a pile of boxes far away, 저것들 is the more precise choice. However, in daily life, Koreans often stick to the singular 저거 even for multiple items if the context is clear. Understanding these alternatives allows you to choose the exact level of precision and formality required for any given situation.