When talking about someone's nationality, Koreans often combine the country name with the word 사람 (saram), meaning 'person'. So, 한국 (Hanguk), which means Korea, combined with 사람 becomes 한국 사람, directly translating to 'Korean person'.
This is a very common and natural way to refer to someone from Korea. You'll hear and use this phrase frequently in everyday conversation.
§ What does 한국 사람 mean and when do people use it?
The Korean word 한국 사람 (hanguk saram) is quite straightforward. It literally means 'Korean person' or 'a person from Korea.' It's a fundamental term you'll encounter early and often in your Korean language journey, especially when talking about nationalities or identifying people.
- Definition
- A person from Korea; Korean national.
You'll use 한국 사람 in a variety of situations. The most common is to identify someone's nationality as Korean. For example, if you want to say, 'I am Korean,' or 'She is Korean,' this is the phrase you'll need.
It can also be used in a more general sense to refer to Korean people as a group, though typically when talking about individuals or small groups. For instance, if you're discussing the general characteristics of people from Korea, you might use it. However, for broader, more abstract discussions about 'Koreans' as an entire populace, other terms might be more appropriate depending on the context.
저는 한국 사람이에요. (Jeoneun hanguk saram-ieyo.)
Translation hint: I am a Korean person. (I am Korean.)
그 친구는 한국 사람이 아니에요. (Geu chinguneun hanguk saram-i anieyo.)
Translation hint: That friend is not a Korean person. (That friend isn't Korean.)
It's crucial to understand the components of this phrase to truly grasp its meaning. 한국 (Hanguk) is the Korean word for 'Korea.' And 사람 (saram) means 'person' or 'people.' So, when combined, it literally forms 'Korea person' which translates perfectly to 'Korean person' in English.
Another common usage is when you're asking someone about their nationality or confirming if they are from Korea. The phrase is polite and direct, making it suitable for most social interactions. It's a fundamental building block for introducing yourself or others.
Consider this scenario: You meet someone new. A natural question to ask, if relevant, might be about their origin. If you want to know if they are Korean, you could ask, '혹시 한국 사람이세요?' (Are you a Korean person?). This is a perfectly acceptable and common way to inquire.
저기, 혹시 한국 사람이세요? (Jeogi, hoksi hanguk saram-iseyo?)
Translation hint: Excuse me, by any chance are you a Korean person? (Excuse me, are you Korean?)
The term is neutral in tone and widely used. There aren't many nuances to worry about in terms of formality or politeness when using 한국 사람 itself, though the particles and verb endings you attach to it will, of course, determine the overall politeness level of your sentence. For CEFR A1 learners, focusing on simple declarative and interrogative sentences with this word is key.
§ Key takeaways for 한국 사람:
- It directly translates to 'Korean person.'
- Used to identify someone's nationality as Korean.
- Composed of 한국 (Korea) and 사람 (person).
- Appropriate for polite inquiries about nationality.
- A fundamental vocabulary word for beginners.
Exemples par niveau
저는 한국 사람이에요.
I am a Korean person.
Using '이에요' after a consonant-ending noun for 'to be'.
이 사람은 한국 사람입니까?
Is this person a Korean person?
Using '입니까' for a polite question form of 'to be'.
우리 선생님은 한국 사람이에요.
Our teacher is a Korean person.
Using '우리' for 'our' or 'my' in a collective sense.
한국 사람은 김치를 좋아해요.
Korean people like kimchi.
Using the topic particle '은' to indicate the subject.
저는 한국 사람 친구가 있어요.
I have a Korean friend.
Using '친구가 있어요' for 'have a friend'.
그녀는 한국 사람인가요?
Is she a Korean person?
Using '인가요' for a polite and slightly softer question form.
한국 사람은 매운 음식을 잘 먹어요.
Korean people eat spicy food well.
Using '잘 먹어요' for 'eat well' or 'are good at eating'.
이 식당에는 한국 사람이 많아요.
There are many Korean people in this restaurant.
Using '많아요' for 'there are many'.
Modèles grammaticaux
Expressions idiomatiques
"안녕하세요"
Hello / How are you?
안녕하세요? 저는 김민준입니다. (Hello? I am Kim Min-jun.)
neutral"감사합니다"
Thank you.
도와주셔서 감사합니다. (Thank you for helping me.)
neutral"죄송합니다"
I am sorry / Excuse me.
늦어서 죄송합니다. (I am sorry for being late.)
neutral"네"
Yes / I see / Okay.
네, 알겠습니다. (Yes, I understand.)
neutral"아니요"
No / Not really.
아니요, 괜찮습니다. (No, it's okay.)
neutral"주세요"
Please give me / Please do.
물 좀 주세요. (Please give me some water.)
neutral"괜찮아요"
It's okay / I'm fine.
괜찮아요, 걱정 마세요. (It's okay, don't worry.)
neutral"어떻게 지내세요?"
How are you doing?
요즘 어떻게 지내세요? (How have you been doing lately?)
neutral"잘 부탁드립니다"
Please take good care of me / I look forward to working with you.
처음 뵙겠습니다. 잘 부탁드립니다. (Nice to meet you for the first time. Please take good care of me.)
neutral"어서 오세요"
Welcome.
어서 오세요! 편하게 구경하세요. (Welcome! Please look around comfortably.)
neutralStructures de phrases
저는 한국 사람이에요. (I am Korean.)
저는 한국 사람이에요.
이 사람은 한국 사람입니까? (Is this person Korean?)
이 사람은 한국 사람입니까?
저는 한국 사람이 아니에요. (I am not Korean.)
저는 한국 사람이 아니에요.
그는 한국 사람이에요. (He is Korean.)
그는 한국 사람이에요.
그녀는 한국 사람이에요. (She is Korean.)
그녀는 한국 사람이에요.
우리 가족은 한국 사람이에요. (My family is Korean.)
우리 가족은 한국 사람이에요.
이분은 한국 사람입니다. (This esteemed person is Korean.)
이분은 한국 사람입니다.
제 친구는 한국 사람이에요. (My friend is Korean.)
제 친구는 한국 사람이에요.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsThe most direct translation of '한국 사람' is 'Korean person' or 'Korean national'. '한국' means Korea, and '사람' means person.
You can use it like this: '저는 한국 사람이에요.' (I am a Korean person.) or '그는 한국 사람입니다.' (He is a Korean person.)
'한국 사람' itself is neutral. The level of formality depends on the ending you use with it. For example, '이에요/예요' is polite informal, and '입니다' is polite formal.
Yes, you can. '한국인' (韓國人) also means 'Korean person' or 'Korean national'. It's often used in more formal contexts or writing, but both are interchangeable in many situations. '한국 사람' is more common in everyday spoken Korean.
You can ask: '한국 사람이세요?' (Are you Korean?) or '한국 사람입니까?' (Are you Korean? - more formal).
'한국 사람' refers to a person from Korea (a Korean person), while '한국어' (한국말) refers to the Korean language. They are completely different.
You can say: '저는 한국 사람이 아니에요.' (I am not Korean.)
In Korean, '사람' can refer to both singular and plural. So, '한국 사람' can mean 'a Korean person' or 'Korean people' depending on the context. If you want to explicitly say 'many Korean people', you might add '들' (plural marker) but it's often omitted: '한국 사람들' (Korean people).
You'd replace '한국' with the country name. For example, '미국 사람' (American person), '일본 사람' (Japanese person), '중국 사람' (Chinese person).
Not directly. While it identifies a person as Korean, you wouldn't use it to modify a noun in the way an adjective would. For example, you wouldn't say '한국 사람 차' (Korean person car). You'd say '한국 차' (Korean car) if referring to a car from Korea.
Teste-toi 12 questions
Which of these means 'Korean person'?
한국 (Korea) + 사람 (person) = 한국 사람 (Korean person).
If someone is from Korea, what are they?
한국 사람 specifically refers to a person from Korea.
How do you say 'I am a Korean person'?
저 (I) + 는 (topic particle) + 한국 사람 (Korean person) + 입니다 (is/am/are - formal).
한국 사람 means 'American person'.
한국 사람 means 'Korean person'. 'American person' is 미국 사람.
If someone is 한국 사람, they are a Korean national.
한국 사람 refers to a person from Korea or a Korean national.
The word 사람 in 한국 사람 means 'country'.
사람 means 'person'. 한국 means 'Korea'.
제 선생님은 ___ 입니다. (My teacher is Korean.)
The sentence indicates that the teacher is Korean, so '한국 사람' (Korean person) is the correct fit.
저는 ___ 친구가 많아요. (I have many Korean friends.)
To say 'Korean friends', you need '한국 사람' before '친구'.
그는 ___ 이지만 한국말을 잘해요. (He is not Korean, but he speaks Korean well.)
The sentence implies he is not Korean, contrasting with his good Korean speaking ability. So, '한국 사람' is used to complete the 'not Korean' part.
저의 옆집에 사는 분은 ___ 이에요. (The person living next door to me is Korean.)
The sentence describes someone as Korean, making '한국 사람' the correct choice.
서울에서 ___ 을/를 많이 만났어요. (I met many Koreans in Seoul.)
In Seoul, you would expect to meet many '한국 사람' (Korean people).
우리 동아리에는 ___ 이/가 두 명 있어요. (There are two Korean people in our club.)
The sentence states there are two Korean people in the club, so '한국 사람' is the appropriate word.
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Exemple
저는 한국 사람입니다.
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
Plus de mots sur general
몇몇
A2An unspecified small number of; some or a few.
조금
A1A little/a bit
적게
A1A little / Few
약간
A2A little; slightly; somewhat.
많이
A1A lot/much
잠시
A2For a moment; briefly.
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2A little while ago, earlier.
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
