저거

Hello learners! Today we're going to dive into a super useful Korean word: 저거 (jeogeo). This little word is a pronoun that means 'that thing (far).' It's used when you're talking about an object that is far away from both you and the person you're speaking to. Think of it like pointing across a room to something neither of you can easily reach. We've previously covered 이거 (this thing here) and 그거 (that thing near you/that thing we just mentioned), so 저거 completes this set of essential demonstrative pronouns. Mastering these will significantly improve your ability to communicate clearly in Korean.

§ 저거 Explained

Korean Word

저거 (jeogeo)

Pronunciation

Juh-guh

Grammar Category

Pronoun

CEFR Level

A1 (Beginner)

Definition

That thing (far); refers to an object far from both speaker and listener.

While 저거 literally means 'that thing,' it's crucial to understand the spatial relationship it implies. It's not just 'that,' but specifically 'that over there, away from both of us.' This distinction is key to using it correctly and sounding natural in Korean. Let's look at some examples to make this clear.

§ Examples of 저거 in Use

Here are some practical examples of how you'll hear and use 저거 in everyday situations.

• 저거 뭐예요?

  What is that thing (far)? (You see something far away and ask your friend.)

• 저거 제 책이에요.

  That thing (far) is my book. (Pointing to a book on a shelf across the room.)

• 우와, 저거 정말 예쁘다!

  Wow, that thing (far) is really pretty! (Looking at a beautiful painting on a distant wall in a gallery.)

• 음, 저거 주세요.

  Hmm, please give me that thing (far). (At a store, pointing to an item on a high shelf.)

• 아, 저거요? 그거 고장 났어요.

  Oh, that thing (far)? That is broken. (Someone asks about a broken machine in the corner.)

§ Where You'll Actually Hear 저거

You'll encounter 저거 in a wide variety of daily conversations, whether at work, school, or even watching the news. It's a fundamental part of describing your surroundings.

At Work

In an office or workplace, you might use 저거 to refer to equipment, documents, or items across the room.

• 팀장님, 저거 복사기 작동 안 해요.

  Team leader, that (far) copier isn't working. (Referring to a copier in another part of the office.)

• 저거 지난주 회의 자료예요.

  Those (far) things are last week's meeting materials. (Pointing to a stack of papers on a distant table.)

At School

Students and teachers frequently use 저거 to talk about items in the classroom, on display, or outside a window.

• 선생님, 저거 칠판에 있는 그림 뭐예요?

  Teacher, what is that (far) picture on the whiteboard? (From the back of the classroom.)

• 우리는 저거 박물관에 갈 거예요.

  We are going to that (far) museum. (Referring to a museum building seen in the distance from the school.)

In the News/Media

While less common than in direct conversation, you might hear 저거 in news reports when a reporter is pointing out a distant object or a location far from the scene of reporting.

• 기자: 보시다시피 저거는 아직 복구되지 않았습니다.

  Reporter: As you can see, that thing (far) has not yet been restored. (Pointing to a damaged building in the background of a disaster site report.)

Understanding 저거 is a big step in grasping spatial relationships in Korean. Keep practicing it with 이거 and 그거, and you'll soon be pointing out things like a native speaker! Good job, everyone!