The suffix ~들 turns a singular noun into a plural noun.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to indicate plural form for nouns.
- Commonly attached to people or groups.
- Often omitted if context implies plurality.
개요
'~들'은 한국어에서 가장 기본적으로 쓰이는 복수 표시 접미사입니다. 한국어는 문맥상 복수임이 분명할 때 굳이 '~들'을 쓰지 않는 경우가 많지만, 대상을 명확히 여럿으로 지칭하고 싶을 때 사용합니다. 2) 사용 패턴: 주로 사람을 나타내는 명사 뒤에 자주 쓰이며, 사물이나 동물 뒤에도 붙을 수 있습니다. 명사 바로 뒤에 띄어쓰기 없이 붙여 씁니다. 3) 일반적인 맥락: 일상 대화에서 '친구들', '선생님들'과 같이 사람을 지칭할 때 매우 빈번하게 사용됩니다. 격식 있는 자리나 글쓰기에서도 복수 의미를 강조할 때 필수적으로 사용됩니다. 4) 유사어 비교: '-네'는 '우리 집'처럼 집단이나 가족을 의미할 때 쓰이며, '-들'은 단순히 수적인 복수를 나타냅니다. 또한, 수량사(예: 세 명, 다섯 권)가 이미 명사 앞에 있으면 '~들'을 생략하는 것이 더 자연스러운 경우가 많습니다.
Examples
친구들이 공원에 갔어요.
everydayFriends went to the park.
선생님들께서 오셨습니다.
formalThe teachers have arrived.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
우리들
we
너희들
you (plural)
Often Confused With
Sometimes '들' can act as a particle to emphasize a subject, which is different from the plural suffix. It is important to distinguish the function based on the sentence structure.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The suffix ~들 is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is most frequently used with nouns referring to people. Overusing it in every sentence can sound unnatural, so use it only when emphasizing plurality.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often add ~들 to every noun. Remember that Korean is context-dependent, and omitting it is often preferred when the plurality is obvious. Also, avoid using it with numbers.
Tips
Use only when necessary
In Korean, you don't need to add '~들' if the context already makes it clear that there is more than one object.
Avoid double pluralization
Do not add '~들' to words that are already collective nouns, such as '사람들' (people) or '가족들' (families) if they already imply a group.
Respectful usage
When referring to someone superior, use '분들' instead of just '들' to show honorifics.
Word Origin
The suffix ~들 has been used in the Korean language since the Middle Korean period to indicate plural nouns. It evolved from a noun meaning 'group' or 'collection'.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, collectivism is often valued, so referring to groups of people using '~들' is very common. However, when addressing elders, one must use honorifics like '분들' to maintain proper etiquette.
Memory Tip
Think of '~들' as the letter 's' in English. Just like 'cat' becomes 'cats', '친구' becomes '친구들'.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions대부분의 명사에 붙일 수 있지만, 이미 복수 의미를 포함한 단어(예: 사람들, 무리들)에는 중복으로 느껴질 수 있으니 주의해야 합니다.
아니요, '사과 세 개'처럼 수량사가 있으면 '사과들 세 개'라고 하지 않습니다. 수량사가 있을 때는 '~들'을 생략하는 것이 더 자연스럽습니다.
네, 가능합니다. '책들', '나무들'처럼 사용할 수 있지만, 사물은 문맥상 복수임이 확실하면 '~들' 없이 그냥 명사만 쓰는 경우가 많습니다.
Test Yourself
학교에 많은 ___이/가 있습니다.
많은(many)이라는 수량적 의미가 있으므로 복수형인 '학생들'이 적절합니다.
Score: /1
Summary
The suffix ~들 turns a singular noun into a plural noun.
- Used to indicate plural form for nouns.
- Commonly attached to people or groups.
- Often omitted if context implies plurality.
Use only when necessary
In Korean, you don't need to add '~들' if the context already makes it clear that there is more than one object.
Avoid double pluralization
Do not add '~들' to words that are already collective nouns, such as '사람들' (people) or '가족들' (families) if they already imply a group.
Respectful usage
When referring to someone superior, use '분들' instead of just '들' to show honorifics.
Examples
2 of 2친구들이 공원에 갔어요.
Friends went to the park.
선생님들께서 오셨습니다.
The teachers have arrived.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More general words
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
