Processing keyword: ~이런/그런/저런 [ireon/geureon/jeoreon] (This kind of/That kind of/That kind over there)

Korean Grammar Point: ~이런/그런/저런 [ireon/geureon/jeoreon] (This kind of/That kind of/That kind over there)

TOPIK Grammar Point: ~이런/그런/저런 (Ireon/Geureon/Jeoreon)

1. Introduction

The Korean expressions ~이런, ~그런, and ~저런 are used to describe types or kinds of things, often translated as "this kind of," "that kind of," and "that kind over there," respectively. They are important for categorizing objects, situations, or ideas during conversation.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Detailed Explanation

• ~이런 (ireon): Refers to something that is close to the speaker; it means "this kind of." It can describe both objects and concepts that are physically or contextually nearby.

  Structure:

  • Noun + 이런
  • Example: 이런 책 (this kind of book)

• ~그런 (geureon): Refers to something that is close to the listener or something previously mentioned in the conversation. It means "that kind of."

  Structure:

  • Noun + 그런
  • Example: 그런 문제 (that kind of problem)

• ~저런 (jeoreon): Refers to something that is distant from both the speaker and the listener. It means "that kind over there."

  Structure:

  • Noun + 저런
  • Example: 저런 사람 (that kind of person over there)

Meaning, Structure, Formation Diagram

Speaker
   |
   |--- 이런 (this) ----
   |                    |
   |--- 그런 (that) ----|  Listener
   |                    |
   |--- 저런 (that) ----|  

3. Comparative Analysis

• 이(것) / 그(것) / 저(것): These are pronouns for "this," "that," and "that over there." The key difference with ~이런, ~그런, and ~저런 is that the former refers to specific items, while the latter describes types or categories of those items.
• Example:
  • 이 책 (this book) vs. 이런 책 (this kind of book)
  • 그 책 (that book) vs. 그런 책 (that kind of book)
  • 저 책 (that book over there) vs. 저런 책 (that kind of book over there)

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

1. Formal:
   • 이런 영화는 정말 재미있어요.
     (This kind of movie is really interesting.)
2. Informal:
   • 그런 이야기는 듣고 싶지 않아.
     (I don’t want to hear that kind of story.)
3. Written:
   • 저런 상황에서는 조심해야 합니다.
     (In that kind of situation, one must be careful.)
4. Spoken:
   • 이런 문제는 쉽게 해결할 수 있어.
     (This kind of problem can be solved easily.)

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• There is often a level of politeness when discussing various kinds of things, as the choice of terms can reflect respect towards the listener. This is essential in formal contexts.

Idiomatic Expressions

• “이런 저런” is a common colloquial phrase that indicates a range of various topics or possibilities, often used to mean “this and that.”

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Mixing up these expressions due to similar meanings can lead to misunderstanding.
   • Example that may cause confusion: Using "저런" when "이런" is more appropriate because the subject is close to the speaker.

Learning Strategies

• Remember: "이" is for "this" (close to me), "그" is for "that" (close to you), and "저" is for "that over there".
• Use mnemonic devices like visualizing the distance between the speaker and listener.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ~이런, ~그런, and ~저런 are used to describe types of objects or situations in relation to spatial context.
• Understanding the proximity of nouns helps in choosing the correct expression.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. What does "이런" mean?
2. Which expression would you use to refer to something mentioned by the listener?
3. What is the main difference between "이" and "이런"?

Feel free to ask any further questions regarding this grammar point or other topics related to Korean language learning!