KoreanClass101.com Blog

In this lesson, the speakers answer questions in the negative. 

Grammar Point #1 - Making negative statements - anida - 아니다 (anida)

• The negative copula is 아니다 (anida). This means “to not be.” This is not a conjugation of the affirmative copula 이다 (ida),but is an independent word. In this lesson, the negative copula 아니다 (anida).

Construction 

• Just as most Korean verbs are conjugated, -다 (-da) is removed from 아니다 (anida) to get 아니 (ani), which is the verb stem of this word. 아니 + ㅂ니다 = 아닙니다 ani + mnida = animnida (verb stem + formal simple present tense conjugation = “am/is/are not̶

• Here is an example of a negative statement:

• • “저는 학생이 아닙니다.” (jeon-eun hakseng animnida) “I am not a student.”

• It is important to remember that to make negative sentences, you use the following sentence structure
  • Noun 1는(은) Noun2 가(이) 아닙니다.  (Noun1-neun(eun) Noun2-ga(i) animnida.)

Grammar Point #2 - Using the subject marker - i/ga - “이/가”

• In this particular context, because the verb 아니다 (anida) is used, we use “이/가” (i/ga), the subject marker. This is because, generally speaking, they are part of a set. In most situations 아니다 (anida) is used, 이/가 (i/ga) is used as well. 이/가 (i/ga) marks what the topic is not. Also, it is used when introducing the subject for the first time during a conversation or discussion, among many other uses.

• It is important to remember 가 (ga) is used when it is affixed to a word ending in a vowel. 배우가 아닙니다 (baeuga animnida) - 가 (ga) is attached to 배우 (baeu). ‘ㅜ’ (u) is a vowel and is what immediately precedes the subject marker (in this case 가).

Moms, Dads and Grads
15% Off Basic & Premium Subscriptions
Coupon Code: MAY2JUNE | Redeem Now!

May 2010

In this month’s newsletter:

1. 5 New Innovative Language Sites are coming! What new languages will we be adding to the 101.com family?Click here to find out…

2. I Believe the Children Are Our Future… Children’s Day is celebrated on May 5th in South Korea. Learn more about how it’s celebrated!Click here to read on… 

3. BONUS Korean Audio Lesson!  We’re back with another free audio lesson just for you! Click here to download and listen…

Welcome to the KoreanClass101.com newsletter. We’ve been really busy gearing up for summer and Innovative Language Learning has a lot of news to share! Stay posted throughout the summer! These periodic newsletters will deliver to you all the exciting developments that are going on at KoreanClass101.com. Read and Enjoy! And as always, if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us atcontactus@KoreanClass101.com.
The KoreanClass101.com Team

P.S. Hop on Facebook and tell us which new language you’re most excited about!

P.P.S. Click Here and claim your 15% OFF any Premium or Basic subscription!

Did you know that Korea attracts over 6.4 million foreign visitors every year? And the numbers are on the rise! As the number of people from other countries visiting Korea is increasing, so is the number of foreigners in Korea who speak Korean.
And you have a strong interest in speaking Korean and hopefully, practicing your skills with the locals, and have been studying diligently and following all our tips,

But this does not guarantee that a store owner or the bus driver you want to talk to won’t be surprised when you speak Korean. What does this lead to? More often than not, if you just spit our a phrase you learned by heart and expect the other person to have understood you, sadly, you may be disappointed that that they actually didn’t understand you! But don’t worry, the reason they don’t undestand you  is most likely because they simply did not expect you to speak Korean in the first place. So ir you are in Korea, and have experienced this before, it may be a good idea to say a word or two in Korean to call their attention to you, and  let them know that you are going to say something in Korean (and not catch them cold!).

Try using 저기요 (jeogiyo) which translates to ‘Excuse me!’ in English. When they give you this look of “Wow, this person is speaking Korean!”, it is time for you to surprise them even more with the phrases that you have mastered!