Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 8 - Advanced Korean #1 (Lessons 211 to 240) ᚛ Lesson 237 - Emphasis in Korean #2 [(이)야말로] [(이)야]
Emphasis in Korean #2 [(이)야말로] [(이)야]
After emphasis through negation, here is emphasis through particles. Korean has a family of particles built on 야: (이)야말로, "it is precisely… that, if there is one thing, it's…", which singles out the element par excellence; (이)야, "as for…, when it comes to…", which presents an element as obvious in order to set it apart; and (이)라야, "only if it is…", which turns it into a condition. All three replace the particles 은/는 or 이/가 of the noun they highlight.
"It is precisely… that" with (이)야말로
[Noun ending in a vowel]야말로 / [Noun ending in a consonant]이야말로
(이)야말로 presents the noun as the perfect example, the element that most deserves the statement that follows: "if there is one thing that matters, it's health". It is very common in speeches, advice and definitions, often with 가장 or 제일, "the most", and verbs such as -(으)ㄹ 수 있는 길이다, "to be the way to", or 중요한 부분이다, "to be an important point". It also applies to a group nominalized with -는 것 (대화하는 것이야말로) and to pronouns (너야말로, "you, of all people", to turn a remark back on its author).
한국인이야말로 처음에는 무뚝뚝한 것 같지만 알고 보면 정이 많은 사람입니다.
→ Koreans, of all people, may seem gruff at first, but once you know them, they are warm-hearted people.
믿음이야말로 연인 관계에 있어서 매우 중요한 부분이라고 생각합니다.
→ If there is one very important thing in a romantic relationship, it's trust, in my opinion.
- 민지는 떡볶이 좋아해요?
- 매운 떡볶이야말로 민지가 가장 좋아하는 음식이에요.
→ - Does Minji like tteokbokki?
- Spicy tteokbokki is precisely Minji's favorite food.
- 한국어 공부를 하기 위해서는 무엇을 해야 하나요?
- 꾸준한 노력이야말로 모든 언어 공부에 있어 가장 중요한 부분이라고 생각합니다.
→ - What should I do to study Korean?
- If there is one essential thing in studying any language, it's steady effort, I think.
건강을 잃으면 아무것도 할 수 없으므로 건강이야말로 삶에 있어서 가장 중요한 부분입니다.
→ Since you can't do anything once you lose your health, health is precisely what matters most in life.
세종대왕이야말로 한글을 만들었으며 다양한 업적을 남긴 존경 받는 왕입니다.
→ King Sejong, for his part, is a respected king who created Hangeul and left many achievements.
한국어를 잘하기 위해서는 한국 사람과 대화하는 것이야말로 가장 빠르게 언어를 익힐 수 있는 길입니다.
→ To speak Korean well, talking with Koreans is precisely the fastest way to master the language.
규칙적인 식단을 지키는 것이야말로 다이어트 성공의 가장 중요한 부분이다.
→ If there is one essential thing for a successful diet, it's sticking to a regular eating plan.
각 나라의 언어야말로 그 나라의 정서와 문화를 가장 잘 표현하는 수단입니다.
→ Each country's language is precisely the means that best expresses that country's sensibility and culture.
칭찬이야말로 좋은 인간관계를 만드는 데 꼭 필요한 덕목입니다.
→ If there is one indispensable virtue for building good relationships, it's praise.
"As for, when it comes to" with (이)야
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"Only if it is" with (이)라야
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Exercises
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Podcasts in Korean specially designed for beginners, to learn Korean by really listening to it from the very beginning.
You’re starting to learn Korean (or you already know the basics), but as soon as you listen to spoken Korean, everything suddenly feels too fast?
The words blend together, the pronunciation escapes you, and you feel like “real Korean” is very different from what you learned in textbooks.
That’s normal!
Listening comprehension is the most difficult part for all beginners.
