Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 3 - Korean for Beginners #2 (Lessons 61 to 90) ᚛ Lesson 83 - Exclamation in Korean #2 [-(는)군(요)] [-(는)구나]

Exclamation in Korean #2 [-(는)군(요)] [-(는)구나]

In this course: 군 / 군요 / 구나 / 는군 / 는군요 / 는구나

In the previous chapter, we saw how to mark exclamation with -네(요). However, two other structures are also used for the same purpose: -(는)군(요) et -(는)구나.

The -(는)군(요) and -(는)구나 forms attached to a verb allow one to express exclamation in Korean. More specifically, they allow one to indicate that one just did, learned, or realized something. There is not a literal English translation, but one could use the structures for expressing surprise "Ah!" or "Oh!"

With descriptive verbs -군(요)

With a descriptive verb (adjective), it is possible to mark surprise in the following manner:

In the casual style: [Stem]군
In the polite style: [Stem]군요

The suffix -군(요) isn't used in the formal style.

이 의자 정말 튼튼하군요.
→ This chair is very sturdy!

학교에서 너희 집까지 가깝군.
→ It's close from the school to your house!

키가 정말 크시군요.
→ You are really tall!

쉬는 시간이어서 그렇게 시끄러웠군.
→ Because It was break time, that is the reason it was noisy like that!

- 혼자 세계여행을 했어요.
- 민지 씨 정말 씩씩하군요.
→ - I traveled alone across the world.
- Minji, you're really brave!

With action verbs -는군(요)

In the present tense

In order to express surprise with a present tense action verb, one must insert -는- in the following manner:

In the casual style: [Stem]는군
In the polite style: [Stem]는군요

여자친구를 기다리는군요.
→ Oh, he is waiting for his girlfriend.

한국어를 가르치는군. 대단하다.
→ Oh you teach Korean! That's awesome.

지금 식사하시는군요. 이따 다시 전화드릴게요.
→ Oh, you're having a meal. I’ll give you a call again later.

옷을 깔끔하게 잘 입는군요. 태민 씨랑 잘 어울려요.
→ You are well-dressed! That suits you well, Taemin.

- 재형이 아직 안 왔어요?
- 저기 걸어오는군요.
→ - Jaehyeon hasn't come yet?
- Over there, he's coming!

한국어를 잘하는군요.
→ Oh, you are good in Korean!