Korean exclamatory sentences are expressions used to convey strong emotions, feelings, or reactions. They are an essential part of the Korean language and can be used to express surprise, excitement, admiration, happiness, and various other intense emotions. In this guide, we will provide a brief and accurate explanation of Korean exclamatory sentences, along with example sentences to illustrate their usage. This guide aims to assist total beginners in understanding and using exclamatory sentences effectively. We will also include romanization in brackets to aid pronunciation for those who are not yet familiar with the Korean writing system.
What Are Exclamatory Sentences?
Exclamatory sentences are a type of sentence that expresses strong emotions, such as surprise, joy, awe, or even anger. They typically end with an exclamation mark in written form and are characterized by their energetic and intense tone. In Korean, exclamatory sentences are constructed using various grammar patterns and can be formed with or without specific exclamatory words. Let’s explore some common patterns and examples.
Exclamatory Sentences with Exclamatory Words
One way to construct exclamatory sentences in Korean is by using specific words that indicate the nature of the emotion being expressed. These words are called exclamatory words or interjections and are commonly used at the beginning or end of the sentence. Here are a few examples:
a. 얼마나 (eol-ma-na) – “How”
얼마나 아름다운 꽃이에요! (Eolmana areumdaun kkochi-eyo!) – “How beautiful the flowers are!”
얼마나 맛있는 음식인지 몰라요! (Eolmana masinneun eumsik-inji mollayo!) – “I don’t know how delicious the food is!”
b. 정말 (jeong-mal) – “Really”
정말 멋있는 춤을 춰요! (Jeongmal meosisneun chumeul chwoyo!) – “You dance so beautifully!”
정말 기뻐요! (Jeongmal gippeoyo!) – “I’m really happy!”
c. 완전 (wan-jeon) – “Completely” or “Absolutely”
완전 귀여운 강아지예요! (Wanjeon gwiyeoun gangaji-yeyo!) – “The puppy is absolutely cute!”
완전 놀라워요! (Wanjeon nollawoyo!) – “It’s completely amazing!”
Exclamatory Sentences without Exclamatory Words
Exclamatory sentences can also be formed without using specific exclamatory words. Instead, the intensity of the emotion is conveyed through the sentence structure, word choice, and context. Here are a few examples:
a. Verb + 지 (ji) + 않아요 (anayo)
이렇게 멋진 곳을 왜 가지 않아요? (Ireoke meosjin gos-eul wae gaji anayo?) – “Why don’t you go to such an amazing place?”
맛있는 음식을 먹지 않아요? (Masinneun eumsik-eul meogji anayo?) – “Don’t you eat delicious food?”
b. Adjective + 네요 (neyo)
이 사진은 정말 아름다워요! (I sajin-eun jeongmal areumdawoyo!) – “This picture is really beautiful!”
그 영화는 너무 재밌네요! (Geu yeonghwa-neun neomu jaemissneyo!) – “That movie is so entertaining!”
Exclamatory Sentences with Honorifics
In Korean, honorifics play an important role in expressing respect and politeness. Exclamatory sentences can also incorporate honorifics to convey admiration or astonishment. Here are a couple of examples:
a. Honorific Noun + 이네요 (ineyo)
선생님은 정말 멋지시네요! (Seonsaengnim-eun jeongmal meosjisinayo!) – “The teacher is really awesome!”
회장님의 연설은 감동적이네요! (Hoejangnim-ui yeonseol-eun gamdongjeogineyo!) – “The chairman’s speech is moving!”
b. Honorific Verb + 시네요 (sineyo)
식당에서 왕갈비를 먹으시네요! (Sikdang-eseo wanggalbi-reul meogusineyo!) – “You are eating king-sized ribs at the restaurant!”
할머니께서 맛있는 음식을 요리하시네요! (Halmeonikkeso masinneun eumsik-eul yorihasineyo!) – “Grandmother is cooking delicious food!”
Conclusion
Korean exclamatory sentences are an expressive way to convey intense emotions and reactions. Whether using specific exclamatory words or relying on sentence structure and context, they allow speakers to express surprise, excitement, admiration, and other strong feelings. By familiarizing yourself with these patterns and examples, you can begin incorporating exclamatory sentences into your Korean language skills and effectively communicate your emotions to others. Keep practicing and exploring the vibrant world of Korean exclamatory expressions, and you’ll soon be able to express yourself with enthusiasm and flair in the Korean language!
Quick quiz
Exercise 1: Identify the Exclamatory Word
Which word is used as an exclamatory word in the following sentence?
“정말 기뻐요!” (Jeongmal gippeoyo!)
A) 정말 (jeong-mal)
B) 기뻐요 (gippeoyo)
C) 요 (yo)
D) 기뻐 (gippeo)
Answer: A) 정말 (jeong-mal)
Explanation: In this sentence, the word “정말” (jeong-mal) is used as an exclamatory word, meaning “really.” It emphasizes the speaker’s intense happiness. The correct answer is A.
Exercise 2: Complete the Exclamatory Sentence
Choose the appropriate ending for the following sentence to make it an exclamatory sentence:
“이 공연은 !” (I gongyeon-eun !)
A) 아름다워요 (areumdawoyo)
B) 대단해요 (daedanhaeyo)
C) 멋지네요 (meotjineyo)
D) 좋아요 (joayo)
Answer: B) 대단해요 (daedanhaeyo)
Explanation: To make the sentence an exclamatory sentence, we need to choose an ending that expresses admiration or amazement. The correct answer is B, which means “amazing.” Therefore, the complete sentence is “이 공연은 대단해요!” (I gongyeon-eun daedanhaeyo!), meaning “This performance is amazing!”
Exercise 3: Exclamatory Sentence Structure
Identify the sentence that follows the structure of an exclamatory sentence:
A) 나는 정말 행복해요 (Naneun jeongmal haengbokhaeyo) – “I am really happy.”
B) 맛있는 음식을 먹어요 (Masinneun eumsik-eul meogeoyo) – “I eat delicious food.”
C) 얼마나 예쁜 꽃이에요 (Eolmana yeppeun kkochi-eyo) – “How beautiful the flowers are!”
D) 고마워요 (Gomawoyo) – “Thank you.”
Answer: C) 얼마나 예쁜 꽃이에요 (Eolmana yeppeun kkochi-eyo) – “How beautiful the flowers are!”
Explanation: Exclamatory sentences often include specific words or phrases that express strong emotions. In this case, the sentence conveys a sense of admiration using the phrase “얼마나” (eolmana), which means “how.” The correct answer is C.
Exercise 4: Honorific Exclamatory Sentence
Identify the honorific exclamatory sentence:
A) 선생님의 연설은 감동적이네요! (Seonsaengnim-ui yeonseol-eun gamdongjeogineyo!) – “The teacher’s speech is moving!”
B) 이 영화는 너무 재미있어요 (I yeonghwa-neun neomu jaemiisseoyo) – “This movie is very entertaining!”
C) 친구와 함께 놀러 갈까요? (Chinguwa hamkke nolleo galkkayo?) – “Shall we go out with friends?”
D) 아름다운 자연 풍경을 구경하자 (Areumdaun jayeon punggyeong-eul gugyeonghaja) – “Let’s admire the beautiful natural scenery.”
Answer: A) 선생님의 연설은 감동적이네요! (Seonsaengnim-ui yeonseol-eun gamdongjeogineyo!) – “The teacher’s speech is moving!”
Explanation: This sentence uses an honorific form to show respect to the teacher. The honorific word “선생님” (seonsaengnim) is used, and the verb ending “-네요” (-neyo) indicates an exclamatory tone. The correct answer is A.
Exercise 5: Exclamatory Sentence Structure
Choose the sentence that follows the structure of an exclamatory sentence:
A) 오늘 날씨가 좋아요 (Oneul nalssiga joayo) – “Today’s weather is good.”
B) 얼마나 멋진 음악인지 몰라요 (Eolmana meosjin eumag-inji mollayo) – “I don’t know how amazing the music is!”
C) 저는 고양이를 좋아해요 (Jeoneun goyang-i-reul joahaeyo) – “I like cats.”
D) 진짜 재밌는 영화예요 (Jinjja jaemissneun yeonghwa-yeyo) – “It’s a really fun movie.”
Answer: D) 진짜 재밌는 영화예요 (Jinjja jaemissneun yeonghwa-yeyo) – “It’s a really fun movie.”
Explanation: This sentence uses the word “진짜” (jinjja), which means “really” and intensifies the emotion. The adjective “재밌는” (jaemissneun) means “fun,” and the sentence structure indicates an exclamatory tone. The correct answer is D.
Exercise 6: Exclamatory Sentence Ending
Choose the appropriate ending to complete the exclamatory sentence:
“이 곳은 정말 !” (I gos-eun jeongmal !)
A) 아름다워요 (areumdawoyo)
B) 기뻐요 (gippeoyo)
C) 대단해요 (daedanhaeyo)
D) 좋아요 (joayo)
Answer: C) 대단해요 (daedanhaeyo)
Explanation: To express strong admiration or amazement, we can use the word “대단해요” (daedanhaeyo), which means “amazing.” The complete sentence is “이 곳은 정말 대단해요!” (I gos-eun jeongmal daedanhaeyo!), meaning “This place is truly amazing!”
Exercise 7: Exclamatory Word Placement
Identify the correct placement of the exclamatory word in the sentence:
“아름다운 _ 꽃이에요!” (Areumdaun _ kkochi-eyo!)
A) 얼마나 (eol-ma-na)
B) 정말 (jeong-mal)
C) 완전 (wan-jeon)
D) 진짜 (jinjja)
Answer: B) 정말 (jeong-mal)
Explanation: The word “정말” (jeong-mal) meaning “really” should be placed before the adjective “아름다운” (areumdaun), which means “beautiful.” The correct answer is B. Therefore, the complete sentence is “아름다운 정말 꽃이에요!” (Areumdaun jeong-mal kkochi-eyo!) meaning “These flowers are really beautiful!”
Exercise 8: Exclamatory Sentence with Honorifics
Identify the honorific exclamatory sentence:
A) 아버지께서 맛있는 음식을 요리하셨어요! (Abeojikkeseo masinneun eumsik-eul yorihasyeosseoyo!) – “Father cooked delicious food!”
B) 이 공연은 멋있네요! (I gongyeon-eun meotjineyo!) – “This performance is awesome!”
C) 할머니께서 완전 귀여운 강아지를 기르고 계세요! (Halmeonikkeseo wanjeon gwiyeoun gangaji-reul gireugo gyeseyo!) – “Grandmother is raising an absolutely cute puppy!”
D) 오늘은 날씨가 좋아요 (Oneul-eun nalssiga joayo) – “Today’s weather is good.”
Answer: C) 할머니께서 완전 귀여운 강아지를 기르고 계세요! (Halmeonikkeseo wanjeon gwiyeoun gangaji-reul gireugo gyeseyo!) – “Grandmother is raising an absolutely cute puppy!”
Explanation: This sentence uses honorific language by using the word “할머니께서” (halmeonikkeseo), which means “grandmother.” The adjective “귀여운” (gwiyeoun) means “cute,” and the verb ending “-고 계세요” (-go gyeseyo) is an honorific form of the verb “기르다” (gireuda), which means “to raise.” The correct answer is C.
Exercise 9: Exclamatory Sentence Intensity
Choose the sentence that expresses a stronger intensity of emotion:
A) 정말 행복해요 (Jeongmal haengbokhaeyo) – “I am really happy.”
B) 너무 행복해요 (Neomu haengbokhaeyo) – “I am so happy.”
C) 좋아요 (Joayo) – “It’s good.”
D) 기뻐요 (Gippeoyo) – “I am happy.”
Answer: B) 너무 행복해요 (Neomu haengbokhaeyo) – “I am so happy.”
Explanation: The word “너무” (neomu) intensifies the emotion, meaning “so” or “very.” Compared to the other options, it expresses a stronger intensity of happiness. The correct answer is B.
Exercise 10: Exclamatory Sentence Form
Choose the sentence that follows the form of an exclamatory sentence:
A) 오늘은 정말 기분이 좋아요 (Oneul-eun jeongmal gibuni joayo) – “I feel really good today.”
B) 아주 맛있는 음식을 먹었어요 (Aju masinneun eumsik-eul meogeosseoyo) – “I ate a very delicious meal.”
C) 친구를 만나서 기뻐요 (Chingu-reul mannaseo gippeoyo) – “I am happy to meet a friend.”
D) 참 예쁜 옷이에요 (Cham yeppeun os-i-eyo) – “It’s a really beautiful dress.”
Answer: D) 참 예쁜 옷이에요 (Cham yeppeun os-i-eyo) – “It’s a really beautiful dress.”
Explanation: This sentence uses the adverb “참” (cham), which means “really” or “very,” and the adjective “예쁜” (yeppeun), which means “beautiful.” The sentence structure follows the form of an exclamatory sentence. The correct answer is D.
Originally posted 2023-07-19 16:50:23.