의 in Korean: “'s, of”
의
ui
's, of
Beginner · Particles
의 (ui) means "'s" or "of" and shows that something belongs to someone: 친구의 생일 means "my friend's birthday." In speech, 의 is often pronounced like 에, and it is frequently left out. With 저, 나 and 너 it shortens to 제, 내 and 네.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (any ending) | + 의 + noun | 친구 → 친구의 책 |
| 저 (I, polite) | 저의 → 제 | 저의 이름 → 제 이름 |
| 나 (I, casual) | 나의 → 내 | 나의 가방 → 내 가방 |
| 너 (you, casual) | 너의 → 네 (often said 니) | 너의 차 → 네 차 |
How to use it
의 links two nouns: the owner first, then the thing: 친구의 생일 (my friend's birthday), 한국의 겨울 (Korea's winter).
In everyday speech, 의 is often dropped when the meaning is clear: 친구 생일, 엄마 가방. Keeping it can sound a bit formal or written.
With pronouns, use the short forms: 제 (my, polite), 내 (my, casual), 네 (your, casual). Many people say 니 for 네 in speech so it doesn't sound like 내.
When 의 means "of," it is often pronounced [에], which is accepted standard pronunciation.
Examples
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Explaining your plans
Talking about the seasons
Introducing yourself
Asking about a song
Don’t mix it up with
제/내/네: These are shortened forms of 저의, 나의 and 너의. In conversation, the short forms are what people actually say.
Common mistakes
Saying 나의 or 저의 in everyday speech. It sounds stiff or poetic; use 내 or 제 instead: 제 이름은...
Pronouncing every 의 as [의]. As the possessive particle it is usually said [에]: 친구의 sounds like 친구에.
Questions learners ask
How do you pronounce 의 in 친구의?
As the possessive particle, 의 is usually pronounced [에], so 친구의 sounds like 친구에.
Can I leave out 의?
Yes, very often. 친구 집 and 엄마 가방 are completely natural in speech.