How to Talk About Your Nationality

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Lesson Transcript

Welcome to Can-Do Korean by KoreanClass101.com.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to talk about your nationality in Korean.

For example, "I'm American" is

저는 미국인이에요. (Jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Two passengers, Yeon-a Yu and Min-gyu Mun, are seated next to each other as passengers on a plane to Korea.

Before you hear their conversation, let’s preview some of its key components.

미국인 (Mi-gug-in)

"American"

미국인 (enunciated)

미국인

Listen to the conversation, and focus on the response.

Ready?

미국인이에요? (Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Once more with the English translation.

미국인이에요? (Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

"Are you American?"

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

"Yes, I'm American."

Let's break down the conversation.

Do you remember how Min-gyu Mun asks,

"Are you American?"

미국인이에요? (Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

First is 미국인 (Mi-gug-in) "American," as in an American person. 미국인 (Mi-gug-in).

There are two components.

This starts with 미국 (Mi-guk), "America." 미국 (enunciated). 미국

After this is 인 (in), "person." 인 (enunciated). 인.

Together, 미국인 (Mi-gug-in) literally means "America person," but translates as "American" as in an American person. 미국인.

Note: 미국인 (Mi-gug-in) is a noun, not an adjective.

Next is 이에요 (i-e-yo). Here, it’s like the "are" in "are you." 이에요 (enunciated). 이에요.

Note: the word "you" is understood from context, as this is a two person conversation.

In addition, 이에요 (i-e-yo) follows words that end in consonants, as in 미국인 (Mi-gug-in).

All together, it’s 미국인이에요? This literally means "America person you are?" but it translates as "Are you American?" 미국인이에요?

Note the question is formed by the rising intonation. Listen again,

미국인이에요? (Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

Let’s take a closer look at the response.

Do you remember how Yeon-a Yu says,

"Yes, I'm American."

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

The first part is 네 (ne), meaning, "yes." 네 (enunciated). 네.

It answers Mr. Mun’s yes-or-no question, "Are you American?"

미국인이에요? (Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

First is 저 (jeo), meaning "I." 저 (enunciated). 저.

Next is 는 (neun), the topic-marking particle. 는 (enunciated). 는.

It marks "I" as the topic of the sentence. Think of it like "as for" in the expression "as for me…."

Together, it’s 저는 (jeo-neun). "As for me...." 저는.

Next is 미국인 (Mi-gug-in), "American," as in a person from America. 미국인 (migugin).

After this is 이에요 (i-e-yo). Here, it’s like the "am" in "I am." 이에요 (i-e-yo).

All together, it’s 네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.) This literally means "Yes, as for me, America person am," but it translates as "Yes, I'm American."

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

The pattern is

저는 {NATION}인이에요. (Jeo-neun {NATION}-in-i-e-yo.)

I'm {NATIONALITY}.

저는 {NATION}인이에요.

To use this pattern, simply replace the {NATION} placeholder with the country you're from.

Imagine you’re from Korea. 한국 (Han-guk). 한국 (enunciated). 한국.

Say

"I'm Korean."

Ready?

저는 한국인이에요. (Jeo-neun Han-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

"I'm Korean."

저는 한국인이에요. (Jeo-neun Han-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

In the conversation, the response to the yes-no question was "yes."

In the case that the answer were "no," the corresponding Korean response would be 아니요 (a-ni-yo), meaning, "no."

아니요 (enunciated).

아니요.

For example, if Mr. Mun says

한국인이에요? (Han-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

"Are you Korean?"

아니요, 저는 미국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

"No, I’m American."

Again, the key pattern is

저는 {NATION}인이에요. (Jeo-neun {NATION}-in-i-e-yo.)

I'm {NATIONALITY}.

저는 {NATION}인이에요.

Let's look at some examples.

Listen and repeat or speak along with the native speakers.

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

"I'm American"

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

저는 한국인이에요. (Jeo-neun Han-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

"I'm Korean."

저는 한국인이에요. (Jeo-neun Han-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

저는 호주인이에요. (Jeo-neun Ho-ju-in-i-e-yo.)

“I'm Australian.”

저는 호주인이에요. (Jeo-neun Ho-ju-in-i-e-yo.)

저는 영국인이에요. (Jeo-neun Yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

“I'm British.”

저는 영국인이에요. (Jeo-neun Yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

아니요, 저는 일본인이 아니에요. 중국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo. Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

“No, I'm not Japanese, I'm Chinese.”

아니요, 저는 일본인이 아니에요. 중국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo. Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Did you notice how the last speaker uses a different pattern?

아니요, 저는 일본인이 아니에요. 중국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo. Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

"No, I'm not Japanese. I'm Chinese."

First is 아니요 (a-ni-yo), “No.” 아니요 (enunciated). 아니요.

This answers the yes-no question.

Next, Jing Liu says 저는 일본인이 아니에요. (Jeo-neun Il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo.) "I'm not Japanese."

First is 저는 (jeo-neun)."As for me…." 저는.

Next is 일본인 (Il-bon-in), "Japanese," as in a Japanese person. 일본인 (enunciated). 일본인.

After this is 이 (i), the subject-marking particle. 이 (enunciated). 이.

Note: there are two forms of the subject-marking particle. 이 follows words that end in a consonant, like 일본인 (Il-bon-in).

Next is 아니에요 (a-ni-e-yo). Literally, "not I am," in this context, but it translates as "I'm not." 아니에요 (enunciated). 아니에요.

Note: the word "I" is understood from context, as Jing Liu is responding to a question.

아니에요 (a-ni-e-yo) is from the adjective 아니다 (a-ni-da), meaning "not." 아니에요.

All together, 저는 일본인이 아니에요. (Jeo-neun Il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo), literally "as for me Japanese not I am," but it translates as "I'm not Japanese." 저는 일본인이 아니에요 (Jeo-neun il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo).

Finally, Jing Liu says, 중국인이에요 (Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo). "I'm Chinese." 중국인이에요 (Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo).

First is 중국인 (Jung-gug-in). "Chinese," as in a Chinese person. 중국인 (enunciated). 중국인.

After this is 이에요. (i-e-yo). Here, it’s like the "am" in "I am." 이에요 (i-e-yo).

Together, 중국인이에요 (Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo)."I am Chinese." 중국인이에요 (Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo).

All together, it’s 아니요, 저는 일본인이 아니에요. 중국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo. Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

It literally means "No, as for me, Japanese, not I am. Chinese I am ," but it translates as "I’m not Japanese. I’m Chinese."

아니요, 저는 일본인이 아니에요. 중국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Il-bon-in-i a-ni-e-yo. Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

This can be shortened to

아니요, 중국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo.) No, I’m Chinese. 아니요, 중국인이에요. (A-ni-yo, Jung-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Remember this pattern, you’ll need it for the practice section.

Let’s review the new words.

영국인 (Yeong-gug-in). "British person."

영국인. 영국인.

호주인 (Ho-ju-in). "Australian person."

호주인. 호주인.

Let's review.

Respond to the prompts by speaking aloud. Then repeat after the native speakers, focusing on pronunciation.

Ready?

Do you remember how to say "America?"

미국 (Mi-guk)

And how to say "American," as in an American person?"

미국인 (Mi-gug-in).

Do you remember how to say,

"Yes."

네 (ne).

Do you remember how Ms. Yu says

"Yes, I’m American."

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Do you remember how to say "are?" as in "are you."?

이에요 (i-e-yo).

Do you remember how Min-gyu Mun asks,

"Are you American?"

미국인이에요? (Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

Do you remember how to say "Korean" as in a person from Korea?

한국인 (Han-gug-in).

And how to say "British," as in a British person?"

영국인 (Yeong-gug-in).

Do you remember how to say "Australian," as in an Australian person?"

호주인 (Ho-ju-in).

And how to say "no?"

아니요. (a-ni-yo).

Let's practice.

Imagine you're Ju-ri Yu, and your home country is America or 미국 (Mi-guk) in Korean.

Respond to the question.

Ready?

미국인이에요? (Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo? )

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo. )

Listen again and repeat.

네, 저는 미국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Mi-gug-in-i-e-yo. )

Let's try another.

Imagine you're Mia Martin, a student from Australia, or 호주 (Ho-ju) in Korean. Pay attention to the nationality in the question.

Ready?

영국인이에요? (Yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo? )

아니요, 저는 호주인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Ho-ju-in-i-e-yo. )

Listen again and repeat.

아니요, 저는 호주인이에요. (A-ni-yo, jeo-neun Ho-ju-in-i-e-yo. )

Let’s try one more.

Imagine you're Jack Jones, a student from England, or 영국

(Yeong-guk) in Korean.

Ready?

영국인이에요? (Yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

네, 저는 영국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Listen again and repeat.

네, 저는 영국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun Yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

In this lesson, you learned how to talk about your nationality in Korean. This plays an essential role in the larger skill of introducing yourself. Let’s review.

Do you remember how Yeon-a Yu says,

"I'm Yeon-a Yu."

저는 유연아입니다. (Jeo-neun Yu-yeon-a-im-ni-da.)

저는 유연아입니다.

And do you remember how Yeon-a Yu says

"Hello. I'm Yeon-a Yu. Nice to meet you."

안녕하세요. 저는 유연아입니다. 반갑습니다. (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Jeo-neun Yu-yeon-a-im-ni-da. Ban-gap-seum-ni-da.)

안녕하세요. 저는 유연아입니다. 반갑습니다.

Do you remember how to say "where?"

어디 (eo-di)

어디

And do you remember how Yeon-a Yu says,

"I’m from Florida."

플로리다에서 왔어요. (Peul-lo-ri-da-e-seo wass-eo-yo.)

Do you remember how Min-gyu Mun says,

"Where are you from?"

연아 씨는 어디에서 왔어요? (Yeon-a ssi-neun eo-di-e-seo wass-eo-yo?)

연아 씨는 어디에서 왔어요?

Imagine you're Jack Jones, from London, and your home country is England.

Do you remember how to pronounce "Jack Jones" in Korean?

존스잭 (Jon-seu-jaek)

존스잭

Respond to Min-gyu Mun's self-introduction and follow-up questions.

Ready?

안녕하세요. 저는 문민규입니다. 반갑습니다. (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Jeo-neun Mun-min-gyu-im-ni-da. Ban-gap-seum-ni-da.)

안녕하세요. 저는 존스잭입니다. 반갑습니다. (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Jeo-neun Jon-seu-jaek-im-ni-da. Ban-gap-seum-ni-da.)

Listen again, and repeat.

안녕하세요. 저는 존스잭입니다. 반갑습니다. (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Jeo-neun Jon-seu-jaek-im-ni-da. Ban-gap-seum-ni-da.)

Do you remember how to say "London" in Korean?

런던 (Reon-doen)

런던

Now respond that you’re from London.

어디에서 왔어요? (Eo-di-e-seo wass-eo-yo?)

런던에서 왔어요. (Reon-deon-e-seo wass-eo-yo.)

Listen again and repeat.

런던에서 왔어요. (Reon-deon-e-seo wass-eo-yo.)

And do you remember how to say "British" in Korean?

영국인

Now respond that you’re British.

아, 영국인이에요? (A, yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo?)

네, 저는 영국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Listen again and repeat.

네, 저는 영국인이에요. (Ne, jeo-neun yeong-gug-in-i-e-yo.)

Well done! This is the end of the lesson.

In this lesson, you learned how to talk about your nationality, an essential skill for introducing yourself.

Remember, these Can Do lessons are about learning practical language skills.

What's next?

Show us what you can do.

When you're ready, take your assessment.

You can take it again and again, so try anytime you like.

Our teachers will assess it, and give you your results.

Keep practicing — and move on to the next lesson!

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