안녕하세요! Let's talk about Korean punctuation today. They are similar to English so won't be challenging. However, some points are good to know, so I'll show you about them.
1. Korean Punctuation Marks
Punctuation marks are a variety of marks used in writing to reveal the structure of the sentence clearly or to convey the writer's intention easily. Punctuation is called 문장 부호 in Korean. 문장 means a sentence and 부호 means a symbol.
Korean punctuation markers are very similar to English. So, many books or classes sometimes just skip this part. However, there are some good points to know.
The below shows some Korean punctuation marks that are used in the modern Korean language. If you click each English name, you can jump to the explanation.
Punctuation | English (Linked to each one) | Korean |
. | ||
, | ||
? | ||
! | ||
" " | ||
' ' | ||
( ) | ||
: | ||
~ | ||
/ | ||
…… |
2. Main Markers
Let's take a look at the important four markers. You'll read about a period, comma, question mark, and exclamation point.
1. Period (.)
A period (.) is called 마침표 or 온점 in Korean. In daily life, people use the term, 점 as well. 점 means a dot. Though, when they read it, they usually pronounce it [쩜] rather than [점]. Let's see when we can use this period.
① to end the end of a sentence
A period comes at the end of the sentence. It can come to the end of a statement, command(request), or suggestion.
Statement: 한국어 공부를 해요. I study Korean.
Command: 한국어 공부를 하세요. Study Korean.
Suggestion: 한국어 공부를 합시다. Let's study Korean.
② to write the number
마침표 can come between the month and date. It happens especially to mention some special, meaningful days.
8.15 광복절: August 15th, Korean Independence Day
2024. 07.12
③ to mark the decimal
It's also used in math, to show decimals. To read decimal numbers in Korean, you can use the Sino-Korean numbers (일,이,삼 numbers) and 점(쩜).
π 3.14: 삼점 일사 [삼쩜 일사]
2. Comma (,)
A comma is called 쉼표 in Korean. 쉼 came from the verb 쉬다. It means to rest as you put a pause after a comma! These days, people also call it 콤마 like the English word. It is inserted in the middle of the sentence, not at the end. Let's see when we can use it!
① to list nouns
You can list related nouns. It is used to separate items in a series.
서울, 부산, 대구, 대전 Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Deajeon
저는 사과, 배, 블루베리를 좋아해요. I like apples, pears, and blueberries.
② to separate clauses
Sometimes two or more sentences can be combined into one. People insert a comma to deliver the meaning clearly.
콩 심은 데 콩 나고, 팥 심은 데 팥 난다. You reap what you sow.
③ to distinguish between pairs
When the pairs need to be separated you can insert a comma.
철수와 영희, 잭과 질은 친구이다. Cheolsu and Young-hee, Jack and Jill are friends.
④ After the calling words or answering words
This part is important. A comma comes after a name or calling word. It also comes after answering words like yes or no. It will be 네, 아니요, 응, 아니.
Polite | Not Polite | |
Yes | 네 | 응 |
No | 아니요 | 아니 |
민지야, 뭐 해? Hey Minji, what are you doing?
네, 잠시만요. Okay, one second!
아니요, 안 갔어요. No, I didn't go.
Well, of course, a comma is inserted when these answering words start the sentence. If you just answer yes or no, you'll need a period. Here is one thing you should no.
When you start the sentence with a polite no you will say 아니요 with a comma. But when you just answer "No," as one answer, you'll say 아니오 with a period. Pay attention to the blue and green parts below.
네. Yes.
아니오. No.
아니요, 안 먹었어요. No, I didn't eat.
3. Question Mark (?)
A question mark is called 물음표 in Korean. 물음 means "asking" or "question." There is nothing difficult about it. It works just like a question mark in English. It is used to ask something. It comes at the end of the sentence. Only one mark can come.
뭐 하세요? What are you doing?
어디 가세요? Where are you going?
4. Exclamation Point (!)
An exclamation mark is called 느낌표 in Korean. 느낌 means "feeling." It comes at the end of the sentence. In principle, you are supposed to put one exclamation mark in one sentence. (But, in the online world, people usually put a lot of marks to emphasize their feelings.)
① to mark the end of an exclamatory sentence
It shows the strong feelings. It can be attached to a statement, command(request), or suggestion.
statement: 이야, 신기해! Wow, it's amazing.
command: 빨리와! Come quickly!
suggestion: 같이 가자! Let's go together!
2. Other Markers
There are many other punctuation marks other than the four main ones. The details can be a little different than in English, so please read carefully.
1. Double Quotation Marks (" ")
The double quotation marks are called 큰따옴표. 큰 came from 크다 which means to be big.
① to show the dialogue
You wrap a word or sentence with 큰따옴표 to show the spoken language.
"안녕하세요?" "Hello."
② to mark quoted speech or writing
When you quote someone's talking or writing in the middle, wrap it with 큰따옴표.
엄마가 "빨리!" 라고 전해달래. Mom asked me to tell you "Hurry!"
저는 "개조심" 팻말을 봤어요. I saw a sign says "Beware of the dog!"
2. Single Quotation Marks (' ')
The single quotation marks are called 작은따옴표. 작은 came from 작다 which means to be small.
① to show the thoughts
It is one of the most unique uses of 작은따옴표. In Korean, you must wrap the thoughts with single quotation marks!
'심심해.' It's boring.
민지는 '심심해.'라고 생각했어요. Minji thought, "It's boring."
② to show quotation in quotation
When you quote something inside of the double quotation marks, you wrap it with the single quotation marks.
그는 "이게 '그림의 떡'이지."라고 말했다. He said, "That's a pie in the sky."
3. Parenthesis ( )
The parenthesis is called 소괄호. In Korean, you don't put a space before or after the parenthesis. It's different with English that you are supposed to be a space.
① to provide the details
친구가 선물(케이크)을 줬다. My friend gave me a gift (cake).
친구가 케이크(선물)를 줬다. My friend gave me a cake (gift).
② to show the original word
커피(coffee)를 마셨어요. I drank coffee.
One thing you should know is the form of the marker. For example, the object marker has two forms; 을 or 를. You'll judge which one to use with the noun before the ( ). So, imagine there is no ( ). Example 1, 선물(케이크) used 을. It's because 선물 ends with the final consonant. Example 2, 케이크(선물) used 를 because 케이크 ends with a vowel.
4. Colon (:)
A colon is called 쌍점. 쌍 means a pair or double. It has two dots, so the name makes sense, right? These days, people also call it 콜론. To use 쌍점, you attach it to the previous noun and have to put a space after, like a comma.
① to list detailed items or examples
문장 부호: 마침표, 쉼표, 물음표, 느낌표 punctuation marks: peirod, comma, question mark, exclamation mark
입장료: 13달러 Entrance fee: $13
② to mark the time
3:15 세시 십오분
③ to show the dialogue in a play script
In a play script, you put the name of the speaker and the content. Between that, you insert the colon.
학생1: 아이고, 지각이다! Student1: Oh no! I'm late!
학생2: 야! 오늘 일요일이야. Student2: Hey! Today is Sunday!
5. Tilde (~)
It's called 물결표. 물결 means a wave. It does look like a wave!
① to show the period and range
In Korean, a tilde shows a period or range. It works like an en dash (–) of English. You can translate it 에서(from). You don't put any space front or back.
오후 1시~2시 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
서울~부산 From Seoul to Busan
② to gently decorate the end of a sentence
It is not an official use of the tilde, but people use this in chat or message a lot! It adds a soft and gentle bive. So, it looks less strict in writing, just like adding emojis. So, people usually put one or more tildes.
안녕하세요~ Hello.
아싸~~~~~! Hooray!
Again, number 2 is not an official rule! The only official way that is registered in the Korean orthography is number 1. I wrote 2 because you'll see a lot on the internet or messages when you talk to Koreans.
6. Slash (/)
A slash is called 빗금. It is also called 사선 or 슬래. You are supposed to attach the front and back words to a slash. However, it is okay to put spaces.
① to show 'per'
It is used when indicating the quantity per standard unit.
65km/h: 65km per hour
500원/개: 500 won per each
② to combine contrasting phrases
You can use a comma instead of a slash. You can combine two or more things.
금메달/은메달/동메달 gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal
7. Ellipsis (...)
It is called 말 줄임표 or 줄임표 in Korean. 줄임 came from 줄이다 which means "reduce," "lesson," or "decrease". It is punctuation marks used when a sentence is not completely ended.
Three dots are in one set and it can be used as either three dots(…) or six dots (… …)with a space in the middle. The set can be located either in the middle or bottom. Here are possible ways of ellipsis in Korean.
① to show the silence
"..."
② when you do not finish your sentence
Either you choose not to say it or are interrupted while saying it, you can mark it with this.
"내가 어제 …" Yesterday, I ...
"잠깐만." Hold on.
③ to express there is nothing to say or show hesitation
You can trail your sentence with 줄임표. It shows a connote.
"나 부탁이 있는데......" I have a favor to ask...
4. Wrap-up: Korean Punctuation Marks
In this lesson, you saw a lot of punctuation marks in Korean. The main four (./,/?/!) are pretty similar to English. Some additional punctuation marks such as ' ' or ~ have some different features than English. Try to memorize their uses and use the appropriate Korean punctuation while writing!
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