What is Quoted Speech?
Quoted speech refers to the way we express what someone else has said, thought, or asked. In English, we typically distinguish between direct and indirect speech. Korean, on the other hand, uses specific grammatical endings to indicate quoting, and these endings change based on the type of speech (statement, question, command, or suggestion) and the level of formality.
Direct vs. Indirect Quoted Speech in Korean
Just like in English, Korean has both direct and indirect speech forms. Understanding the distinction between the two is the first step to using quoted speech correctly.
Direct Quoted Speech
Direct speech repeats the exact words spoken by someone and is usually enclosed in quotation marks in writing. In Korean, this is signaled by the particle “라고” (for statements) after the quoted sentence:
- He said, “I am tired.” → 그는 “나는 피곤해”라고 말했다.
Indirect Quoted Speech
Indirect speech paraphrases what someone said and typically changes pronouns and verb tenses. In Korean, this is achieved by attaching specific quoted speech endings to the verb stem of the quoted sentence:
- He said that he was tired. → 그는 피곤하다고 말했다.
Korean Quoted Speech Endings
The main difference in Korean quoted speech forms lies in the verb endings used. These endings change depending on whether the original sentence was a statement, question, command, or suggestion.
1. Statements: -다고 / -라고
For statements, use -다고 after verbs and adjectives, and -라고 after nouns:
- Verb/Adjective: 그는 간다고 했어요. (He said he is going.)
- Noun: 그는 학생이라고 했어요. (He said he is a student.)
2. Questions: -냐고 / -냐고 하다
For reported questions, use -냐고 after verbs and adjectives:
- 그녀가 어디 가냐고 물었어요. (She asked where you are going.)
3. Commands: -라고 / -라고 하다
For commands, use -라고 after the verb stem:
- 공부하라고 했어요. (He told me to study.)
4. Suggestions: -자고 / -자고 하다
For suggestions, use -자고 after the verb stem:
- 같이 가자고 했어요. (He suggested we go together.)
Formality and Quoted Speech
Korean quoted speech forms also change depending on the level of formality and politeness. The endings above are the most neutral, but in more formal or informal contexts, you may need to adjust the verb ending accordingly. For example, 말하다 (to say) can become 말씀하다 for extra politeness.
Common Mistakes and Tips for Learners
- Do not confuse -다고 and -라고; use -다고 for verbs/adjectives and -라고 for nouns and commands.
- Always adjust the verb stem to match the quoted sentence’s ending.
- Remember that context and verb politeness matter in Korean, especially in formal settings.
Why Mastering Quoted Speech is Important
Correct use of quoted speech forms will make your Korean sound more natural and help you accurately convey information in conversations, news, and storytelling. On platforms like Talkpal, understanding these forms will enable you to interact more effectively, whether you are practicing with AI tutors or engaging with native speakers.
Conclusion
The difference between quoted speech forms in Korean primarily lies in the grammatical endings used for statements, questions, commands, and suggestions. By mastering these forms and understanding when to use each one, you will significantly improve your Korean language skills. Keep practicing with real-life examples and interactive tools like those offered by Talkpal to internalize these patterns and become a more confident Korean speaker.
