The Structure of Korean Relative Clauses

In Korean, a relative clause is a clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun within a sentence. Unlike English, where the relative pronoun is placed before the verb (e.g., “The man who reads books”), Korean relative clauses directly modify the noun without using a pronoun. The verb of the relative clause is usually conjugated into the adnominal form, followed by the noun it modifies.

For example, in the sentence “책을 읽는 사람” (chaeg-eul ikneun saram) or “The person who reads books,” the structure is as follows:

• 책을 (chaeg-eul): object, “books”
• 읽는 (ikneun): verb in adnominal form, “reads”
• 사람 (saram): noun, “person”

It is essential to note that, in Korean, the relative clause always precedes the noun it modifies.

Conjugation Rules for Relative Clauses

When forming a relative clause in Korean, the verb or adjective must be conjugated into the adnominal form. Here are some general conjugation rules:

1. For verbs ending in a vowel, remove 다 (da) and add -는 (neun)
2. For verbs ending in a consonant, remove 다 (da) and add -은 (eun)
3. For adjectives ending in a vowel, remove 다 (da) and add -ㄴ (n)
4. For adjectives ending in a consonant, remove 다 (da) and add -은 (eun)

For example:

• 가다 (gada): “to go” → 가는 사람 (ganeun saram, “person who is going”)
• 먹다 (meokda): “to eat” → 먹은 음식 (meogeun eumsik, “food that was eaten”)
• 작다 (jagda): “to be small” → 작은 집 (jageun jip, “small house”)
• 예쁘다 (yeppeda): “to be pretty” → 예쁜 꽃 (yeppun kkot, “pretty flower”)

Using Korean Relative Clauses in Sentences

Now that we have examined the structure and conjugation rules for Korean relative clauses let’s explore how they can be used in various sentence constructions.

They can be utilized as modifiers within simple sentences, such as:

• 저는 강아지를 좋아해요. (= I like puppies.)
• 저는 길에서 찾아온 강아지를 좋아해요. (= I like puppies that have found their way.)

They can also be employed in complex sentences:

• 그 여자애는 내가 학교에서 만난 친구입니다. (= She’s a friend I met at school.)
• 우리 엄마가 직접 만든 김치는 너무 맛있어요. (= The kimchi my mom made herself is really tasty.)

In conclusion, understanding and using relative clauses is a crucial aspect of mastering Korean grammar. Be mindful of the structure, conjugation rules, and usage in sentences, and you will significantly enhance your fluency in the Korean language.