What does 여기 mean?

여기 (yeo-gi, yeogi)

여기 (yeogi) is a basic Korean demonstrative adverb used to indicate a nearby place.

Korean word 여기 meaning here

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

여기(yeo-gi, yeogi)

여기 is a demonstrative adverb that points to a place near the speaker. It corresponds to 'here' in English.

Nuances

  • Indicates a place near the speaker
  • Can be used metaphorically for abstract situations
  • Emphasis changes depending on sentence position

When to use

Giving directions, Ordering at a store, Phone conversation, Setting meeting place

In context

여기 functions as an adverb indicating place and can appear before or after nouns. It is natural in both formal and informal speech.

Real-world examples

  • 여기 앉으세요.

    yeo-gi an-eu-se-yo., yeo gi an eu se yo.

    여기 correctly points to a place and the sentence is natural.

  • 나는 여기 학교에 다녀요.

    na-neun yeo-gi hak-gyo-e da-nyeo-yo., na neun yeo gi hak gyo e da nyeo yo.

    여기 correctly indicates the place 'school' and is grammatically correct.

  • 여기서 책을 읽어요.

    yeo-gi-seo chaek-eul ik-eo-yo., yeo gi seo chaek eul ik eo yo.

    여기서 (here + at) is properly used as a locative adverb.

  • 저기 여기 가요.

    jeo-gi yeo-gi ga-yo., jeo gi yeo gi ga yo.

    Using 여기 and 저기 together creates ambiguity and is unnatural.

  • 여기 맛있어요.

    yeo-gi mas-iss-eo-yo., yeo gi mas iss eo yo.

    여기 points to place, but needs a noun to pair with 맛있다 (delicious).

  • 여기 전화번호 알려 주세요.

    yeo-gi jeon-hwa-beon-ho al-ryeo ju-se-yo., yeo gi jeon hwa beon ho al ryeo ju se yo.

    여기 is naturally used when requesting a phone number in context.

  • 여기서 기다려 주세요.

    yeo-gi-seo gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo., yeo gi seo gi da ryeo ju se yo.

    여기서 precisely indicates place and is a polite request.

Quick quiz

  1. What does 여기 mean?

    여기의 뜻은 무엇인가요?(yeo-gi-uitteus-eunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, yeogiuitteuseunmueosingayo?)
  2. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 문장 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eummun-jangjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeummunjangjungolbareunmunjangeun?)
  3. Which English word is closest to '여기'?

    '여기'와 가장 가까운 영어 단어는?('yeo-gi'waga-jangga-kka-unyeong-eodan-eo-neun?, 'yeogi'wagajanggakkaunyeongeodaneoneun?)

More meaning guides

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