나 (na)
'나' (na) is the Korean first-person pronoun meaning 'I' or 'me.' Learn how to use it naturally in everyday speech.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
'I' or 'me' as the first-person pronoun.
When to use
Talking with friends, Everyday conversation, Self-introduction, Expressing feelings
The nuance
'나' is used as the first-person pronoun in subject, object, or complement positions with particles (은/는, 가/이, 를/을). It is informal and used in casual or friendly contexts. For formal situations, use '저'.
나 오늘 학교에 갈 거야.
na o-neul hak-gyo-e gal geo-ya., na o neul hak gyo e gal geo ya.
'나' is correctly used as the subject.
저는 나를 좋아해요.
jeo-neun na-reul joh-a-hae-yo., jeo neun na reul joh a hae yo.
'나' is correctly used as the object; mixing '저' and '나' here is unnatural.
나가 밥을 먹었어요.
na-ga bap-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., na ga bap eul meok eoss eo yo.
'나' with subject particle '가' is correct.
나를 도와주세요.
na-reul do-wa-ju-se-yo., na reul do wa ju se yo.
'나' with object particle '를' is natural.
저는 나 학교에 갈 거야.
jeo-neun na hak-gyo-e gal geo-ya., jeo neun na hak gyo e gal geo ya.
Mixing formal '저' and informal '나' in the same sentence is incorrect.
나가 선생님입니다.
na-ga seon-saeng-nim-ip-ni-da., na ga seon saeng nim ip ni da.
'나' is informal and inappropriate with formal titles.
나를 만나서 반가워요.
na-reul man-na-seo ban-ga-wo-yo., na reul man na seo ban ga wo yo.
'나' as object meaning 'me' in this greeting is unnatural.
Why do you use '나' when talking with a friend?
Which particle cannot be attached to '나'?
What is the appropriate way to refer to yourself in formal situations?
