Pattern: -(이)라는
-(이)라는 (-(i)ra-neun, (i)raneun)
-(이)라는 attaches to nouns to emphasize a specific name or concept.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Adds the meaning of 'called ~' or 'named ~' to a noun.
When to use
introducing names, explaining concepts, mentioning titles
The nuance
1. Attach to a noun to indicate it is a specific name. 2. Use ‘-이’ after nouns with a final consonant; ‘-라는’ is a contraction of ‘라고 하는’. 3. Mainly used to introduce names of people, places, concepts, or titles.
서울이라는 도시는 매우 크다.
seo-ul-i-ra-neun do-si-neun mae-u keu-da., seo ul i ra neun do si neun mae u keu da.
‘서울’ has no final consonant, so ‘라는’ attaches to emphasize the specific city name.
민수라는 친구가 내일 올 거야.
min-su-ra-neun chin-gu-ga nae-il ol geo-ya., min su ra neun chin gu ga nae il ol geo ya.
Attaching ‘라는’ after ‘민수’ indicates a friend named Minsu.
책이라는 것은 지식을 전달하는 도구다.
chaek-i-ra-neun geos-eun ji-sik-eul jeon-dal-ha-neun do-gu-da., chaek i ra neun geos eun ji sik eul jeon dal ha neun do gu da.
‘이라는’ attaches to ‘책’ to define the concept of a book.
철수라는가 친구가 왔어요.
cheol-su-ra-neun-ga chin-gu-ga wass-eo-yo., cheol su ra neun ga chin gu ga wass eo yo.
‘라는가’ is incorrect; only ‘라는’ should be used.
바다라는 곳에 가 본 적 있어요?
ba-da-ra-neun gos-e ga bon jeok iss-eo-yo?, ba da ra neun gos e ga bon jeok iss eo yo?
Attaching ‘라는’ to ‘바다’ refers to a specific place.
영화라는 책을 봤어요.
yeong-hwa-ra-neun chaek-eul bwass-eo-yo., yeong hwa ra neun chaek eul bwass eo yo.
‘영화’ is not a book, so ‘영화라는 책’ is semantically incorrect.
What is the role of ‘라는’ in ‘민수라는 친구’?
Which sentence is correct?
Why is ‘이라는’ used in ‘서울이라는 도시’?
