Nuance Dictionary / Grammar
은 / 는 eun / neun
The linguistic spotlight that draws a boundary to separate the current subject from everything else in the room.
What does 은 / 는 mean?
은 / 는 (eun / neun) means: The linguistic spotlight that draws a boundary to separate the current subject from everything else in the room.
🔒 The full native nuance note and audio for this card are locked. Unlock it with a token on the Nuance Dictionary — your first unlock every day is free.
How it's actually used
- 커피는 마시는데, 술은 못 마셔요.
keo-pi-neun ma-si-neun-de, sul-eun mot ma-syeo-yo.
I drink coffee, but I can't drink alcohol.
💡 The 'neun' here explicitly pits coffee against alcohol, highlighting a specific boundary in the speaker's preferences. - 오늘 날씨는 좋네요.
o-neul nal-ssi-neun jo-ne-yo.
Today's weather is (at least) nice.
💡 The 'neun' implies that while other things might be bad, at least the weather is an exception; it carries a distinct 'compared to everything else' vibe. - 이건 제 거예요.
i-geon je geo-ye-yo.
THIS one is mine (not yours/theirs).
💡 Using 'eun' here acts as an emphatic selection that defines ownership against the backdrop of other objects.
Related words in Grammar
기분파 Gi-bun-pa이 / 가 i / ga끼리끼리 Kki-ri-kki-ri설렁설렁 seolleong-seolleong격조사 gyeok-jo-sa