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Contents
Introduction
Defective nouns must always be preceded by modifying expressions. They are “defective” because they must be “bound to” a preceding element.
이 것
this thing
검은 것
black thing
More specifically, defective nouns must be preceded by one of three things:
– demonstratives (pointer words: 이, 그, 저)
이 것
this thing
– clauses
예쁜 것
a beautiful thing
– other nouns (rarely)
언니것
Sister’s thing
Defective nouns are a type of bound noun (nouns which do not appear independently). The term ‘defective noun’ is used for lack of a better word. There is nothing defective about them per se, other than the fact that they are bound to a modifying expression and don’t function as a regular noun.
In grammar terminology, defective nouns are often simply called ‘bound nouns’. Whereas in linguistic terminology, bound nouns are divided into counter words and defective nouns, as seen here.
Examples
Defective nouns are used in many grammar patterns.
김 (chance to do something)
온 김에
chance occurring on the way
온 김에 김밥을 샀다.
I bought some kimbap while on the way (since I had the chance).
데1 (place or location)
조용한 데
quiet place
좀 더 조용한 데로 가자.
Let’s go somewhere quieter.
데2 (a piece of work)
읽는 데
(task of) reading
이 책을 읽는 데 세 시간 걸렸어. It took three hours to read this book.
데3 (at certain state)
운동하는 데
to exercise
운동하는 데 발목이 아프신가요?
Do your ankles hurt while exercising?
뻔1 (clearly, evident)
게임할 게 뻔하다
clearly playing games
철수는 집에서 게임할 게 뻔하다.
철수 is obviously playing games at home.
뻔2 (verge of occurring)
떨어질 뻔
almost fell
자전거에서 떨어질 뻔했어.
I almost fell off my bike.
지 (time since until now)
졸업한 지
time since graduating
졸업한 지 3년 됩니다.
It’s three years since I graduated.
Each defective noun has its own meaning and limitations. For example, 줄 is only preceded by a clause and functions as the object of a cognitive verb (알다, 모르다). Similarly, 수 is only preceded by a clause and functions as the subject of an existential verb (있다, 없다).
읽을 줄 알다
know how to read
“know reading”
읽을 수 있다
able to read
“have reading ability”
There is little benefit for Korean learners to know the fine details of these limitations. However, these are often the reasons for why certain grammar patterns “work as they do”.
Additional details
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Associated grammar
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See also
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Bibliography
Affiliate links help support uK.
— Choo, M., & Kwak, H. (2008). Using Korean: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. New York: Cambridge University Press.
— Lee, I., & Ramsey, S.R. (2000). The Korean Language. Albany: State University of New York Press.
— Martin, S. E. (1992). A Reference Grammar of Korean. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing.
— Sohn, H. (1999). The Korean Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
— Song, J. (2005). The Korean Language: Structure, use and context. New York: Routledge.