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Questions & Answers about i munjeneun gandanhaeyo.
What is the function of 이 in 이 문제는 간단해요?
이 is the demonstrative determiner meaning this, which modifies 문제 (“problem”). Together 이 문제 means “this problem.”
Why is -는 attached to 문제 rather than -가?
-는 is the topic particle, marking 문제 as the topic of the sentence. It tells the listener “I’m talking about this problem” and sets it up for comment.
What’s the difference between using -는 and -가 after 문제?
Using -는 (topic marker) presents 문제 as background or a familiar topic.
Using -가 (subject marker) highlights 문제 as the subject or introduces it as new/contrastive information. Both are correct, but -가 often feels more specific or focused.
Why is 간단 paired with 하다 to form 간단하다?
In Korean, many Sino-Korean adjectives are nouns combined with 하다 to become descriptive verbs.
- 간단 by itself is a noun meaning simplicity.
- Adding 하다 turns it into 간단하다, which literally means “to be simple.”
What is the dictionary form of 간단해요, and how is it conjugated?
The dictionary form is 간단하다. To conjugate it to polite present tense:
- Drop 다 → 간단하
- Add 아요 → 간단하 + 아요
- 하 + 아요 contracts to 해요, giving 간단해요.
Why isn’t there a separate “to be” verb like is in this sentence?
Korean descriptive verbs (often called adjectives) like 간단하다 inherently include the copula meaning “to be.” You don’t need a separate verb equivalent to is.
What’s the difference between 간단해요 and 쉽다?
- 간단해요 means “it is simple” (not complicated in structure).
- 쉽다 means “it is easy” (not difficult to do).
A problem can be 간단하지만 어려울 수도 있어요 (“simple in form but hard to solve”).
How do you make 이 문제는 간단해요 negative?
Use the negative form of 간단하다:
- Polite: 이 문제는 간단하지 않아요
- Formal: 이 문제는 간단하지 않습니다
- Casual: 이 문제는 간단하지 않아
How would you make this sentence more formal/deferential?
Switch to the formal polite ending -ㅂ니다:
이 문제는 간단합니다.
How would you say it in casual/informal speech?
Use the informal ending -해 without 요:
이 문제는 간단해.