byeoge sigyega geollyeo isseoyo.

There is a clock hanging on the wall.

Breakdown of byeoge sigyega geollyeo isseoyo.

• ~가: subject particle
• 있다: to be
• ~에: location particle
• 벽: wall
• 시계: clock
• 걸리다: to be hung

Questions & Answers about byeoge sigyega geollyeo isseoyo.

What is the function of 에 in 벽에?

에 is the locative particle that marks where something exists or happens. In 벽에, it means “on the wall” (literally “at the wall”).

Why is 시계 followed by the subject marker 가 instead of 를?

가 marks 시계 as the subject of the intransitive verb 걸리다 (“to be hung”). If you used 를, you’d have a transitive sentence like 벽에 시계를 걸어요 (“I hang the clock on the wall”), which changes the meaning.

What does 걸려 있어요 mean, and how is it formed?

걸려 있어요 literally combines the verb 걸리다 (“to be hung,” intransitive) with 있다 (“to be/exist”). Together they express a resulting state—“(it) is hanging.”

• 걸려: the verb stem of 걸리다 in its “-아/어” connective form
• 있어요: polite present of 있다, indicating that the hanging state continues

Why can’t we just say 시계가 벽에 있어요 to mean “The clock is on the wall”?

시계가 벽에 있어요 is grammatically correct and means “The clock is at/on the wall,” but it’s less precise about how it’s attached. Native speakers use 걸려 있어요 to emphasize that the clock is literally hung on a hook or nail, not just resting there.

Can we use 매달려 있어요 instead of 걸려 있어요, and what’s the nuance?

Yes, 매달려 있어요 (“is suspended/hanging from something”) is also possible.

• 걸려 있어요 often implies “hung” on a hook or nail.
• 매달려 있어요 suggests it’s dangling or swinging (e.g., from a rope or string).
  Choose based on how the clock is attached.

What’s the difference between writing 걸려 있어요 as two words versus 걸려있어요 as one?

Both are understood the same way.

• 걸려 있어요 separates the verb 걸리다 and 있다, highlighting the state construction.
• 걸려있어요 (one word) is a common contraction in informal writing.
  In formal contexts, you’ll often see the two-word form.

What type of verb is 걸리다 in this sentence?

Here, 걸리다 is used intransitively (no direct object) with the meaning “to be hung.” It’s not the passive of “to hang” in the active sense, but a naturally intransitive verb describing something that ends up hanging.

Can we change the word order to 시계가 벽에 걸려 있어요? Does it alter meaning?

Yes, 시계가 벽에 걸려 있어요 is equally correct. Korean word order is flexible:

• 벽에 시계가… puts focus on ​location
• 시계가 벽에… puts focus on the subject
  The core meaning remains “There’s a clock hanging on the wall.”