Breakdown of hyudaepon baeteoriga eobseoyo.
~가~ga
subject particle
없다eobsda
to not have
휴대폰hyudaepon
cell phone
배터리baeteori
battery
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Questions & Answers about hyudaepon baeteoriga eobseoyo.
Why is the subject particle 가 attached to 배터리?
Because 없다/없어요 takes a subject marked with 이/가. The structure is “X이/가 없다” = “X doesn’t exist / there is no X.” So 배터리가 없어요 means “(There is) no battery.” Using 는/은 would make it a topic and add contrast (see below).
What’s the difference between 배터리가 없어요 and 배터리는 없어요?
- 배터리가 없어요: Plain statement that there’s no battery (or the battery is dead).
- 배터리는 없어요: Topic/contrast. “As for the battery, there isn’t (but maybe something else is).” You use 는/은 to contrast with something previously mentioned or implied.
Why is there no 의 between 휴대폰 and 배터리?
Korean often drops 의 in noun–noun possession when the relationship is obvious. 휴대폰 배터리 naturally reads as “phone battery.” 휴대폰의 배터리 isn’t wrong, but it sounds heavier and is more common in careful/technical writing.
Can I drop the particle and say 휴대폰 배터리 없어요?
Yes. In casual speech, subject particles 이/가 are often omitted when the meaning is clear. 휴대폰 배터리 없어요 is natural in conversation. Keeping 가 is a bit more precise or careful.
What politeness level is 없어요, and what are the other forms?
- 없어요: Polite informal (해요체). Default for most situations.
- 없습니다: Formal polite (합니다체). Speeches, announcements, customer service.
- 없어: Casual (해체). With friends/close peers.
- 없다: Dictionary/plain written style.
How do you pronounce this sentence?
- 휴대폰: hyu-dae-pon (Revised Romanization: hyudaepon)
- 배터리가: bae-teo-ri-ga (baeteoriga)
- 없어요: pronounced like “eop-sseo-yo” [업써요] (eopseoyo). The ㅄ in 없 surfaces as a strong “ss” sound before ㅇ.
Is 없어요 a verb or an adjective?
In Korean grammar, 있다/없다 are descriptive verbs (adjective-like). They behave like verbs for conjugation, but they don’t take an object marker 을/를; they take a subject with 이/가.
Why not say 안 있어요 instead of 없어요?
Because the negative counterpart of 있어요 is the independent word 없어요. 안 있어요 is usually avoided and sounds odd unless used deliberately for emphasis in specific contexts.
How would I say this more idiomatically as “My phone is dead/out of battery”?
Common alternatives:
- 배터리가 다 됐어요 = The battery is all used up.
- 방전됐어요 = It discharged (technical-sounding).
- 배터리가 나갔어요 = The battery “went out” (colloquial).
- 폰이 꺼졌어요 = The phone turned off (implies dead battery).
- 배터리가 거의 없어요 = I’m almost out of battery.
What’s the nuance difference among 휴대폰, 핸드폰, 스마트폰, and 폰?
- 휴대폰: Standard term (mobile/cell phone).
- 핸드폰: Very common colloquial term in Korea; widely used.
- 스마트폰: Smartphone specifically.
- 폰: Casual shortening of any of the above.
Can I say 휴대폰에 배터리가 없어요?
Grammatically yes, but it means “There is no battery in the phone” (physically absent). For smartphones, we typically mean “no charge,” so use 배터리가 없어요/다 됐어요/방전됐어요. Saying X에 배터리가 없어요 is natural for devices that take removable batteries, e.g., 리모컨에 배터리가 없어요.
Is 휴대폰 배터리 one word or two? How about spacing with particles?
Two words: 휴대폰 배터리. With a particle, attach it to the last word: 휴대폰 배터리가.
Can I omit 휴대폰 and just say 배터리가 없어요?
Yes—if context makes it clear you mean your phone. In a conversation about your phone, 배터리가 없어요 is perfectly natural.
How do I say how much battery is left?
- 배터리가 10% 남았어요 = I have 10% left.
- 배터리가 1%밖에 없어요 = I only have 1%.
- 배터리가 반 정도 남았어요 = About half left.
Why is it 가 and not 이 after 배터리?
Use 이 after a consonant and 가 after a vowel. 배터리 ends in a vowel sound, so 배터리가. If the noun ended in a consonant (e.g., 폰), you’d say 폰이.
How can I ask someone politely if their phone is out of battery, and how might they reply?
- Question: 휴대폰 배터리 없으세요?
- Possible answers:
- 네, 없어요 / 거의 없어요.
- 아니요, 아직 반 정도 있어요.
Is 휴대폰의 배터리 incorrect?
It’s not incorrect, just heavier/more formal. In everyday speech, 휴대폰 배터리 is more natural; 휴대폰의 배터리 suits technical or very careful contexts.
What’s the romanization of the whole sentence?
Revised Romanization: Hyudaepon baeteori-ga eopseoyo.