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Questions & Answers about goyangireul johahaeyo.
Why does the noun 고양이 have -를 attached (becoming 고양이를)?
Because -을/를 marks the direct object. In 고양이를 좋아해요, the thing being liked is cats, so it takes the object particle. In casual speech people often drop it (고양이 좋아해요), but keeping it is clear and standard.
When do I use -을 vs -를?
Use -를 after a noun ending in a vowel and -을 after a consonant.
- 고양이를 좋아해요 (vowel ending)
- 책을 좋아해요 (consonant ending)
Where is the subject I? Why isn’t 저는 written?
Korean often omits subjects when obvious from context. Statements about personal likes usually default to the speaker, so it means I like cats. You can add 저는 for clarity or contrast: 저는 고양이를 좋아해요.
What’s the difference between 좋아해요 and 좋아요?
- 좋아해요 is from the verb 좋아하다 and means (I) like something; it takes an object with -을/를.
- 좋아요 is from the adjective 좋다, meaning is good/okay. Compare: 고양이를 좋아해요 vs 고양이가 좋아요.
Can I say 고양이가 좋아요 to mean I like cats?
Yes: 저는 고양이가 좋아요 literally means Cats are good (to me) and is a natural way to say you like cats. Without 저는, 고양이가 좋아요 can also mean The cat is good/nice, so it can be ambiguous. 고양이를 좋아해요 is unambiguous for I like cats.
Why is 좋아해요 written as one word, and how is it pronounced?
It’s the polite present form of the single verb 좋아하다. With 하다 → 해요, you get 좋아해요. It’s pronounced roughly like 조아해요 (the ㅎ in 좋 is silent before a vowel). Verbs are written as one word in Korean.
What politeness level is this, and how do I say it in other levels?
- Standard polite: 고양이를 좋아해요
- More formal: 고양이를 좋아합니다
- Casual: 고양이를 좋아해 (or 난 고양이를 좋아해)
- Asking respectfully (subject is someone you honor): 고양이를 좋아하세요?
- Very formal question: 고양이를 좋아합니까?
Do I need to make cats plural with -들?
Usually no. 고양이 can mean cat/cats depending on context. 고양이들 emphasizes multiple individual cats and is used when you mean a specific group. For general preference, use 고양이(를).
Can I drop the object particle here?
Yes in everyday speech: 고양이 좋아해요. In writing or complex sentences, keep -을/를 for clarity.
What’s the normal word order, and can I move things around?
Default is SOV: 저는 고양이를 좋아해요. You can topicalize for contrast:
- 고양이는 좋아해요 = As for cats, (I) like them. Word order is flexible thanks to particles, but the verb stays last.
How do I turn it into a question like Do you like cats?
Use rising intonation: 고양이를 좋아해요? If you’re addressing someone you should honor, use 고양이를 좋아하세요? More formal: 고양이를 좋아합니까?
How do I say I don’t like cats?
Two common ways:
- 고양이를 안 좋아해요.
- 고양이를 좋아하지 않아요. They’re equivalent; the -지 않아요 form can sound a bit more formal/emphatic.
How do I say I like cats more than dogs?
저는 강아지보다 고양이를 더 좋아해요. (-보다 = than, 더 = more)
How do I make it specific like this/that cat or the cat?
Use demonstratives (Korean doesn’t use articles):
- 이 고양이를 좋아해요 (this cat near me)
- 그 고양이를 좋아해요 (that cat near you/already mentioned)
- 저 고양이를 좋아해요 (that cat over there)