-(이)야
This is combined with a noun to show that the speaker definitely thinks of the noun in a certain way, but not of others. Besides nouns, other parts of speech, such as adverbs and some conjunctions, can also be combined with ‘-(이)야’ to be emphasized.
Where there’s a final consonant, use ‘이야,’ and when there’s not, use ‘-야.’ Let’s look at some examples.
With nouns
김치야 가장 유명한 한국 음식 중 하나니까, 외국 사람들이 모를 리 없지.
Kimchi is of course one of the most well-known Korean food, so there’s no way foreign people don’t know about it.
알렉스 씨야 처음부터 한국어를 잘 했으니까 고급반에서도 당연히 1등이지요.
Alex has surely been good at Korean from the beginning, so he is of course the top in the advanced class.
배드민턴이야 재미있으니까 모두 좋아하겠지요.
Of course badminton is fun, so everyone will like to play.
아이폰이야 인기가 많으니까 당분간 걱정하지 않아도 될 걸요.
iPhones, of course, are popular, so, for a while, I don’t think you need to be worried.
글쎄, 한국어야 워낙 재미있으니까, 앞으로 점점 더 인기가 높아지겠지요.
Well, Korean is definitely fun, so the language will become more and more popular.
당연히 나야 괜찮지!
Of course I am fine with it!
글쎄, 말이야 해 볼 수 있지.
Well, saying it wouldn’t hurt.
With verbs
피자를 먹고 싶기야 하지만 다이어트 중이라 안 돼요.
I DO want to eat pizza, but I can’t because I’m on a diet.
파티에 가기야 하겠지. 근데 내일 시험이 있어서 오래 못 있을 거야.
I WILL go to the party. But I won’t be able to stay there long because I have an exam tomorrow.
술 마시고 싶기야 하지만 운전해야 하니까 안 돼.
I DO want to drink, but I can’t because I need to drive.
내 말을 듣기야 하겠지만 그게 실천에 옮긴다는 의미는 아니야.
He WILL listen to me, but it doesn’t necessarily mean he will put them into practice.
With adjectives
이 폰이 가볍기야 하지. 디자인이 좀 그럴 뿐.
This phone IS light. It’s just the design.
장미가 예쁘기야 한데, 너무 흔해요.
Roses ARE pretty, but they are too ordinary.
동물 중에서 치타가 제일 빠르기야 하지. 지구력이 부족해서 문제지만.
Cheetahs are, of course, the fastest among animals, but the problem is they lack endurance.
Quiz
Try to write the following sentences in Korean, using ‘-(이)야.’
- I DO want to watch the movie, but I don’t have any time.
___________________________________________________.
- I DO wish it would snow on Christmas, but I also hope it’ll be warm that day.
___________________________________________________.
- I WILL drive the car for us, but can you trust me?
___________________________________________________.
- I DID study, but I don’t feel confident.
___________________________________________________.
- Of course the teacher teaches well, but the subject is too hard for me.
___________________________________________________.
- Of course, apples are good for health, but what if I don’t like the taste?
___________________________________________________.
- Well, flowers ARE pretty, but the problem is I have a pollen allergy.
___________________________________________________.
- I know. The people ARE friendly. I will think about inviting them, too.
___________________________________________________.
tutorklang 