이라고Korean particle · TOPIK 3
irago
One particle with 4 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A postpositional particle used to indicate that the preceding statement was a quote.
앞말이 원래 말해진 그대로 인용됨을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after words ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 말 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
나는 승규에게 “안녕”이라고 인사했다.
I greeted Seunggyu with a "hello."
처음 뵙겠습니다. 제 이름은 김민준이라고 합니다.
Nice to meet you. My name is Kim Minjun.
지수는 ‘합격’이라고 쓰인 통지서를 받고 무척 기뻐했다.
Jisu was overjoyed when she received the notice that said 'pass.'
대화In conversation
아빠, 이 꽃은 이름이 뭐예요?
Dad, what's the name of this flower?
응. 이 꽃은 백합이라고 하는 꽃이야.
Oh, this flower is called a lily.
A postpositional particle used to indicate that one is not happy with the preceding statement.
앞말이 마음에 들지 않는 대상임을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after nouns ending in a consonant.
받침 있는 명사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
아들이라고 하나 있는 게 이렇게 부모 속을 썩이네요.
The one son I have is driving his parents crazy like this.
초등학생도 생각할 수 있는 걸 해결책이라고 내놓는 거야?
You call that a solution when even an elementary school student could think of it?
두 시간을 늦어 놓고 시간을 착각했다는 걸 변명이라고 하는 거니?
You're two hours late, and you call mistaking the time an excuse?
대화In conversation
삼십 분밖에 안 늦었는데 왜 그렇게 화를 내?
I'm only thirty minutes late, why are you so angry?
너 지금 그걸 말이라고 하니?
You call that a thing to say?
A postpositional particle that indicates the cause or reason for the following content.
뒤에 오는 내용의 원인이나 이유를 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
What follows is usually negative.
주로 뒤에 부정적인 내용이 온다.
예문Examples
제가 아직 학생이라고 무시하세요?
Do you look down on me just because I'm still a student?
시골이라고 논밭만 있을 것 같아요?
Do you think there's nothing but fields just because it's the countryside?
겨울이라고 음식이 상하지 않을 거라 생각하면 안 된다.
You shouldn't think food won't spoil just because it's winter.
대화In conversation
여기 건물 안이 너무 추워.
It's so cold inside this building.
한여름이라고 짧은 옷만 챙기면 안 돼. 에어컨을 틀면 실내는 춥거든.
You can't just pack short clothes because it's midsummer. Once the air conditioning is on, it's cold indoors.
A postpositional particle meaning that everything is the same without exception.
예외 없이 다 마찬가지라는 뜻을 나타내는 조사.
쓰임Usage
주로 의문사나 의문사가 붙는 말 뒤에 붙여 쓰고 뒤에 부정의 뜻을 가진 의문문이 온다.
예문Examples
감히 누구 앞이라고 거짓말을 하겠습니까?
Who on earth would dare lie in front of anyone?
어떤 사람이라고 감히 왕의 명령을 거부할 수 있겠습니까?
What kind of person would dare refuse the king's order?
대화In conversation
선배들한테 어떻게 해야 될지 물어보자.
Let's ask the seniors what we should do.
일이 이 지경인데 선배들이라고 뾰족한 수가 있겠니?
With things in this state, do you think the seniors would have any clever solution?
관련 문법Related grammar
Other particles you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does 이라고 mean in Korean?
이라고 is a particle introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). A postpositional particle used to indicate that the preceding statement was a quote. It has 4 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use 이라고?
Attaches after words ending in a consonant. The other shape is 라고, 라, 이라 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between 이라고 and 라고?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same particle, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is 이라고?
3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.