Korean Possession: Using 의 for "Maria's Bag" and "the End of the Film"
Learn how the particle 의 links two nouns to show possession or belonging in Korean, from 사람의 가방 (a person's bag) to 영화의 끝 (the end of the film).
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
English shows possession in two main ways: with apostrophe s (Maria's bag) and with of phrases (the end of the film). Korean does this with a single particle: 의 (ui). You attach 의 to the possessor, and the possessed noun follows. So "Maria's bag" becomes 마리아의 가방, and "the end of the film" becomes 영화의 끝. This lesson focuses only on noun-to-noun possession with 의. It is different from possessive adjectives like my, your, or his, which are separate words in Korean (나의/내, 너의/네, 그의). Here you will practise linking two nouns so the first one owns, contains, or relates to the second.
By the end, you can…
- attach 의 to a noun to show who owns something, as in 마리아의 가방.
- use 의 to express an of relationship between two nouns, as in 영화의 끝.
- tell when 의 is pronounced as 에 in everyday speech and when it is written but not stressed.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
마리아의 가방
Maria's bag
ma-ri-a-ui ga-bang
The basic pattern: possessor + 의 + possessed noun. Here 마리아 is the owner and 가방 is the bag.
영화의 끝
the end of the film
yeong-hwa-ui kkeut
An of relationship between two nouns. English uses of; Korean simply puts 의 after 영화.
선생님의 책
the teacher's book
seon-saeng-nim-ui chaek
Works with titles and people. 선생님 means teacher, and 의 marks the teacher as the possessor.
회사의 이름
the name of the company
hoe-sa-ui i-reum
Useful for organisations and things. 회사 is company, 이름 is name.
친구의 전화번호
a friend's phone number
chin-gu-ui jeon-hwa-beon-ho
Everyday possession. 친구 is friend, 전화번호 is phone number.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern is simple: Noun A + 의 + Noun B. Noun A is the possessor or source, and Noun B is the thing possessed or related. 마리아의 가방 means Maria's bag. 영화의 끝 means the end of the film. 한국의 수도 means the capital of Korea. You can use it with people (친구의 집, a friend's house), places (서울의 날씨, Seoul's weather), and things (책의 표지, the cover of the book). The particle 의 never changes shape. It stays 의 no matter what noun comes before or after.
When to use it
Use 의 when you want to link two nouns tightly in writing or careful speech. It is common in written Korean, news, textbooks, and formal descriptions. In everyday conversation, Koreans often drop 의 and simply put the two nouns together: 마리아 가방 or 친구 집. When 의 is pronounced, it usually sounds like 에 (e), so 마리아의 가방 sounds like 마리아에 가방. You will also see 의 in set phrases like 나의 꿈 (my dream) or 우리의 학교 (our school), where it adds a slightly formal or literary tone.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이거 누구의 가방이에요?
Whose bag is this?i-geo nu-gu-ui ga-bang-i-e-yo?마리아의 가방이에요.
It's Maria's bag.ma-ri-a-ui ga-bang-i-e-yo.영화의 끝이 어땠어요?
How was the end of the film?yeong-hwa-ui kkeut-i eo-ttae-sseo-yo?영화의 끝이 아주 슬펐어요.
The end of the film was very sad.yeong-hwa-ui kkeut-i a-ju seul-peo-sseo-yo.A little context goes a long way
In real conversation, 의 is often left out or pronounced like 에. Saying 마리아의 가방 sounds careful and slightly formal; many speakers say 마리아 가방 in casual talk. In writing, however, 의 is expected and omitting it can look careless. Use 의 when clarity matters, such as in titles, news, or when the relationship between nouns is not obvious.
One thing to watch for
Putting 의 after the possessed noun, as in 가방의 마리아 for "Maria's bag."
Try this instead: In Korean, 의 comes after the possessor, not the possessed noun. Say 마리아의 가방, not 가방의 마리아. The order is owner + 의 + thing owned. The same applies to 영화의 끝: 영화 (film) comes first, then 의, then 끝 (end).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say "the teacher's book" in Korean?
Show a sample answer
선생님의 책
선생님 is the teacher and 책 is the book. Attach 의 to the possessor 선생님, then add the possessed noun 책. In casual speech, 선생님 책 is also acceptable.
2What does 회사의 이름 mean?
Show a sample answer
the name of the company
회사 means company and 이름 means name. 의 links them as an of relationship. You could also hear 회사 이름 in everyday conversation.
3Where does 의 go in a possessive phrase?
Show a sample answer
After the possessor noun, before the possessed noun.
의 always follows the owner or source noun. In 마리아의 가방, 마리아 is the possessor and 의 marks it before 가방. This is the opposite of English apostrophe s placement in terms of word order.
To show possession or an of relationship between two nouns in Korean, put 의 after the first noun: owner + 의 + thing. Write it clearly, and remember that in speech it often sounds like 에 or is dropped.
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