-언

Jeju

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ən/

Suffix

언 (eon)

1. that (marking an indirect quotation)

Usage notes

In the indirect quotation sense, 언 (-eon) is attached to a plain form of the quoted verb and is followed by a clause ending in a verb related to speech or ᄒᆞ다 (hawda, “to do”).

Synonyms

• 덴 (-den)
• 냰 (-nyaen)
• 센 (-sen)
• 젠 (-jen)

Korean

Etymology

Plausibly a shortening of 엇 (-eot-) + 니 (-ni). Compare 간 (-gan), 안 (-an) which is also used.

Noun

언 • (-eon)

1. (Pyongan, parts of Hwanghae) a plain-style interrogative suffix
   • 1921, Kim Dong-in, 배따라기 [Baettaragi, Baettaragi], 평안남도 평양시 하구수리 (현 평양시 중구역 서문동) Pyongyang:

     너, 어ㅅ개 여기 완?

     Neo, eotgae yeogi wan?

     How did you come here?

Usage notes

Still commonly used according to defectors from Pyongan dialect speaking areas. This includes Pyongyang, where Munhwa'eo appears to have influenced the local speech more significantly than other regions.