Korean · People & Family
"Boy" in Korean: 소년
소년sonyeon
Boy in Korean is 소년 (sonyeon). 소년 means a boy, often in descriptions; 남자아이 is also useful for an everyday reference to a boy.
Introducing someone
저분은 소년이에요.jeobuneun sonyeonieyo.
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How to pronounce 소년
Say it
sonyeon
/sonjʌn/
소년 (sonyeon) has 2 Hangul syllables. 소년 ends with a nasal n sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
"Boy" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 소년sonyeon | Boy Basic dictionary noun. | Basic dictionary noun. |
| 소년과 상담sonyeongwa sangdam | consultation with a boy A useful combination with 소년. | A useful combination with 소년. |
| 소년을sonyeoneul | Boy (as an object) Use 을 when 소년 is the object of an action. | Use 을 when 소년 is the object of an action. |
How to use 소년 in real life
- 1Introducing someone
저분은 소년이에요.
jeobuneun sonyeonieyo.
That person is a boy.
소년이 marks 소년 as the subject.
- 2Finding someone
소년이 여기 있어요.
sonyeoni yeogi isseoyo.
The boy is here.
소년이 marks 소년 as the subject.
- 3Asking to speak
소년과 이야기하고 싶어요.
sonyeongwa iyagihago sipeoyo.
I would like to talk with the boy.
소년 appears in a complete sentence for boy.
Mistakes English speakers make with 소년
Incorrect: 저분은 소년가에요.
Correct: 저분은 소년이에요.
When practicing boy, use the correct particle or copula after 소년; the final sound determines whether a linking consonant is needed.
Incorrect: 소년예요.
Correct: 소년이에요.
When practicing boy, when identifying something as 소년, use 소년이에요. The linking 이 follows a consonant-final noun.
Good to know
소년 means a boy, often in descriptions; 남자아이 is also useful for an everyday reference to a boy. The combination 소년과 상담 (sonyeongwa sangdam) means consultation with a boy.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led people and family study exercise: two sentences with 소년
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
저분은 소년이에요.
jeobuneun sonyeonieyo.
That person is a boy.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
소년이 여기 있어요.
sonyeoni yeogi isseoyo.
The boy is here.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Boy" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Boy" in Korean
What does 소년 mean in Korean?
Boy in Korean is 소년 (sonyeon). 소년 means a boy, often in descriptions; 남자아이 is also useful for an everyday reference to a boy.
How do I use 소년과 상담?
소년과 상담 (sonyeongwa sangdam) means consultation with a boy. 소년 means a boy, often in descriptions; 남자아이 is also useful for an everyday reference to a boy.
Which object particle goes after 소년?
The object form is 소년을 because 소년 ends in a consonant.
How is 소년 pronounced?
소년 (sonyeon) has 2 Hangul syllables. 소년 ends with a nasal n sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
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