-언
Jeju
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ən/
Suffix
언 (eon)
- 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)
- (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.