-을랑
Emphatic Topic (Archaic)
-을랑 is an old-fashioned particle that strongly emphasizes the noun it's attached to, often setting it apart from other things.
How It Works
-을랑 is a special particle that adds strong emphasis to the noun it follows, marking it as the main topic of discussion, often with a sense of contrast or selection. Think of it as saying, "as for this specific thing (and not others)..." or "if we're talking about this, then...".
Conjugation:
It attaches directly to nouns. The form depends on whether the noun ends in a consonant or a vowel.
- Nouns ending in a consonant + 을랑 (e.g., 밥 → 밥을랑, 돈 → 돈을랑)
- Nouns ending in a vowel + 랑 (e.g., 너 → 너랑, 공부 → 공부랑)
Note: The vowel form -랑 can be easily confused with the particle -랑 meaning "and/with". Context is crucial to tell them apart.
Usage and Nuance:
The primary function of -을랑 is to single out and emphasize the topic. This emphasis often creates a contrast with other unmentioned things. It's frequently used in commands or suggestions to highlight what should or should not be done regarding that topic.
For example:
돈은 걱정 마. (Don't worry about money.) - Standard topic marking.
돈을랑 걱정 마. (As for money, don't you worry about it.) - Stronger emphasis. It implies that while other things might be worrisome, money specifically should not be a concern.
Because of its archaic and strong flavor, using -을랑 in regular conversation would sound very out of place, like using "thee" or "thou" in modern English. It is a pattern to recognize for comprehension rather than for active use in daily speech.
Examples (4)
- 다른 건 몰라도 밥을랑 꼭 챙겨 먹어라.
I don't know about other things, but as for your meals, make sure you eat them.
Word by Word: Other things don't know but meals(emphatic) for sure take care and eat.
Here, '밥을랑' strongly emphasizes 'meals' as the one thing that must be taken care of, in contrast to 'other things'.
- 돈을랑 걱정 말고 공부나 열심히 해.
As for money, don't worry about it and just study hard.
Word by Word: Money(emphatic) worry don't and studying just diligently do.
This is a classic phrase, often said by parents. '돈을랑' singles out 'money' as the topic not to be worried about, focusing the listener on studying instead.
- 그 사람 말을랑 아예 듣지를 마라.
As for that person's words, don't listen to them at all.
Word by Word: That person's words(emphatic) at all listen don't.
The use of '말을랑' adds a strong, almost cautionary emphasis, making the command more forceful than if '말은' were used.
- 옛날이야기에서는 "못된 욕심을랑 버려라" 하고 가르쳤다.
In old tales, they taught, "As for wicked greed, cast it away."
Word by Word: In old stories "bad greed(emphatic) throw away" and taught.
This example shows how -을랑 is fitting for the tone of folklore or traditional stories, emphasizing a moral lesson.
Common Mistakes
Using -을랑 in modern, everyday conversation.
Not Quite오늘 저녁을랑 뭐 먹을까?Better오늘 저녁은 뭐 먹을까?-을랑 is an archaic particle. Using it in a simple daily question like this sounds very unnatural and out of place. The standard topic marker -은/는 is the correct choice for modern speech.
Confusing the emphatic -(을)랑 with the comitative -(이)랑 'and/with'.
Different Meaning그 일은 잊어버려.Better그 일일랑 잊어버려.The emphatic-topic 을랑/(ㄹ)랑 attaches to an object/topic noun for 'as for ~ (at least that)'. Don't confuse it with the comitative -(이)랑 'and/with'. Contrast: 그 일은 잊어버려 (neutral topic) vs 그 일일랑 잊어버려 (emphatic 'as for that matter, forget it').
Related Patterns
- 은/는Topic Marker
This is the standard topic marker. -을랑 is a much stronger, archaic version of -은/는, used for heavy emphasis or contrast.
- -이야말로/야말로Indeed, Truly
This particle also adds emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'truly'. While -을랑 emphasizes by singling out or contrasting, -이야말로 emphasizes by confirming something as the prime example.
- -커녕Let Alone
Meaning 'let alone', -커녕 is used to make a strong negative contrast (e.g., 'I can't even do B, let alone A'). This relates to the contrastive nuance that -을랑 can also carry.
- -조차Even, Not Even
Meaning 'even' (in a negative context), -조차 is another particle for emphasis. It highlights an extreme or unexpected negative situation, which is a different type of emphasis from the topic-singling function of -을랑.
- -만Only, But Only
The particle -만 means 'only'. Both -을랑 and -만 single out a noun, but -만 strictly limits the scope ('only this'), while -을랑 emphasizes the topic ('as for this...').