-이야말로/야말로
Indeed, Truly
Use -이야말로/야말로 to single out and strongly emphasize a noun, meaning 'it is indeed [noun] that...'. Attach -이야말로 after a consonant and -야말로 after a vowel.
How It Works
This pattern is a special particle used to add strong emphasis to a noun, highlighting it as the prime example or the very thing being discussed. It's much stronger than the standard topic marker 은/는.
Attachment Rules:
- Nouns ending in a consonant (받침): Add -이야말로
- 책 + 이야말로 → 책이야말로 (It is a book that...)
- 한국 + 이야말로 → 한국이야말로 (It is Korea that...) - Nouns ending in a vowel: Add -야말로
- 친구 + 야말로 → 친구야말로 (It is a friend that...)
- 여기 + 야말로 → 여기야말로 (It is this place that...)
Function and Nuance:
The core function is to single out one noun and declare it as the most prominent, suitable, or definitive example in a given context. It implies that while other things might exist or be relevant, the noun marked with -이야말로/야말로 is the one that truly fits the description.
Compare the nuance:
- 이것은 선물입니다. (This is a gift.) - A neutral statement using 은/는.
- 이것이야말로 진짜 선물입니다. (This is indeed a real gift. / This is what I call a real gift!) - Strongly emphasizes 'this' as the perfect example of a gift, perhaps compared to other, lesser gifts.
It is often used in situations of praise, recommendation, or when making a very strong, definitive point.
Examples (5)
- 이 영화야말로 제 인생 최고의 영화예요.
This movie is indeed the best movie of my life.
Word by Word: This movie indeed my life's best movie is.
- 성실함이야말로 성공의 가장 중요한 열쇠입니다.
Diligence is indeed the most important key to success.
Word by Word: Diligence indeed success's most important key is.
- A: 한국을 대표하는 음식이 뭐예요?
B: 비빔밥이야말로 한국을 대표하는 음식이죠.
A: What's a representative Korean food? B: Bibimbap is *the* food that represents Korea.
Word by Word: A: Korea representing food what is? B: Bibimbap indeed Korea representing food is.
B uses -이야말로 to single out Bibimbap as the definitive answer to A's question.
- 진정한 친구야말로 어려울 때 힘이 되어주는 사람이다.
A true friend is indeed the one who supports you in difficult times.
Word by Word: A true friend indeed difficult when strength becomes person is.
- 지금이야말로 우리가 힘을 합쳐야 할 때입니다.
Now is the very time we must join forces.
Word by Word: Now indeed we strength combine must time is.
This emphasizes 'now' as the crucial, definitive moment for action.
Common Mistakes
Attaching -이야말로/야말로 to verbs or adjectives instead of nouns.
Not Quite예쁘다야말로 그녀를 위한 단어예요.Better그녀야말로 정말 예뻐요.-이야말로/야말로 is a particle that can only be attached to nouns. To emphasize an adjective like '예쁘다' (pretty), you should emphasize the subject who possesses that quality ('그녀야말로' - she indeed...). Alternatively, you could nominalize the concept: '아름다움이야말로 그녀를 위한 단어예요' ('Beauty is indeed the word for her').
Overusing it for simple topic marking where 은/는 is more natural.
Different Meaning저야말로 학생입니다.Better저는 학생입니다.Use -이야말로/야말로 only when you want to add strong emphasis or single out the noun as a prime example. For neutral statements or simple topic marking, 은/는 is the correct choice. The incorrect example sounds overly dramatic, as if you are strongly refuting a claim that you are not a student.
Related Patterns
- 은/는Topic Marker
Both are particles that can mark a topic, but -이야말로/야말로 provides a much stronger level of emphasis. While 은/는 introduces or contrasts a topic, -이야말로/야말로 singles it out as the best or most definitive example.
- -조차Even, Not Even
Both are emphasis particles. However, -이야말로/야말로 has a positive or neutral highlighting function ('indeed', 'the very best'), while -조차 has a negative nuance, meaning 'not even' or 'even (in a bad situation)'.
- -만Only, But Only
Both particles focus on a noun, but in different ways. -만 ('only') restricts and excludes other options. -이야말로/야말로 highlights one option as the supreme example without necessarily excluding others.
- -도Also, Too, Even
-도 ('also', 'too') is an inclusive particle, adding the noun to a group. In contrast, -이야말로/야말로 is an exclusive emphasis particle, singling out the noun from a group as the most prominent example.