-끼리
Among, Between
-끼리 is a particle attached to a noun to express that an action or state is confined to that specific group, meaning 'among themselves' or 'just with us/them'.
How It Works
-끼리 is a particle that adds a nuance of exclusivity to a group. It signifies that an action or state is shared, performed, or contained solely within the members of the noun it's attached to.
Key Meanings:
- Among/Between themselves: The action happens within the group. (e.g., 아이들끼리 싸웠어요. - The children fought among themselves.)
- By themselves / On their own: The group does something without outside help or inclusion. (e.g., 우리끼리 여행을 계획했어요. - We planned the trip by ourselves.)
- Just with [group]: Emphasizes the exclusive nature of the gathering. (e.g., 오늘은 여자끼리 놀자! - Today, let's hang out, just the girls!)
Common Combinations:
- 우리끼리: just among us
- 너희끼리: just among you (plural)
- 친구끼리: among friends
- 가족끼리: among family
- 남자끼리 / 여자끼리: among men / among women
It is similar to saying 'as a group' but with a stronger feeling that no one else is involved. It contrasts with the simple plural marker -들, which just indicates more than one, and with particles like -와/과 ('and'/'with'), which connect individuals rather than describing a group's internal dynamic.
Examples (5)
- 이건 우리끼리만 아는 비밀이에요.
This is a secret known only among us.
Word by Word: This our-among-only knowing secret is.
The use of '우리끼리' emphasizes that no one outside of 'us' knows the secret.
- 주말에는 보통 가족끼리 시간을 보내요.
On weekends, I usually spend time with just my family.
Word by Word: On weekends usually family-among time spend.
'가족끼리' indicates that the time is spent exclusively with family members.
- 아이들끼리 놀게 그냥 두세요.
Please just let the children play among themselves.
Word by Word: Children-among play just leave them.
끼리 shows the action of playing is confined to the group of children, without adult involvement.
- 친구끼리 싸우면 안 돼요.
Friends shouldn't fight with each other.
Word by Word: Friends-among if fight, not okay.
'친구끼리' refers to the dynamic within the group of friends.
- 남자끼리 무슨 비밀 얘기가 그렇게 많아요?
What secrets do you guys have so much to talk about, just among men?
Word by Word: Men-among what secret story that much is there?
끼리 emphasizes that the conversation is exclusive to the group of men.
Common Mistakes
Using -끼리 with a singular noun that doesn't represent a group.
Not Quite민준끼리 숙제를 했어요.Better친구들끼리 숙제를 했어요.-끼리 must be attached to a noun that implies a group of two or more. '민준' is a single person. You could say '민준이와 친구들이 숙제를 했어요' (Minjun and his friends did homework).
Using -끼리 with inanimate objects.
Different Meaning의자끼리 부딪혔어요.Better의자들이 부딪혔어요.-끼리 is almost always used for people or animals that can form a social group and act together. For inanimate objects, it's more natural to just use the plural form or another structure.
Related Patterns
- -들Plural Marker
-들 is the plural marker. While -끼리 implies a plural subject, its main function is to add the meaning of 'exclusively among the group'. You can use them together (e.g., 친구들끼리) or -끼리 can stand alone (친구끼리), where it implies plurality.
- 와/과And, With
와/과 means 'and' or 'with'. '친구와 이야기하다' means 'to talk with a friend'. '친구끼리 이야기하다' means 'friends talk among themselves'. 와/과 connects individuals, while -끼리 describes the group's internal action.
- -만Only, But Only
Both -만 ('only') and -끼리 express exclusivity. However, '우리만 가요' (Only we are going) focuses on who is going, excluding others. '우리끼리 가요' (We are going just among ourselves) focuses on the composition of the group, emphasizing they are going together without outsiders.
- -마다Every, Each
-마다 means 'each' or 'every'. It treats members of a category individually. '사람마다 생각이 달라요' (Each person's thoughts are different). In contrast, -끼리 treats the group as a single, collective unit: '사람끼리 모여서 이야기해요' (People gather among themselves and talk).