-야말로
Indeed/truly
-야말로 is used to strongly emphasize a noun, highlighting it as the prime example or the most fitting case for a particular statement.
This pattern also has a main page: -이야말로/야말로 (Indeed, Truly).
How It Works
The grammar pattern -야말로 is a powerful emphatic particle used to single out and stress a particular noun. It conveys that the noun it's attached to is the ultimate, most fitting, or truest example of what's being discussed.
Formation:
- Noun ending in a consonant + -이야말로
(e.g., 책 + 이야말로 → 책이야말로) - Noun ending in a vowel + -야말로
(e.g., 친구 + 야말로 → 친구야말로)
This pattern is often used to:
1. Strongly agree with someone's statement.
2. Present something as the best example or the epitome of a quality.
3. Make a strong assertion, highlighting the main point.
While 은/는 simply marks a topic, -야말로 elevates that topic, presenting it as the most relevant or important one in the context. For instance, '이것은 문제입니다' (This is a problem) is a neutral statement. However, '이것이야말로 문제입니다' (This, indeed, is the problem) implies that this specific thing is the real, core issue we should be focusing on.
Examples (5)
- 이것이야말로 진짜 기회예요.
This, indeed, is a real opportunity.
Word by Word: This indeed real opportunity is.
- 어려울 때 돕는 친구야말로 진짜 친구지.
A friend who helps in difficult times is truly a real friend.
Word by Word: Difficult when helping friend indeed real friend (is).
- 건강이야말로 가장 중요한 자산입니다.
Health is truly the most important asset.
Word by Word: Health indeed most important asset is.
Here, '건강' (health) is singled out as the ultimate example of an important asset.
- 한국의 여름이야말로 덥고 습해요.
Summer in Korea is indeed hot and humid.
Word by Word: Korea's summer indeed hot and humid is.
- 포기하지 않는 것이야말로 성공의 비결이에요.
Not giving up is indeed the secret to success.
Word by Word: Not giving up thing indeed success's secret is.
The nominalizer -는 것 is used to turn the verb phrase '포기하지 않다' (to not give up) into a noun phrase that -이야말로 can attach to.
Common Mistakes
Using -야말로 directly with verbs or adjectives instead of nouns.
Not Quite친절하다야말로 중요해요.Better친절함이야말로 중요해요. / 친절한 것이야말로 중요해요.-야말로 is a particle that must attach to a noun. To emphasize an adjective like '친절하다' (to be kind), you must first change it into a noun form, such as '친절함' (kindness) using the nominalizer -음/ㅁ, or '친절한 것' (the act of being kind) using -는 것.
Related Patterns
- 은/는Topic Marker
-야말로 is a much stronger, more emphatic version of the topic marker 은/는. While 은/는 introduces or contrasts a topic, -야말로 singles it out as the supreme or most fitting example.
- -만Only, But Only
-만 means 'only', restricting the scope. -야말로 emphasizes the special quality of the noun without necessarily excluding others. '너만 할 수 있어' (Only you can do it) vs. '너야말로 할 수 있어' (You, of all people, can do it; I have strong faith in you).
- -는 것Thing of -ing
The nominalizer -는 것 is frequently used with -야말로 to emphasize an entire action or state. It turns a verb or adjective clause into a noun phrase, allowing the -야말로 particle to attach to it.
- -도Also, Too, Even
Both are emphatic particles. -도 means 'also' or 'even', adding an item to a set. -야말로 singles one item out from a set as the most prominent or true example.