Usage and Nuance
'걔' is an informal pronoun used to refer to a third person, typically someone known to both the speaker and listener. It is often used among friends or in casual conversations. The word carries a slightly familiar or colloquial tone and is usually used for people of similar age or younger.
Common Contexts
You will hear '걔' mostly when talking about someone in a casual setting, such as classmates, friends, or acquaintances. It is less formal than '그 사람' (that person) and more intimate than just using a name.
Collocations and Patterns
- 걔는 + [verb/adjective]: To describe what that person does or how they are (e.g., 걔는 착해 - That guy is kind).
- 걔랑 같이: To express doing something together with that person (e.g., 걔랑 같이 공부해 - Study together with that guy).
- 걔가 왜 + [verb/adjective]: To question or wonder about that person's behavior or state (e.g., 걔가 왜 안 왔어? - Why didn't that guy come?).
Register and Politeness
'걔' is informal and should be avoided in formal or polite contexts. Use it only with close friends or people you are familiar with. In formal situations, use '그 사람' or the person's name with appropriate honorifics.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '걔' with '그애' or '그애들' which are less common or incorrect forms. Also, avoid using '걔' when referring to someone older or in a respectful context, as it can sound rude or dismissive.