HYEJU LANGUAGE LAB · INTERMEDIATE 40 · LESSON 125
N(이)란N is… / what we call N is…
N(이)란 puts a noun up as a topic to define or explain what it really is: 친구란 어려울 때 옆에 있어 주는 사람이에요 (A friend is someone who stays by your side in hard times). It sounds a little thoughtful or formal.
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A situation you already know
Late at night, a friend asks you what you think happiness really is.
I think happiness is being able to smile even at small things.
You are giving your own definition of happiness. 이란 marks the word you’re defining.
Build the form
- 친구 → 친구 + 란 → 친구란Complete expression
- 사랑 → 사랑 + 이란 → 사랑이란Complete expression
- 행복 → 행복 + 이란 → 행복이란Complete expression
- 인생 → 인생 + 이란 → 인생이란Complete expression
- 가족 → 가족 + 이란 → 가족이란Complete expression
- Vowel-ending noun + 란, consonant-ending noun + 이란: 친구란, 사랑이란.
- It comes from N(이)라고 하는 것은 (“the thing called N”), shortened.
- Typical endings: … N이에요 / -는 것이에요 / -(으)ㄴ/는 거예요.
- Questions about a concept: 사랑이란 뭘까요? (What is love?)
- It’s common in speeches, essays, quotes, and dictionary-style explanations.
- In everyday small talk, plain 은/는 is more common: 친구는 소중해요.
Think in Korean · an English-speaker’s guide
- English often uses “What is love?”, “A friend is someone who…”, or “Life is…” for this.
- Use it when the sentence explains the meaning or nature of the noun, not just a quick fact about it.
- N(이)란 + N(이)라는 are related: 한국이라는 나라 (a country called Korea) names; 한국이란 explains.
Six examples in context
A friend is someone who stays by your side when things are hard.
Life just doesn’t go the way you want; that’s how it is.
What is love?
I think family means people who believe in each other.
When it comes to studying, doing a little every day is what matters.
“Han” is a word that means a deep sorrow and longing in Korean culture.
Compare with related patterns
N은/는
친구는 소중해요.“Friends are precious.” Ordinary topic marker for everyday statements (Lesson 22).
N(이)라는 N
"한"이라는 말“A word called ‘han’.” Introduces a name; doesn’t define it yet.
N(이)란
"한"이란 슬픔을 뜻하는 말이에요.“Han is a word that means sorrow.” Defines or explains the nature of N.
| Pattern | Choose it when… |
|---|---|
| N(이)란 | Define / explain what N really is |
| N은/는 | Everyday topic |
| N(이)라는 N | Introduce something by name |
| N(이)라고 하는 것은 | Long, more formal version |
Common mistakes
Consonant ending → 이란.
Vowel ending → 란.
A simple fact about one person → 은/는, not a definition.
Use -는 거(예요) to complete the definition naturally.
Mini practice · six questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Translation answers are models; other natural wording is possible.
- Fill in the blank______ 서로 이해하려고 노력하는 거예요. (결혼)
Check answer
결혼이란 서로 이해하려고 노력하는 거예요.
결혼 ends in a consonant → 이란.
- Fill in the blank______ 무엇일까요? (자유)
Check answer
자유란 무엇일까요?
자유 ends in a vowel → 란.
- Choose the natural form제 동생(은 / 이란) 지금 대학생이에요.
Check answer
은
A simple fact, not a definition → 은/는.
- Choose the natural form선생님(이란 / 이라는) 학생의 가능성을 믿어 주는 사람이에요.
Check answer
이란
Defining what a teacher is → (이)란.
- Fix the mistake건강란 잃기 전에 지켜야 하는 거예요.
Check answer
건강이란 잃기 전에 지켜야 하는 거예요.
Consonant ending → 이란.
- Say it in KoreanTravel is about meeting new people.
Check answer
여행이란 새로운 사람을 만나는 거예요.
Definition → N이란 … -는 거예요.
Today’s key point
N(이)란 = “N is… / what we call N is…”: vowel + 란, consonant + 이란. Use it to define or reflect on what something is, often ending in -는 거예요 or a noun.
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