Example Sentences#

1. 길 위엔 뜻이 살아 있어¹
   The road still holds its meaning
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • 엔 is a contraction of 에는, where 에 is a particle indicating location and 는 is a topic marker that emphasizes or contrasts a specific element of a sentence.
2. 구름 위를 걷는 것 같아²
   It’s like we’re walking on clouds
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • 를 is an object marker. Here, it emphasizes the path or surface being traversed, creating a vivid and dynamic image. In contrast, the adverbial particle 에서 would focus on the location of the action, making it more neutral.
3. 발자국 위로 빛나는 뭔가³
   Something shining above my footprints
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • 로 is a particle indicating direction or means.
4. 멈춘 시계 위에서 가벼워지는 발걸음⁴
   Footsteps growing lighter upon the stopped clock
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • 에서 is a particle indicating the place where an action occurs.
5. 그것은 사실 지붕 위에 있던 도둑이었습니다.⁵
   Actually, it was a thief who had been on the roof.
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • 에 is a particle indicating location.
6. 흩어진 모래 위를 걸어가⁴
   Walking on the scattered sand
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • 를 is an object marker. Here, it emphasizes the path or surface being traversed, creating a vivid and dynamic image. In contrast, the adverbial particle 에서 would focus on the location of the action, making it more neutral.
7. 그러다 도둑은 나뭇가지를 붙잡고 겨우 나무 위로 올라갔습니다.⁵
   At that moment, the thief grabbed a tree branch and barely managed to climb up the tree.
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • (으)로 is a particle indicating direction, meaning ‘to’ or ‘towards’.
8. 길 위에 남긴 발자국 따라가⁴
   Following the footprints left on the path
   • 위 means ‘above’ or ‘on top’.
   • 에 is a particle indicating location.