Example Sentences#

1. 포도를 다 먹고 난 후, 맹인은 포도 줄기를 손에 쥐고 고개를 흔들며 말했다.¹
   After finishing the grapes, the blind man held the grape stem in his hand, shook his head, and said:
   • 쥐다 means ‘to hold’ or ‘to grasp’.
   • -고 is a connective ending used to link two actions or states, meaning ‘and’, or to join the main verb to auxiliary verbs.
2. 쥔 손에서 흩어지는 모래²
   Sand slipping through my clenched fingers
   • 쥐다 means ‘to hold’ or ‘to grip’.
   • -ㄴ is a past tense modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun.
3. 떨어질까 두려운 꽃잎을 꽉 쥐고²
   Clutching petals, afraid they might fall
   • 쥐다 means ‘to hold’ or ‘to grip’.
   • -고 is a connective ending used to link two actions or states, meaning ‘and’, or to join the main verb to auxiliary verbs. In this lyrical context, -고 leaves the thought open-ended, acting as a verbal pause or ellipsis that implies continuity or an unspoken connection, common in reflective or lyrical texts.