韩国语“좀(jom)” 和汉语“一下（儿）、一点（儿）、有点儿” -句法、语义、语用对比

Abstract

A Korean word “jom,” followed by an adjective, verb, or predicate, is used to represent a low degree or a little amount of something, a short period of time, or to suggest smoothly or obtain consent. It involves four concepts referring to a small quantity: Firstly, the absolute level of the quality which an adjective means is poor. Secondly, as a result of comparison, one appears to be lower than others. Thirdly, the absolute number of verb’s patient is small. Lastly, the intensity of manner of speech is weak. Otherwise, however, in some cases ‘jom’ can be used to enforce and demonstrate the manner. The range of meaning that Korean word“jom”takes correspond with three Chinese words, ‘有点儿’,‘（一）点儿’，and ‘一下.’ Although all the traits of Chinese words which refer to ‘a small quantity’ are synthesized, they are somehow different from the whole meaning of ‘jom.’ The reasons are here. ① The position of ‘jom’ in a sentence can be diversified. ② ‘Jom’ can appear more than once or consecutively in one sentence. ③ ‘Jom’ can be present in negative imperative sentences, but both ‘一点儿’and ‘一下儿’ can not. ④ ‘Jom’ can be used independently in the conversation. ⑤ When ‘jom’ contains a sense of premise, it can be equivalent to the Chinese word, ‘一点儿.’