Learn Korean: Noun + 중 하나

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Noun + 중 하나. We use this to express that someone or something is part of a larger group. Since 하나 literally means one, it is more suitable to say one of the (many). For example, you asked me where I grew up and I answered Nepal. You said you’ve never heard of this country before so I explained that It is one of the countries in Asia. The subject (it) is Nepal, but we don’t have to mention it again because it is clear from the flow of the conversation. The main noun is 아시아 나라들 (countries in Asia). The particle 들 is attached to a noun to pluralize it, but it is not strictly used. We add 중에 which is sometimes simplified into 중 in spoken language. Then, we add 하나 combined with the verb 이다 (to be). The actual sentence is 아시아 나라들 중(에) 하나야/하나예요.

내가 좋아하는 밴드 중 하나야.

It is one of the my favorite bands.

한국 반찬 중에 하나입니다.

It is one among Korean side dishes.

내 누나 중 하나야.

She’s one of my sisters.