"Is the water shallow in the river?"

Translation: 강은 물이 얕습니까?

[AndrejStas]

Could someone explain this sentence a bit? Why 강은 물이?

[oee16]

Same use as 키가 added to 크다 (키가 크다) to mean big in height, hence tall. (*키 = height).

물이 is added to 강은 (강은 물이) to mean that it is about the river water level and not about the height of the river banks.

[josueetcom]

It's basically, "with respect to the river, is the water shallow?". That's how the topic and subject are separated but of course the water referred to is the water in the river.

[honeyrbw]

"강 물이 얕습니까?" is much more natural. I report it.

[Pamela909830]

I wrote that, and it is accepted as correct. Jan. 4, 2020.

[oee16]

강물 is accepted as it is a recognized compound noun = river-water.

But not 강 물 (with spacing).

[deactivated user]

"강의 물은 얕습니까?" was marked wrong, and my native speaking partner is not pleased. :P

[BobaBunny5]

똑같은 문장을 썼는데 아직 틀려요: 삼월/육일/이천이십년.

[Ash-Fred]

"강의 물은 얕습니까?" is now accepted.

[soobee620]

Is "강에 물은 얕습니까?" actually wrong? If so, why?

[Ash-Fred]

"강에 물은 얕습니까?" is now accepted.

[soobee620]

Thank you!