Mastering 는 것 Grammar
Hello, everyone!
Today, we will learn one of the most crucial grammar points in Korean!!! (는 것 grammar)
Learning this grammar structure will enable you to create many sentences. You’ll be surprised at how often it’s used!
I will explain each point step by step to facilitate understanding.
So just follow along with me!
Part 1,
Let’s grasp the concept of grammar
는 것 : transforming verbs into nouns
는 것 is used to transform verbs into nouns phrases. It’s similar to adding “-ing” or “to” in English to turn verbs into nouns, such as “running” or “to run.”
Let’s take a closer look how to form this!
How to Form “는 것”
To form 는 것, you simply attach 는 것 to the verb stem. Here’s how:
Simply drop the “다” part from the original verb, and add 는 것 (the present tense form)
■ 가다 (to go) → 가는 것 (going)
■ 먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 것 (eating)
■ 쉬다 (to rest) → 쉬는 것 (resting)
■ 찾다 (to find) → 찾는 것 (finding)
When explaining this concept, it’s important to understand how to handle sentences with more than one verb. In both Korean and English, you generally can’t use two verbs in their base forms together in one sentence. In English, to resolve this, we usually add ‘to’ (e.g., ‘to study’) or ‘-ing’ (e.g., ‘studying’) to the additional verb, turning it into a noun form.
Similarly, in Korean, we use 는 것 to turn verbs or adjectives into noun phrases.
(You might be thinking, ‘What about verbs like “help” or “make” where the second verb stays in its original form, like in “help study”?’ While there are some special verbs like ‘help,’ ‘let,’ or ‘make’ that allow the second verb to stay in its base form, most of the time we transform additional verbs into noun phrases by adding “to” or ‘-ing’ in English.)
In Korean, we do the same thing by adding 는 것 to verbs or adjectives, allowing us to use them together in a sentence.
For example, in English, you might say, “I will help you (to) study Korean.” Here, “help” is the main verb, and “study” is the additional action. To express this in Korean, we need to use 는 것 with the additional verb “study.”
Here’s how it works:
(1) In the sentence “I will help you study Korean,” “help” is the main action, and “study” is what you’re helping with.
(2) To write this in Korean, we change “study” into a noun phrase using 는 것. So, “study” becomes “한국어 공부하는 것.”
Putting it all together in Korean, it would look like this:
한국어 공부하는 것을 도와줄게요.
Here, “한국어 공부하는 것” (to study Korean) is the noun phrase formed by using 는 것, and it functions as the object of the main verb “도와줄게요” (I will help).
By converting the additional verb into a noun phrase with 는 것, we can easily combine it with the main verb in a grammatically correct sentence.
More examples:
I like watching Youtube : (나는) 유튜브를 보는 것을 좋아해요.
-> ‘유튜브를 보는 것’ (watching YouTube) is a noun phrase formed with ‘는 것.’ It acts as the object of the main verb ‘좋아하다’ (to like). In English, we add ‘-ing‘ to the original verb ‘watch‘ to turn it into a noun. Similarly, in Korean, we do this by adding 는 것! The easiest way to spot this additional verb is by looking for a slightly different verb form, like ‘to watch‘ or ‘watching.
Spending time alone is a must. : 혼자 시간을 보내는 것은 필수예요. (필수: must)
-> ‘혼자 시간을 보내는 것’ (spending time alone) is a noun phrase formed with ‘는 것.’ It acts as the subject of the sentence, while the main verb is ‘is.’ For the additional verb ‘spend,’ we add ‘-ing’ in English. Similarly, in Korean, we use 는 것 to do the same thing!
I don’t like to clean. : 청소하는 것을 싫어해요. (싫어하다: dislike)
-> ‘청소하는 것’ (to clean) is a noun phrase formed with ‘는 것.’ It acts as the object of the main verb ‘싫어하다’ (to dislike). The main verb is ‘dislike,’ and they added ‘to’ to the additional verb ‘clean.’ Similarly, in Korean, we’ll do the same by adding 는 것.
Eating out is not expensive in Korea. : 한국에서 외식하는 것이 안 비싸요. (외식하다: to eat out)
-> ‘외식하는 것’ (eating out) is a noun phrase formed with ‘는 것.’ It acts as the subject of the sentence, while the main verb is ‘is not expensive.’ (In Korean, adjectives are treated as verbs!)
⭐⭐⭐Remember this concept ⭐⭐⭐
‘는 것’ is often shortened to ‘는 거’.
‘는 것은’ is often shortened to ‘는 건.’ < With the subject particle 은>
‘는 것이’ is often shortened to ‘는 게.’ < With the subject particle 이>
‘는 것을’ is often shortened to ‘는 걸.’ < With the object particle 을>
So, the sentence:
(나는) 유튜브를 보는 것을 좋아해요. can be 유튜브 보는 거 좋아해요 or 유튜브 보는 걸 좋아해요.
혼자 시간을 보내는 것은 필수예요. can be 혼자 시간을 보내는 건 필수예요, 혼자 시간을 보내는 게 필수예요. or 혼자 시간을 보내는 거 필수예요.
청소하는 것을 싫어해요. can be 청소하는 거 싫어해요 or 청소하는 걸 싫어해요.
한국에서 외식하는 것이 안 비싸요. can be 한국에서 외식하는 건 안 비싸요. 한국에서 외식하는 게 안 비싸요 or 한국에서 외식하는 거 안 비싸요.
I know this might sound confusing, but don’t worry! Since it’s your first time encountering this grammar, we don’t need to focus on all the different particles and grammar positions. Just stick with ‘는 거,’ as it’s the most commonly used form. When you use ‘는 거,’ no particles are needed. Personally, I use ‘는 거’ all the time, more than the other forms like ‘걸,’ ‘건,’ or ‘게.’ However, it’s important to understand all the options when listening to Korean speakers. I’ll explain all the variations of ‘는 거’ grammar, but when speaking, just using ‘는 거’ is perfectly fine!
😊
More Examples:
Eating is important: 먹는 것은 중요해요.
* Here, we form the “eating” part by using the 는 것 grammar, which turns it into a noun. Since it has become a noun and is the subject of the sentence, we can add subject particles like “은” or “이” after “먹는 것”. The main verb is “to be important(중요하다)”, in Korean, adjectives are treated as verbs.
* Alternatives: 먹는 건 중요해요. / 먹는 게 중요해요. / 먹는 거 중요해요.
Learning Korean is interesting: 한국어 배우는 것은 흥미로워요.
* Here, we form the “learning Korean” part by using the 는 것 grammar, turning it into a noun. Since it has become a noun and is the subject of the sentence, we add the subject particle “은/이” after “한국어 배우는 것”.
* Alternatives: 한국어 배우는 게, 한국어 배우는 건 or 한국어 배우는 거 흥미로워요.
Running is good for health: 달리는 것은 건강에 좋아요.
* Here, we form the “running” part by using the 는 것 grammar, making it a noun. As it is the subject of the sentence, we add the subject particle “은” after “달리는 것”.
* You can also say “건강을 위해서 좋아요”! instead of “건강에 좋아요”. It works in the same way.
* Alternatives: 달리는 게, 달리는 건 or 달리는 거 건강에 좋아요.
Cooking is my hobby: 요리하는 것이 제 취미예요.
* Here, we form the “cooking” part by using the 는 것 grammar, turning it into a noun. Since it has become a noun and is the subject of the sentence, we add the subject particle “이” after “요리하는 것”.
* Alternatives: 요리하는 게, 요리하는 건 or 요리하는 거 제 취미예요.
Here are where 는 것 is used as the object of the sentence:
She likes to watch dramas: 그 여자는 드라마 보는 것을 좋아해요.
* Here, we form the “watching” part by adding 는 것 to the verb (보다). “드라마 보는 것” (watching dramas) is the object of the sentence, so we can add “을/를” particle after “는 것”grammar.
* Alternatives: 드라마 보는 걸 or 드라마 보는 거 좋아해요.
We hate to clean the house: 우리는 집 청소하는 것을 싫어해요.
* Here, we form the “to clean” part by adding 는 것 to the verb (청소하다). “청소하는 것” (to clean) is the object of the sentence, so we can add “을/를” particle after “는 것”grammar.
* Alternatives: 청소하는 걸 or 청소하는 거 싫어해요.
He prefers running in the morning: 그 남자는 아침에 달리는 것을 선호해요.
* Here, we form the “running” part by adding 는 것 to the verb (딜리다). “달리는 것” (running) is the object of the sentence, so we can add “을/를” particle after “는 것”grammar.
* Alternatives: 달리는 걸 or 달리는 거 선호해요.
We are considering adopting a pet: 우리는 애완동물 입양하는 것을 생각하고 있어요.
* Here, we form the “adopting” part by adding 는 것 to the verb (입양하다). “입양하는 것” (adopting) is the object of the sentence, so we can add “을/를” particle after “는 것”grammar.
* The main verb here is ‘are considering.’ Don’t get confused by the -ing form; it’s simply the present continuous tense. ‘Are considering’ can be expressed as ‘생각하고 있어요‘ in Korean (‘생각하다’ means ‘to consider’ or ‘to think’). ‘생각하는 중 이에요’ is also correct!
* Alternatives: 입양하는 걸 or 입양하는 거
I’ll help you do your Korean homework: 너가 한국어 숙제 하는 것을 도와줄게요.
* Here, we form the “do (homework)” part by adding 는 것 to the verb (숙제 하다). “숙제하는 것” (do homework) is the object of the sentence, so we can add “을/를” particle after “는 것”grammar.
* Alternatives: 숙제 하는 걸 or 숙제 하는 거
⭐⭐⭐Remember this concept ⭐⭐⭐
When using the ‘-는 거’ grammar with additional subjects, we only use the “이/가” particle for the additional subject.
The general order when there are two subjects is:
Main subject – Second subject – (Other things) – Second verb – Main verb.
Sounds quite confusing, right? Let’s take a look at examples:
I’m watching my dogs running.
We will use the ‘-는 거’ grammar to express “running,” which becomes “달리는 거” (달리다: to run).
The main subject of this sentence is “I“, which can be expressed as 나는/너는/저는/제가!
Here’s the thing: “my dogs” is also a subject in this sentence. We actually have two sentences combined: “I watch” and “my dogs run.” And for the additional subject, we must use the particles “이/가.” So, after “my dogs” (우리 강아지), we use “가.” Using “는” here would be incorrect.
So the complete sentence will be: 나는 우리 강아지가 달리는 거 보고 있어요.
Here’s more examples:
Tom will help my friend (to) move.
We will use the ‘-는 거’ grammar to express “(to) move,” which becomes “이사하는 거” (이사하다: to move).
The main subject of this sentence is “Tom”, which can be expressed as 톰은 or 톰이!
‘My friend’ is an additional subject in this sentence, so we use the particle ‘이/가’ for the additional subject. Therefore, after ‘my friend’ (내 친구), we use ‘가.’ Using ‘는’ here would be incorrect.
So the complete sentence will be: 톰이/은 내 친구가 이사하는 거 도와 줄 거예요.
My mom saw you eating at a restaurant last night.
We will use the ‘-는 거’ grammar to express “eating,” which becomes “먹는 거”
The main subject of this sentence is “My mom”, which can be expressed as 우리 엄마가 or 우리 엄마는
‘You’ is an additional subject in this sentence, so we use the particle ‘이/가’ for the additional subject.
Therefore, after ‘you’ (너), we use ‘가.’ Using ‘는’ here would be incorrect.
So the complete sentence will be: 우리 엄마가/는 너가 어젯밤에 식당에서 밥 먹는 거 봤어요.
I saw my teacher sleeping in the classroom.
We will use the ‘-는 거’ grammar to express “sleeping,” which becomes “자는 거”
The main subject of this sentence is “I”, which can be expressed as 나는/너는/저는/제가!
‘my teacher’ is an additional subject in this sentence, so we use the particle ‘이/가’ for the additional subject.
Therefore, after ‘teacher’ (선생님), we use ‘이.’ Using ‘은’ here would be incorrect.
So the complete sentence will be: 나는 우리 선생님이 교실에서 자는 거 봤어요.
We can apply this grammar to adjectives as well!
How to Form “는 것” with adjectives
If the adjective ends in a vowel : add ㄴ + 것.
If the adjective ends in a batchim (final consonant) : add 은 + 것.
■ 짜다 (to be salty) → 짠 것 (something salty)
■ 작다 (to be small) → 작은 것 (something small)
■ 달다 (to be sweet) → 단 것 (something sweet)
■ 크다 (to be big) → 큰 것 (something big)
■ 많다 (to be a lot) → 많은 것(many things)
The word “것” literally means “thing.” We can use it to talk about “something” or “things” when describing them with adjectives. For example, to say “something salty” or “a salty thing,” we use the adjective 짜다 (salty), attach the ending 은 (since it ends in a vowel), and combine it with 것, forming “짠 것”.
For instance, to say “I don’t like anything salty,” you would say: 짠 거 싫어해요.
* When using adjectives, it’s more common to use “거” instead of “것”. I’ll stick with “거” as well, but using “것” is also fine!
When the adjective ends in a consonant (batchim), we add 은. For example, with 작다 (to be small), we add 은 since it ends in a batchim, forming 작은 거. This means “something small” or “small things.”
We can use “거” with adjectives to express something in a general sense as well. For example, to say “I don’t like the cold,” we use the 는 거 structure to refer to anything cold, such as cold weather.
To do this, we combine the adjective 춥다 (cold) with the ending ㄴ and 거.
Since 춥다 (cold) is a ㅂ-irregular verb, the ㅂ changes to 우 when adding endings. So, 춥다 becomes 추운 거 by following this process: 춥다 → 추워요 → 추우 + ㄴ → 추운, forming 추운 거.
So, 추운 거 싫어요 means “I don’t like cold things” in general.
Here’s more examples :
– 다음 달에는 더 많은 거 하고 싶어요.
Next month, I want to do more things.
* 많은 것을 (or 많은 걸) are also possible.
– 나는 더운 거 싫어해요. 추운 게 나아요.
I don’t like the heat. I prefer the cold.
* 더운 것을 (or 더운 걸) and 추운 거 are both possible.
However, 추운 건 is not used, since 나아요 (to be better) always requires the 이/가 particle.
– 내 생일에는 예쁜 거 받고 싶어요.
I want to receive something pretty for my birthday.
* 예쁜 것을 (or 예쁜 걸) are also possible.
– 더 작은 거로 주세요. 큰 거는 필요 없어요.
Please give me a smaller one. I don’t need the big one.
* 작은 것을 (or 작은 걸) are also possible.
– 짠 거 너무 많이 먹으면 몸에 안 좋아요.
Eating too many salty things is bad for your health.
* 짠 것을 (or 짠 걸) are also possible.
For Adjectives Ending in 있다/없다, we will add 는 거 instead! Since 있다, 없다 are verbs!
재밌다 (fun), 재미없다(not fun), 맛없다(not delicious) 맛있다 (delicious)
재밌는 거 = something fun
재미없는 거 = something boring
맛있는 거 = something delicious
맛없는 거 = something tasteless.
Examples:
재미 없는 거 하고 싶지 않아
I don’t want to do anything boring
맛있는 거 먹으러 가자!
Let’s go eat something delicious!
The concept of ‘는 것’ isn’t that hard, but you might get confused when you actually encounter sentences in English.
So, I’ll give you some examples below, and we can practice making sentences together.
Today, there will be a Part 1 and a Part 2. We’ll start with something easier in Part 1, and then move on to a bit harder examples in Part 2
Don’t skip the practice part; it is the most crucial step in learning Korean with me. The more sentences you make, the easier it will be for you to put words together and speak fluently.
😊
Part 2,
Practice making sentences #1
1. I like to read mystery and comedy books.
(mystery: 미스테리 / comedy: 코메디)
2. Taking a break is sometimes necessary (casually!)
(take a break: 휴식을 취하다 / sometimes: 가끔 / be necessary: 필요하다(to need))
3. I don’t like eating vegetables.
(dislike: 싫어하다 or 싫어요 / vegetables: 야채)
4. My goal is to be fluent in Korean within 2 years.
(goal: 목표 / to be fluent: 유창해지다 / within: 안에)
5. It’s not healthy to eat a lot of sugar and salt. (casually!)
(healthy: 건강하다 / a lot of: 많이 / sugar: 설탕 / salt: 소금)
6. My dream is to go to Korea and meet Sol teacher.
(dream: 꿈 / meet: 만나다 / teacher: 선생님)
7. Studying Korean is fun, but it’s hard sometimes.
(fun: 재밌다 / hard: 어렵다 / sometimes: 가끔)
8. Exercising regularly is important. (casually!)
(Exercise: 운동하다 / regularly: 규칙적으로 / important: 중요하다)
9. Eating a lot of vegetables is good for your health.
(vegetables: 야채 / health: 건강)
10. It’s dangerous to go out alone at night.
(dangerous: 위험하다 / go out: 나가다 / alone: 혼자 / night: 밤)
Thy these on your own first, before checking the answers!
These are the answers:
1. I like to read mystery and comedy books.
(mystery: 미스테리 / comedy: 코메디)
미스테리랑 코메디 책(을) 읽는 거 좋아해요.
* “Here, we are going to use the ‘는 거’ grammar for the verb ‘to read.’ Since the main verb is ‘like,’ ‘to read’ (읽다) becomes 읽는 거.
* You can use 하고 or 와 instead of 랑 as well!
* We can add ‘을’ after ‘는 것,’ like in ‘책 읽는 것을 좋아해요.’ It can also change to ‘걸!’
2. Taking a break is sometimes necessary. (casually!)
(take a break: 휴식을 취하다 / sometimes: 가끔 / be necessary: 필요하다(to need))
가끔 휴식을 취하는 건 필요해.
* “Here, we are going to use the ‘는 거’ grammar for the verb ‘Taking.’ Since the main verb is ‘is,’ ‘Taking’ (취하다) becomes 취하는 거.
* ‘Taking a break’ is the subject of the sentence, so we can add ‘것은’ or ‘것이.’
휴식을 취하는 것은 becomes 건, and 휴식을 취하는 것이 becomes 게.
Or simply, 휴식을 취하는 거 – all of them work!
* You can change the word order freely, but it usually goes from broader concepts to more specific ones—like time, location, and then other details. As long as the main verb stays at the end, the order can be flexible!
3. I don’t like eating vegetables.
(dislike: 싫어하다 or 싫어요 / vegetables: 야채)
야채 먹는 거 싫어해요.
* Here, the additional verb is “eating!”, we will use 는 것 grammar for 먹다(to eat), becoming 먹는 거.
* We can add ‘을’ after the ‘는 것’ grammar, since it’s the object of the verb ‘don’t like.’ For example: 야채 먹는 것을 싫어해요, 야채 먹는 걸 싫어해요, or 야채 먹는 거 싫어해요. All of them work!
* 싫어요 is also commonly used. The only difference is that you can’t use ‘싫어요’ when the subject is a third person (he, she, etc.). 싫어요, 싫어해요 also mean “don’t want to”!
4. My goal is to be fluent in Korean within 2 years.
(goal: 목표 / to be fluent: 유창해지다 / within: 안에)
내 목표가/는 2년안에 한국어 유창해지는 거예요.
* Here, the main verb is “is”, and “to be fluent” is the additional verb/adjective (in Korean we treat adjectives just like verbs!) so, we will use 는 것 grammar for 유창해지다(to be fluent,) becoming 유창해지는 거.
* 유창해지는 것이에요 also works!.
* ‘To be fluent’ is neither an object nor a subject (it’s a complement). I know there are a lot of grammar terms involved. When you first learn this grammar, we’ll just use ‘는 거’ to keep it simple. You don’t need to worry about different particles and grammar positions at the start!
5. It’s not healthy to eat a lot of sugar and salt. (casually!)
(healthy: 건강하다 / a lot of: 많이 / sugar: 설탕 / salt: 소금)
소금이랑 설탕(을) 많이 먹는 거 안 건강해.
* Here, the main verb is ‘is’ (as in ‘be healthy’). We’ll use the ‘는 것’ grammar for the additional verb ‘to eat’ (먹다), so it becomes 먹는 것.
* You can use 하고, 과 instead of 이랑 as well.!
* We can change the order of this sentence, like ‘Eating a lot of sugar is not healthy.’ In this case, ‘eating a lot of sugar’ is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, we can use ‘것은’ or ‘것이,’ which can also become ‘건’ or ‘게.’ However, it’s perfectly fine to just use ‘는 거’—it sounds totally natural!
6. My dream is to go to Korea and meet Sol teacher.
(dream: 꿈 / meet: 만나다 / teacher: 선생님)
내 꿈은/이 한국에 가서 솔 선생님(을) 만나는 거예요.
* Here, the main verb is “is”, and “to go” is the additional verb. So, we will use 는 것 grammar for 가다(to go,) becoming 가는 거.
* 만나는 것이에요 also works!.
* The ‘To go to Korea’ part is neither an object nor a subject (it’s a complement). So particles like 은/이/을 are not needed. We’ll just use ‘는 거’ to keep it simple!!
* Using “가서” sounds better than “가고,” since there’s an intrinsic connection between the two sentences.
7. Studying Korean is fun, but it’s hard sometimes.
(fun: 재밌다 / hard: 어렵다 / sometimes: 가끔)
한국어 공부하는 거 재밌는데, 가끔(은) 어려워요.
* The main verb here is “is (fun),” and “studying” is the additional verb. So, we use the 는 것 grammar for 공부하다 (to study), which becomes 공부하는 거.
* Don’t get confused! You might wonder about “is hard,” but since it comes after “but,” it’s part of a separate sentence.
* Both 한국어 공부하는 건 and 한국어 공부하는 게 are also correct.
* We use -는데 to connect two sentences meaning “but.” -지만 is also available (it gives a bit more emphasis on “but”), like in 재밌지만. If you’re unsure about how to use -는데, check here!
* You can use the particle 은/는 after a time expression to emphasize the frequency. It’s a very common usage of the particle 은/는!
8. Exercising regularly is important. (casually!)
(Exercise: 운동하다 / regularly: 규칙적으로 / important: 중요하다)
규칙적으로 운동하는 건 중요해.
* The main verb here is “is (important),” and “Exercising” is the additional verb. So, we use the 는 것 grammar for 운동하다 (to exercise), which becomes 운동하는 거.
* 운동하는 게/ 운동하는 거 are also correct!
9. Eating a lot of vegetables is good for your health.
(vegetables: 야채 / health: 건강)
야채(를) 많이 먹는 게 건강에 좋아요.
* The main verb here is “is (good),” and “Eating” is the additional verb. So, we use the 는 것 grammar for 먹다 (to eat), which becomes 먹는 거.
* 먹는 거, 먹는 건 are also correct!
* To say ‘good for your health,’ you can also use: 건강을 위해(서) 좋아요. Using 위해 adds more emphasis on ‘for.’ If you’re unsure about this grammar, check here!
10. It’s dangerous to go out alone at night.
(dangerous: 위험하다 / go out: 나가다 / alone: 혼자 / night: 밤)
밤에 혼자 나가는 건 위험해요.
* The main verb here is “is (dangerous),” and “to go out” is the additional verb. So, we use the 는 것 grammar for 나가다 (to go out), which becomes 나가는 거.
* 나가는 거, 나가는 건 are also correct!
* You can change the order! 혼자, 밤에 can be rearranged depending on what you want to emphasize.
Practice making sentences #2
1. I’m good at eating spicy food(general spicy stuff, thing).
(spicy: 맵다 / be good at eating: 잘 먹다)
2. Let’s watch something interesting, not something weird. (casually!)
(interesting: 흥미롭다 / not: 말고 / weird: 이상하다)
3. I’m watching my kids swimming in the ocean.
(kids: 아이들 / swim: 수영하다 / ocean: 바다)
4. I saw you studying at a cafe with your friend last week. (casually!)
(last week: 지난주)
5. Yesterday, I saw my boss at the movie theater with his wife.
-> Literally, I saw my boss at the movie theater to be with his wife.
(boss: 상사 / movie theater: 영화관 / wife: 와이프, 아내)
6. Tonight, I’m going to help my younger brother with his homework (to do his homework).
(tonight: 오늘 밤 / younger brother: 남동생/ help: 도와주다 / homework: 숙제(하다))
7. I’m not a morning person, so waking up early in the morning is difficult.
(morning person: 아침형 인간 / to wake up : 일어나다 / early: 일찍 / difficult: 힘들다)
8. I can’t hang out tonight. I have to help my uncle move.
(hang out: 놀다 / tonight: 오늘 밤 / help: 도와주다 / uncle: 삼촌/ move: 이사하다)
9. It’s not common to see kids in Korea these days since people don’t want to have a kid anymore
(common: 흔하다 / kid(s): 아이(들)/ these days: 요새 / have: 가지다/ anymore: 더 이상)
10. Making money is important, but you can’t buy happiness with it.(money).
(Make money: 돈(을) 벌다 / important: 중요하다 / buy: 사다 / happiness: 행복/ with = using (으로 grammar))
11. My dad always buys the cheapest thing at the supermarket.
(always: 항상 / most: 가장 / cheap: 싸다 / supermarket: 마트)
12. My bucket list is going to Korea, eating lots of delicious food, and making Korean friends.
(bucket list: 버킷리스트)
Thy these on your own first, before checking the answers!
These are the answers:
1. I’m good at eating spicy food(general spicy stuff, thing).
(spicy: 맵다 / be good at eating: 잘 먹다)
매운 거 잘 먹어요.
* “맵다” (to be spicy) is a ㅂ-irregular verb, so it changes like this: 맵다 → 매워요 → 매운 + 거, resulting in 매운 거.
* To say “spicy food,” you can use 매운 음식, but 매운 거 is just as commonly used. Personally, I use 매운 거 to refer to spicy food.
* If you want to say you’re not good at handling spicy food, you can say: 못 먹어요! 매운 거 못 먹어요 (I can’t eat spicy food).
*매운 것을, 매운 걸 are also possible!
2. Let’s watch something interesting, not something weird. (casually!)
(interesting: 흥미롭다 / not: 말고 / weird: 이상하다)
이상한 거 말고 흥미로운 거 보자.
* “Something strange” is formed by adding ㄴ to 이상하다, becoming 이상한 거 (something strange).
“Something interesting” follows the ㅂ-irregular rule: 흥미롭다 → 흥미로우 → 흥미로운!
* To express “Let’s~”, you can use the -자 ending. Simply drop the -다 and add -자!
* To express “not” in this context, you can use 말고:
“Not you, him”: 너 말고 그 남자
“Not studying, let’s do something else”: 공부 말고 다른 거 하자 (다르다 + 는 거 grammar).
🧡Extra🧡
“Don’t” (Imperative) : -지마! (add -지 마 directly to the verb stem.)
Don’t study: 공부하지마
Don’t eat: 먹지마
Don’t do eat: 하지마
This form is casual. To make it polite, simply add -요:
Don’t eat: 먹지 마요
Don’t study: 공부하지 마요
“Let’s Not” (Suggestion): -지 말자, which combines -지 마 (don’t) with -자 (let’s).
Let’s not go : 가지 말자
Let’s not study: 공부하지 말자
Let’s not sleep: 자지 말자
For a more polite tone, use -지 맙시다 instead:
Let’s not go: 가지 맙시다
Let’s not study: 공부하지 맙시다
Let’s not sleep: 자지 맙시다
🧡Summary Chart🧡
| Expression | Casual | Polite |
|---|---|---|
| Don’t study | 공부하지 마 | 공부하지 마요 |
| Don’t eat | 먹지 마 | 먹지 마요 |
| Let’s not study | 공부하지 말자 | 공부하지 맙시다 |
| Let’s not go | 가지 말자 | 가지 맙시다 |
