Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 4 - Intermediate Korean #1 (Lessons 91 to 120) ᚛ Lesson 92 - Nominalization of Korean verbs #2 [-는 것]
Nominalization of Korean verbs #2 [-는 것]
In the previous lesson, we saw how to nominalize a verb with the -기 form. In this lesson, let’s see how to nominalize using the -는 것 structure.
Nominalization with -는 것
We have already seen the little word 것 in the lesson on demonstrative adjectives in Korean. It designates "a thing", in a general way. The -는 것 structure, in the same way as -기, allows us to nominalize action verbs in the following manner:
[Present adjectival form 는] 것
- 수영하다 (= to swim) → 수영하는 것 (= swimming, the act of swimming)
- 먹다 (= to eat) → 먹는 것 (= eating, the act of eating)
- 읽다 (= to read) → 읽는 것 (= reading, the act of reading)
Moreover, as a reminder, 것 is a word that is very often shortened when speaking:
- Without a particle, 것 becomes 거
- With the topic particle, 것은 becomes 건
- With the object particle, 것을 becomes 걸
- With the subject particle, 것이 becomes 게
한국어를 연습하는 것이 중요해요.
→ Practicing your Korean is important.
너는 책을 읽는 것을 좋아해?
→ Do you like reading books?
거짓말하는 건 큰 죄예요.
→ Lying is a great sin.
티비를 가까이에서 보는 것은 눈에 안 좋습니다.
→ Watching TV up close is not good for your eyes.
뛰는 것보다 걷는 게 더 좋아.
→ Walking is better than running.
꾸준히 운동하는 것은 힘들어요.
→ Exercising regularly is hard.
제가 성공하는 것은 부모님의 헌신 덕분입니다.
→ My success is thanks to my parents’ dedication. (Lit: The fact that I succeed is thanks to my parents’ dedication.)
When to use -기 or -는 것?
Learn more
Summary table of structure
Learn more
Exercises
Learn more
Traveling to South Korea can be an unforgettable experience. But when you don’t speak Korean, everything gets more complicated: ordering in a restaurant or café becomes stressful, you can’t understand signs or directions, asking for help in case of trouble is nearly impossible, and most importantly, you miss out on the very essence of a successful trip to Korea: connecting with the locals.
Since English - Korean machine translators can’t always be trusted (the two languages work in completely different ways), it’s essential to prepare yourself in advance to fully enjoy your trip to South Korea!
Learn more