Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 6 - Upper-Intermediate Korean #1 (Lessons 151 to 180) ᚛ Lesson 157 - To end up, to come to in Korean [-게 되다]
To end up, to come to in Korean [-게 되다]
In the previous chapter, we saw that the -게 structure allows us to express the idea that an action takes place so that another action is carried out. By combining this concept with the verb 되다, we then get the idea that an action happened without us having had any real say in the matter.
The -게 되다 structure
The -게 되다 structure combined with an action verb indicates that a situation occurs and that our influence on it is minimal. In English, we could translate this with expressions such as "to end up", "to come to" or any other form showing that a situation happens regardless of our will. It is used in the following manner:
[Stem]게 되다
- 더운데 왜 에어컨을 안 켰어?
- 갑자기 에어컨이 고장나서 못 쓰게 됐어요.
→ - It’s hot, why didn’t you turn on the air conditioning?
- The air conditioner suddenly broke down, so I ended up not being able to use it (and there is nothing I can do about it).
이번에 한국에 가게 되면 꼭 풍경 사진을 많이 찍어서 보내 줄게요.
→ If I do end up going to Korea this time, I will be sure to take lots of pictures of the scenery and send them to you.
이번에 콘서트 열리게 되면 대신 예매해 줄 수 있어?
→ If the concert does end up taking place this time, can you book a ticket for me?
그들은 매번 똑같은 일로 싸우게 되면서 더 이상 그 일에 대해서 말을 안 하게 됐습니다.
→ As they came to fight over the same thing every time, they ended up no longer talking about it.
친구들이 다들 결혼하게 되면서 윤미는 빨리 시집을 가야겠다고 생각하게 됐다.
→ As all her friends ended up getting married, Yoonmi came to think that she should get married soon.
혹시 어떤 사유로 이직을 결정하게 된 건지 말해 줄 수 있어요?
→ Could you tell me what reasons led you to decide to change jobs?
Humility with -게 되다
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