KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean grammar › -는 것 (명사형)
Korean Grammar “-는 것 (명사형)”: How to Use It (TOPIK 2)
How to attach it
Attach the pattern to the verb stem, which is the dictionary form without 다. Compare how each verb below changes depending on its last sound.
| Dictionary form | Meaning | With this pattern | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보다 | to see, to watch | 보는 것 | boneun geot |
| 읽다 | to read | 읽는 것 | ingneun geot |
| 하다 | to do | 하는 것 | haneun geot |
| 살다 | to live | 사는 것 | saneun geot |
What changes
- For verbs, -는 attaches directly to the stem (읽 → 읽는). A stem ending in ㄹ drops the ㄹ first (살 → 사는).
Explanation
저는 노래를 부르는 것을 좋아해요.
Adding “-는 것” to a verb stem turns it into a noun phrase, “the act of ~ing.” The sentence means “I like singing.” Connecting endings such as -고, -(으)면, or -아/어서 cannot be used before 것 in this way.
Pronouncing the example sentence
Example sentence: 저는 노래를 부르는 것을 좋아해요.
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 | ||
| 저 | ㅈ+ㅓ | jeo |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 노래를 | ||
| 노 | ㄴ+ㅗ | no |
| 래 | ㄹ+ㅐ | rae |
| 를 | ㄹ+ㅡ+ㄹ | reul |
| 부르는 | ||
| 부 | ㅂ+ㅜ | bu |
| 르 | ㄹ+ㅡ | reu |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 것을 | ||
| 것 | ㄱ+ㅓ+ㅅ | [거] geo |
| 을 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄹ | [슬] seul |
| 좋아해요 | ||
| 좋 | ㅈ+ㅗ+ㅎ | [조] jo |
| 아 | ㅇ+ㅏ | a |
| 해 | ㅎ+ㅐ | hae |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 것을 → [거슬]
- Silent ㅎ: a final ㅎ (including the ㅎ inside ㄶ and ㅀ) is not pronounced before a vowel. 좋아 → [조아]
Politeness level of the example
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in the example sentence
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 노래 | noun | song | TOPIK level 1 |
| 좋다 | adjective | good, nice | TOPIK level 1 |
Practice
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 Choose the word that fits the blank: 저는 노래를 부르____ 것을 좋아해요.
Show the answer
Answer: 저는 노래를 부르는 것을 좋아해요.
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