안녕하세요! In the previous lesson, I demonstrated how you can describe a noun directly with an adjective. The fascinating point is that you can also describe a noun like an adjective by using a verb! In today's lesson, I will teach you how to describe a noun directly using Korean verbs.
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1. 는 Grammar
는 is attached to a verb stem and makes it into the transformative ending. This ending can come in front of a noun and describe that noun. It shows an action that happens now. In other words, it is the present tense noun modifier.
Also, just like preset tense in English, you can also express general fact or state with the present tense modifier 는 as well.
좋아하다 is a verb meaning "to like." This verb is attached with 는 and became a noun modifier! It can come in front of the noun to describe that noun. This modifier and noun will be used as a part of a sentence.
좋아하는 음식이 뭐예요? What is the food you like?
제가 좋아하는 음식은 김밥이에요. The food I like is gimbap.
좋아하는 음식을 사 줄게요. I'll buy the food you like.
2. Conjugation Information
Good news! This rule is pretty easy! No matter if it has the final consonant or not, you'll attach 는.
Also, you don't have to worry about irregular rules. There is only one case in which you have to pay extra attention. When a final consonant is ㄹ, it should be removed first before adding ㄴ as the new final consonant.
받침 Final Consonants | (느)ㄴ | 예시 example |
받침 O | 는 | 먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 |
받침 X | 는 | 가다 (to go) → 가는 |
ㄹ 받침 | Erase ㄹ + ㄴ | 놀다 (to play) → 노는 |
입다 (to wear) → 입는
읽다 (to read) → 읽는
웃다 (to laugh) → 웃는
닫다 (to close) → 닫는
듣다 (to listen) → 듣는
잇다 (to connect) → 잇는
돕다 (to help) → 돕는
쓰다 (to write/use) → 쓰는
공부하다 (to study) → 공부하는
오다 (to come) → 오는
펴다 (to open -book) → 펴는
부르다 (to call) → 부르는
만들다 (to make) → 만드는
알다 (to know) → 아는
열다 (to open - door) → 여는
팔다 (to sell) → 파는
I showed you about 있다 and 없다 in an adjective version of a noun modifier. 있다 can be both a verb and an adjective. 없다 is an adjective. However, you have to attach "는" not "은" like a verb. Also, compound words that end with 있다 or 없다 will follow the same rules.
있다 | 있는 | 재미있다 (to have fun) → 재미있는 |
없다 | 없는 | 재미없다 (to not have fun) → 재미없는 |
3. Examples
It was pretty easy, right? Let's take a look at some examples.
1
저기 운동하는 사람이 제 친구예요.
The person who exercises over there is my friend.
저기-over there, 제-저(I) + possessive marker 의-my
운동하다 (to exercise) is used to describe 사람(person).
2
책을 읽는 것은 좋은 취미예요.
Reading books is a good hobby.
읽다 (to read) is modifying 것(thing). I prepared a separate lesson for 는 것, If you want to check it out, please click here.
3
지금 유미 씨가 부르는 노래는 BTS 노래예요.
The song Yumi is singing now is the song of BTS.
부르다 (to sing/to call out) describes 노래(song) now.
4
민지 씨가 먹고 있는 음식이 맛있어 보여요.
The food that Minji is eating looks tasty.
I combined 먹다 (to eat) with the progressive form 고 있다. Then, I attached the present tense modifier 는. Even though 있다 is an adjective, technically, we attach 는.
5
친구가 다니는 학교가 저기 있어요.
The school my friend attends is over there.
다니다 means to attend, commute, drop in, or go somewhere continuously. When you go and come on a regular basis to an institution like school or workplace, you can say 다니다.
4. Wrap-up & Worksheet
Let's review 는 grammar! Here is a quick summary!
You can directly describe a noun using a verb in Korean.
To do so, you have to attach 는 to a verb stem.
Only ㄹ words: Change ㄹ to ㄴ.
To assess your comprehension, please complete the worksheet I have provided, which is free and printable. The answers can be found within the lesson. Therefore, after finishing the worksheet, return to the lesson and review to verify your answers.
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