In Korean, the expression ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ is commonly used to express uncertainty or opinions. Whether you’re trying to guess something, give a suggestion, or share your thoughts, this grammar structure helps you sound more natural in everyday conversations. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ correctly and effectively, so you can express yourself with confidence in any situation.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ is a grammar structure used to express a guess, assumption, or the impression of the speaker. It can be translated as “It seems,” “I think,” or “It looks like” in English, depending on the context.
2. Form (Structure)
The structure of ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ changes depending on the type of word (verb, adjective, or noun) and whether the word stem ends with a consonant or a vowel. Additionally, verbs have different forms for present and past tense. Below is a detailed explanation:
- For Verbs:
- Present Tense: Use ‘-는 것 같다’ regardless of whether the verb stem ends in a consonant or a vowel.
Examples:
먹다 + ‘-는 것 같다’ → 먹는 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is eating)
가다 + ‘-는 것 같다’ → 가는 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is going) - Past Tense:
- For verb stems ending in a consonant, use ‘-은 것 같다’
- For verb stems ending in a vowel, use ‘-ㄴ 것 같다’
Examples:
먹다 + ‘-은 것 같다’ → 먹은 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) ate)
가다 + ‘-ㄴ 것 같다’ → 간 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) went)
- Present Tense: Use ‘-는 것 같다’ regardless of whether the verb stem ends in a consonant or a vowel.
- For Adjectives:
- For adjective stems ending in a consonant, use ‘-은 것 같다’
- For adjective stems ending in a vowel, use ‘-ㄴ 것 같다’
Examples:
많다 + ‘-은 것 같다’ → 많은 것 같아요 (It seems like there is a lot)
크다 + ‘-ㄴ 것 같다’ → 큰 것 같다 (It seems big) - Special Case: If the adjective stem ends with ‘ㄹ,’ the ‘ㄹ’ is dropped, and ‘-ㄴ 것 같다’ is used.
Example:
멀다 → 먼 것 같아요 (It seems far)
- For Nouns:
- Nouns are followed by ‘-인 것 같다,’ regardless of whether they end in a consonant or a vowel.
Example:
학생 + ‘-인 것 같다’ → 학생인 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is a student)
의사 + ‘-인 것 같다’ → 의사인 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is a doctor)
외국인 + ‘-인 것 같다’ → 외국인인 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is a foreigner)
- Nouns are followed by ‘-인 것 같다,’ regardless of whether they end in a consonant or a vowel.
Below is a table summarizing these rules for clarity:
| Word Type | Present Tense | Example | Past Tense | Example |
| Verb (Consonant Ending) | -는 것 같다 | 먹는 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is eating) | -은 것 같다 | 먹은 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) ate) |
| Verb (Vowel Ending) | -는 것 같다 | 가는 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is going) | -ㄴ 것 같다 | 간 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) went) |
| Adjective (Consonant Ending) | -은 것 같다 | 작은 것 같아요 (It seems small) | N/A | N/A |
| Adjective (Vowel Ending) | -ㄴ 것 같다 | 큰 것 같아요 (It seems big) | N/A | N/A |
| Noun | -인 것 같다 | 학생인 것 같아요 (It seems like (someone) is a student) | N/A | N/A |
3. Meaning & Usage
The expression ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ is commonly used in Korean to express uncertainty, opinions, or assumptions based on observation. It can be applied to verbs, adjectives, and nouns depending on the context. Below are its primary uses with example sentences.
1. Expressing Uncertainty or Assumptions
This structure is used when the speaker is not completely certain but is making an educated guess.
- 밖에 비가 오는 것 같아요. (It seems like it’s raining outside.)
- 그는 아직 집에 있는 것 같아요. (It looks like he is still at home.)
- 어제 먹은 음식이 상한 것 같아요. (I think the food I ate yesterday was spoiled.)
- 저 사람은 선생님인 것 같아요. (That person seems to be a teacher.)
- 오늘 날씨가 좀 추운 것 같아요. (It feels like the weather is a bit cold today.)
2. Expressing Personal Opinions
‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ can also be used to share subjective opinions politely.
- 이 영화는 재미있는 것 같아요. (I think this movie is interesting.)
- 저 가방이 비싼 것 같아요. (That bag looks expensive.)
- 한국어는 배우기 쉬운 것 같아요. (I think learning Korean is easy.)
- 이 음식은 너무 짠 것 같아요. (This food seems too salty.)
- 그는 정말 친절한 사람인 것 같아요. (He seems like a really kind person.)
3. Making Soft Suggestions
It is often used to indirectly suggest something or express a mild opinion.
- 빨리 출발하는 것이 좋은 것 같아요. (I think it’s better to leave early.)
- 이 길로 가는 것이 더 빠른 것 같아요. (It seems faster to go this way.)
- 지금 쉬는 것이 좋을 것 같아요. (I think it’s good to rest now.)
- 그 책을 읽어 보는 것이 재미있을 것 같아요. (I think reading that book would be interesting.)
- 다른 곳에서 만나는 것이 나을 것 같아요. (It might be better to meet somewhere else.)
4. Describing Past Events with Some Uncertainty
When talking about past situations with some level of uncertainty, ‘-ㄴ/은 것 같다’ is used.
- 친구가 나를 오해한 것 같아요. (It seems like my friend misunderstood me.)
- 그때 내가 실수한 것 같아요. (I think I made a mistake back then.)
- 어제 만난 사람이 유명한 배우인 것 같아요. (I think the person I met yesterday was a famous actor.)
- 우리가 길을 잘못 든 것 같아요. (It looks like we took the wrong road.)
5. Guessing Someone’s Feelings or Thoughts
It can be used when assuming how someone else might be feeling.
- 그는 지금 많이 화난 것 같아요. (He seems really angry right now.)
- 엄마가 조금 걱정하는 것 같아요. (Mom seems a little worried.)
- 친구가 요즘 스트레스를 많이 받는 것 같아요. (I think my friend is under a lot of stress these days.)
- 그녀는 오늘 기분이 좋은 것 같아요. (She looks happy today.)
- 아이들이 벌써 지친 것 같아요. (The kids seem already exhausted.)
This grammar pattern helps make statements sound softer and more natural in conversation, allowing speakers to express thoughts politely and with some uncertainty.
4. Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ is used to express uncertainty, assumptions, opinions, or suggestions.
- Present tense verbs use ‘-는 것 같다’
- Past tense verbs use ‘-ㄴ/은 것 같다’
- Adjectives use ‘-ㄴ/은 것 같다’
- Nouns use ‘-인 것 같다’
- It softens statements, making them sound more polite and indirect.
- It can be used in both objective observations and subjective opinions.
- When used with past events, it conveys some level of uncertainty (e.g., 어제 실수한 것 같아요 – “I think I made a mistake yesterday”).
- This structure is commonly used in everyday conversations to make guesses or express tentative thoughts.
5. Practice Exercises
- 그 사람은 지금 (바쁘다) __________.
(It seems like that person is busy now.) - 밖에서 누군가 (노래하다) __________.
(It seems like someone is singing outside.) - 어제 (비가 오다) __________.
(It seemed like it rained yesterday.) - 이 음식은 조금 (짜다) __________.
(This food seems a bit salty.) - 그 영화는 정말 (재미있다) __________.
(It seemed like that movie was really interesting.) - 내일 (날씨가 좋다) __________.
(It seems like the weather will be nice tomorrow.) - 친구가 어제 (집에 있다) __________.
(It seemed like my friend was at home yesterday.) - 그는 미래에 (선생님이다) __________.
(It seems like he will be a teacher in the future.) - 저 사람이 예전에 (가수였다) __________.
(It seemed like that person was a singer before.) - 나는 다음 주에 (바쁘다) __________.
(It seems like I will be busy next week.)
6. Answers
- 바쁜 것 같아요
- 노래하는 것 같아요
- 비가 온 것 같아요
- 짠 것 같아요
- 재미있었던 것 같아요
- 날씨가 좋을 것 같아요
- 집에 있었던 것 같아요
- 선생님일 것 같아요
- 가수였던 것 같아요
- 바쁠 것 같아요
7. Mistakes and Tips
When using the ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ structure, it’s essential to avoid common mistakes to ensure clear and respectful communication. Here are some tips to help you improve:
⚠️ Consideration 1: Choosing the Appropriate Level of Politeness
Casual: 그 집은 큰 것 같다. (It seems that house is big.)
Polite: 그 집은 큰 것 같아요. (It seems that house is big.)
💡 Tip: Choose the appropriate level of politeness based on your relationship with the listener and the social context. In most situations, especially when speaking to someone you’re not close to or in formal settings, use the polite form ‘-ㄴ/은 것 같아요‘ instead of the casual form ‘-ㄴ/은 것 같다‘. This ensures respect and appropriateness in your communication.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Mixing Tense Usage
Incorrect: 그 사람이 내일 갔을 것 같아요. ❌ (It seems that person went tomorrow.)
Correct: 그 사람이 내일 갈 것 같아요. ✅ (It seems that person will go tomorrow.)
💡 Tip: Pay attention to the tense you want to use. If it’s a guess about the past, use the past tense form ‘-ㄴ/은 것 같아요‘. If it’s a guess about the future, use the future tense ‘-ㄹ 것 같아요‘.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Incorrect Use with Nouns
Incorrect: 그는 학생 것 같아요. ❌ (He seems student.)
Correct: 그는 학생인 것 같아요. ✅ (He seems to be a student.)
💡 Tip: When using ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ with nouns, always add ‘인’ before ‘것 같아요’ to ensure grammatical correctness.
⚠️ Mistake 4: Confusing ‘-아/어/해하다’ with ‘-아/어요’
Incorrect: 그는 영화를 재미있어요. ❌ (He is interesting the movie.)
Correct: 그는 영화를 재미있어해요. ✅ (He finds the movie interesting.)
💡 Tip: ‘-아/어요’ is a polite ending for verbs and adjectives, while ‘-아/어/해하다‘ is used to describe others’ reactions. Choose the correct form based on the context.
The grammar ‘-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다’ is very useful for making guesses, expressing assumptions, or sharing impressions. It’s an important structure to sound natural when speaking about things you’re not completely sure about. Make sure to practice and remember the correct form for verbs and adjectives!