When learning Korean, it’s important to understand how to express assumptions or guesses naturally. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between the grammar patterns ‘-나 보다’ and ‘-는 것 같다,’ both of which are used to make inferences, but with subtle differences in meaning and usage. Let’s break them down with real-life examples!
Contents
1. Definition
-나 보다: This grammar pattern is used to express a guess or assumption based on indirect evidence or a repeated situation.
Equivalent in English: “It seems like…” / “I guess…” / “Apparently…“
–는 것 같다: This is used more broadly to express a thought, opinion, or assumption based on the speaker’s feeling, observation, or knowledge.
Equivalent in English: “I think…” / “It looks like…” / “It seems like…“
2. Form (Structure)
-나 보다
- verb stem + -나 보다
- adjective stem + -(으)ㄴ가 보다
- noun + 인가 보다
-는 것 같다
- verb stem + -는 것 같다 (present)
- verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (past)
- verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 (future)
- adjective stem + -(으)ㄴ 것 같다
- noun + 인 것 같다
3. Meaning & Usage
1. When guessing based on indirect evidence
- Use ‘-나 보다’
- Often used when something is observed or sensed
Examples:
- 사람들이 다 우산을 쓰고 있어요. 비가 오나 봐요.
(Everyone’s using umbrellas. I guess it’s raining.) - 전화를 안 받는 걸 보니 바쁘나 봐요.
(She’s not answering the phone. I guess she’s busy.) - 표정이 안 좋아요. 기분이 안 좋은가 봐요.
(He doesn’t look happy. I guess he’s in a bad mood.) - 문이 잠겨 있어요. 집에 아무도 없나 봐요.
(The door is locked. I guess no one’s home.) - 계속 기침하네요. 감기에 걸렸나 봐요.
(He keeps coughing. I guess he caught a cold.)
2. When expressing personal opinion, thought, or feeling
- Use ‘-는 것 같다’
- Common in everyday conversation
Examples:
- 이 영화 재미있는 것 같아요.
(I think this movie is interesting.) - 오늘은 날씨가 좋은 것 같아요.
(I think the weather is nice today.) - 그 사람이 어제 온 것 같아요.
(I think he came yesterday.) - 이 음식 매운 것 같아요.
(I think this food is spicy.) - 내일 비가 올 것 같아요.
(I think it will rain tomorrow.)
3. When talking about someone else’s feelings or thoughts (subjective)
- Use ‘-는 것 같다’ for soft, indirect statements
Examples:
- 민지는 피곤한 것 같아요.
(Minji seems tired.) - 아버지는 기분이 좋은 것 같아요.
(Dad seems to be in a good mood.) - 그 친구는 나를 좋아하는 것 같아요.
(I think that friend likes me.) - 민수는 화가 난 것 같아요.
(I think Minsu is angry.) - 이 일은 끝난 것 같아요.
(I think this task is done.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-나 보다’ is used more when you guess based on indirect evidence or repetition.
- ‘-는 것 같다’ is more general and can express personal thoughts, feelings, or observations.
- ‘-나 보다’ sounds more objective; ‘-는 것 같다’ feels softer and more subjective.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks using either ‘-나 보다’ or ‘-는 것 같다’.
- 아까부터 계속 졸고 있어요. 너무 ______.
(It seems he’s very tired. He’s been dozing off for a while.) - 학생들이 안 보이네요. 수업이 ______.
(It looks like the class has ended. I don’t see any students.) - 전화를 안 받는 걸 보니 집에 ______.
(She’s not answering her phone. I guess she’s not home.) - 그 사람이 ______.
(I think that person is a teacher.) - 날씨가 흐려요. 곧 비가 ______.
(The weather’s cloudy. I think it’s going to rain.) - 자주 늦는 걸 보니 아침에 잘 못 ______.
(He’s often late. I guess he can’t get up early.) - 표정이 안 좋아요. 뭔가 ______.
(He doesn’t look happy. I think something’s worrying him.) - 사람들이 다 웃고 있어요. 재밌는 일이 ______.
(Everyone’s laughing. I guess something funny happened.) - 이 길이 ______.
(I think this is the wrong way.) - 저 사람, 유명한 ______.
(I think that person is a famous actor.)
6. Answers
- 피곤한가 봐요
- 끝난 것 같아요
- 없나 봐요
- 선생님인 것 같아요
- 올것 같아요
- 일어나 봐요
- 걱정하는 것 같아요
- 있나 봐요
- 아닌것 같아요
- 배우인 것 같아요
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-나 보다’ to express your personal opinion
Incorrect: 이 음식은 맛이 없나 봐요. ❌ (This food seems bad.)
Correct: 이 음식은 맛이 없는 것 같아요. ✅ (I think this food is not tasty.)
💡 Tip: Use ‘-는 것 같다’ when expressing your own feelings or opinions, not ‘-나 보다’.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Mixing the two without considering context
Incorrect: 민수가 아픈 것 나 봐요. ❌ (I guess Minsu is sick.)
Correct: 민수가 아픈가 봐요. ✅ (I guess Minsu is sick.)
💡 Tip: Be mindful of which pattern fits the sentence’s nuance — use one or the other appropriately.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using ‘-나 보다’ with future tense
Incorrect: 내일 비가 오나 봐요. ❌ (I guess it will rain tomorrow.)
Correct: 내일 비가 올 것 같아요. ✅ (I think it will rain tomorrow.)
💡 Tip: ‘-나 보다’ is usually used for present or past context. For future assumptions, use ‘-는 것 같다’.
While both ‘-나 보다’ and ‘-는 것 같다’ are used to express assumptions or guesses, they carry different nuances. ‘-나 보다’ is more about deduction based on evidence, while ‘-는 것 같다’ is broader and often used to express personal thoughts and observations. By practicing with real-life examples, you can learn when to use each naturally and fluently.