Are you learning Korean and want to understand how to express indirect conclusions or approximate situations? The Korean grammar pattern ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ is often used in everyday conversations to summarize or interpret a situation. In this post, you’ll learn the meaning, structure, and real-life examples of how to use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ naturally like a native speaker.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ roughly translates to “you could say (that)…” or “it’s as if…” in English. It’s used when you draw a conclusion based on a situation or when something is close to being true.
2. Form (Structure)
This pattern changes depending on the tense and type of verb:
1. Present Tense
- Usage: Used with both action verbs (ongoing actions) and adjectives (current states).
- Verbs:
- Structure: Verb Stem + -는 셈이다
- Example Sentences:
- 먹다 → 먹는 셈이다 (It’s like I’m eating)
- 가다 → 가는 셈이다 (It’s like I’m going)
- Irregular Cases:
| Type | Irregular Rule | Example |
| ㅂ Irregular | ㅂ → 우/오 | Ⓐ 덥다 (hot) → 더운 셈이다 Ⓐ 쉽다 (easy) → 쉬운 셈이다 Ⓥ 돕다 (help) → 돕는 셈이다 (Present) /도운 셈이다 |
| ㄹ Irregular | ㄹ Drop | Ⓥ 살다 (live) → 사는 셈이다 / 산 셈이다 (Past) Ⓥ 알다 (know) → 아는 셈이다 (Present) / 안 셈이다 (Past) |
| ㅅ Irregular | ㅅ Drop | Ⓥ 낫다 (better) → 나은 셈이다(Past) Ⓥ 짓다 (build) → 짓는 셈이다 (Present)/ 지은 셈이다 (Past) |
| ㄷ Irregular | ㄷ → ㄹ (Past) | Ⓥ 듣다 → 듣는 셈이다 (Present) /들은 셈이다 (Past) Ⓥ 걷다 → 걷는 셈이다 (Present) / 걸은 셈이다 (Past) |
| ㅎ Irregular | ㅎ Drop | Ⓐ 그렇다 (be so) → 그런 셈이다 Ⓐ 빨갛다 (red) → 빨간 셈이다 |
📌 Regarding 낫다’s present tense:”낫는 셈이다” is grammatically correct but “나아지는 셈이다” sounds more natural.
- Adjectives:
- Structure:
- Adjectives ending in a consonant: Attach -은 셈이다
- Example:
- 작다 (small) → 작은 셈이다 (It’s like it’s small)
- 많다 (many) → 많은 셈이다 (It’s like there are many)
- Example:
- Adjectives ending in a vowel: Attach -ㄴ 셈이다
- Example:
- 비싸다 → 비싼 셈이다 (It’s like it’s expensive)
- 예쁘다 → 예쁜 셈이다 (It’s like it’s pretty)
2. Past Tense
- Usage: Used only with verbs to describe completed actions.
- Structure:
- Consonant Ending: Verb Stem + -은 셈이다
- 예: 먹다 → 먹은 셈이다 (It’s like I ate)
- Vowel Ending: Verb Stem + -ㄴ 셈이다
- 예: 가다 → 간 셈이다 (It’s like I went)
- 예: 가다 → 간 셈이다 (It’s like I went)
- Consonant Ending: Verb Stem + -은 셈이다
3. Meaning & Usage
1. To express a logical conclusion or summary of a situation
This is often used when the speaker makes a judgment based on what happened.
Examples:
- 하루 종일 일했으니까 여행한 셈이에요.
(I worked all day, so it’s as if I traveled.) - 거의 매일 만났으니까 친구인 셈이에요.
(We met almost every day, so we’re basically friends.) - 안 간다고 했지만 결국 간 셈이죠.
(You said you wouldn’t go, but you ended up going.)
2. To express that something is not exact, but close enough to be considered as such
This nuance is common when people talk informally about comparisons or approximate judgments.
Examples:
- 비싸긴 하지만 품질을 생각하면 싼 셈이에요.
(It’s expensive, but considering the quality, it’s cheap.) - 다섯 명 중 셋이 왔으니까 절반은 온 셈이에요.
(Three out of five came, so it’s like half came.) - 조금밖에 안 먹었으니까 안 먹은 셈이에요.
(I only ate a little, so it’s like I didn’t eat.)
3. Calculations or numerical approximations
Used when deriving conclusions based on numbers, time, or logical calculations.
Examples:
- 한 달에 10번 영화관에 가요 → 3일에 한 번 가는 셈이에요.
(I go to the cinema 10 times a month → It’s like going once every 3 days.) - 하루에 1시간 공부해요 → 1년에 365시간 공부하는 셈이에요.
(I study 1 hour a day → It’s like studying 365 hours a year.) - 한 달에 30만 원 저축하면 → 1년에 360만 원 모으는 셈이에요.
(Saving 300,000 won a month → It’s like saving 3.6 million won a year.)
4. Comparing two situations
Used to explain similarities or trade-offs between two scenarios.
Examples:
- 이 옷은 할인해서 거의 공짜로 산 셈이에요.
(This clothes was on sale → It’s like I got it for free.) - 버스보다 지하철이 10분 빠르니까 → 하루에 20분 절약하는 셈이에요!
(The subway is 10 minutes faster than the bus → It’s like saving 20 minutes a day!) - 택시보다 자전거로 가면 30분 걸리지만, 교통비를 아낀 셈이에요.
(Biking takes 30 minutes vs. taxi → It’s like saving transportation costs.)
5. Important Restrictions
“-셈이다” cannot be used for absolute facts or 100% certain situations.
Examples:
- 물이 100°C에서 끓으니, 끓는 셈이에요. ❌
→ 물이 100°C에서 끓어요. ✅ (Water boils at 100°C.) - 태양이 동쪽에서 뜨니, 해 뜨는 걸 본 셈이에요. ❌
→ 태양이 동쪽에서 떠요. ✅ (The sun rises in the east.) - 사람은 호흡을 해야 살 수 있으니, 숨 쉬는 셈이에요. ❌
→ 사람은 호흡을 해야 살 수 있어요. ✅ (Humans need to breathe to live.)
6. Important Notes
“-(으)ㄹ 셈이다” (future intention) and “-셈이다” are completely different grammars!
Examples:
- 내일은 쉴 셈이에요. ✅ (I plan to rest tomorrow.)
- 내일은 쉬는 셈이에요. ❌ (Misuse of “-셈이다” for future plans!)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Use ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ when summarizing or judging a situation.
- Often implies approximation or conclusion, not an absolute fact.
- Can be used with past, present, and future intentions.
- Commonly used in spoken and written Korean in everyday situations.
5. Practice Exercises
- 저는 매일 1시간 운동하기 때문에 1년에 365시간 운동하는 (하다) ________.
(Because I exercise 1 hour daily, it’s like exercising 365 hours a year.) - 한 달에 30만 원 저축하기 때문에 1년에 360만 원 모은 (모으다) ________.
(Because I save 300,000 won monthly, it’s like saving 3.6 million won a year.) - 버스보다 지하철을 타면 하루에 20분 절약하는 (절약하다) ________.
(If I take the subway instead of the bus, it’s like saving 20 minutes a day.) - 친구가 음식을 사줬기 때문에 공짜로 먹은 (먹다) ________.
(Since a friend bought me food, it’s like eating for free.) - 주 5회 1시간 운동하기 때문에 1년에 260시간 운동하는 (하다) ________.
(Because I exercise 1 hour, 5 times a week, it’s like exercising 260 hours a year.) - 할인해서 50% 가격으로 산 옷은 거의 반값으로 (사다) ________.
(Since I bought the clothes at 50% off, it’s like I got them at half price.) - 한국에서 10년 살았기 때문에 제2의 고향인 (되다) ________.
(Because I’ve lived in Korea for 10 years, it’s practically become my second home.) - 하루에 2시간 독서하기 때문에 1년에 730시간 독서한 (하다) ________.
(Because I read 2 hours daily, it’s like reading 730 hours a year.) - 외식 대신 집에서 요리하면 한 끼에 1만 원 절약하는 (절약하다) ________.
(If I cook at home instead of dining out, it’s like saving 10,000 won per meal.) - 기차로 여행하면 비행기보다 시간이 더 걸리지만 경치를 즐긴 (즐기다) ________.
(Traveling by train takes longer than flying, but it’s like enjoying the scenery more.)
6. Answers
- 하는 셈이에요
- 모은 셈이에요
- 절약하는 셈이에요
- 먹은 셈이에요
- 하는 셈이에요
- 산 셈이에요
- 된 셈이에요
- 한 셈이에요
- 절약하는 셈이에요
- 즐긴 셈이에요
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using -(으)ㄴ 셈이다 with Present Habitual Actions
Incorrect: 매일 운동한 셈이에요. ❌ (It’s like I exercised every day.)
Correct: 매일 운동하는 것은 중요해요. ✅ (Exercising daily is important.)
💡 Tip: Use –는 셈이다 for present habitual actions:
매일 1시간 운동하는 셈이에요. ✅ (It’s like exercising 1 hour daily.)
⚠️ Mistake 2: Overusing in Formal Writing
Incorrect: 본 논문은 연구를 완료한 셈입니다. ❌ (This paper amounts to completing the research.)
Correct: 본 논문은 연구를 완료하였습니다. ✅ (This paper has completed the research.)
💡 Tip: Reserve -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 for conversational or explanatory contexts.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Ignoring Contextual Nuance
Incorrect: 이 음식은 맛있는 셈이에요. ❌ (This food is like it’s tasty.)
Correct: 이 음식은 거의 다 먹은 셈이에요. ✅ (It’s like I’ve almost finished this food.)
💡 Tip: Use -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 to emphasize equivalence or approximate results, not direct descriptions.
Mastering -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 enhances your ability to express subtle comparisons and conclusions in Korean. By practicing with real-life examples and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll integrate this grammar naturally into conversations.