Are you ready to take your Korean language skills to the next level? Today, we’re diving into the versatile and expressive ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ grammar structure. This intermediate-level grammar point is essential for learners who want to convey multiple intentions or purposes in a single sentence. By mastering this structure, you’ll be able to express yourself more efficiently and naturally in Korean.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’, its meaning, sentence structure, and common mistakes to avoid. Let’s explore how to combine actions and intentions seamlessly using this powerful grammar pattern!
Contents
1. Definition
The ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ grammar structure is used to express that an action is performed with two or more purposes or intentions. It can be translated as “along with” or “as well as” in English, indicating that the speaker has multiple goals when doing an action. This structure often implies that the additional purposes are somewhat secondary or incidental to the main action.
2. Form (Structure)
The ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ structure is formed by attaching ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ to the verb stem. The choice between ‘-을 겸’ and ‘-ㄹ 겸’ depends on whether the verb stem ends with a consonant or a vowel.
- For verb stems ending with a consonant: Verb stem + -을 겸
- For verb stems ending with a vowel: Verb stem + -ㄹ 겸
⚠️ Important Note: Verbs ending with ‘ㄹ’ are treated as if they end with a vowel. This means that for verbs like ‘놀다’ (to play) or ‘살다’ (to live), you would use ‘-ㄹ 겸’ instead of ‘-을 겸’.
💡 Pronunciation Tip: ‘겸’ is always pronounced with a tense sound as ‘꼄’.
After ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’, you typically add another verb or phrase to complete the sentence.
| Verb Ending | Form | Example |
| Consonant | -을 겸 | 먹다 → 먹을 겸 |
| Vowel & ‘ㄹ’ ending | -ㄹ 겸 | 가다 → 갈 겸 놀다 → 놀 겸 |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expresses multiple reasons or intentions for an action
The grammar structure ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ is used when an action is performed for two or more purposes. The reasons may have equal importance or one may be primary while the other is secondary.
Common Patterns:
- Action 1 + -(으)ㄹ 겸 Action 2 + -(으)ㄹ 겸 + Verb
- Action 1 + -(으)ㄹ 겸 해서 + Action 2
📌 Usage Tip: This structure is commonly used in spoken Korean when explaining why someone is doing something.
Example Sentences
🔹 Beginner:
- 운동할 겸 산책도 할 겸 공원에 갔어요.
(I went to the park to exercise and also to take a walk.) - 한국어를 배울 겸 한국 드라마를 보고 있어요.
(I’m watching Korean dramas to learn Korean.) - 사진을 찍을 겸 바람을 쐴 겸 바닷가에 갔어요.
(I went to the beach to take pictures and get some fresh air.)
🔹 Intermediate:
4. 친구를 만날 겸 쇼핑도 할 겸 강남에 갔어요.
(I went to Gangnam to meet my friend and also to shop.)
5. 운동을 시작할 겸 건강한 식단도 실천하려고 해요.
(I’m planning to start exercising and also follow a healthy diet.)
6. 기분 전환할 겸 해서 카페에 가서 커피를 마셨어요.
(I went to a café to refresh my mood and drink coffee.)
🔹 Advanced:
7. 논문을 쓸 자료를 찾을 겸 도서관에 들렀습니다.
(I stopped by the library to find resources for my thesis.)
8. 새로운 경험을 해볼 겸 해외에서 일해 보기로 했어요.
(I decided to work abroad to gain new experiences.)
9. 네트워킹할 겸 최신 트렌드를 배울 겸 학회에 참가했습니다.
(I attended the conference to network and learn about the latest trends.)
2. Often followed by ‘해서’ or another verb
The ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ structure does not stand alone; it is usually followed by ‘해서’ or another verb that completes the sentence.
📌 Usage Tip: Using ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸 해서’ adds more emphasis to the purpose.
Example Sentences (Present, Past, Future)
- 건강을 챙길 겸 해서 매일 아침 요가를 합니다. (I do yoga every morning to take care of my health.) ✅ [Present]
- 운동을 할 겸 해서 자전거를 탔어요. (I rode a bike to exercise.) ✅ [Past]
- 일본어를 배울 겸 해서 내년에 일본에 갈 거예요. (I will go to Japan next year to learn Japanese.) ✅ [Future]
3. Used in both spoken and written Korean
‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ is commonly used in daily conversation, but it also appears in formal and written contexts.
(1) Spoken Korean (Casual & Everyday Use)
📌 Used when casually explaining a reason for an action.
- 영화도 볼 겸 저녁도 먹을 겸 해서 친구랑 나갔어요.
(I went out with my friend to watch a movie and also have dinner.) - 쇼핑할 겸 밖에 나가서 좀 걸을까?
(Shall we go out to shop and walk a little?)
(2) Written Korean (Formal & Literary Use)
📌 Used in essays, reports, and formal situations.
- 연구 자료를 수집할 겸 관련 논문을 검토할 겸 도서관을 방문하였습니다. (I visited the library to collect research materials and review related papers.)
- 건강을 관리할 겸 체력을 기를 겸 운동을 꾸준히 하는 것이 중요합니다. (It is important to exercise regularly to maintain health and build stamina.)
4. Common Mistakes & Important Notes
Incorrect: 공부할 겸 친구를 만날 거예요. ❌ (Unclear connection between the two actions)
Correct: 공부도 할 겸 친구도 만날 겸 카페에 갈 거예요. ✅ (Clear dual purpose)
Incorrect: 운동할 겸 헬스장 갔어요. ❌ (Needs a second action for ‘-겸’ to work)
Correct: 운동할 겸 건강 관리할 겸 헬스장에 갔어요. ✅ (Two clear reasons)
📌 Key Rule: The two actions connected by ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ should be somewhat related or logical together!
4. Examples
- 저는 운동할 겸 공원에 갔어요. (I went to the park to exercise.)
- 그는 친구를 만날 겸 카페에 갈 거예요. (He will go to the cafe to meet his friend.)
- 우리는 휴식할 겸 여행을 떠났습니다. (We went on a trip to rest.)
- 그녀는 한국어를 연습할 겸 한국 드라마를 봅니다. (She watches Korean dramas to practice Korean.)
- 저는 책을 읽을 겸 도서관에 가고 있어요. (I’m going to the library to read books.)
- 그들은 돈을 벌 겸 아르바이트를 시작했어요. (They started part-time jobs to earn money.)
- 나는 새로운 사람들을 만날 겸 동아리에 가입했어. (I joined a club to meet new people.)
- 그녀는 요리 실력을 늘릴 겸 요리 클래스를 들을 거예요. (She will take cooking classes to improve her cooking skills.)
- 우리는 경치를 구경할 겸 산에 올랐습니다. (We climbed the mountain to see the scenery.)
- 그는 영어를 연습할 겸 외국인 친구와 대화를 나눕니다. (He talks with his foreign friend to practice English.)
- 저는 집을 정리할 겸 오래된 물건들을 버렸어요. (I threw away old things to organize my house.)
- 그녀는 스트레스를 풀 겸 쇼핑을 갔어요. (She went shopping to relieve stress.)
- 우리는 추억을 만들 겸 사진을 많이 찍었습니다. (We took many pictures to create memories.)
- 그는 건강을 챙길 겸 채식을 시작했어요. (He started a vegetarian diet to take care of his health.)
- 저는 시간을 절약할 겸 택시를 탔어요. (I took a taxi to save time.)
- 그녀는 새로운 레시피를 시도해 볼 겸 요리를 했어요. (She cooked to try a new recipe.)
- 우리는 문화를 체험할 겸 전통 시장에 갔습니다. (We went to the traditional market to experience the culture.)
- 그는 친구들과 시간을 보낼 겸 파티를 열 거예요. (He will throw a party to spend time with friends.)
- 저는 체력을 기를 겸 매일 아침 조깅을 합니다. (I jog every morning to build up my stamina.)
- 그녀는 새로운 기술을 배울 겸 온라인 강의를 듣고 있어요. (She is taking online classes to learn new skills.)
5. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ implies that the additional purpose is somewhat secondary or incidental.
- This structure is often used with verbs of motion or action.
- It can be used with various tenses and sentence endings.
- The main action and the secondary purpose are usually related or complementary.
6. Practice Exercises
Complete the following sentences using the ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ structure:
- 저는 친구를 __________ 카페에 갔어요. (만나다) (I went to the cafe to meet my friend.)
- 그녀는 한국어를 __________ 한국 영화를 봅니다. (공부하다) (She watches Korean movies to study Korean.)
- 우리는 운동을 __________ 공원을 산책했어요. (하다) (We walked in the park to exercise.)
- 그는 새 옷을 __________ 쇼핑몰에 갈 거예요. (사다) (He will go to the shopping mall to buy new clothes.)
- 저는 휴식을 __________ 음악을 들었어요. (취하다) (I listened to music to take a rest.)
- 그녀는 요리 실력을 __________ 요리 대회에 참가했습니다. (늘리다) (She participated in a cooking competition to improve her cooking skills.)
- 우리는 경치를 __________ 케이블카를 탔어요. (구경하다) (We took the cable car to see the scenery.)
- 그는 영어 발음을 __________ 팟캐스트를 듣습니다. (연습하다) (He listens to podcasts to practice English pronunciation.)
- 저는 시간을 __________ 지하철을 이용했어요. (절약하다) (I used the subway to save time.)
- 그녀는 스트레스를 __________ 요가를 시작했어요. (풀다) (She started doing yoga to relieve stress.)
7. Answers
- 만날 겸
- 공부할 겸
- 할 겸
- 살 겸
- 취할 겸
- 늘릴 겸
- 구경할 겸
- 연습할 겸
- 절약할 겸
- 풀 겸
8. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake: Using ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ without another action.
- 친구를 만날 겸. ❌ (Wrong)
- 친구를 만날 겸 쇼핑을 했어요. ✅ (Correct)
⚠️ Mistake: Using ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ with a single purpose.
- 운동할 겸. ❌ (Wrong)
- 운동할 겸 바람을 쐬러 갔어요. ✅ (Correct)
💡 Tip: Always pair ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ with another action to complete the meaning.
Mastering the ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ grammar structure allows you to express multiple intentions efficiently in Korean. By combining actions and purposes, you can communicate more naturally and sophisticatedly. Remember to practice using this structure in various contexts to fully incorporate it into your Korean language skills. As you continue to use ‘-(으)ㄹ 겸’ in your conversations and writing, you’ll find that your Korean expressions become more nuanced and expressive.