Understanding the difference between ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ and ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ is essential for mastering intermediate Korean grammar. In this post, you’ll learn how these expressions are used, what they mean, and how to apply them naturally with real-life examples.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ means “it’s (kind of) like…”, “you can say that…”, or “it’s as if…” in English. It is used to interpret or evaluate a situation based on facts.
‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ means “plan to…” or “intend to…” and expresses the speaker’s intention to do something.
2. Form (Structure)
1. -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다
This expression attaches to verbs and adjectives to interpret a situation as equivalent to or similar to something else.
| Type | Tense | Structure | Example |
| Verbs | Present | -는 셈이다 | 먹다 → 먹는 셈이다 (It’s like eating) |
| Verbs | Past | -(으)ㄴ 셈이다 | 먹다 → 먹은 셈이다 (It’s like I ate) 가다 → 간 셈이다 (It’s like I went) |
| Adjectives | Present | -(으)ㄴ 셈이다 | 작다 → 작은 셈이다 (It’s kind of small) 크다 → 큰 셈이다 (It’s kind of big) |
| Nouns | – | -인 셈이다 | 선생님 → 선생님인 셈이다 (It’s like being a teacher) |
2. -(으)ㄹ 셈이다
This form attaches to verbs to express plans or intentions.
| Verb Stem Ending | Structure | Example |
| Consonant (except ㄹ) | -을 셈이다 | 먹다 → 먹을 셈이다 (I plan to eat) |
| Vowel or ㄹ | -ㄹ 셈이다 | 가다 → 갈 셈이다 (I plan to go) 놀다 → 놀 셈이다 (I plan to play) |
3. Meaning & Usage
1. -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다
Used to evaluate a situation or result
This structure highlights approximation or interpretation of a situation. It implies something is not exactly X but close enough to be considered X.
Examples:
- Past Experience → Current Result:
- 1년 동안 한국에 살았으니까 한국 문화를 잘 아는 셈이에요.
(You’ve lived in Korea for a year, so you basically know the culture well.)
- 1년 동안 한국에 살았으니까 한국 문화를 잘 아는 셈이에요.
- Factual Basis → Interpretation:
- 친구가 준 선물이니까 공짜로 받은 셈이에요.
(It was a gift from a friend, so I got it for free in a way.)
- 친구가 준 선물이니까 공짜로 받은 셈이에요.
- Continuous Habit → Evaluation:
- 하루에 5시간씩 공부하니까 직업처럼 공부하는 셈이에요.
(Studying 5 hours daily is basically like a job.)
- 하루에 5시간씩 공부하니까 직업처럼 공부하는 셈이에요.
- Past Action → Resultant Benefit:
- 반값에 샀으니까 이득 본 셈이죠.
(Buying it at half price is like gaining a profit.)
- 반값에 샀으니까 이득 본 셈이죠.
- Indirect Experience → Direct Experience Interpretation:
- 설명을 안 들었지만 내용을 이해했으니까 들은 셈이에요.
(I didn’t listen, but it’s as if I heard it.)
- 설명을 안 들었지만 내용을 이해했으니까 들은 셈이에요.
2. -(으)ㄹ 셈이다
Used to express intention or plan
This form states formal plans or deliberate intentions, often in written or polite contexts.
Examples:
- Short-term Plan:
- 이번 주말에 이사할 셈이에요.
(I’m planning to move this weekend.)
- 이번 주말에 이사할 셈이에요.
- Long-term Plan:
- 다음 달부터 운동을 다시 시작할 셈입니다.
(I intend to start working out again next month.)
- 다음 달부터 운동을 다시 시작할 셈입니다.
- Purpose Emphasis:
- 한국어를 마스터할 셈으로 매일 공부하고 있어요.
(I’m studying daily with the goal of mastering Korean.)
- 한국어를 마스터할 셈으로 매일 공부하고 있어요.
- Travel Plan:
- 휴가 때 제주도에 갈 셈이에요.
(I’m planning to go to Jeju Island during my vacation.)
- 휴가 때 제주도에 갈 셈이에요.
- Work Goal:
- 오늘 안에 이 일을 끝낼 셈입니다.
(I intend to finish this work today.)
- 오늘 안에 이 일을 끝낼 셈입니다.
Korean Grammar Comparison Table
| Grammar | -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 | -(으)ㄹ 셈이다 |
| Usage | Evaluate situations (similar to something) | State plans (formal intentions) |
| Context | – Past → Current Result – Facts → Interpretation – Habits → Judgment – Actions → Benefits – Indirect → Direct Experience | – Short-term Plans – Long-term Goals – Specific Purposes – Travel Plans – Work Deadlines |
| Formality | Neutral (everyday speech) | Formal (writing/polite talk) |
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ is used to express approximation, interpretation, or evaluation of a situation.
- ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ is used to express intention or plan.
- Both structures are based on the noun ‘셈’ which means ‘calculation’ or ‘count’, metaphorically used.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ or ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’.
- 이 가격이면 거의 공짜로 (사다) ____________.
(This price is almost like buying it for free.) - 하루에 세 시간씩 공부하니까 자격증을 (따다) ____________.
(Since I study three hours a day, it’s like getting the certificate.) - 아무 말도 하지 않은 걸 보니까 동의하는 (하다) ____________.
(Since you didn’t say anything, it’s like you agreed.) - 다음 달부터 운동을 매일 (하다) ____________.
(I plan to work out every day starting next month.) - 이번 주말에 친구들이랑 여행을 (가다) ____________.
(I plan to go on a trip with my friends this weekend.) - 이 정도면 실수를 거의 안 한 (하다) ____________.
(At this level, it’s like I almost didn’t make any mistakes.) - 매일 그 카페에 가니까 단골이 (되다) ____________.
(Since I go to that café every day, it’s like I became a regular.) - 내년까지 한국어 능력시험 5급을 (받다) ____________.
(I plan to get Level 5 in the TOPIK by next year.) - 혼자서 다 했으니까 거의 전문가라고 (보다) ____________.
(Since I did everything alone, it’s like I’m considered an expert.) - 이번 프로젝트는 금요일까지 끝내 (되다) ____________.
(This project is planned to be finished by Friday.)
6. Answers
- 산 셈이다
- 딴 셈이다
- 한 셈이다
- 할 셈이다
- 갈 셈이다
- 한 셈이다
- 된 셈이다
- 받을 셈이다
- 본 셈이다
- 될 셈이다
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ to talk about future plans
Incorrect: 다음 주에 여행을 가는 셈이에요. ❌
Correct: 다음 주에 여행을 갈 셈이에요. ✅
💡 Tip: Use ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ to express future intentions or plans, not ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’.
Additional Explanation: ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ is used only for past or current situations.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Mixing up tense with adjectives
Incorrect: 이 옷은 예쁘는 셈이에요. ❌
Correct: 이 옷은 예쁜 셈이에요. ✅
💡 Tip: With adjectives, always use ‘-(으)ㄴ 셈이다’.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Overusing ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ in casual speech
Incorrect: 나 이제 공부할 셈이야. ❌
Correct: 나 이제 공부하려고 해. ✅
💡 Tip: ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ is more formal and suitable for written or polite speech. In casual conversations, use expressions like ‘-(으)려고 하다’ or ‘-(으)ㄹ 거예요’.
Additional Explanation:
- ‘-(으)려고 하다’: “I’m going to study” (Neutral)
- ‘-(으)ㄹ 거예요’: “I’ll study” (Informal)
- ‘-(으)ㄹ게요’: “I’ll study” (Polite, with intention)
While ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다’ and ‘-(으)ㄹ 셈이다’ look similar, they serve different purposes in Korean grammar. The former is used to interpret a situation or result, while the latter is used to express future plans or intentions. With enough practice and real-life examples, learners can master both expressions and sound more natural in Korean conversation.