-기
Nominalizer
-기 is a suffix that attaches to a verb or adjective stem to turn it into a noun. For example, the verb '읽다' (to read) becomes the noun '읽기' (reading).
How It Works
-기 is a versatile and essential grammar pattern for creating more complex sentences. It allows you to talk about actions and states as if they were things.
1. Creating Nouns from Verbs/Adjectives
The basic formula is Verb/Adjective Stem + 기.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹기 (eating)
- 자다 (to sleep) → 자기 (sleeping)
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들기 (making)
- 크다 (to be big) → 크기 (size, being big)
2. Using the New Noun in a Sentence
Once you've created a noun with -기, you can attach particles to it.
- Subject: 한국어 공부하기가 재미있어요. (Studying Korean is fun.)
- Object: 저는 영화 보기를 좋아해요. (I like watching movies.)
3. Common Set Phrases with -기
-기 is a component of many other important grammar patterns. Recognizing -기 within them will help you understand their meaning.
- -기 시작하다: to start doing (e.g., 운동하기 시작했어요 - I started exercising.)
- -기 쉽다/어렵다: to be easy/difficult to do (e.g., 이 책은 읽기 쉬워요 - This book is easy to read.)
- -기 좋다/편하다: to be good/comfortable to do (e.g., 이 책은 읽기 좋아요 - This book is nice to read.)
- -기를 좋아하다/싫어하다: to like/dislike doing (e.g., 저는 혼자 여행하기를 좋아해요 - I like traveling alone.)
- -기 때문에: because of doing (e.g., 비가 오기 때문에 못 갔어요 - I couldn't go because it was raining.)
- -기 전에: before doing (e.g., 자기 전에 책을 읽어요 - I read a book before sleeping.)
4. -기 vs. -는 것
Both -기 and -는 것 turn verbs into noun forms, but they have different nuances.
- -기 often refers to the general, abstract concept of an action. It's frequently used in lists, titles, signs, and in the fixed expressions listed above.
- -는 것 often refers to a specific act, fact, or instance of doing something. It's very common in everyday conversation.
Example:
• 제 취미는 영화 보기예요. (My hobby is watching movies.) - Refers to the general activity.
• 지금 제가 보는 것은 영화예요. (The thing I'm watching now is a movie.) - Refers to the specific act of watching at this moment.
Examples (5)
- 매일 운동하기는 어려워요.
Exercising every day is difficult.
Word by Word: Every day exercising is difficult.
운동하다 (to exercise) becomes 운동하기 (exercising), which acts as the subject of the sentence.
- 저는 책 읽기를 좋아해요.
I like reading books.
Word by Word: I book reading like.
읽다 (to read) becomes 읽기 (reading). The object particle -를 is attached to it.
- 어제부터 한국어를 공부하기 시작했어요.
I started studying Korean yesterday.
Word by Word: Yesterday from Korean studying started.
This example uses the common set phrase '-기 시작하다' (to start doing).
- 이 신발은 신기 편해요.
These shoes are comfortable to wear.
Word by Word: These shoes wearing is comfortable.
Here, -기 is used with an adjective (편하다 - to be comfortable) to describe the action of wearing (신기).
- 오늘의 할 일: 방 청소하기, 숙제하기, 장보기
Today's to-do list: Cleaning the room, doing homework, grocery shopping
Word by Word: Today's to-do thing: room cleaning, homework doing, grocery shopping
-기 is often used to create items in a list or a title, as it concisely names the actions.
Common Mistakes
Using -기 when referring to a specific, concrete object being created.
Not Quite이것은 제가 만들기예요.Better이것은 제가 만든 것이에요.-기 refers to the action of making. To refer to the thing that was made, you should use the noun modifier form -(으)ㄴ 것.
Confusing the nuance with -는 것 for general preferences.
Not Quite제 취미는 영화 보는 것이에요.Better제 취미는 영화 보기예요.While not grammatically wrong, it's more natural to use -기 to describe a general hobby or preference. -는 것 is better for describing a specific action you are doing or see someone doing.
Learn This First
To turn verbs into nouns with 기, you need to understand verb stems.
Related Patterns
- -는 것Thing of -ing
Both -기 and -는 것 are nominalizers that turn verbs into noun phrases. -기 often refers to an abstract action or is used in set phrases, while -는 것 often refers to a specific act or fact.
- -음/ㅁNominalizing Ending
-음/ㅁ is another nominalizer, but it's more formal and often used in writing or to create abstract nouns (e.g., 아름다움 - beauty). -기 is more focused on the action itself.
- -기 때문에Because
This is a direct application of -기. It shows how the nominalized verb can be combined with '때문에' (because of) to express a reason based on an action.
- Verb stems
This is a fundamental concept. -기 attaches directly to the verb or adjective stem, so understanding how to find the stem is essential for using this pattern correctly.
- -기로 하다Decide to, Plan to
This pattern means 'to decide to do' and is another common structure that uses -기. It combines the nominalized action (e.g., 가기 - going) with 하다 (to do) to form the meaning 'decide to go'.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- -기 위해In Order to, For the Purpose of
- -(으)ㅁNominalizing Ending
- -기 위해서For the Sake of, In Order to
- -기는No Way, Not at All
- -기는 하다It Is True That, Although
- -기도 하다Sometimes, Even
- -대신에Instead of, In Place of
- -기를 바라다Hope, Wish
And 2 more in the full list.