-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다
Seems Like, Looks Like
Use -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다 to say something 'seems like' or 'looks like' it is, was, or will be a certain way. It's for making a guess based on some evidence or feeling.
How It Works
The conjugation of -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다 depends on the word type (adjective, verb, or noun) and the tense. The final part, 같다, conjugates like a regular adjective (e.g., 같아요, 같았어요).
1. Adjectives (Present Tense)
Use -(으)ㄴ 것 같다.
- If the stem ends in a vowel, add -ㄴ 것 같다.
예쁘다 → 예쁜 것 같다 (seems pretty) - If the stem ends in a consonant, add -은 것 같다.
작다 → 작은 것 같다 (seems small)
2. Verbs (Present Tense)
Use -는 것 같다 for all verb stems.
- 가다 → 가는 것 같다 (seems to be going)
- 먹다 → 먹는 것 같다 (seems to be eating)
3. Verbs (Past Tense - Completed Action)
Use -(으)ㄴ 것 같다. This indicates an action seems to have been completed.
- If the stem ends in a vowel, add -ㄴ 것 같다.
오다 → 온 것 같다 (seems to have come) - If the stem ends in a consonant, add -은 것 같다.
먹다 → 먹은 것 같다 (seems to have eaten)
4. Adjectives & Verbs (Past Tense - State/Experience)
Use -았/었던 것 같다. This is used to guess about a past state or experience.
- Adjective: 좋다 → 좋았다 → 좋았던 것 같다 (seems to have been good)
- Adjective: 바쁘다 → 바빴다 → 바빴던 것 같다 (seems to have been busy)
5. Future Tense / Supposition
Use -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 for both verbs and adjectives to guess about the future.
- If the stem ends in a vowel, add -ㄹ 것 같다.
오다 → 올 것 같다 (seems like it will come)
비싸다 → 비쌀 것 같다 (seems like it will be expensive) - If the stem ends in a consonant, add -을 것 같다.
먹다 → 먹을 것 같다 (seems like it will eat)
좋다 → 좋을 것 같다 (seems like it will be good)
6. Nouns
Use -인 것 같다. Attach it directly after the noun.
- Noun ending in a vowel: 의사 → 의사인 것 같다 (seems to be a doctor)
- Noun ending in a consonant: 학생 → 학생인 것 같다 (seems to be a student)
Examples (5)
- 하늘이 흐린 걸 보니 곧 비가 올 것 같아요.
Seeing that the sky is cloudy, it looks like it's going to rain soon.
Word by Word: Sky is cloudy seeing, soon rain will come it seems.
A future guess (올 것 같아요) based on the current evidence (하늘이 흐린 걸 보니).
- 저 사람은 매일 운동하는 것 같아요. 몸이 아주 좋아요.
That person seems to exercise every day. They are in great shape.
Word by Word: That person every day exercises it seems. Body is very good.
A present tense guess about a habitual action (운동하는 것 같아요) based on an observation (몸이 좋아요).
- 길에 차가 없는 걸 보니 모두 휴가를 간 것 같아요.
Seeing that there are no cars on the street, it seems like everyone has gone on vacation.
Word by Word: On the street cars not existing seeing, everyone vacation went it seems.
A past tense guess (간 것 같아요) based on the current situation (차가 없는 걸 보니).
- 이 음식은 좀 매운 것 같아요. 색깔이 빨개요.
This food seems a bit spicy. Its color is red.
Word by Word: This food a little spicy it seems. Color is red.
A guess about a current state using an adjective (매운 것 같아요).
- 그 두 사람은 연인인 것 같아요. 항상 같이 다녀요.
Those two people seem to be a couple. They are always together.
Word by Word: That two people a couple it seems. Always together they go.
A guess about a noun (연인인 것 같아요).
Common Mistakes
Using the present verb form (-는 것 같다) for adjectives.
Not Quite이 옷이 예쁘는 것 같아요.Better이 옷이 예쁜 것 같아요.For present tense adjectives, you must use the -ㄴ/은 modifier, not -는. -는 is reserved for present tense verbs.
Confusing past and present tense for verbs.
Different Meaning어제 철수가 영화를 보는 것 같았어요.Better어제 철수가 영화를 본 것 같았어요.To say it 'seemed like he watched' a movie yesterday (a completed action in the past), you should use the past tense modifier -ㄴ/은. '보는 것' implies he 'seemed to be watching' it at that moment.
Learn This First
To express 'seems like', you need modifier forms and nominalization.
Related Patterns
- -나 보다It Seems/looks Like
Both express supposition. '-나 보다' is often used when you realize something based on a direct observation, while '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다' can be based on more subjective feelings or indirect evidence and is generally a softer guess.
- -는 모양이다It Seems, Appears
Both mean 'it seems/appears that'. However, '-는 모양이다' is almost exclusively used for guesses based on visual evidence or an outward appearance. '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다' is much broader and can be used for guesses based on any sense, feeling, or thought.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 텐데I Expect, It's Likely to
Both patterns involve supposition about a future or unconfirmed situation. '-ㄹ 텐데' combines a guess ('it will probably be...') with a nuance of contrast or providing background for a following clause, while '-ㄹ 것 같다' is a more straightforward statement of 'it seems like it will be...'
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 듯하다It Seems/appears That
This is a very close synonym to '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다' and also means 'it seems/appears that'. They are often interchangeable, though '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 듯하다' can sometimes feel slightly more literary or formal.