-는 것
Thing of -ing
-는 것 attaches to an action verb to turn the entire preceding clause into a noun. It's like adding '-ing' to a verb in English (e.g., 'running') or creating a clause like 'the thing that I do'.
How It Works
The pattern -는 것 is one of the most common ways to turn a verb clause into a noun phrase in Korean. It literally means 'the thing/fact/act of doing (verb)'.
Structure:
Action Verb Stem + -는 것
- 가다 (to go) → 가는 것 (the act of going)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 것 (the act of eating)
- 만들다 (to make) → 만드는 것 (the act of making) (Note: ㄹ is dropped)
This newly formed noun phrase can be marked with particles like any other noun:
- As a subject: 운동하는 것이 재미있어요. (Exercising is fun.)
- As an object: 저는 영화 보는 것을 좋아해요. (I like watching movies.)
This pattern is fundamental for creating more complex sentences beyond simple subject-verb-object structures.
Examples (4)
- 저는 책 읽는 것을 좋아해요.
I like reading books.
Word by Word: I book reading thing like.
Here, '읽는 것' (reading) acts as the object of the verb '좋아해요' (to like).
- 매일 한국어를 공부하는 것이 중요해요.
Studying Korean every day is important.
Word by Word: Everyday Korean studying thing is important.
'공부하는 것' (studying) is the subject of the sentence, marked by the subject particle 이.
- 제가 가장 좋아하는 것은 잠자는 것이에요.
My favorite thing is sleeping.
Word by Word: I most favorite thing is sleeping thing is.
This sentence uses the pattern twice. '좋아하는 것' (the thing that I like) is the subject, and '잠자는 것' (sleeping) is the complement, connected by 이에요.
- 요리하는 것은 재미있지만 시간이 많이 걸려요.
Cooking is fun, but it takes a lot of time.
Word by Word: Cooking thing is fun but time much takes.
Common Mistakes
Using -는 것 with adjectives (descriptive verbs).
Different Meaning조용한 것은 어려워요.Better조용히 하는 것은 어려워요.-는 것 attaches to action verbs. To talk about 'being quiet', you can either change the adjective '조용하다' into an adverb '조용히' and combine it with the action verb '하다' (to do), or use the -기 nominalizer: '조용하기가 어려워요'.
Forgetting to drop the ㄹ from verb stems ending in ㄹ.
Not Quite만들는 것을 좋아해요.Better만드는 것을 좋아해요.When a verb stem ends in ㄹ (like 만들다), the ㄹ is dropped before adding -는. This is a common rule for this type of conjugation.
Learn This First
To turn verbs into nouns, you need to understand verb modification.
Related Patterns
- -기Nominalizer
Both are nominalizers that turn verbs into nouns. While often interchangeable, -기 can feel more abstract or is often used in lists, signs, or when stating a general activity (e.g., '말하기 시험' - speaking test). -는 것 often refers to a more specific, concrete act or fact.
- -(으)ㄴ 것Past Tense Noun Modifier
This is the past tense version of -는 것. It describes 'the thing that was done' or 'the fact that something happened'. For example, '제가 어제 먹은 것' means 'the thing I ate yesterday'.
- -(으)ㄹ 것Future Tense Noun Modifier
This is the future tense version of -는 것. It describes 'the thing that will be done' or 'the plan to do something'. For example, '제가 내일 먹을 것' means 'the thing I will eat tomorrow'. It's the basis for the future tense -ㄹ 거예요.
- -는/ㄹVerb Noun Modifier
-는 것 is a specific use of the general rule for modifying nouns with verbs. The particle -는 attaches to a verb to describe a noun in the present tense. In this pattern, the noun being described is always '것' (thing/fact).
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.