-ㄴ/는 셈이다

It's Like, Can Be Considered

Level 4Sounds Like neun semida

Use -ㄴ/는 셈이다 when you calculate a situation and conclude it's 'basically' or 'practically' a certain way. For example, 'If we split the bill, it's basically 10,000 won each' (만 원씩 내는 셈이다).

How It Works

-ㄴ/는 셈이다 is a sentence ending used when the speaker has calculated, considered, or summed up a situation and is presenting the logical conclusion. It means that the situation is 'as good as', 'practically', 'in effect', or 'can be considered' something.

It's not used for stating direct, objective facts, but rather for interpreting facts to arrive at a summary judgment.

Conjugation Rules:

1. Action Verbs (Present Tense): Verb stem + -는 셈이다

  • 가다 → 가는 셈이다 (it's like going)
  • 먹다 → 먹는 셈이다 (it's like eating)

2. Action Verbs (Past Tense): Verb stem + -ㄴ/은 셈이다

  • 가다 → 간 셈이다 (it's as if one went)
  • 먹다 → 먹은 셈이다 (it's as if one ate)

3. Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives): Verb stem + -ㄴ/은 셈이다

  • 싸다 → 싼 셈이다 (it can be considered cheap)
  • 좋다 → 좋은 셈이다 (it can be considered good)

4. Nouns: Noun + -인 셈이다

  • 공짜 → 공짜인 셈이다 (it's practically free)
  • 마지막 → 마지막인 셈이다 (it's basically the last one)

This pattern is often used in situations involving numbers, money, or time, where a calculation leads to the conclusion. For example, if you work 5 days a week and take a 2-day trip, you could say you used up your whole weekend (주말을 다 쓴 셈이다).

Examples (5)

  1. 매일 2시간씩 공부하니까 일주일에 14시간 공부하는 셈이에요.

    Since I study for 2 hours every day, it's like I study 14 hours a week.

    Word by Word: Every day 2 hours each since I study, in a week 14 hours studying it is.

    The speaker calculates the total study time (2 hours x 7 days) and concludes it amounts to 14 hours a week.

  2. 열 명이 오기로 했는데 다섯 명만 왔으니, 절반만 온 셈이다.

    Ten people were supposed to come, but only five came, so you could say only half came.

    Word by Word: Ten people to come were supposed to but five people only came, so half only came it is.

    This is a conclusion based on the numbers. 5 out of 10 is calculated to be half.

  3. 비행기가 연착돼서 공항에서 밤을 새웠으니 하루를 그냥 버린 셈이다.

    The plane was delayed so I stayed up all night at the airport; it's as if I wasted a whole day.

    Word by Word: The plane was delayed so at the airport the night I stayed up, so a day just threw away it is.

    The speaker assesses the lost time and concludes it's equivalent to wasting an entire day.

  4. 할인 쿠폰을 써서 밥값은 거의 공짜인 셈이었어요.

    I used a discount coupon, so the meal was practically free.

    Word by Word: A discount coupon I used so the meal price was almost free it was.

    This uses the noun + -인 셈이다 form. While not literally free, the discount made it feel that way.

  5. 이 정도 가격에 이 품질이면 아주 싼 셈이죠.

    For this price and this quality, it can be considered very cheap.

    Word by Word: This degree of price with this quality if, very cheap it is.

    This uses a descriptive verb (adjective). The speaker evaluates the price-to-quality ratio and concludes it's a bargain.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing it with -는 편이다 (tendency).

    Different Meaning저는 보통 주말에 일찍 일어나는 셈이에요.
    Better저는 보통 주말에 일찍 일어나는 편이에요.

    -ㄴ/는 셈이다 is for a calculated conclusion about a situation, not a general habit. To describe a general tendency ('I tend to...'), you should use -는 편이다.

  • Using it for direct, objective facts without any calculation or judgment.

    Different Meaning지금은 오후 3시인 셈이다.
    Better지금은 오후 3시이다.

    If it is objectively 3 PM, you state it as a fact with 이다. You would only use -인 셈이다 if there was some reasoning, e.g., 'We worked for three hours since noon, so it's basically 3 PM now' (정오부터 세 시간 일했으니 지금은 3시인 셈이다).

Learn This First

To express approximation 'it's like/can be considered', you need modifier forms and 이다.

Related Patterns

Words in This Pattern

셈이다-는-ㄴ
Practice -ㄴ/는 셈이다 in BubblegumPoppy, your AI tutor, writes Korean lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.