Example Sentences#

1. 두 명의 스님, 한 명은 나이 든 스님이고 다른 한 명은 젊은 스님이 함께 여행하고 있었다.¹
   Two monks, one old and one young, were traveling together.

   • 나이 들다 is a common and polite expression in Korean meaning ‘to become old’ or ‘to grow older’.
   • ㄴ is a past tense modifier that makes the preceding statement function as an adnominal phrase describing the following noun.

2. 그때 나이 든 스님은 아무 말 없이 여자를 들어 강을 건너게 도와주고, 다른 쪽에 내려놓은 후 다시 길을 떠났다.¹
   At that moment, the old monk picked up the woman without a word, helped her cross the river, set her down on the other side, and resumed the journey.

   • 나이 들다 is a common and polite expression in Korean meaning ‘to become old’ or ‘to grow older’.
   • ㄴ is a past tense modifier that makes the preceding statement function as an adnominal phrase describing the following noun.

3. 나이 든 스님은 젊은 스님을 바라보며 말했다.¹
   The old monk looked at the young monk and said:

   • 나이 들다 is a common and polite expression in Korean meaning ‘to become old’ or ‘to grow older’.
   • ㄴ is a past tense modifier that makes the preceding statement function as an adnominal phrase describing the following noun.