Example Sentences#

1. 남겨진 마음은 어디로 가는 걸까?¹
   Where does a heart left behind go?
   • 걸까 is a contraction of 것일까, where 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used to nominalize a clause, 이다 is the copula meaning ‘to be’, and -ㄹ까 is a question ending expressing uncertainty, curiosity, or wonder, often used when the speaker is asking themselves a question.
   • -는 걸까 is a construction used to express self-questioning or speculation about a situation, action, or state.
2. 네가 내게 다가오는 걸까?²
   Could it be you, coming closer to me?
   • 걸까 is a contraction of 것일까, where 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used to nominalize a clause, 이다 is the copula meaning ‘to be’, and -ㄹ까 is a question ending expressing uncertainty, curiosity, or wonder, often used when the speaker is asking themselves a question.
   • -는 걸까 is a construction used to express self-questioning or speculation about a situation, action, or state.
3. “내가 장주로서 나비가 되는 꿈을 꾼 것일까?³
   “Did I, as Zhuang Zhou, dream of becoming a butterfly?
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the copula meaning ‘to be’.
   • -ㄹ까 is a question ending expressing uncertainty, curiosity, or wonder, often used when the speaker is asking themselves a question.
   • -ㄴ 것일까 is a construction used to express self-questioning or speculation about a past situation, action, or state.
4. 아니면 나비가 지금 자신이 장주라는 꿈을 꾸고 있는 것일까?”³
   Or is the butterfly now dreaming that it is Zhuang Zhou?”
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the copula meaning ‘to be’.
   • -ㄹ까 is a question ending expressing uncertainty, curiosity, or wonder, often used when the speaker is asking themselves a question.
   • -는 것일까 is a construction used to express self-questioning or speculation about a situation, action, or state.