Example Sentences#

1. 그래서 나는 미친 거야.”¹
   Therefore I’m mad.”

   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The construction -ㄴ 것이다 goes beyond simple tense conjugation; it introduces an emotional or explanatory layer to the statement. It is used to emphasize, clarify, or add a sense of realization to what is being said.

2. 내가 하나 먹으면, 너도 하나만 먹는 거야.²
   If I eat one, you also eat one.

   • 거 is a contracted form of 것, a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’, and 야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The construction -는 것이다 goes beyond simple tense conjugation; it introduces an emotional or explanatory layer to the statement. It is used to emphasize, clarify, or add a sense of realization to what is being said.

3. 도둑은 소를 훔치려고 몰래 올라갔지만, 어두워서 호랑이를 소로 착각하고 뛰어내린 것이었습니다.³
   The thief had secretly climbed up to steal a cow, but because it was dark, he mistook the tiger for a cow and jumped down.

   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’.
   • The construction -ㄴ 것이다 goes beyond simple tense conjugation; it introduces an emotional or explanatory layer to the statement. It is used to emphasize, clarify, or add a sense of realization to what is being said.
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • 습니다 is a formal polite ending used in declarative sentences.