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 nominalizes the preceding clause and presents it as a statement or question, similar to saying ‘the thing is…’ or ‘isn’t it that…?’, shifting the focus from simply stating an action to emphasizing what it is that the subject did or is doing. It adds an explanatory layer absent in simple declarative or interrogative sentences and is commonly used to clarify the nature of an action, explain the reason behind a situation, or directly inquire about someone’s activities.

2. 근데 너 일본에서도 공연 본 거 아니야?²
   By the way, didn’t you also see a concert in Japan?

   • 아니다 is the verb ‘to not be’, and 아니야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The construction -ㄴ 것이 아니다 nominalizes the preceding clause and presents it as a statement or question, similar to saying ‘the thing is…’ or ‘isn’t it that…?’, shifting the focus from simply stating an action to emphasizing what it is that the subject did or is doing. It adds an explanatory layer absent in simple declarative or interrogative sentences and is commonly used to clarify the nature of an action, explain the reason behind a situation, or directly inquire about someone’s activities.

3. 내가 하나 먹으면, 너도 하나만 먹는 거야.³
   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 nominalizes the preceding clause and presents it as a statement or question, similar to saying ‘the thing is…’ or ‘isn’t it that…?’, shifting the focus from simply stating an action to emphasizing what it is that the subject did or is doing. It adds an explanatory layer absent in simple declarative or interrogative sentences and is commonly used to clarify the nature of an action, explain the reason behind a situation, or directly inquire about someone’s activities.

4. 도둑은 소를 훔치려고 몰래 올라갔지만, 어두워서 호랑이를 소로 착각하고 뛰어내린 것이었습니다.⁴
   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 nominalizes the preceding clause and presents it as a statement or question, similar to saying ‘the thing is…’ or ‘isn’t it that…?’, shifting the focus from simply stating an action to emphasizing what it is that the subject did or is doing. It adds an explanatory layer absent in simple declarative or interrogative sentences and is commonly used to clarify the nature of an action, explain the reason behind a situation, or directly inquire about someone’s activities.
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • 습니다 is a formal polite ending used in declarative sentences.

5. 너 진짜 밥 안 먹고 사는 거 아니야?⁵
   Are you really living without eating proper meals?

   • 아니다 is the verb ‘to not be’, and 아니야 is its casual conjugated form used in informal speech.
   • The construction -는 것이 아니다 nominalizes the preceding clause and presents it as a statement or question, similar to saying ‘the thing is…’ or ‘isn’t it that…?’, shifting the focus from simply stating an action to emphasizing what it is that the subject did or is doing. It adds an explanatory layer absent in simple declarative or interrogative sentences and is commonly used to clarify the nature of an action, explain the reason behind a situation, or directly inquire about someone’s activities.