Example Sentences#

1. 차라리 카페 가서 수다 떠는 게 낫지 않아?¹
   Wouldn’t it be better to go to a cafe and chat instead?
   • 게 is a contraction of 것이, where 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used to nominalize a clause, and 이 is a subject marker that identifies the noun as the entity that performs an action or is in a particular state.
2. 잃어버린 것만 소중하게 남아²
   Only what’s lost remains precious
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 만 is a particle meaning ‘only’ or ‘just’.
3. 앨리스: “그럴 것 같아요,” 앨리스가 말했다.³
   Alice: “I suppose so,” said Alice.
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
4. 모르는 것처럼 할까⁴
   Should I pretend not to know?
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 처럼 is a particle meaning ‘like’ or ‘as if’, used to make comparisons or express similarity.
5. 다들 힘들게 사는데, 서로 도와주고 이해하면서 조금씩 변해가는 게 너무 좋았어.⁵
   While everyone lives with difficulty, I really liked how they help each other, understand each other, and gradually change.
   • 게 is a contraction of 것이, where 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used to nominalize a clause, and 이 is a subject marker that identifies the noun as the entity that performs an action or is in a particular state.
6. 아마 실제로 십자가형을 당해야 하는 상황이 온다면, 저는 그것을 이겨낼 수 있을 것입니다.⁶
   Perhaps if a situation were to come where I had to actually be crucified, I would be able to overcome it.
   • 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 pattern ᆯ 것이다 is commonly used to express future tense in Korean. In this speculative context, it translates to ‘would’ instead of ‘will’.
   • ㅂ니다 is a formal polite ending used in declarative sentences.
7. 이 모든 게 이어져, 끝나지 않는 춤⁷
   All of this connects, a never-ending dance
   • 게 is a contraction of 것이, where 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used to nominalize a clause, and 이 is a subject marker that identifies the noun as the entity that performs an action or is in a particular state.
8. 세상에서 가장 다행스러운 것은 인간의 마음이 모든 것을 연결하지 못하는 능력이라고 생각합니다.⁸
   I think the most fortunate thing in the world is the human mind’s inability to connect everything.
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 은 is a topic marker, indicating what the sentence is about or the topic of discussion. It can emphasize an element, contrast it with another, or set the context for what follows, highlighting the theme rather than the actor and conveying a sense of ‘as for…’ or ‘regarding…’.
9. 여자는 스님들에게 강을 건너는 것을 도와달라고 부탁했다.⁹
   The woman asked the monks to help her cross the river.
   • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
   • 을 is an object marker that identifies the noun as the target directly affected by an action.
10. 친구도 찾아야 하고, 배워야 할 것도 많아.” 어린 왕자가 대답했다.¹⁰
    I have friends to find, and so many things to learn,” the little prince replied.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 도 is a particle meaning ‘also’ or ‘too’.
11. 그의 첫 번째 소원은 부자가 되는 것이었습니다.¹¹
    His first wish was to become rich.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 이다 is the verb ‘to be’.
    • 었 is a past tense marker.
    • 습니다 is a formal polite ending used in declarative sentences.
12. 그래서 먹을 것을 찾으려고 마을로 내려왔습니다.¹²
    So, he came down to the village to look for something to eat.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 을 is an object marker that identifies the noun as the target directly affected by an action.
13. 서준: 불고기만 먹으면 좀 느끼할 것 같아.¹³
    Seojun: I think eating only bulgogi might be a bit too greasy.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
14. 붙잡은 것도, 놓아버린 것도²
    What I held onto and what I let go of
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 도 is a particle meaning ‘also’ or ‘too’.
15. 푸른 바람이 말해 주는 것 같아⁴
    It feels like the blue breeze is whispering
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
16. 지수: 그치, 그 두 사람 다 상처가 많았는데, 그냥 옆에 있어 주는 것만으로도 힘이 되는 게 보여서 좋았어.⁵
    Jisoo: Right, both of those people had many wounds, but it was good to see that just being by their side was enough to give them strength.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 만 is a particle meaning ‘only’ or ‘just’.
    • 으로 is an instrumental particle meaning ‘with’ or ‘by’.
    • 도 is a particle meaning ‘even’ or ‘also’.
    • -는 것만으로도 indicates that simply doing the action in the preceding clause alone is enough to produce the result mentioned in the following clause.
17. 하지만 저는 다른 사람과 함께 방 안에서 이틀 동안 지내는 것조차 견딜 수 없습니다.⁶
    But I can’t even endure staying with other people in a room for two days.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 조차 is a particle meaning ‘even’, used to emphasize the extremity or unexpectedness of the statement.
18. 우리는 끝없는 검은 바다 한가운데 있는 고요한 무지의 섬에 살고 있으며, 멀리 나가는 것은 우리에게 맞지 않았습니다.⁸
    We live on a quiet island of ignorance in the middle of an endless black sea, and it was not meant for us to venture far.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 은 is a topic marker, indicating what the sentence is about or the topic of discussion. It can emphasize an element, contrast it with another, or set the context for what follows, highlighting the theme rather than the actor and conveying a sense of ‘as for…’ or ‘regarding…’.
19. “사람은 자기가 길들인 것만 알 수 있어.” 여우가 말했다.¹⁰
    “One only knows the things one has tamed,” said the fox.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 만 is a particle meaning ‘only’ or ‘just’.
20. 그는 실망하여 태양이 되는 것이 진정한 힘이라고 생각하며 태양이 되기를 소원했습니다.¹¹
    Disappointed, he wished to become the sun, believing it would give him true strength.
    • 것 is a bound noun meaning ‘thing’, often used with modifiers to nominalize the preceding clause or phrase.
    • 이 is a subject marker that identifies the noun as the entity that performs an action or is in a particular state.