Soho Korean
  1. Grammar
  2. Level 2
  3. Turning a verb into a noun

Korean grammar · Level 2 · 2급

V-는 것 · V-기

Turning a verb into a noun

In native review Taught in Unit 2: What are your hobbies?

To use a verb as a noun — “swimming”, “reading” — add -는 것 or -기 to the stem. -는 것 (spoken: -는 거) works almost everywhere; -기 is shorter and common for hobbies, lists and titles. Stems ending in drop the before -는: 만들다 → 만드는 것.

WhenUseExample
-는 것 (spoken -는 거)stem + 는 것수영하는 것 · 먹는 거
-기stem + 기수영하기 · 책 읽기
ㄹ stems before -는ㄹ drops만들다 → 만드는 것 · 놀다 → 노는 거

Examples

  • 제 취미는 요리하는 거예요.

    My hobby is cooking.

  • 저는 등산하는 것을 좋아해요.

    I like hiking.

  • 제 취미는 호떡 먹기예요.

    My hobby is eating hotteok.

Practise it in context · Level 2, Unit 2

What are your hobbies?

A dialogue with audio, practice that checks itself, Hoya’s mistakes, a reading and a writing task.

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