Nominalizers -기 & -음
Turning verbs into nouns.
Goals
-기 / -음 noun-like verb chunks.
Steps
- 먹기 싫어요 pattern.
- -음 in notices and signs.
- Collect admin samples.
Common mistakes
- -기 vs 는 것 overlap.
Study rhythm: Skim “Nominalizers -기 & -음” for structure, then re-read aloud. Fifteen-minute sessions usually beat one long cram when you are learning Korean from scratch.
Hands-on: Write three new sentences (do not copy the examples) using this pattern. When you learn Korean, forcing fresh sentences shows gaps early.
Listening: Pair this lesson with any short clip whose Korean subtitles reuse the same grammar. Notice endings in interviews versus narrators — the same rule may sound softer or stiffer.
Particles & patience: If vocabulary is easy but sentences feel wrong, slow down on markers. Revisit the core explanation above before adding more flashcards.
Examples & practice: mini conversation
Read across: English meaning → Korean sentence → romanization (Konglish-style pronunciation guide, not official MR).
| Speaker | English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 튜터 | Why study Korean? | 왜 한국어 공부해? | wae hangugeo gongbuhae? |
| 학생 | 드라마 보기가 재미있어서요. | deurama bogiga jaemiisseoseoyo. | deurama bogiga jaemiisseoseoyo. |
| 튜터 | -기 turns verb into noun-ish thing. | 동사+기. | dongs-a+gi. |
| 학생 | 먹기 전에 손 씻어—before eating. | meokgi jeon-e son ssiseo. | meokgi jeon-e son ssiseo. |
| 튜터 | Written notices love -음. | 공지문에 음. | gongjimun-e eum. |
| 학생 | Walking 듣기만으로는 부족해요. | deudgi-man-euro-neun bujokhaeyo. | deudgi-man-euro-neun bujokhaeyo. |