TOPIK 2Expressions

-는 것

Nominalizer -는 것 (the act of, ~ing)

Turns verbs into noun phrases

Description

-는 것 nominalizes verbs, turning actions into noun concepts. 것 means 'thing' and combines with modifier endings to create noun phrases.

Usage

Use -는 것 for present/habitual actions, -(으)ㄴ 것 for past/completed, -(으)ㄹ 것 for future. Often shortened to -는 거 in speech.

Formation Rules

  • 1Action verb stem + 는 것 (doing X)
  • 2Adjective stem + (으)ㄴ 것 (being X)
  • 3Past: stem + (으)ㄴ 것
  • 4Future: stem + (으)ㄹ 것

Tips

  • 💡거 is the colloquial form of 것
  • 💡Essential for many grammar patterns
  • 💡Can function as subject, object, or complement

Example Sentences

한국어를 배우는 것이 재미있어요.

Hangugeoreul baeuneun geosi jaemiisseoyo.

Learning Korean is fun.

제가 좋아하는 것은 음악이에요.

Jega joahaneun geoseun eumakieyo.

What I like is music.

매일 운동하는 게 좋아요.

Maeil undonghaneun ge joayo.

It's good to exercise every day.

Related Patterns

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