“것 같다” is a very commonly used expression in the Korean language that holds significant meaning and plays a crucial role in communication. This versatile phrase allows individuals to express their thoughts, opinions, and assumptions about various situations and experiences. Whether you’re describing how something appears, stating your belief, or making an educated guess, “것 같다” provides a valuable linguistic tool for expressing your perspective. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of “것 같다,” exploring its meaning, sentence structure, usage patterns, common mistakes, and tips for effective usage. By the end of this guide, you will have a solid understanding of how to use “것 같다” in different contexts and enhance your Korean language skills. So, let’s delve into the world of “것 같다” and unlock its linguistic power!
Conjugation
The sentence structure of “것 같다” depends on the part of speech that precedes it. Let’s explore the usage patterns for verbs, adjectives, and nouns:
- Take a verb i.e. 가다
- Drop 다 i.e. 가
- Add ㄴ 것 같다, 는 것 같아 or ㄹ 것 같아 depending on the tense.
Verbs
When using “것 같다” with verbs, the sentence structure follows the pattern of
PAST TENSE: “Verb stem + ㄴ/은 것 같다.”
If a word ends in a vowel, add ㄴ 것 같아
If a word ends in a consonant, add 은 것 같아
Examples:
- 하다 (to do) → 한 것 같다 (seems like did)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹은 것 같아 (seems like ate)
PRESENT TENSE: “Verb stem + 는 것 같다.”
Examples:
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹는 것 같다 (seems like eating)
- 가다 (to go) → 가는 것 같다 (seems like going)
FUTURE TENSE: “Verb stem + ㄹ/을 것 같다.”
If a word ends in a vowel, add ㄹ 것 같아
If a word ends in a consonant, add 을 것 같아
Examples:
- 보다 (to see) → 볼 것 같다 (seems like will see)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 것 같다 (seems like will eat)
Adjectives
For adjectives, the sentence structure is “Adjective stem + ㄴ/은 것 같다.” Similar to verbs, the adjective stem is formed by removing the 다 ending.
PRESENT TENSE: “Verb stem + ㄴ/은 것 같다.”
If a word ends in a vowel, add ㄴ 것 같아
If a word ends in a consonant, add 은 것 같아
Example:
- 예쁘다 (pretty) → 예쁜 것 같다 (seems like being pretty)
- 작다 (small) → 작은 것 같다 (seems like being small)
FUTURE TENSE: “Verb stem + ㄹ/을 것 같다.”
If a word ends in a vowel, add ㄹ 것 같아
If a word ends in a consonant, add 을 것 같아
Examples
- 싸다 (cheap) → 쌀 것 같다 (seems like will be cheap)
- 많다 (a lot) → 많을 것 같다 (seems like will be a lot)
Nouns
When using nouns with “것 같다,” the sentence structure is “Noun + 같다.”
Example:
- 사람 (person) → 사람 같다 (seems like a person)
- 책 (book) → 책 같다 (seems like a book)
The usage of “것 같다” can vary depending on the context and the speaker’s intention. It allows you to express your thoughts, assumptions, or impressions about a situation without asserting them as absolute facts. “것 같다” adds a level of subjectivity and uncertainty to your statements, making them more nuanced and open for interpretation.
Meaning
“것 같다” is a versatile Korean expression that carries the meaning of “seems like” or “looks like.” It allows speakers to convey their thoughts, opinions, and assumptions about a particular situation or subject. This phrase serves as a linguistic tool for expressing personal perceptions and making statements based on one’s observations or beliefs.
When using “것 같다,” you are essentially sharing your perspective or making an educated guess about something without stating it as an absolute fact. It provides a softer and more subjective tone to your statements, allowing for a degree of uncertainty or speculation. By using “것 같다,” you can express your thoughts or convey what you perceive or feel without being overly assertive or definitive.
It is important to note that “것 같다” should not be confused with stating objective facts or making definitive statements. It signifies personal perception and allows for a certain level of subjectivity. The context and tone of the conversation play a significant role in understanding the intended meaning behind “것 같다.”
Examples
Past tense
- 그 사람이 저를 좋아한 것 같아요. – I think he liked me.
- 이제 다 먹은 것 같아요. – I think he ate it all already.
- 그 영화 이미 본 것 같아요. – I think I saw that movie already.
Present tense
- 현우가 지금 자는 것 같아요. – I think Hyeonwoo is sleeping now.
- 요즘 책 쓰는 것 같아요. – I think he is writing book these days.
- 많이 기대하는 것 같아요. – It looks like he is really looking forward to it.
Future tense
- 내일 갈 것 같아요. – I think I will go tomorrow.
- 그렇게 하면 너무 에쁠 것 같아요. – I think if you do it like that it will be really pretty.
- 노래방 가면 너무 재미있을 것 같아요. – I think it will be a lot of fun if we go to Karaoke.
Activity 1
Fill in the blanks.
- 오늘 날씨가 좋아서 _________. (나가다) – The weather is nice today so I think I will go out.
- 이 영화는 흥미로워서 다시 _________. (보다) – This movie is really interesting so I think I will see it again.
- 그거 ____________. (말하다). – I think he said that.
- 여기 어디 ___________. (있다). – I think its somewhere here.
- 이미 ___________. (받다). – I think he received it already.
Activity 2
Translate the below to Korean.
- I think it will rain tomorrow.
- I think I will be busy next month.
- I think dad is waiting.
- I think he is living in Korea now.
- I think we will meet on the weekend.
Activity 1 Answers
- 오늘 날씨가 좋아서 나갈 것 같아요. – The weather is nice today so I think I will go out.
- 이 영화는 흥미로워서 다시 볼 것 같아요. – This movie is really interesting so I think I will see it again.
- 그거 말한 것 같아요. – I think he said that.
- 여기 어디 있는 것 같아요. – I think its somewhere here.
- 이미 받은 것 같아요. – I think he received it already.
Activity 2 Answers
- I think it will rain tomorrow. – 내일 비 올 것 같아요
- I think I will be busy next month. – 다음 달에 바쁠 것 같아요.
- I think dad is waiting. – 아빠가 기다리는 것 같아요.
- I think he is living in Korea now. – 지금 한국에 사는 것 같아요.
- I think we will meet on the weekend. – 주말에 만날 것 같아요.