-는 걸 보니: Seeing that, now that

안녕하세요!

Did you ever watch a magic show and think, “How on Earth did they do that?” Well, today, you’re about to become the magician, but instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, you’re going to be pulling out fabulous Korean sentences using the “-는 걸 보니” pattern! 🎩💌

Now, I hear you asking, “What is this ‘-는 걸 보니’ you speak of?” Great question, you curious learner! This nifty pattern is your golden ticket to understanding and expressing observations or realizations in Korean. It’s like having Sherlock Holmes glasses for the Korean language. 🔍😎

Are you ready to delve into this delightful linguistic realm? To laugh at our inevitable tongue-twisters and celebrate our “Aha!” moments? If you’re now looking around wondering if you signed up for a comedy or a lesson… surprise! You got both. 😜

So, fasten your seatbelts, prepare your notebooks (or whatever you use, even if it’s doodling on your arm – no judgment here!), and let’s dive deep into the universe of “-는 걸 보니.” Onwards, my witty wizards of words! 🌌📖🎉

Conjugation

ACTION VERB STEM + 는 걸 보니

Take a verb i.e. 가다
Drop “다” i.e. 가
Add 는 걸 보니 i.e. 가는 걸 보니

먹다 –> 먹 + 는 걸 보니 –> 먹는 걸 보니
보다 –> 보 + 는 걸 보니 –> 보는 걸 보니
사다 –> 사 + 는 걸 보니 –> 사는 걸 보니

하다 –> 하 + 는 걸 보니 –> 하는 걸 보니

DESCRIPTIVE VERB STEM + ㄴ/은 걸 보니

Take a verb i.e. 좋다

Drop “다” i.e. 좋
Add appropriate ending based on the rules below (in this case it becomes 좋은 걸 보니)

If the verb stem ends with a vowel, add ㄴ 걸 보니

If the verb stem ends with a consonant, add 은 걸 보니
If the verb stem ends with a consonant ㅂ, drop ㅂ and add 운 걸 보니

춥다 –> 추 + 운 걸 보니 –> 추운 걸 보니

바쁘다 –> 바쁘 + ㄴ 걸 보니 –> 바쁜 걸 보니
많다 –> 많 + 은 걸 보니 –> 많은 걸 보니
무섭다 –> 무서 + 운 걸 보니 –> 무서운 걸 보니

Understanding -는 걸 보니

Understanding Each Component

-는:
- This is a present-tense verb modifier. This part of the pattern is attached to the stem of action verbs.
  - For example: 하다 (to do) becomes 하는.
걸:
- Short for 것을, where “것” is a noun meaning “thing” or “fact”, and “을” is the object marker. In this pattern, 걸 essentially represents the ‘act of’ or ‘fact of’ doing something.
  - So, 하는 걸 translates to “the act of doing“.
보니:
- This comes from the verb 보다 (to see/observe). When attached with -니, it conveys a realization upon observing something, similar to “seeing that” or “now that I see/observe”.
  - For instance: 비가 오다 (to rain) becomes 비가 오는 걸 보니, which translates to “seeing that it’s raining” or “now that I observe it’s raining“.

Piecing It Together

When you combine these elements, the pattern “-는 걸 보니” essentially allows you to express a realization or conclusion you’ve come to based on an observed fact or action.

Using our earlier example:

비가 오는 걸 보니 우산을 가져와야겠어요.
- 비가 오는 (It’s raining) + 걸 보니 (seeing that) = Seeing that it’s raining, I should bring an umbrella.

Nuances and Cultural Usage

In Korean, making observations and stating subsequent realizations is a common way to present information without making direct statements. This can be seen as more polite and less assertive, fitting in well with the indirect communication style often favoured in Korean culture.

While “-는 걸 보니” might sound lengthy to English speakers, it’s a succinct way in Korean to connect an observation to a conclusion or realization, making conversations flow naturally.

In essence, understanding the individual components of “-는 걸 보니” and their combined meaning is key to grasping the depth and utility of this pattern in everyday Korean communication.

Contextual Meaning and Usage

Drawing Conclusions from Observations

The main strength of “-는 걸 보니” is to express a realization, assumption, or conclusion derived from an observation. Instead of just stating a fact or observation, the speaker adds an extra layer of insight or action based on that observation.

For instance:

그가 빨리 걷는 걸 보니 지각하겠네요.
- Observing him walk fast, it looks like he’s running late.

Here, the speaker not only observes the fast walking but also deduces the reason behind it.

Softening Statements

Korean language and culture often emphasize harmony and avoiding direct confrontation. The “-는 걸 보니” pattern provides a way to comment on something without making a direct assertion.

Consider:

네가 행복한 걸 보니 좋은 일이 있었나 봐.
- Seeing you happy, it seems something good must have happened.

Rather than asking directly if something good happened, the speaker uses the observation of happiness as a gentle lead into the conclusion.

Indicating Surprises or Unexpected Realizations

The pattern can also express a realization that is counter to prior beliefs or expectations.

Example:

그녀가 우는 걸 보니 아무래도 승리하지 못한 것 같아.
- Seeing her cry, it seems she didn’t win after all.

This suggests that the speaker previously believed or expected her to win.

Comparisons with Similar Patterns

“-는 걸 보니” is distinct from other observational phrases like “-는 것 같다” or “-는 모습이다.” While these other patterns also describe observations, they don’t necessarily convey the subsequent realizations or conclusions inherent in “-는 걸 보니.”

Sample sentences

책을 이미 다 읽는 걸 보니 재미있었나 봐요. – Seeing that you read the entire book, it must have been interesting.
아이가 웃는 걸 보니 기분이 좋은가 봐요. – Seeing the child laugh, it seems he’s in a good mood.
모두가 집중하는 걸 보니 이야기가 흥미로운 것 같아요. – Seeing everyone so focused, it seems the story is intriguing.

빵을 많이 사는 걸 보니 파티를 할 계획인가 봐요. – Seeing him buy a lot of bread, it seems he’s planning a party.
그가 공부하는 걸 보니 시험이 다가오나 봐요. – Seeing him studying, it seems an exam is coming up.

Activity 1

Fill in the blanks.

그녀가 말 없이 ____________ 화가 난 것 같아요. – Seeing her leave without a word, it seems she’s upset.
밖에 사람들이 ____________ 무슨 행사가 있나 봐요. – Seeing people gather outside, there must be some event.
그녀가 운동화를 ____________ 운동하러 가는 것 같요. – Seeing her wear sneakers, it looks like she’s going to exercise.

그가 시계를 자주 ____________ 시간이 급한가 봐요. – Seeing him frequently check his watch, he must be in a hurry.
모두가 ____________ 아직 시작하지 않았나 봐요. – Seeing everyone seated, it seems it hasn’t started yet.

Activity 1 Answers

그녀가 말 없이 나가는 걸 보니 화가 난 것 같아요. – Seeing her leave without a word, it seems she’s upset.

밖에 사람들이 모이는 걸 보니 무슨 행사가 있나 봐요. – Seeing people gather outside, there must be some event.
그녀가 운동화를 신는 걸 보니 운동하러 가는 것 같요. – Seeing her wear sneakers, it looks like she’s going to exercise.
그가 시계를 자주 보는 걸 보니 시간이 급한가 봐요. – Seeing him frequently check his watch, he must be in a hurry.

모두가 앉아 있는 걸 보니 아직 시작하지 않았나 봐요. – Seeing everyone seated, it seems it hasn’t started yet.

Wrap up

Alright, language warriors! As we wrap up our “-는 걸 보니” extravaganza, I hope your Korean senses are tingling with excitement! 🕺

Remember: Every time you notice something in Korean using our fabulous “-는 걸 보니” pattern, give yourself a mental high five. Or a real one. Just be careful if you’re holding a drink. 🥤✋ Splash!

Keep practicing, keep observing, and most importantly, keep having fun with your Korean journey.

See you next lesson, where more linguistic adventures await! 🚀

Stay sassy, stay classy, and keep that Korean passion fiery and flashy! 🔥🎈