Let's study the difference between the Korean grammar forms '-기' and '-는 것' today. Both of these are nominalizers, meaning they turn verbs into nouns. While they seem similar, there are important distinctions in their usage and meaning.
Practical Uses of '-기'
1. Making Lists:
'-기' is often used when people create lists, especially for tasks or activities. It nominalizes verbs to represent general actions or habitual activities.
Examples:
청소하기, 빨래하기, 요리하기
(Cleaning, doing laundry, cooking)
'-기' allows actions to be expressed in an abstract way, making it perfect for lists or when outlining what needs to be done.
2. With Specific Verbs and Adjectives:
'-기' frequently appears with certain verbs and adjectives like '시작하다', '좋다/안 좋다', '쉽다/어렵다', and '싫어하다/좋아하다'. This combination is used to express subjective judgments or feelings about an action.
Examples:
운동하기 시작했어요.
(I started exercising.)운동하기가 좋아요.
(Exercising is good.)공부하기가 어려워요.
(Studying is difficult.)책 읽기 싫어해요.
(I dislike reading books.)
This pattern is very useful when talking about whether an activity is enjoyable, easy, hard, etc.
3. Displayed on Buttons:
'-기' is often seen on buttons in apps or devices, where it labels actions in a simple and neutral way. This makes it ideal for commands or options.
Examples:
저장하기 (Save)
삭제하기 (Delete)
시작하기 (Start)
종료하기 (Exit)
In this context, '-기' nominalizes the verb, making it concise and clear for user actions.
Key Characteristics of '-기' in These Contexts:
Abstract or Habitual Meaning: '-기' refers to general actions or concepts rather than specific instances.
Neutral Tone: It fits well with tasks, buttons, and lists because it expresses neutral or factual statements.
Common Verbs and Adjectives: It often pairs with verbs related to starting, liking, or judging the difficulty of actions.
Summary:
'-기' is ideal for practical uses like listing actions, describing general activities, and labeling buttons, as it turns actions into abstract, neutral nouns that are easy to understand.
Characteristics of '-는 것'
1. Focus on the Action Itself:
'-는 것' emphasizes the specific action or process itself, often highlighting the ongoing experience or the act of doing something. It’s used when describing the act of doing something in a more detailed way than '-기'.
Examples:
운동하는 것 (The act of exercising)
운동하는 것이 즐거워요.
(Exercising is enjoyable.)
책을 읽는 것 (The act of reading a book)
책을 읽는 것은 중요해요.
(Reading a book is important.)
In these examples, '-는 것' focuses on the specific act, like exercising or reading, as it happens.
2. Not Used for Buttons or Lists:
Unlike '-기', '-는 것' is not used for buttons, commands, or lists because it describes actions or events in more detail. For tasks or commands, a straightforward expression like '-기' is preferred. '-는 것' is better suited for explaining or describing an action in-depth.
3. Combines Freely with All Verbs and Adjectives:
One of the strengths of '-는 것' is that it can attach to almost any verb or adjective. While '-기' is typically used with specific verbs or adjectives, '-는 것' has much more flexibility and can be applied in various contexts.
Examples:
먹는 것 (The act of eating)
먹는 것이 행복해요.
(Eating makes me happy.)
일어나는 것 (The act of waking up)
일어나는 것이 힘들어요.
(Waking up is hard.)
공부하는 것 (The act of studying)
공부하는 것이 재미있어요.
(Studying is fun.)
This flexibility makes '-는 것' very versatile, allowing it to describe actions or experiences in a wide variety of situations.
Summary:
Focus on the Process: '-는 것' emphasizes the specific action or process as it happens.
Not for Buttons or Lists: It is not used in contexts like buttons or task lists, as it’s more suited for detailed descriptions of actions or events.
Wide Application: It combines freely with all verbs and adjectives, giving it greater flexibility in expressing different actions.
By understanding the differences between '-기' and '-는 것', you can more accurately use these forms depending on whether you're talking about general activities or specific, detailed actions.