Korean Nominalization: ~기 (Making Verbs into Nouns)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Turn any verb into a noun by replacing '다' with '기' to describe actions as concepts.
- Remove '다' from the dictionary form: '먹다' (to eat) becomes '먹기' (eating).
- Use it to create subjects or objects: '운동하기는 재미있어요' (Exercising is fun).
- Combine with particles: '읽기' + '가' = '읽기가' (reading [subject]).
Overview
Korean nominalization through ~기 transforms verbs and adjectives into nouns, allowing you to treat actions and states as abstract concepts or objects. This fundamental grammatical function is akin to English gerunds (e.g., “swimming” from “to swim”) or infinitives (e.g., “to understand” as a noun phrase). Unlike merely performing an action, ~기 enables you to discuss the action itself as a subject, object, or part of a larger grammatical construction.
Its presence is pervasive, from formal writing and UI labels to specific idiomatic expressions, highlighting its crucial role in creating concise, conceptual language.
This nominalizer is often chosen for its directness and noun-like quality, particularly in contexts where clarity and conciseness are paramount, such as instructions, titles, and fixed grammatical patterns. Understanding ~기 is not just about grammatical correctness; it’s about grasping a core linguistic mechanism that shapes how Koreans conceptualize and articulate actions and qualities.
How This Grammar Works
~기 functions as a nominalizer, taking a verb stem or adjective stem and converting it into a noun form. This transformation allows the newly formed noun to occupy positions in a sentence typically reserved for nouns, such as the subject, object, or to be modified by particles. The linguistic rationale behind ~기 stems from the need to refer to actions or states abstractly, as singular entities rather than ongoing processes.하다 (ha-da, to do) becomes 하기 (ha-gi, doing/the act of doing). This 하기 can then take the subject particle 가 to become 하기가 어렵다 (ha-gi-ga eo-ryeop-da, doing is difficult) or the object particle 를 in contexts like 하기를 좋아하다 (ha-gi-reul jo-a-ha-da, to like doing). This flexibility is central to constructing more complex and nuanced sentences in Korean.~는 것, ~기 generally conveys a more conceptual, abstract, or generalized idea of the action or state, often implying a standard, rule, or objective fact.~기 때문에 (because of doing), ~기 turns the preceding clause into a noun phrase that serves as the reason. This transformation is pivotal for expressing complex relationships between clauses concisely.Formation Pattern
~기 is remarkably straightforward, making it one of the most consistent nominalizers in Korean. You attach ~기 directly to the verb or adjective stem, regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. This simplicity means there are almost no irregular conjugations to memorize for this specific pattern.
먹다 [meok-da, to eat], 크다 [keu-da, to be big]).
다 (da) to obtain the stem (e.g., 먹 [meok], 크 [keu]).
~기 to the stem (e.g., 먹기 [meok-gi], 크기 [keu-gi]).
듣다 [deut-da, to listen] becomes 듣기 [deut-gi], 춥다 [chup-da, to be cold] becomes 춥기 [chup-gi]). The base stem remains unaltered before ~기.
+ ~기 (Nominalized Form) | Meaning |
가다 (ga-da, to go) | 가 | 가기 (ga-gi) | Going/The act of going |
먹다 (meok-da, to eat) | 먹 | 먹기 (meok-gi) | Eating/The act of eating |
읽다 (ilk-da, to read) | 읽 | 읽기 (ilk-gi) | Reading/The act of reading |
듣다 (deut-da, to listen) | 듣 | 듣기 (deut-gi) | Listening/The act of listening |
만들다 (man-deul-da, to make) | 만들 | 만들기 (man-deul-gi) | Making/The act of making |
하다 (ha-da, to do) | 하 | 하기 (ha-gi) | Doing/The act of doing |
크다 (keu-da, to be big) | 크 | 크기 (keu-gi) | Bigness/Size |
쉽다 (swip-da, to be easy) | 쉽 | 쉽기 (swip-gi) | Easiness/The state of being easy |
When To Use It
~기 is not a universal nominalizer; its usage is specific to certain contexts, often implying a conceptual, instructional, or fixed nature. Employing ~기 outside these established patterns can sound unnatural or overly formal. Here are its primary domains:~기. Numerous essential grammar structures require ~기 to function correctly. These patterns use the nominalized form as a stable base for expressing complex ideas.- Expressing Reason:
~기 때문에(gi ttae-mu-ne, because of X-ing)
~기 nominalizes the preceding clause, making it the 'thing' that causes the subsequent event. It is more formal than -(으)니까.비가 오기 때문에 집에 있었어요.(Bi-ga o-gi ttae-mu-ne ji-be i-sseo-sseo-yo.)
배가 아프기 때문에 병원에 갔어.(Bae-ga a-peu-gi ttae-mu-ne byeong-won-e ga-sseo.)
- Expressing Decision/Promise:
~기로 하다(gi-ro ha-da, to decide to X / to promise to X)
~기 nominalizes the action that is being decided upon.내년부터 매일 운동하기로 했어요.(Nae-nyeon-bu-teo mae-il un-dong-ha-gi-ro hae-sseo-yo.)
다시는 거짓말 안 하기로 했어.(Da-si-neun geo-jit-mal an ha-gi-ro hae-sseo.)
- Expressing Ease or Difficulty:
~기 쉽다/어렵다(gi swip-da/eo-ryeop-da, easy/difficult to X)
~기 here nominalizes the action being evaluated.이 책은 읽기 쉬워요.(I chae-geun il-gi swi-wo-yo.)
한국어 발음은 배우기 어려워.(Han-gu-geo ba-reum-eun bae-u-gi eo-ryeo-wo.)
- Expressing Hope/Wish:
~기 바라다(gi ba-ra-da, to hope to X / to wish for X)
~았/었으면 좋겠다.모든 일이 잘 되기 바랍니다.(Mo-deun i-ri jal doe-gi ba-ram-ni-da.)
내일은 비가 안 오기 바랄게.(Nae-il-eun bi-ga an o-gi ba-ral-ge.)
- Before an Action:
~기 전에(gi jeon-e, before X-ing)
밥 먹기 전에 손을 씻으세요.(Bap meok-gi jeon-e son-eul ssi-sseu-se-yo.)
잠들기 전에 책을 읽었어.(Jam-deul-gi jeon-e chae-geul il-geo-sseo.)
- Suitable/Unsuitable:
~기에 적합하다/부적합하다(gi-e jeo-kap-ha-da/bu-jeo-kap-ha-da, suitable/unsuitable for X)
이곳은 아이들이 놀기에 안전하지 않아요.(I-got-eun a-i-deu-ri nol-gi-e an-jeon-ha-ji an-a-yo.)
~기 is frequently used in written contexts where conciseness and clear instructions are needed. It allows verbs to act as standalone, actionable items, much like English infinitives or gerunds used in bullet points.- To-Do List Example:
숙제하기(suk-je-ha-gi, Do homework),청소하기(cheong-so-ha-gi, Clean). - Recipe Step Example:
물 끓이기(mul kkeul-i-gi, Boil water),재료 섞기(jae-ryo seok-gi, Mix ingredients).
~기 is the standard for button labels, menu items, and functional descriptions. It presents the action as a command or option, fitting the conceptual nature of an interface.보기(bo-gi, View) from보다(to see)쓰기(sseu-gi, Write) from쓰다(to write)보내기(bo-nae-gi, Send) from보내다(to send)듣기(deut-gi, Listen) from듣다(to listen)
~기 forms abstract nouns, often related to measurements or intrinsic qualities. These are not merely conceptual actions but rather fixed nouns for specific properties.크기(keu-gi, size) from크다(to be big)길이(gil-i, length) from길다(to be long)높이(no-pi, height) from높다(to be high)깊이(gip-i, depth) from깊다(to be deep)넓이(neolb-i, width/area) from넓다(to be wide)
~기 can be used to label sections or types of activities, presenting them as general categories.읽기 연습(il-gi yeon-seup, Reading Practice)듣기 평가(deut-gi pyeong-ga, Listening Comprehension Test)
Common Mistakes
~기's formation is simple, its usage often trips up learners, primarily due to its semantic overlap with ~는 것 and subtle distinctions in nuance. Avoiding these common pitfalls is key to sounding natural.~기 with ~는 것 (The I like trap)~기 and ~는 것 nominalize verbs, but they carry different connotations. ~는 것 (often shortened to ~는 거 in spoken Korean) refers to the concrete act or fact of doing something, making it generally more suitable for personal experiences, specific instances, and casual conversation. ~기, conversely, tends to denote the action as a more abstract concept, a general truth, or a fixed idea.- Incorrect/Unnatural (for personal preference):
수영하기를 좋아해요.(Su-yeong-ha-gi-reul jo-a-hae-yo.)
Nominalization Formation
| Verb (Dictionary) | Stem | Nominalized Form |
|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
가기
|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
먹기
|
|
공부하다
|
공부하
|
공부하기
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
읽기
|
|
자다
|
자
|
자기
|
|
운동하다
|
운동하
|
운동하기
|
Meanings
The ~기 suffix transforms a verb or adjective into a noun, allowing it to function as a subject, object, or topic in a sentence.
Action as a Subject
Treating an action as a noun to describe it.
“수영하기는 건강에 좋아요.”
“일찍 일어나기는 힘들어요.”
Action as an Object
Performing an action as the target of a verb.
“저는 요리하기를 좋아해요.”
“그는 노래하기를 멈췄어요.”
Memo/Instructional Style
Used in lists or brief notes.
“창문 닫기”
“숙제 제출하기”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + 기
|
먹기
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Stem + 기
|
안 먹기
|
|
Negative (Long)
|
Stem + 지 않기
|
먹지 않기
|
|
Subject
|
Stem + 기 + 가/는
|
먹기가 쉬워요
|
|
Object
|
Stem + 기 + 를
|
먹기를 원해요
|
|
Topic
|
Stem + 기 + 는
|
먹기는 좋아요
|
Formality Spectrum
저는 책 읽기를 좋아합니다. (Talking about hobbies)
저는 책 읽기를 좋아해요. (Talking about hobbies)
나 책 읽기 좋아해. (Talking about hobbies)
책 읽기 짱 좋아. (Talking about hobbies)
The ~기 Transformation
Action
- 먹다 to eat
Nominalizer
- 기 suffix
Result
- 먹기 eating
Nominalization Comparison
How to make a noun
Is it a verb?
Add '기'?
Common Uses
Hobbies
- • 그림 그리기
- • 노래하기
Tasks
- • 숙제하기
- • 청소하기
Feelings
- • 좋아하기
- • 싫어하기
Examples by Level
저는 먹기를 좋아해요.
I like eating.
공부하기는 힘들어요.
Studying is hard.
수영하기는 재미있어요.
Swimming is fun.
잠자기 전에 책을 읽어요.
I read a book before sleeping.
매일 운동하기는 중요해요.
Exercising every day is important.
저는 요리하기를 안 좋아해요.
I don't like cooking.
한국어 말하기는 어려워요.
Speaking Korean is difficult.
오늘 숙제하기를 잊었어요.
I forgot to do my homework today.
그는 노래하기를 멈추지 않았어요.
He did not stop singing.
건강을 위해 담배 피우지 않기를 결심했어요.
I decided not to smoke for my health.
이 기계는 사용하기가 아주 쉬워요.
This machine is very easy to use.
그녀는 춤추기를 정말 잘해요.
She is really good at dancing.
환경 보호를 위해 일회용품 쓰지 않기가 필요합니다.
Not using disposables is necessary for environmental protection.
그의 성공은 끊임없이 노력하기의 결과입니다.
His success is the result of constant effort.
이 문서는 읽기가 매우 불편하게 되어 있어요.
This document is formatted in a way that is very uncomfortable to read.
정부의 정책은 국민과 소통하기를 목표로 합니다.
The government's policy aims to communicate with the citizens.
그는 자신의 생각을 말하기를 주저하지 않았습니다.
He did not hesitate to speak his mind.
이론을 배우기와 실습하기는 병행되어야 합니다.
Learning theory and practicing must be done in parallel.
우리는 서로 이해하기를 포기하지 말아야 합니다.
We must not give up on understanding each other.
그의 행동은 예의를 지키지 않기로 유명합니다.
His behavior is famous for not keeping manners.
역사를 잊은 민족에게 미래는 없다는 말은 기억하기를 강조합니다.
The saying that a nation that forgets its history has no future emphasizes remembering.
그는 침묵하기를 선택함으로써 상황을 회피했습니다.
He avoided the situation by choosing to remain silent.
이 법안은 공정하게 경쟁하기를 보장하는 것을 목적으로 합니다.
This bill aims to guarantee fair competition.
진정으로 사랑하기는 타인의 고통을 공감하는 것에서 시작됩니다.
Truly loving begins with empathizing with the pain of others.
Easily Confused
Both nominalize verbs, making it hard to choose.
Both are nominalizers.
Both use '기'.
Common Mistakes
먹다 좋아해요
먹기를 좋아해요
공부하기 재미있어요
공부하기는 재미있어요
가기 가요
가기를 가요
자다기
자기
안 먹기 좋아해요
안 먹기를 좋아해요
숙제하기는 싫어해요
숙제하기를 싫어해요
읽기 것
읽기
그는 말하기를 멈췄다
그는 말하기를 멈췄어요
사용하기가 어렵다
사용하기가 어려워요
그가 가기를 원한다
그가 가기를 원해요
이론 배우기와 실습하기가 병행되어야 한다
이론 배우기와 실습하기가 병행되어야 합니다
그는 침묵하기를 선택했다
그는 침묵하기를 선택했습니다
공정하게 경쟁하기를 보장한다
공정하게 경쟁하기를 보장합니다
Sentence Patterns
___하기는 재미있어요.
저는 ___하기를 좋아해요.
___하기가 아주 쉬워요.
성공하기 위해 ___하기가 필요합니다.
Real World Usage
오늘 운동하기 완료!
숙제하기 싫어 ㅠㅠ
저는 팀과 소통하기를 중요하게 생각합니다.
티켓 예약하기가 어렵네요.
주문하기
전원 켜기
Particle usage
Don't skip the suffix
Use with preference verbs
Checklist style
Smart Tips
Always use the object particle '를' with '좋아하다' or '싫어하다'.
Use '기' for a clean, professional look.
If the sentence ends in an adjective, use the subject particle '가'.
Use '는' for contrast.
Pronunciation
Linking
When '기' is followed by a particle starting with a vowel, the '기' sound is pronounced clearly.
Intonation
The '기' syllable is usually unstressed.
Declarative
먹기가 좋아요 ↘
Stating a fact.
Interrogative
먹기가 좋아요 ↗
Asking a question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '기' as a 'Gift' box. You put the verb inside the box to turn it into a noun.
Visual Association
Imagine a running person (달리다) jumping into a box labeled '기'. When they come out, they are a statue (noun) labeled '달리기'.
Rhyme
Take the '다' and throw it away, add '기' to make the noun stay!
Story
Min-su wanted to talk about his hobby. He took '운동하다', cut off the '다', and added '기'. Now he could say '운동하기는 재미있어요' to his friends. Everyone understood him perfectly.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your daily routine using the ~기 form in the next 5 minutes.
Cultural Notes
Used universally in both formal and informal settings.
Often uses different particles, but the ~기 nominalization remains the same.
Highly preferred in written reports and manuals for clarity.
The ~기 suffix evolved from the Middle Korean nominalizing suffix.
Conversation Starters
취미가 뭐예요?
한국어 공부하기 어때요?
건강을 위해 무엇을 하기를 원해요?
성공하기 위해 가장 중요한 것은 무엇이라고 생각해요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 책 ___를 좋아해요.
___는 건강에 좋아요.
Find and fix the mistake:
먹다 좋아해요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Swimming is fun.
Answer starts with: 수영하...
A: 취미가 뭐예요? B: 저는 ___.
Use '공부하기' and '어렵다'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 책 ___를 좋아해요.
___는 건강에 좋아요.
Find and fix the mistake:
먹다 좋아해요.
좋아해요 / 요리하기를 / 저는
Swimming is fun.
A: 취미가 뭐예요? B: 저는 ___.
Use '공부하기' and '어렵다'.
가다 -> ?, 먹다 -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises한국에서 ___가 어때요? (How is living in Korea?)
Pair the correct forms.
담배를 / 끊다 / 했다 / 기로
이 노래는 ___ 좋아요. (Good to listen to)
숙제 하기싫어.
Translate: View
시간이 ___ 때문에 못 갔어. (Because I didn't have time)
Identify the word derived from 'Big' (크다).
Match pattern to meaning.
읽기와 ___ (Reading and Writing)
나는 한국어 말하기를 좋아해.
I decided not to go.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, it works with all action verbs and even some adjectives.
It is neutral and used in all registers, including formal writing.
~기 is for concepts; ~는 것 is for specific facts or instances.
No, nominalization itself doesn't carry tense; the main verb of the sentence does.
Because ~기 makes the verb a noun, and nouns need particles to function in a sentence.
Yes, e.g., '공부하기가 재미있어요?'
No, nominalized verbs don't have plural forms.
The sentence might sound incomplete or unnatural to a native speaker.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Gerund (-ing)
English gerunds can also be part of continuous tenses, whereas ~기 is strictly nominal.
~koto
Korean ~기 is a suffix, while Japanese 'koto' is a separate noun.
Infinitive
Spanish uses the base verb form, while Korean requires a specific suffix.
-ung
German nominalization is often more complex with gender and case.
Infinitive
French infinitives are not morphologically changed.
Verb as noun
Korean requires explicit morphological marking.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Continue With
Infinite Intensity: Beyond Words (-기 그지없다)
Overview At the B2 (Upper-Intermediate) level of Korean language proficiency, you encounter grammar patterns that allow...
Doing Something Before Another: ~기 전에
Ever sent a risky text and immediately regretted it? You definitely should have thought about the consequences **before*...
Easy to do (-기 쉽다)
Ever tried to learn a TikTok dance and realized it’s way harder than it looks? Or maybe you thought ordering coffee in S...
Purpose for Nouns: For the Sake of (-기 위한)
Overview Korean grammar offers precise ways to express the purpose behind actions and entities. Among these, the pattern...
Korean Grammar: Doing Nothing But... (-기만 하다)
Overview The Korean grammatical pattern **-기만 하다** (`-giman hada`) serves to express the idea of "doing nothing but...
Strong Reasons: Because/Due To (~기 때문에)
Overview `~기 때문에` (gi ttaemune) is a Korean connective ending used to express a strong, objective reason or cause fo...
Before Doing... (-기 전에)
Overview The Korean grammar pattern `V-기 전에` (V-gi jeone) is an essential intermediate structure used to express that...
Decided to / Planned to (-기로 하다)
Overview The Korean grammatical pattern `-기로 하다` (기로 하다) translates fundamentally to “decided to,” “planned to,”...
Korean Formal Noun Formation (ㅁ/음)
Overview Korean grammar is rich with methods for nominalization, the process of transforming verbs and adjectives into n...
Going to the Extreme: -기까지 하다
Overview At its core, `-기까지 하다` (gi-kka-ji ha-da) is a Korean grammar pattern that emphasizes that an action or sta...
Inevitability: 'Bound to...' (-기 마련이다)
Overview The Korean grammar pattern `-기 마련이다` (**-gi maryeonida**) expresses the idea that something is **inevitabl...
Acknowledging with a 'But' (-기는 하다)
Overview Ever been caught in that awkward spot where you have to admit something is true, but you really want to add a m...
Often / Prone to (-기 일쑤이다)
Overview When you find yourself describing actions that happen frequently, often with an undesirable or repetitive nuanc...
It is difficult to... (-기가 어렵다)
Overview The Korean grammatical pattern `-기가 어렵다` (V-gi eoryeopda) is an essential intermediate structure used to e...
Formal Reciprocal: -기도 하고 (Both... And...)
Overview As you progress in Korean, you encounter grammar structures that allow for more nuanced and sophisticated expre...
Dramatic 'As Soon As' (-기가 무섭게)
Overview Korean learners often encounter various ways to express sequential actions, but few capture the sheer, dramatic...
On One Hand, While Also (-(으)ㄴ/는 한편)
Overview When discussing complex situations in Korean, you often need to present multiple facets or simultaneous aspects...
Extreme Emphasis: Beyond Words (-기 이를 데 없다)
Overview When you encounter a quality so profound or an experience so intense that common adjectives like 'very' (`아주`...
Literary Extreme: -gi jjagi eopda (Unmatched/Incomparable)
Overview In the landscape of Korean grammar, intensifiers like `아주` (very) or `정말` (really) are everyday tools. How...
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
Describing the Past: Noun Modifiers (ㄴ/은)
Overview Korean sentence structure often places descriptive elements before the noun they modify. The grammatical patter...
Purpose for Nouns: For the Sake of (-기 위한)
Overview Korean grammar offers precise ways to express the purpose behind actions and entities. Among these, the pattern...
Turning Actions into Nouns (는 것)
Overview Korean grammar employs a sophisticated system of modifying clauses and nominalization to express complex ideas...
Present Tense Modifiers: -는 (The 'who/which/that' for action verbs)
Overview When constructing descriptive phrases in Korean, particularly those involving an action verb modifying a noun i...
Past Tense Noun Modifier (ㄴ/은)
Overview The Korean past tense noun modifier `ㄴ/은` (romanized as *n/eun*) is a critical grammatical structure, often r...
