-는 셈 치다
Used when you decide to act as if a certain action happened or is true, even though it didn't.
Summary
Equivalent
I'll consider it as... / Let's pretend that...
Also: -(느)ㄴ다고 치다
Example
I'll act as if I'm being fooled and trust him just one more time.
속는 셈 치고 한 번만 더 그 사람을 믿어 볼게요.
Grammar rules
- It implies 'I haven't actually done X, but I will pretend that I have and act accordingly.' It's often used when making a compromise, cutting losses, or rationalizing a decision.
- It only attaches to verbs.
- Usually appears in the form '-는 셈 치고' (I will consider it as...
- and then [do action]).
- While '-(느)ㄴ다고 치다' can be used with factual reality (Let's acknowledge X is true), '-는 셈 치다' usually cannot (it is for pretending something happened that actually didn't).
비가 온다고 치자 (Let's assume it rains). 비가 오는 셈 치자 (Let's pretend it's raining - less natural).
Patterns
V (Verbs)
과거/완료 (Past/Complete) · -(으)ㄴ 셈 치다
V (Verbs)
현재 (Present) · -는 셈 치다
Example sentences
I'll act as if I'm being fooled and trust him just one more time.
속는 셈 치고 한 번만 더 그 사람을 믿어 볼게요.
I bought these clothes, considering the money spent as basically just buying a meal.
밥 한 끼 사 먹은 셈 치고 이 옷을 샀어요.
I'm going to rest fully over the weekend, pretending I went on a trip.
여행 간 셈 치고 주말에 푹 쉬려고요.
Conversation
A: Will this product really work? Isn't it a scam?
이 물건 진짜 효과가 있을까요? 사기 아닐까요?
B: Well... how about we pretend we are being scammed and just buy it once to try?
글쎄요... 그냥 한 번 속는 셈 치고 사 보는 건 어때요?
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct phrase indicating treating a situation as a substitute or pretending.
외식 안 하고 그 돈을 기부했어요.
이번 실패는 좋은 경험이라고 생각하자.