Advanced Estimated read: 3 mins

-(으)ㅁ

Changes a verb or adjective into a noun. It is mostly used in writing or formal situations.

Summary

Equivalent

Turning Verbs into Nouns (-ing / The fact that...)

Also: -는 것

Example

Through his sincerity, he earns the respect of many people.

그는 성실함으로 많은 사람들의 존경을 받습니다.

Grammar rules

  • Attach this to the stem of a word.
  • You can also use it at the very end of a sentence if you are writing a report, poster, or a short note.
  • It feels very similar to '-는 것'.
  • It can be smoothly replaced with '-는 것' in most situations.

    행복은 마음에 있음 = 행복은 마음에 있는 것

  • When used literally as a suffix, some verbs become permanent nouns (e.g., 기쁘다 -> 기쁨 (joy), 울다 -> 울음 (crying)).

    이별의 슬픔 (the sadness of parting)

  • Can end a formal or bulleted sentence instead of '다'. Commonly seen in reports and memos.

    내일 회의에 참석 바람. (Please attend tomorrow's meeting.)

Patterns

1

A/V (Adjectives/Verbs)

과거 (Past) · -았음 / -었음

2

A/V (Adjectives/Verbs)

현재 (Present) · -(으)ㅁ

3

A/V (Adjectives/Verbs)

미래 (Future) · -겠음

4

N이다 (Nouns)

과거 (Past) · 였음 / 이었음

5

N이다 (Nouns)

현재 (Present) · 임

6

N이다 (Nouns)

미래 (Future) · 이겠음

Example sentences

A/V (Adjectives/Verbs) · 과거 (Past) · -았음 / -었음

Through his sincerity, he earns the respect of many people.

그는 성실함으로 많은 사람들의 존경을 받습니다.

A/V (Adjectives/Verbs) · 현재 (Present) · -(으)ㅁ

Regardless of the result, the fact that you did your best is important.

결과가 어떻든 최선을 다했음이 중요합니다.

A/V (Adjectives/Verbs) · 미래 (Future) · -겠음

It has been proven that this product has excellent performance.

이 제품은 훌륭한 성능을 가졌음이 입증되었습니다.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Transform the base word into its noun form using '-(으)ㅁ'.

슬프다

아프다