Beginner (JSON) Estimated read: 3 mins

-기 (Nominalizer)

Used to turn a verb or adjective stem into a noun so it can be used as a subject or object in a sentence.

Summary

Equivalent

Doing / The act of...

Also: -는 것 (The act of doing - slightly more formal/general)

Example

I find speaking Korean very fun.

저는 한국어 말하기가 참 재미있어요.

Grammar rules

  • Attach directly to the stem.
  • It is often combined with verbs like '시작하다' (to start), '쉽다/어렵다' (to be easy/hard), or '싫다/좋다' (to hate/like).
  • It is also commonly used in set grammar patterns like '-기 전에' (before doing) or '-기 때문에' (because of). Also used for lists or memo writing.

    일찍 일어나기는 힘들어요. (Waking up early is hard.)

Patterns

1

All Verbs/Adjectives

Present Nominalization · Stem + 기

Example sentences

I find speaking Korean very fun.

저는 한국어 말하기가 참 재미있어요.

Exercising every day is not easy.

매일 운동하기가 쉽지 않습니다.

Sumi likes playing the piano.

수미 씨는 피아노 치기를 좋아해요.

Conversation

A: What do you usually do on the weekend?

주말에 보통 뭐 해요?

B: I like listening to music, so I listen to music all day.

저는 음악 듣기를 좋아해서 하루 종일 음악을 들어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct nominalized form.

Difficult.

Starting.