-(으)ㄴ/-는/-(으)ㄹ 명사(Noun)
Used to modify nouns as adjectives or relative clauses. Depending on whether it is a verb or an adjective, and what tense is used, the modifying ending changes.
Summary
Equivalent
Noun that is/does/did/will do...
Example
This is the book that I like the most. (Present verb)
이것은 제가 제일 좋아하는 책이에요.
Grammar rules
- For Adjectives (Present): use '-(으)ㄴ'.
- (e.g., 예쁜 옷 - pretty clothes).
- For Verbs (Present): use '-는'.
- (e.g., 먹는 옷 - X, 먹는 음식 - O: food that I eat).
- For Verbs (Past): use '-(으)ㄴ' (e.g., 먹은 음식 - food that I ate).
- For Verbs (Future): use '-(으)ㄹ' (e.g., 먹을 음식 - food to eat).
- For '있다/없다', adjectives do NOT use '-(으)ㄴ'. They use '-는' instead. (e.g., 맛있는 음식 - delicious food, 재미없는 영화 - boring movie).
맛있은 음식 (X) -> 맛있는 음식 (O)
Patterns
Adjectives (Present)
Present state · Stem + (으)ㄴ Noun
Verbs (Present)
Present action · Verb Stem + 는 Noun
Verbs (Past)
Past action · Verb Stem + (으)ㄴ Noun
Verbs (Future)
Future action · Verb Stem + (으)ㄹ Noun
Example sentences
This is the book that I like the most. (Present verb)
이것은 제가 제일 좋아하는 책이에요.
The friend I met yesterday has a short tongue. (Past verb)
어제 만난 친구 혀가 짧아요.
The tall man is my younger brother. (Present adjective)
키가 큰 남자가 제 동생입니다.
Conversation
A: What kind of person do you like?
어떤 사람을 좋아해요?
B: I like a person who has a warm heart.
저는 마음이 따뜻한 사람을 좋아해요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct noun modifier.
Reading.
Eating.