-는 것 / -는 걸
Quick answer: -는 것 / -는 걸 means turns a verb into a noun — the doing of it.
How to form it
Verb stem + 는 것 · in speech 것을 → 걸, 것이 → 게
In Korean: 동사 어간 + 는 것 말할 때는 것을 → 걸, 것이 → 게
What to know
English turns a verb into a noun with -ing; Korean puts 것 after the verb. Note that 만들다 loses its ㄹ — 만드는, not 만들는. In speech 것을 shortens to 걸 and 것이 to 게, and that is what you will hear.
Examples
- 저는 요리하는 걸 좋아해요.I like cooking.
- 책 읽는 것이 취미예요.Reading is my hobby.
- 사진 찍는 게 재미있어요.Taking photos is fun.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 2 (TOPIK I), Lesson 3: 저는 요리하는 걸 좋아해요 — I like cooking. Also in the Level 2 book.
Practise -는 것 / -는 걸 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 2, Lesson 3 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.