Listen to the phrase that shows the simplest nominalization.
The next section defines nominalization and shows why Korean needs it.
What Is Korean Nominalization?
Korean nominalization is the process of making a noun out of a verb, an adjective or a clause so that the result can take particles and sit where a noun sits. A particle is a small word such as 이/가 or 을/를 that marks a noun's job in the sentence. English does the same with "-ing" (reading) and with phrases such as "the fact that".
Korean has three main tools, and each has its own territory. The ending -기 makes a noun for an activity or goal, as in 읽기 ("reading"). The ending -(으)ㅁ makes a written noun for a result or state, as in 기쁨 ("joy"). The pattern -는 것 turns a clause into a noun phrase for a fact or thing, as in 읽는 것 ("the act of reading"). Three more topics sit around them: the spoken shortening of 것 into 거, 게, 건 and 걸, the dependent nouns that need a modifier, and the comparison of the three tools. The wider area is described in Korean grammar. The next section gives a route through the lessons.
Where Should You Start with Korean Nominalization?
Start with -기, then -(으)ㅁ, then -는 것, and finish with the comparison. The two support lessons fit after the first three.
- Stage 1: the three tools. Read -기 nominalizer, then -(으)ㅁ nominalizer, then -는 것 nominalizer.
- Stage 2: the choice. Read -기 vs -는 것 vs -(으)ㅁ.
- Stage 3: the support topics. Read 거 게 건 걸 contractions in korean and Korean dependent nouns 것 수 때 줄 적.
A learner who already uses the noun modifiers -는, -(으)ㄴ and -(으)ㄹ can read the set in any order. A learner who has not met them should first read Noun-Modifying Forms, because -는 것 and the dependent nouns build on them. The next section describes each lesson.
Browse by Topic
Each lesson below has a short description and one example with Revised Romanization (RR, the official Latin spelling, shown only as an aid) and audio. The set contains six lessons, from level A2 to B1.
-기 Nominalizer
-기 nominalizer teaches the ending that names an activity, a goal or a wish. 기 is added to the stem with no change, and the noun pairs with 쉽다, 어렵다, 좋다, 싫다, 바라다 and 시작하다. Example: 이 책은 읽기 쉬워요 (i chaegeun ilgi swiwoyo), "This book is easy to read". Level A2.
-(으)ㅁ Nominalizer
-(으)ㅁ nominalizer teaches the written noun. ㅁ follows a vowel and 음 follows a consonant, and ㄹ-stems keep the ㄹ (삶). Many results are ordinary words, such as 꿈 and 웃음, and others appear in notes and forms. Example: 숙제를 확인함 (sukjereul hwaginham), "Homework checked". Level B1.
-는 것 Nominalizer
-는 것 nominalizer teaches the pattern that turns a clause into a noun phrase for a fact or a thing. The noun 것 takes the modifier endings -는, -(으)ㄴ and -(으)ㄹ, so it can show present, past and future. Example: 운동하는 것이 중요해요 (undonghaneun geosi jungyohaeyo), "Exercising is important". Level A2.
-기 vs -는 것 vs -(으)ㅁ
-기 vs -는 것 vs -(으)ㅁ compares the three tools by meaning, predicate, time and style, and gives a three-question rule for choosing. Example: 운동하기가 쉬워요 (undonghagiga swiwoyo), "It is easy to exercise", against 운동하는 것을 봤어요, "I saw him exercising". Level B1.
거 게 건 걸 Contractions in Korean
거 게 건 걸 contractions in korean teaches how 것 and its particles shrink in speech: 것이 becomes 게, 것은 becomes 건, 것을 becomes 걸. It also separates them from look-alike endings such as -(으)ㄹ게요. Example: 이게 뭐예요? (ige mwoyeyo), "What is this?". Level A2.
Korean Dependent Nouns 것 수 때 줄 적
Korean dependent nouns 것 수 때 줄 적 teaches the nouns that need a modifier in front of them and build patterns such as -(으)ㄹ 수 있다. It explains which modifier each noun takes and how to space the patterns. Example: 먹을 수 있어요 (meogeul su isseoyo), "I can eat". Level B1.
The next section helps you pick a lesson for a sentence you are working on.
Which Lesson Fits Your Sentence?
Match the sentence you want to say or understand to the lesson in the table.
| Your sentence | Open this lesson |
|---|---|
| "It is easy, hard or good to ..." or "I decided to ..." | -기 nominalizer |
| A short note or form line ending on ㅁ, such as 해당 없음 | -(으)ㅁ nominalizer |
| "I know that ...", "I saw ...", "... is important" | -는 것 nominalizer |
| You can say it two ways and cannot tell which is right | -기 vs -는 것 vs -(으)ㅁ |
| You hear 이게, 이건 or 이걸 and wonder where 것 went | 거 게 건 걸 contractions in korean |
| "I can ...", "when I ...", "I have ever ..." | Korean dependent nouns 것 수 때 줄 적 |
The three tools differ in what they name and where they live. The table shows the contrast in one place.
| -기 | -(으)ㅁ | -는 것 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Names | an activity, goal or wish | a result or state | a fact or thing |
| Style | speech and writing | written, neutral | speech and writing |
| Shows time | no | no | yes |
| Example | 읽기 | 기쁨 | 읽는 것 |
The most common first mistake in this set is using -기 for a fact, as in 그가 학생이기를 알아요. The correct form is 그가 학생인 것을 알아요. The next section explains how to practise.
How Do You Practise Korean Nominalization?
Practise with the exercises at the end of each lesson, then repeat the comparison. Every lesson ends with four practice tasks, a sentence builder, a short quiz and an answer key. A good order is to finish a lesson, wait a day, and redo its quiz before moving on.
A simple self-test helps. Take any verb you know, such as 읽다, and write its -기 form (읽기), its -는 것 form (읽는 것) and its -(으)ㅁ form (읽음). Then write one sentence with each. If a sentence feels wrong, return to the comparison lesson.
What this set does not cover. It does not cover the noun modifiers themselves (see Noun-Modifying Forms), the quoting forms such as -다는, or the connectors built on -기, such as -기 때문에, which have their own lessons.
This set was written with AI assistance. Romanization follows the Revised Romanization of Korean and is shown only as a learning aid. Last updated 2026-10-09.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between -기 and -는 것? The -기 noun names an activity, a goal or a wish, and it pairs with 쉽다, 어렵다, 좋다, 싫다 and 바라다. The -는 것 phrase names a fact or a thing and pairs with 알다, 보다 and 중요하다. Only -는 것 shows time. Both work in speech, and 좋아하다 accepts either.
Where is -(으)ㅁ used? The -(으)ㅁ noun is used in writing: notes, forms, labels, book credits and formal clauses. Examples are 숙제를 확인함, 해당 없음 and 그가 왔음을 알았다. A few -(으)ㅁ nouns, such as 꿈, 잠 and 웃음, are ordinary words in speech. In conversation, use -기 or -는 것 instead.
How do I choose between -기, -는 것 and -(으)ㅁ? Ask three questions in order. Is this a written note or formal text? Use -(으)ㅁ. Is the next word 쉽다, 어렵다, 좋다, 싫다, 바라다, 시작하다 or a pattern such as -기로 하다? Use -기. Otherwise use -는 것. The comparison lesson explains each step with examples.
Which lesson in Korean nominalization should I read first? Read the -기 nominalizer first. It has the simplest rule, because 기 is added to the stem with no change, and it introduces the idea of making a noun from a verb. Then read the -(으)ㅁ lesson and the -는 것 lesson, and finish with the comparison of the three.
How long does the nominalization set take? Each of the six lessons takes about 15 to 20 minutes to read, so a first pass takes under two hours. Using the forms correctly in speech takes longer and depends on practice. Plan to revisit the comparison lesson after a few days, because the choice among the three forms is the hardest part.