Expression dictionary — full article
States & Progress · -ing (nominalizer), the act of..., the fact that..., (formal declarative ending)
V+(으)ㅁ is a versatile grammatical ending that primarily serves to nominalize verbs, transforming them into nouns that represent the action or state itself. It also functions as a highly formal and concise declarative sentence ending, often found in written contexts like signs, announcements, or reports.
1. Nominalization: When attached to a verb stem, (으)ㅁ creates a noun that refers to the act, fact, or concept of the verb. It's similar to adding "-ing" in English to form a gerund, but often carries a more formal or objective tone. For example, '읽다' (to read) becomes '읽음' (the act of reading, reading). This form is frequently used in titles, labels, or when discussing an action as a general concept.
2. Formal Sentence Ending: In this usage, (으)ㅁ functions as a very concise and formal declarative ending, typically seen in official documents, public notices, reports, or short, impactful statements. It conveys a sense of objective reporting or declaration, often omitting the subject for brevity. It's much more formal and less personal than -ㅂ/습니다 or -아/어요.
Comparison with -기: While both (으)ㅁ and -기 nominalize verbs, (으)ㅁ tends to be more formal, abstract, and objective. It often refers to the result or fact of an action, or the action as a general concept. -기 is generally more versatile for everyday nominalization, often referring to the method or process of an action, or for forming phrases like "It is difficult to...".
Common Contexts: Look for (으)ㅁ in:
Avoid in casual conversation: This ending is rarely used in spoken, casual Korean due to its high formality and conciseness. Using it in everyday speech would sound unnatural and overly stiff.