What is Nominalization with -는 것?
In Korean, you can turn a verb into a noun phrase. This process is called nominalization . One of the most common ways to do this is by using the pattern -는 것 .
This allows you to talk about an action as if it were a thing . For example, you can turn "to read" into "the act of reading."
How to Form It
You attach -는 to the stem of an action verb , followed by the noun 것 (which means "thing" or "fact").
Verb · Stem · + -는 것 · Result
가다 · 가 · 가는 것 · 가는 것 (going / the act of going)
먹다 · 먹 · 먹는 것 · 먹는 것 (eating / the act of eating)
만들다 · 만들 · 만드는 것 · 만드는 것 (making / the act of making)
The resulting phrase can be translated as "the act of V-ing," "the thing that one does," or simply "V-ing."
How to Use -는 것 Phrases
Once you've created a noun phrase like 영화를 보는 것 (watching a movie), you can use it in a sentence just like any other noun. This means you can attach particles to it to mark its role as a subject, object, or other sentence component.
As a Subject
To say that an action is fun, difficult, important, etc., you can make the -는 것 phrase the subject of the sentence by adding subject particles -이/가 or topic particles -은/는 .
한국어를 공부하는 것 은 재미있어요.
Studying Korean is fun.
매일 운동하는 것 이 건강에 좋아요.
Exercising every day is good for your health.
As an Object
To say that you like, dislike, see, or know an action, you can make the -는 것 phrase the object by adding the object particle -을/를 .
저는 노래하는 것 을 좋아해요.
I like singing.
친구가 요리하는 것 을 봤어요.
I saw my friend cooking.
With the Copula 이다
You can use this pattern to define something, such as your hobby, dream, or goal. The sentence structure is often "My hobby is [the act of doing something]."