What is -기?
The suffix -기 (-gi) is one of the most common ways to turn a verb into a noun in Korean. This process is called nominalization .
Think of it as being similar to adding "-ing" to a verb in English to create a gerund, which acts like a noun (e.g., "read" becomes "reading").
Examples:
읽다 → 읽기 (reading)
쓰다 → 쓰기 (writing)
말하다 → 말하기 (speaking)
듣다 → 듣기 (listening)
How to Use -기
The rule is very simple: just attach -기 directly to the verb stem, whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
As a Subject or Object
Once you've created the noun form with -기 , you can use it as the subject or object of a sentence, just like any other noun. You'll typically attach subject ( 이/가 ) or object ( 을/를 ) particles to it.
As a subject: 한국어 배우기 가 재미있어요.
As an object: 저는 영화 보기 를 좋아해요.
Common Patterns with -기
You will often see -기 used in several common patterns with specific verbs and adjectives. Learning these as set phrases can be very helpful.
Commonly Paired Words
Pattern · Meaning
-기 시작하다 · to start (doing)
-기 끝나다 · to finish (doing)
-기 쉽다 · to be easy to (do)
-기 어렵다 · to be difficult to (do)
-기 좋다 · to be good to (do)
-기 싫다 · to dislike (doing)
Example: 이 책은 이해 하기 쉬워요.
-기 vs. -는 것
Both -기 and -는 것 (from the previous lesson) turn verbs into nouns, and they can often be used interchangeably. However, there is a subtle difference in nuance.
-기
Tends to refer to an action as a general concept, a name for an activity, or a task. It feels more abstract and is often used for lists, titles, or goals.