Seeming to [Verb] but not quite

This pattern expresses a state of being on the verge of something, where an action seems about to happen but doesn't, or oscillates between happening and not happening. It translates to phrases like "almost but not quite," "on the tip of my tongue," or "flickering."

Meaning & Usage

Meaning: It describes a situation that is ambiguous, uncertain, or hovering on a threshold. The structure is literally "seems like it will [Verb], seems like it won't."

When to use: Use it for things that are barely perceptible (a faint sound, a dim light), actions that are just out of reach, or internal states that are not fully realized (an almost-remembered name, a suppressed laugh).

Formation

This pattern is attached to a verb stem.

Vowel or ㄹ ending stem + ㄹ 듯 말 듯:

오다 (to come) → 올 듯 말 듯

알다 (to know) → 알 듯 말 듯

Consonant ending stem + 을 듯 말 듯:

잡다 (to catch) → 잡을 듯 말 듯

먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 듯 말 듯

기억이 날 듯 말 듯 해요. / 비가 올 듯 말 듯 흐려요. / 닿을 듯 말 듯 안 닿아.

The phrase -(으)ㄹ 듯 말 듯 often functions as an adverbial clause, modifying the main verb of the sentence. It commonly appears in a few key structures.

With 하다

This is the most general and frequent usage. The pattern describes a state, and 하다 acts as the main verb.

Structure: ...-ㄹ/을 듯 말 듯 하다

Example: 알 듯 말 듯 해요. (I feel like I almost understand it.)

With a Negative Verb

This structure explicitly confirms that the action did not complete. It emphasizes the "not quite" aspect.

Structure: ...-ㄹ/을 듯 말 듯 안 [Verb]

Example: 닿을 듯 말 듯 안 닿아요. (It seems like it will touch but it doesn't.)

With a Descriptive Verb/Adjective

This describes the surrounding condition or state that gives rise to the ambiguous feeling.

Structure: ...-ㄹ/을 듯 말 듯 [Adjective/Verb]

Example: 비가 올 듯 말 듯 흐려요. (It's cloudy, as if it might rain but might not.)

웃음이 나올 듯 말 듯 해요. / 잡힐 듯 말 듯 안 잡혀요. / 불이 꺼질 듯 말 듯 해요.

Learners often confuse -(으)ㄹ 듯 말 듯 with other patterns that express possibility or near-misses. Here’s how to tell them apart.

vs. -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 (seems like)

-(으)ㄹ 것 같다: A simple prediction or guess. It expresses your thought that something is likely to happen.

비가 올 것 같아요. (I think it's going to rain.)

-(으)ㄹ 듯 말 듯: Describes an ambiguous, back-and-forth state. It's not a prediction, but a description of the current uncertainty.

비가 올 듯 말 듯 해요. (It looks like it might rain, then it doesn't, back and forth; it's uncertain.)

vs. -(으)ㄹ 뻔했다 (almost did)

-(으)ㄹ 뻔했다: Refers to a single past event that was narrowly avoided. It often carries a sense of relief or surprise.

넘어질 뻔했어요. (I almost fell over.)

-(으)ㄹ 듯 말 듯: Describes a continuous state of being on the verge, not a single avoided incident. It can be used for the present or past.

눈물이 날 듯 말 듯 했어요. (I was on the verge of tears. - This describes a feeling over a period of time.)

비가 올 것 같아요. / 비가 올 듯 말 듯 해요. / 넘어질 뻔했어요. / 눈물이 날 듯 말 듯 했어요.

The pattern -(으)ㄹ 듯 말 듯 itself is neutral in terms of politeness. The formality of your sentence is determined entirely by the final verb ending.

Casual Language (반말)

For friends, family, or those younger than you, end the sentence with -아/어 or -았/었어.

기억이 날 듯 말 듯 해.

눈물이 날 듯 말 듯 했어.

Polite Language (해요체)

In most daily situations, use the standard polite -(아/어)요 ending.

기억이 날 듯 말 듯 해요.

눈물이 날 듯 말 듯 했어요.

As you can see from the script, every example can be shifted between casual and polite speech just by changing the sentence ending.

잠이 올 듯 말 듯 해. / 잠이 올 듯 말 듯 해요. / 잡힐 듯 말 듯 안 잡혀. / 잡힐 듯 말 듯 안 잡혀요.