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Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 13: Making Adjectives (Noun Modifiers) -(으)ㄴ

In Korean, "adjectives" like 크다 (to be big) or 예쁘다 (to be pretty) actually function more like descriptive verbs. They are conjugated at the end of sentences (e.g., 가방이 큽니다 / 가방이 커요).

But what if you want to say "a big bag" or "a pretty flower"? You have to change the adjective into a modifying form that comes before the noun.

The Rule: -(으)ㄴ

To change a descriptive verb (adjective) into a noun modifier, you add -(으)ㄴ to the stem.

1. Stem ends in a VOWEL: Add -ㄴ * 크다 (big) -> 크 + ㄴ = 큰 (big) * 큰 가방 = a big bag * 예쁘다 (pretty) -> 예쁘 + ㄴ = 예쁜 (pretty) * 예쁜 꽃 = a pretty flower * 비싸다 (expensive) -> 비싸 + ㄴ = 비싼 (expensive) * 비싼 차 = an expensive car

2. Stem ends in a CONSONANT: Add -은 * 작다 (small) -> 작 + 은 = 작은 (small) * 작은 방 = a small room * 좋다 (good) -> 좋 + 은 = 좋은 (good) * 좋은 사람 = a good person

3. Irregulars! * ㅂ Irregular: Drop ㅂ, add 운. * 춥다 (cold) -> 추운 날씨 (cold weather) * 어렵다 (difficult) -> 어려운 시험 (difficult test) * 있다/없다: If the adjective ends in -있다 or -없다 (like 맛있다 or 재미없다), you add -는 instead of -(으)ㄴ. * 맛있다 (delicious) -> 맛있는 음식 (delicious food) * 재미없다 (boring) -> 재미없는 영화 (boring movie)

Example Sentences

  1. 이것은 작은 가방이에요. (This is a small bag.)
  2. 좋은 아이디어예요. (It is a good idea.)
  3. 예쁜 옷을 사고 싶어요. (I want to buy pretty clothes.)
  4. 저기 키가 큰 사람이 제 친구예요. (That tall person over there is my friend.)