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-을 것

-eul geot

must (written instruction)

Ends a sentence with a written instruction, rule, or order, used in notices, guidelines, and manuals—'must/be sure to.' It is also used to form a noun meaning 'something to (do/eat/etc.),' or, with 이다, in formal statements of prediction or intention.

Form

Attaches to
Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
Other shapes
-ㄹ 것

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to close a sentence by giving an order or instruction.

    명령이나 지시의 의미를 나타내면서 문장을 끝맺을 때 쓰는 표현.

    ※ ‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

  2. 2

    An expression used to enable a non-noun word to be used as a noun in the sentence or to be used in front of '이다' (be).

    명사가 아닌 것을 문장에서 명사처럼 쓰이게 하거나 ‘이다’ 앞에 쓰일 수 있게 할 때 쓰는 표현.

    ※ ‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

Examples

  • 건강을 위해 담배부터 끊을 것.

    For your health, quit smoking first.

  • 치아 건강을 위해 음식을 먹고 난 후 반드시 이를 닦을 것.

    For dental health, be sure to brush your teeth after eating.

  • 장례식에 참석할 때에는 흰색 옷이나 검은색 옷을 입을 것.

    When attending a funeral, wear white or black clothing.

  • 눈병을 예방하는 방법에 뭐라고 쓰여 있어? “손을 자주 씻을 것”이라고 돼 있어.

    What does it say about how to prevent eye infections? It says, 'Wash your hands often.'

  • 점점 날씨가 따뜻해져 쌓인 눈이 녹을 것이다.

    As the weather gradually warms up, the piled-up snow will melt.

  • 항상 주말에 장을 봐서 금요일쯤 되면 먹을 것이 없다.

    I always do the grocery shopping on weekends, so by around Friday there's nothing left to eat.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Don’t confuse with

Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-을 것’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “must (written instruction)”?