-는 것 같다
-neun geot gatda
seems like; I think
Attaches to a verb, adjective, or noun clause to express a guess or impression based on some evidence—'it seems that/I think.' It is a common, softened way of stating an opinion in Korean.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, 이다, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -ㄴ 것 같다 · -은 것 같다 · -ㄹ 것 같다 · -을 것 같다
Meanings
- 1
An expression used to indicate that the statement is a guess.
추측을 나타내는 표현.
※ ‘있다’, ‘없다’, ‘계시다’나 ‘있다’, ‘없다’로 끝나는 형용사, 동사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-곘-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
Examples
승규가 기분이 좋은 것 같은데 무슨 좋은 일이 있나?
Seunggyu seems to be in a good mood, did something good happen?
주말에 가기로 한 산이 높은 것 같으니까 준비를 철저히 해서 갑시다.
The mountain we're planning to go to this weekend seems high, so let's prepare thoroughly.
이만하면 처음 낚시치고는 많이 잡은 것 같아요.
This much seems like a lot to catch for a first time fishing.
집에 누군가 있는 것 같아요.
It seems like someone is home.
밖이 시끄러운 걸 보니 주차 문제로 또 싸우는 것 같아요.
Judging by how loud it is outside, it seems like they're fighting over parking again.
유민이가 공부하는 것 같으니까 텔레비전 소리를 좀 줄입시다.
It seems like Yumin is studying, so let's turn down the TV volume a bit.
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. What does ‘-는 것 같다’ mean?
2. Which form means “seems like; I think”?