Pattern: -(으)ㄴ/는
-(으)ㄴ/는 (-(eu)ㄴ, (eu)ㄴ, neun)
-(으)ㄴ/는 is an essential Korean verb ending to express tense and state. Learn how to use it for present, past, and ongoing actions.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Verb endings indicating past and present actions or states
When to use
Describing past facts, Ongoing actions, Describing states
The nuance
Use -(으)ㄴ for past tense and -는 for present tense. For past, attach '-은' if verb stem ends with a consonant, '-ㄴ' if it ends with a vowel. For present tense, attach '-는'. Adjectives use past tense endings like '-았/었/였던'.
내가 어제 먹은 음식이 맛있었어.
nae-ga eo-je meok-eun eum-sik-i mas-iss-eoss-eo., nae ga eo je meok eun eum sik i mas iss eoss eo.
'먹다' is a verb with a consonant stem 'ㄱ', so '-은' attaches to form past tense '먹은'.
나는 지금 공부하는 중이야.
na-neun ji-geum gong-bu-ha-neun jung-i-ya., na neun ji geum gong bu ha neun jung i ya.
'공부하다' shows an ongoing action, so '-는' is used to form '공부하는'.
그 사람이 만든 케이크는 정말 달았어.
geu sa-ram-i man-deun ke-i-keu-neun jeong-mal dal-ass-eo., geu sa ram i man deun ke i keu neun jeong mal dal ass eo.
'만들다' ends with consonant 'ㄹ', so '-은' attaches to form past tense '만든'.
나는 매일 운동하는 사람이야.
na-neun mae-il un-dong-ha-neun sa-ram-i-ya., na neun mae il un dong ha neun sa ram i ya.
Attach '-는' for present tense to express habitual action '운동하는'.
그는 어제 온 사람이야.
geu-neun eo-je on sa-ram-i-ya., geu neun eo je on sa ram i ya.
'오다' ends with a vowel, so '-ㄴ' attaches to form past tense '온'.
나는 새로 산 책을 읽었어.
na-neun sae-ro san chaek-eul ik-eoss-eo., na neun sae ro san chaek eul ik eoss eo.
'사다' ends with vowel, so '-ㄴ' attaches to form past tense '산'.
그녀가 좋아하는 음악을 틀었어요.
geu-nyeo-ga joh-a-ha-neun eum-ak-eul teul-eoss-eo-yo., geu nyeo ga joh a ha neun eum ak eul teul eoss eo yo.
Attach '-는' for present tense to express current liking '좋아하는'.
나는 어제 본 영화가 재미있었어.
na-neun eo-je bon yeong-hwa-ga jae-mi-iss-eoss-eo., na neun eo je bon yeong hwa ga jae mi iss eoss eo.
'보다' ends with vowel, so '-ㄴ' attaches to form past tense '본'.
Which sentence correctly uses the past tense form?
Which expression indicates an ongoing action?
Which sentence is incorrect?
