How to use 이라는/라는 것 in Korean

Pattern: -(이)라는 것

-(이)라는 것 (-(i)ra-neungeos, (i)raneungeos)

-(이)라는 것 is used to quote or explain a subject or concept clearly.

Explanation of Korean grammar 이라는 것

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(이)라는 것(-(i)ra-neungeos, (i)raneungeos)

A phrase used to refer to or quote a subject or concept

When to use

Defining something, Directly quoting, Explaining a concept

The nuance

Attach -(이)라는 것 after a noun to quote or explain that noun’s name or content. It’s mainly used for direct quotes, definitions, or explanations. The form is a shortened version of '라고 하는 것'. Use '-이라는 것' if the noun ends with a consonant, and '-라는 것' if it ends with a vowel.

Real-world examples

  • 그가 말한 '성공'이라는 것은 단순한 돈이 아니다.

    geu-ga mal-han 'seong-gong'i-ra-neun geos-eun dan-sun-han don-i a-ni-da., geu ga mal han 'seong gong'i ra neun geos eun dan sun han don i a ni da.

    Because it directly quotes and explains the word 'success'.

  • 이것이 내가 좋아하는 음식이라는 것이다.

    i-geos-i nae-ga joh-a-ha-neun eum-sik-i-ra-neun geos-i-da., i geos i nae ga joh a ha neun eum sik i ra neun geos i da.

    It explains the concept of 'food' by using '음식이라는 것'.

  • 그녀가 말한 '친구'라는 것은 항상 곁에 있는 사람이다.

    geu-nyeo-ga mal-han 'chin-gu'ra-neun geos-eun hang-sang gyeot-e iss-neun sa-ram-i-da., geu nyeo ga mal han 'chin gu'ra neun geos eun hang sang gyeot e iss neun sa ram i da.

    It quotes 'friend' and explains its meaning.

  • 나는 그가 말한 '행복'이라는 것을 이해하지 못했다.

    na-neun geu-ga mal-han 'haeng-bok'i-ra-neun geos-eul i-hae-ha-ji mos-haess-da., na neun geu ga mal han 'haeng bok'i ra neun geos eul i hae ha ji mos haess da.

    It directly quotes what was said about 'happiness'.

  • 나는 그가 말한 행복이라는 것을 이해하지 못했다.

    na-neun geu-ga mal-han haeng-bok-i-ra-neun geos-eul i-hae-ha-ji mos-haess-da., na neun geu ga mal han haeng bok i ra neun geos eul i hae ha ji mos haess da.

    Because '행복' ends with a vowel, '-라는 것' must be attached without a space; spacing here breaks the phrase.

  • 그가 말한 '성공'이라는것은 단순한 돈이 아니다.

    geu-ga mal-han 'seong-gong'i-ra-neun-geos-eun dan-sun-han don-i a-ni-da., geu ga mal han 'seong gong'i ra neun geos eun dan sun han don i a ni da.

    '이라는 것' must be spaced properly; writing it together is incorrect.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence correctly uses -(이)라는 것?

    다음 중 -(이)라는 것을 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung-(i)ra-neungeos-eulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung(i)raneungeoseulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)
  2. What is the correct meaning of -(이)라는 것?

    -(이)라는 것의 의미로 알맞은 것은?(-(i)ra-neungeos-uiui-mi-roal-maj-eungeos-eun?, (i)raneungeosuiuimiroalmajeungeoseun?)
  3. Which suffix correctly attaches to '사랑' in '사랑이라는 것'?

    '사랑'이라는 것에 들어갈 올바른 접미사는?('sa-rang'i-ra-neungeos-edeul-eo-galol-ba-reunjeop-mi-sa-neun?, 'sarang'iraneungeosedeuleogalolbareunjeopmisaneun?)

More usage guides

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