~것 같다
~geot gatda
The English phrase "it seems like" is expressed in Korean as ~것 같다 (~geot gatda).
This phrase is used to express an impression or a feeling that something is likely to be true. Korean speakers frequently use ~것 같다 to soften their opinions or avoid sounding too blunt or assertive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the bound noun 것 (thing/fact) and the verb 같다 (to be the same/to be like).
How does it change in a sentence?
The way you attach the phrase to a word depends on the tense and the part of speech. When used with an action verb in the present tense, the modifier ~는 is added to the verb stem before ~것 같다. For adjectives or past tense actions, the modifier ~ㄴ/은 is used instead of ~는 to attach to the noun 것.
How do you pronounce it?
~geot gatda
Did you know?
- Korean speakers may use ~것 같다 even when describing a fact they know for certain, purely to avoid sounding overly confident or arrogant.
- The phrase ~것 같다 is used so frequently in modern Korean that it is often viewed as a verbal tic similar to 'like' or 'kind of' in English.
- The verb 같다 is a linguistic relative of the Japanese word gotoshi which also means 'like' or 'as if'.
Examples in context
- 영화를 보지 않아도 내용을 알 수 있는 것 같습니다.It seems like I can understand the plot without watching the movie.
- 오늘은 비 올 듯해요.It seems like it will rain today.
- 지금 뭔가 재미있는 일이 일어나고 있는 것 같아.It seems like something interesting is happening right now.
- 춥다고 느끼진 않지만 추운 것 같아.It doesn't feel cold, but it seems chilly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 같다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
