4 · Prepositions and fixed patterns
Two purposes at once: -(으)ㄹ 겸
a double purpose
-(으)ㄹ 겸 names one of several purposes behind a single action; between nouns 겸 means “and at the same time”.
겸 is a small noun meaning “combined with, at the same time as”. After a verb in the future modifier form -(eu)l it names a purpose: 운동도 할 겸 걸어서 출근해요, “I walk to work, partly for the exercise”. After a vowel the stem takes a final l (할 겸), a stem in l stays as it is (놀 겸), and after another consonant it takes -을 겸 (읽을 겸).
The point of 겸 is that the action serves more than one purpose. Often both are named, each with its own -(eu)l gyeom: 친구도 만날 겸 책도 살 겸 시내에 나갔어요. Even when only one is named, 겸 implies that there are others — which is why the purpose usually carries 도, “also”.
Between two nouns, 겸 says that one thing is both: 아침 겸 점심is a meal that is breakfast and lunch at once거실 겸 서재a room that is living room and study People can be both too: 가게 주인 겸 요리사.
English speakers often reach for -(으)러 or -(으)려고 here. Those name one purpose, the reason for going. 겸 adds “among other things”, and that is exactly what “partly to” or “also to” means in English.
The form
| after a vowel | 하다 → 할 겸 |
| after a consonant | 읽다 → 읽을 겸 |
| stem ending in l | 놀다 → 놀 겸 |
| two purposes | …도 할 겸 …도 할 겸 |
| with 해서 | 바람도 쐴 겸 해서 |
| between nouns | 아침 겸 점심 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
The verb takes the future modifier: 할 겸 after a vowel, 읽을 겸 after a consonant.
휴식도 취할 겸 책도 읽을 겸 카페에 왔어요.I came to the café partly to rest and partly to read.
The purpose usually carries 도, because there is more than one.
한국어 연습도 할 겸 한국 드라마를 봐요.I watch Korean dramas, partly to practise my Korean.
Two purposes each take their own -(eu)l gyeom.
친구도 만날 겸 책도 살 겸 시내에 나갔어요.I went into town to meet a friend and to buy a book.
Between two nouns, 겸 means that one thing is both.
이 방은 거실 겸 서재로 써요.We use this room as a living room and a study.
A closer look
Planned or opportunistic
-(eu)l gyeom and -는 김에 both join two aims to one action, and learners mix them up. The difference is in the planning. With 겸 the purposes are there from the start: you go out 바람도 쐴 겸, intending to get some air. With 김에 the extra comes up because you are doing the main thing anyway: 나간 김에, “since I was out”.
The grammar mirrors the meaning. 겸 takes the future modifier, because a purpose lies ahead; 김에 takes the present or past modifier, because the occasion is already happening or has happened.
How to spot it
- -(으)ㄹ 겸
- 겸
- 도
- 겸사겸사
Example sentences
운동도 할 겸 걸어서 출근해요.I walk to work, partly for the exercise.
바람도 쐴 겸 잠깐 밖에 나갈까요?Shall we step outside for a moment and get some air?
아침 겸 점심으로 샌드위치를 먹었어요.I had a sandwich for brunch.
기분 전환도 할 겸 머리를 잘랐어요.I had my hair cut, partly for a change.
돈도 벌 겸 경험도 쌓을 겸 아르바이트를 시작했어요.I started a part-time job to earn money and to gain experience.
그분은 가게 주인 겸 요리사예요.She is both the owner of the shop and its cook.
8 more example sentences
구경도 할 겸 쇼핑도 할 겸 명동에 갔어요.I went to Myeongdong to look around and to do some shopping.
부모님도 뵐 겸 고향에 다녀왔어요.I went back to my home town, partly to see my parents.
산책도 할 겸 강아지와 공원에 갔어요.I went to the park with the dog, partly for a walk myself.
다이어트도 할 겸 저녁을 가볍게 먹어요.I eat a light dinner, partly to lose weight.
얼굴도 볼 겸 한번 놀러 오세요.Come over some time, so we can see each other.
그 건물 일 층은 카페 겸 서점이에요.The ground floor of that building is a café and a bookshop.
일본어 공부도 할 겸 일본 노래를 자주 들어요.I often listen to Japanese songs, partly to study Japanese.
선물도 살 겸 구경도 할 겸 시장에 들렀어요.I stopped at the market to buy a present and to look around.
Worth knowing (1)
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Two birds with one stone
The doubled form 겸사겸사 is the everyday way of saying that a trip or a visit served several purposes at once. It stands on its own as an adverb and needs nothing after it.
일도 있고 친구도 보고 싶어서 겸사겸사 왔어요.I had some business here and wanted to see my friends, so I came for both.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
A purpose lies ahead of the action, so 겸 always takes the future modifier -(eu)l, whatever the tense of the sentence: 할 겸 걸어요, 할 겸 걸었어요. 하는 and 한 never stand before it.
Hal gyeom: one action, several reasons — and the verb always takes the future modifier.
Your turn
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