2 · Sentence endings that add a stance
It seems, I think: -(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 것 같다
the hedged guess
것 같아요 after a clause turns a statement into a guess or a polite opinion: it seems, I think, probably.
The pattern is a clause before the noun 것, “thing”, followed by 같다, “to be like”: literally “it is like the thing that …”. The ending before 것 is the one that would stand before any noun, and it carries the time. Action verbs take -는 for now (오는 것 같아요), -은 for what has happened (온 것 같아요) and -을 for what lies ahead (올 것 같아요). Adjectives take -은 for now: 바쁜 것 같아요; a noun takes 인: 학생인 것 같아요. -은 and -을 are the shapes after a consonant; after a vowel only an n or an l joins the last syllable, as in 온 and 올.
It expresses a guess from what you see, hear or feel: 밖에 비가 오는 것 같아요, “it seems to be raining outside” — you hear it on the window. The -을 form guesses ahead, or guesses with less evidence: 곧 비가 올 것 같아요, “it looks like it's going to rain soon”.
Just as often it is not a guess at all but politeness. Koreans soften opinions they are quite sure of: 저는 이게 더 좋은 것 같아요, “I think I prefer this one”. English “I think” translated word for word, 좋다고 생각해요, is correct but sounds like a position in a debate; in conversation 것 같아요 is the usual way to say it.
The commonest mistake is the ending before 것. Adjectives never take -는: 바쁜 것 같아요, not 바쁘는 것 같아요 — but 있다 and 없다 do, so 맛있는 것 같아요. And 것 is a separate word: there is a space before it and before 같아요.
The form
| action verb, now | 오다 → 오는 것 같아요 |
| action verb, already happened | 오다 → 온 것 같아요 |
| a guess about later | 오다 → 올 것 같아요 |
| adjective, now | 바쁘다 → 바쁜 것 같아요 |
| after a noun | 학생인 것 같아요 |
| negative | 안 올 것 같아요 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is aboutThe word that calls for it
Action verbs take -는 것 같다 for now and -은 것 같다 for something that has happened.
밖에 비가 오는 것 같아요.It seems to be raining outside.
Adjectives take -은 것 같다 for now.
이 신발이 저한테 좀 작은 것 같아요.I think these shoes are a bit small for me.
-을 것 같다 guesses ahead, or with little evidence.
하늘이 어두워요. 곧 비가 올 것 같아요.The sky is dark. It looks like it's going to rain soon.
Koreans use it to soften an opinion they are quite sure of.
저는 파란색이 더 예쁜 것 같아요.I think the blue one is prettier.
A closer look
Why Koreans say “it seems” so often
A flat statement of opinion can sound blunt in Korean, as if the matter were settled and the listener's view did not count. 것 같아요 leaves the door open. That is why it turns up even where English would never hedge — about the taste of your own lunch, or about your own feelings.
The habit is common enough that it is joked about, and in writing or in a formal argument -다고 생각합니다 is the better choice. In everyday speech, though, 것 같아요 is simply what a considerate opinion sounds like.
Exceptions and special cases (1)
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the word is 있다 or 없다, or ends in them (맛있다, 재미없다)
it takes -는 것 같다 like an action verb: 맛있는 것 같아요, 재미없는 것 같아요.
그 영화 재미있는 것 같아요.That film seems to be good.
Before a noun these words always take -는: 맛있는 음식.
How to spot it
- 것 같아요
- -는 것 같아요
- -은 것 같아요
- -을 것 같아요
- 아마
Example sentences
민수 씨가 오늘 좀 피곤한 것 같아요.Minsu seems a bit tired today.
이 식당 음식이 정말 맛있는 것 같아요.I think the food in this restaurant is really good.
지갑을 집에 두고 온 것 같아요.I think I've left my wallet at home.
아마 길이 많이 막힐 것 같아요.The roads will probably be very busy.
저 사람은 학생인 것 같아요.That person seems to be a student.
이번 주말에는 못 갈 것 같아요. 미안해요.I don't think I'll be able to come this weekend. Sorry.
8 more example sentences
아기가 자는 것 같아요. 조용히 하세요.The baby seems to be asleep. Please be quiet.
이 바지는 저한테 좀 긴 것 같아요.I think these trousers are a bit long for me.
벌써 다들 퇴근한 것 같아요.It looks like everyone has already gone home.
내일은 오늘보다 더 추울 것 같아요.I think tomorrow will be colder than today.
이 문제는 좀 어려운 것 같아요.I think this question is a bit difficult.
저분이 여기 사장님인 것 같아요.That person seems to be the owner here.
제 생각에는 이 길이 더 빠를 것 같아요.I think this way will be quicker.
어제 그 가게가 문을 안 연 것 같아요.It looks like that shop didn't open yesterday.
Worth knowing (1)
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A guess about yourself
Koreans even use the pattern about their own state, to sound less blunt: 좀 추운 것 같아요, “I'm a bit cold, I think”. It is a habit of politeness, not real doubt.
저 감기에 걸린 것 같아요.I think I've caught a cold.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
An adjective in the present takes -은 before 것, exactly as it does before any noun: 바쁜 사람, 바쁜 것 같아요. -는 belongs to action verbs, and to 있다 and 없다.
Pick the ending for the time, then add geot gatayo: neun for now, eun for done, eul for ahead.
Your turn
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