4 · Before a noun, and verbs as nouns
The written nominaliser -음: 있음, 없음, 알림
the eum-form of notices and notes
-음, or an m added after a vowel, turns a verb into a noun in notices, memos, forms and formal writing.
A third way of making a noun from a verb belongs to writing. After a consonant the ending is -음 (있다 → 있음, 없다 → 없음, 먹다 → 먹음); after a vowel an m is added to the last syllable (하다 → 함, 가다 → 감, 이다 → 임). A stem in 리을 keeps its l and adds the m under it, so that the syllable ends in two letters: 알다 → 앎, 살다 → 삶, 만들다 → 만듦. Irregular stems change as before any ending with (으): 돕다 → 도움, 듣다 → 들음.
Its everyday use is the clipped style of notices, forms, memos and short notes, where a full polite ending would be too long. A form says 해당 없음 (not applicable); a check says 이상 없음 (nothing wrong); a notice says 회의 취소됨 (meeting cancelled); a note to a colleague says 서류 확인함 (documents checked). The sentence ends in the noun and a full stop, with no -요, and it is neither polite nor rude: it is the register of a list.
Notices also use plain nouns where English uses a phrase or a verb: 금연 (no smoking), 출입 금지 (no entry), 주차 금지 (no parking), 알림 (notice). -음 forms fit into the same style, and 알림 is itself one of them, from 알리다 (to inform).
In formal writing -음 also turns a whole clause into an object, mostly before verbs of knowing and stating: 사실임을 확인합니다, “I confirm that it is true”. In conversation this sounds stiff, and -는 것 is used instead. English speakers rarely need to write this form at first, but they will read it on signs, forms and messages from any office.
The form
| after a consonant | 있다 → 있음, 없다 → 없음 |
| after a vowel: m is added | 하다 → 함, 이다 → 임 |
| stem in 리을: l and m together | 살다 → 삶, 만들다 → 만듦 |
| irregular stems | 돕다 → 도움, 듣다 → 들음 |
| past | 했음, 끝났음 |
| notices: plain nouns | 금연, 출입 금지, 알림 |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
After a consonant the ending is -음.
주차 공간 없음.No parking spaces available.
After a vowel an m is added; a stem in 리을 adds it under the l.
재료를 사서 직접 만듦.Bought the ingredients and made it myself.
Notices, forms and notes end in the noun, with no polite ending.
오늘 오후 회의 취소됨.This afternoon's meeting cancelled.
A past action is marked inside the form: -았음, -었음.
보고서는 어제 다 끝났음.Report all finished yesterday.
In formal writing, -음 turns a clause into an object.
위 내용이 사실임을 확인합니다.I confirm that the above is true.
A closer look
Three ways to make a noun
-는 것 is the everyday, spoken one and carries time; -기 names an action in fixed patterns, headings and lists; -음 states a fact, mostly in writing. A to-do list therefore uses -기 (장보기, 빨래하기: things still to do), while a note of what has been done uses -음 (장 봤음, 빨래함).
That difference — an action still to be done against a fact that is the case — is the clearest guide when a learner has to choose between -기 and -음 in writing.
How to spot it
- -음
- 있음
- 없음
- 함
- 임
- 됨
Example sentences
해당 사항 없음.Not applicable.
점검 결과 이상 없음.Inspection result: no problems found.
오늘은 재료 소진으로 영업 종료함.Closed for today: ingredients sold out.
김 과장님께 전화 왔음. 다시 전화 바람.Call for Manager Kim. Please call back.
행복한 삶을 위해서는 건강이 제일 중요해요.For a happy life, health matters most.
도움이 필요하면 언제든지 말씀하세요.If you need help, just say so at any time.
8 more example sentences
택배 문 앞에 두고 감.Parcel left at the door.
어제 보낸 메일 확인함.Checked the email you sent yesterday.
본 제품은 어린이에게 위험할 수 있음.This product may be dangerous for children.
신청서 제출 완료, 결과는 다음 주에 나올 예정임.Application submitted; the result is expected next week.
어제 처음으로 춤을 배웠어요.Yesterday I had my first dance lesson.
그 영화를 보고 큰 기쁨을 느꼈어요.That film gave me great joy.
요즘 밤에 잠이 잘 안 와요.I cannot get to sleep at night these days.
조사 결과 그 소문은 사실이 아니었음이 밝혀졌다.The investigation showed that the rumour had not been true.
Worth knowing (2)
-
Nouns that began as -음 forms
Many ordinary nouns were made with this ending and are now words of their own: 꿈 (a dream, from 꾸다), 춤 (a dance, from 추다), 잠 (sleep, from 자다), 그림 (a picture, from 그리다), 웃음 (laughter), 도움 (help), 기쁨 (joy), 슬픔 (sadness). Knowing the ending makes them easy to recognise and to remember.
어젯밤에 이상한 꿈을 꿨어요.I had a strange dream last night.
-
The note style among friends
In casual online posts and chats, some people write whole sentences in -음: 오늘 너무 피곤함, “so tired today”. It is a playful, clipped register among friends, not a polite one, and it does not belong in a message to someone you would address with -요.
오늘 하루 종일 집에 있었음.Stayed at home all day today.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
A stem in 리을 does not add 으; it keeps its l and puts the m under it: 살다 → 삶, 만들다 → 만듦, 알다 → 앎. The spelling with two final letters looks unusual, but it is the only correct one.
Eum states a fact in the clipped style of signs, forms and notes — and an l-stem keeps its l and writes the m under it.
Your turn
9 exercises on this topic. Your answers are checked in the browser; none of them leaves your device.