Lesson 49 · People and Things That Do Something: V-는 N
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean · Lesson 49 · Grammar
People and Things That Do Something: V-는 N
Learn People and Things That Do Something: V-는 N with form rules, natural examples, common mistakes, romanization, and six practice questions with answers.
Introduction / Review
Use V-는 N to describe a person, place, or thing through a present or habitual action. “A person who teaches” becomes 가르치는 사람. Korean puts the whole description before the noun.
N = noun; V = action verb; A = descriptive verb. Romanization is a reading aid.
Today’s Grammar / Explanation
- Attach 는 to the action stem: 가다 → 가는 곳; 먹다 → 먹는 음식; 일하다 → 일하는 사람.
- Final ㄹ drops: 살다 → 사는 사람; 만들다 → 만드는 음식. Keep other stems before 는: 듣다 → 듣는 음악.
- The described noun’s role comes from context: 제가 읽는 책 is the book I read; 책을 읽는 사람 is the person who reads a book.
Examples
한국어를 가르치는 사람이에요.
hangugeoreul gareuchineun saramieyo
This is a person who teaches Korean.
제가 자주 가는 카페예요.
jega jaju ganeun kapeyeyo
It’s a café I often go to.
책을 읽는 학생이 있어요.
chaegeul ingneun haksaengi isseoyo
There is a student reading a book.
서울에 사는 친구예요.
seoure saneun chinguyeyo
It’s a friend who lives in Seoul.
제가 만드는 음식이에요.
jega mandeuneun eumsigieyo
It’s food that I make.
매일 듣는 음악이에요.
maeil deutneun eumagieyo
It’s music I listen to every day.
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 48
A-(으)ㄴ N
예쁜 옷을 샀어요.Adjectives use -(으)ㄴ in the present. Action verbs use -는.
Review Lesson 48 →LESSON 50
V-(으)ㄴ N
어제 산 옷이에요.For an action that already happened, use -(으)ㄴ: 산 옷 (clothes I bought).
Look ahead: Lesson 50 →LESSON 51
V-(으)ㄹ N
내일 입을 옷을 골랐어요.For something still to come, use -(으)ㄹ: 입을 옷 (clothes I’ll wear).
Look ahead: Lesson 51 →| Pattern | Time | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄴ | Past | -(으)ㄴ | 어제 읽은 책 |
| -는 | Present | -는 | 지금 읽는 책 |
| -(으)ㄹ | Future, plan | -(으)ㄹ | 내일 읽을 책 |
Common mistakes
Do not add an English-style “who/that” word between the clause and noun. Adjectives normally use -(으)ㄴ N instead: 좋은 사람. The modifier -는 can describe a habit, not only an action happening at this exact moment.
It’s happening now (지금), so use -는.
-는 attaches directly to the stem: 부르는.
ㄹ-stems drop the ㄹ before -는: 살다 → 사는.
You still like the singer, so use the present -는.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blank저기서 ______ 사람이 우리 언니예요. (웃다)
Check answer
저기서 웃는 사람이 우리 언니예요.
웃 + 는 → 웃는.
- Fill in the blank요즘 ______ 드라마가 있어요? (보다)
Check answer
요즘 보는 드라마가 있어요?
Something you watch these days → 보는.
- Choose the correct form부산에 (살는 / 사는) 친구를 만났어요.
Check answer
사는
살다 → 사는.
- Choose the correct form제가 제일 (좋아하는 / 좋아한) 음식은 비빔밥이에요.
Check answer
좋아하는
Your favorite food now → present -는.
- Find and fix the mistake공원에는 매일 아침 운동한 사람이 많아요.
Check answer
공원에는 매일 아침 운동하는 사람이 많아요.
A habit (매일 아침) → present -는.
- Say it in KoreanDo you know the person who is reading a book over there?
Check answer
저기에서 책을 읽는 사람을 알아요?
읽 + 는 사람 = the person reading.
Today’s Key Point
Action stem + 는 N; final ㄹ drops; present actions and habits both fit; descriptions come before nouns.
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