🧮

Assuming a State: -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고

Build Order
5
Keywords
셈 치고
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Advanced Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🧮 -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고 [-(eu)n/neun sem chi-go] means treating it as... / counting it as... / assuming it as... and then...
  • 🔄 It is the connector version of 셈 치다 [sem chi-da]: you mentally “count” a situation a certain way, then act from that framing.
  • ✍️ Write it with a space: 셈 치고, not 셈치고. Example: 없는 셈 치고 다시 시작해요. [eom-neun sem chi-go da-si si-ja-kae-yo] = Treat it as gone and start again.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear 없는 셈 치고, 배운 셈 치고, 연습하는 셈 치고, 선물인 셈 치고, and 모르는 셈 치고. This pattern is idiomatic, so full chunks are your best friends. 🧮
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고 is used when you decide to treat a situation as if it counts as something, then continue with the next action.
 
Think:
  • “Treating it as A, let’s do B.”
  • “Counting it as A, move on.”
  • “Assuming it as A, act this way.”
  • “Let’s regard it as A for now and...”
 
Examples:
  • 그 돈은 없는 셈 치고 다시 시작합시다.
      • [geu do-neun eom-neun sem chi-go da-si si-ja-kap-si-da]
      Let’s treat that money as gone and start again. 💸
      돈 = money; 없다 = to not exist; 다시 시작하다 = to start again.
  • 이번 일은 좋은 경험을 한 셈 치고 넘어가세요.
      • [i-beon i-reun jo-eun gyeong-heo-meul han sem chi-go neo-meo-ga-se-yo]
      Treat this as having had a good experience and move on. 🌱
      경험 = experience; 넘어가다 = to move on.
  • 오늘 많이 걸었으니까 운동한 셈 치고 쉬어요.
      • [o-neul ma-ni geo-reo-sseu-ni-kka un-dong-han sem chi-go swi-eo-yo]
      Since we walked a lot today, count it as exercise and rest. 🚶
      걷다 = to walk; 운동하다 = to exercise; 쉬다 = to rest.
 
The feeling is practical, emotional, or strategic. You may not be saying the framing is literally perfect. You are saying, “Let’s count it that way so we can decide what to do next.” 🧮

🎨 The Core 셈 치고 Family

1. Past action + (으)ㄴ 셈 치고

Use this when you treat something as if an action has already happened.
  • 배우다 → 배운 셈 치고 [bae-un sem chi-go] — treating it as having learned
  • 사다 → 산 셈 치고 [san sem chi-go] — treating it as having bought
  • 잃어버리다 → 잃어버린 셈 치고 [i-reo-beo-rin sem chi-go] — treating it as lost
  • 운동하다 → 운동한 셈 치고 [un-dong-han sem chi-go] — treating it as exercise done
 

2. Present/general action + 는 셈 치고

Use this when you treat something as the act of doing something, often as a role, help, practice, or investment.
  • 도와주다 → 도와주는 셈 치고 [do-wa-ju-neun sem chi-go] — treating it as helping
  • 연습하다 → 연습하는 셈 치고 [yeon-seu-pa-neun sem chi-go] — treating it as practice
  • 투자하다 → 투자하는 셈 치고 [tu-ja-ha-neun sem chi-go] — treating it as investing
 

3. State/descriptive verb + (으)ㄴ 셈 치고

Use this when treating a state as true for practical purposes.
  • 없다 → 없는 셈 치고 [eom-neun sem chi-go] — treating it as gone/nonexistent
  • 괜찮다 → 괜찮은 셈 치고 [gwaen-cha-neun sem chi-go] — treating it as okay
  • 좋다 → 좋은 셈 치고 [jo-eun sem chi-go] — treating it as good
  • 모르다 → 모르는 셈 치고 [mo-reu-neun sem chi-go] — treating it as if one does not know
 

4. Noun + 인 셈 치고

Use this when treating something as a noun/category.
  • 선물인 셈 치고 [seon-mu-rin sem chi-go] — treating it as a gift 🎁
  • 연습인 셈 치고 [yeon-seu-bin sem chi-go] — treating it as practice 🎤
  • 수업료인 셈 치고 [su-eom-nyo-in sem chi-go] — treating it as tuition 💸
  • 실수인 셈 치고 [sil-su-in sem chi-go] — treating it as a mistake 🧾

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

  • 비싼 수업료를 낸 셈 치고 다음에는 조심하세요.
      • [bi-ssan su-eom-nyo-reul naen sem chi-go da-eu-me-neun jo-sim-ha-se-yo]
      Treat it as having paid expensive tuition, and be careful next time. 💸
      비싸다 = to be expensive; 수업료 = tuition; 내다 = to pay; 조심하다 = to be careful.
  • 이번 발표는 연습하는 셈 치고 편하게 하세요.
      • [i-beon bal-pyo-neun yeon-seu-pa-neun sem chi-go pyeon-ha-ge ha-se-yo]
      Treat this presentation as practice and do it comfortably. 🎤
      발표 = presentation; 연습하다 = to practice; 편하게 = comfortably.
  • 그 일은 없었던 셈 치고 다시 이야기합시다.
      • [geu i-reun eop-seot-deon sem chi-go da-si i-ya-gi-hap-si-da]
      Let’s treat that matter as if it never happened and talk again. 🔄
      일 = matter/event/work; 없었던 = that had not existed / that had not happened; 이야기하다 = to talk.

🧩 General Formation Rule

1. Past action: verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 셈 치고

  • consonant stem → 은 셈 치고
    • 먹다 → 먹은 셈 치고 — treating it as having eaten
    • 받다 → 받은 셈 치고 — treating it as having received
  • vowel stem → ㄴ 셈 치고
    • 가다 → 간 셈 치고 — treating it as having gone
    • 사다 → 산 셈 치고 — treating it as having bought
  • ㄹ-stem → drop ㄹ + ㄴ 셈 치고
    • 만들다 → 만든 셈 치고 — treating it as having made
    • 팔다 → 판 셈 치고 — treating it as having sold
 

2. Present/general action: verb stem + 는 셈 치고

  • 연습하다 → 연습하는 셈 치고
  • 도와주다 → 도와주는 셈 치고
  • 투자하다 → 투자하는 셈 치고
  • 기다리다 → 기다리는 셈 치고
 

3. Descriptive verbs/states: stem + -(으)ㄴ 셈 치고

  • 좋다 → 좋은 셈 치고
  • 괜찮다 → 괜찮은 셈 치고
  • 없다 → 없는 셈 치고
  • 비싸다 → 비싼 셈 치고
 

4. Nouns: N인 셈 치고

  • 선물 → 선물인 셈 치고
  • 연습 → 연습인 셈 치고
  • 수업료 → 수업료인 셈 치고
  • 친구 → 친구인 셈 치고

🚨 Spacing and Naturalness Notes

Write 셈 치고 with a space

The natural spelling is:
  • ✅ 도와주는 셈 치고
  • ✅ 없는 셈 치고
  • ✅ 선물인 셈 치고
  • ❌ 도와주는 셈치고
  • ❌ 없는 셈치고
 

셈 치고 is not exactly “pretend”

It is not always theatrical acting. It is usually mental accounting or practical framing.
 
Compare:
  • 모르는 척했어요.
      • [mo-reu-neun cheo-kae-sseo-yo]
      I pretended not to know. 🎭
  • 모르는 셈 치고 넘어갔어요.
      • [mo-reu-neun sem chi-go neo-meo-ga-sseo-yo]
      I treated it as if I didn’t know and moved on. 🧘
 
척하다 focuses on acting as if.
셈 치다 focuses on counting/regarding the situation as something.

📚 Cross-check note

The spacing and usage of 셈 치고 were cross-checked against korean.go.kr, including guidance that 도와주는 셈 치고 is written with a space. The expression also appears in examples like 살려 주는 셈 치고 and 관광한 셈 치고, supporting the “treat/count it as...” meaning. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고 — treating/counting it as A, and... 🧮
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 — to treat/count it as A 🧮
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 — it amounts to / it is practically A 📊
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 척하다 — to pretend / act as if 🎭
  • -다고 치다 — suppose that a statement is true 🤔
  • -다 치면 — if we suppose that... 🧠
  • 간주하다 / 여기다 — to regard/consider, more formal 📌

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 셈치고 → ✅ 셈 치고 (spacing matters).
  • ❌ 학생 셈 치고 → ✅ 학생인 셈 치고 (noun + 인).
  • ❌ 먹는 셈 치고 when you mean “treat it as having eaten” → ✅ 먹은 셈 치고.
  • ❌ Confusing 셈이다 and 셈 치다 → ✅ 셈이다 = it amounts to; 셈 치다 = treat/count it as.
  • ❌ Confusing 셈 치고 with -다고 치고 → ✅ 셈 치고 reframes a situation; -다고 치고 supposes a statement is true.
  • ⚠️ In very formal reports, use clearer wording like 간주하고, 여기고, or 가정하고 if the style needs to be official.
 
🧮 Bottom line: -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고 lets you choose a practical frame: treat it as gone, learned, practice, a gift, a mistake, or good enough — then move forward. Korean emotional accounting unlocked. 📒
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고 form. Read the sentence aloud, then check the Answer toggle.
1. 없다 → 그 돈은 ＿＿＿＿ 다시 시작합시다.
[eop-da → geu do-neun ＿＿＿＿ da-si si-ja-kap-si-da]
Let’s treat that money as gone and start again. 💸
Answer
없는 셈 치고 — state + ㄴ 셈 치고.
2. 배우다 → 이번 일은 좋은 걸 ＿＿＿＿ 넘어가세요.
[bae-u-da → i-beon i-reun jo-eun geol ＿＿＿＿ neo-meo-ga-se-yo]
Treat this as having learned something good and move on. 📚
Answer
배운 셈 치고.
3. 연습하다 → 이번 발표는 ＿＿＿＿ 편하게 하세요.
[yeon-seu-pa-da → i-beon bal-pyo-neun ＿＿＿＿ pyeon-ha-ge ha-se-yo]
Treat this presentation as practice and do it comfortably. 🎤
Answer
연습하는 셈 치고 or 연습인 셈 치고.
4. 선물 → 이건 ＿＿＿＿ 받아 주세요.
[seon-mul → i-geon ＿＿＿＿ ba-da ju-se-yo]
Please accept this as a gift. 🎁
Answer
선물인 셈 치고.
5. 운동하다 → 오늘 많이 걸었으니까 ＿＿＿＿ 쉬어요.
[un-dong-ha-da → o-neul ma-ni geo-reo-sseu-ni-kka ＿＿＿＿ swi-eo-yo]
Since we walked a lot today, count it as exercise and rest. 🚶
Answer
운동한 셈 치고.
6. 괜찮다 → 이 정도면 ＿＿＿＿ 넘어갑시다.
[gwaen-chan-ta → i jeong-do-myeon ＿＿＿＿ neo-meo-gap-si-da]
If it is at this level, let’s treat it as okay and move on. ✅
Answer
괜찮은 셈 치고.
7. 도와주다 → 그냥 ＿＿＿＿ 한 번만 해 주세요.
[do-wa-ju-da → geu-nyang ＿＿＿＿ han beon-man hae ju-se-yo]
Please do it just once as if you are helping me. 🤝
Answer
도와주는 셈 치고.
8. ❌ 친구 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
친구인 셈 치고.
9. ❌ 셈치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
셈 치고 — write it with a space.
10. Choose the “pretend” sentence:
① 모르는 척했어요.
② 모르는 셈 치고 넘어갔어요.
Answer
① — 척하다 means “pretend.” 셈 치고 means “treating/counting it as.”
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 돈 → money
  • 다시 시작하다 → to start again
  • 배우다 → to learn
  • 넘어가다 → to move on
  • 발표 → presentation
  • 편하게 → comfortably
  • 선물 → gift
  • 받다 → to receive
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 쉬다 → to rest
  • 도와주다 → to help
Tip 💡 Ask: “What are we counting this as?” Put that before 셈 치고.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below gives you a full “treat it as...” workout. 🧮
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Assuming a State: -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고
 
Welcome to the practical-reframing gym. 🧮 You’ll practice treating something as gone, learned, practice, a gift, a mistake, or “good enough,” then choosing the next action naturally.
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank, say the sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Focus on what the speaker is deciding to “count” the situation as.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder: Count It As... 🔧

A. 배우다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[bae-u-da → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as having learned 📚
Answer
배운 셈 치고.
B. 사다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[sa-da → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as having bought 🛍️
Answer
산 셈 치고.
C. 먹다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[meok-da → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as having eaten 🍚
Answer
먹은 셈 치고.
D. 받다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[bat-da → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as having received 📦
Answer
받은 셈 치고.
E. 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[man-deul-da → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as having made 🛠️
Answer
만든 셈 치고.
F. 연습하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[yeon-seu-pa-da → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as practicing 🎤
Answer
연습하는 셈 치고.
G. 없다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[eop-da → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as gone/nonexistent 💸
Answer
없는 셈 치고.
H. 좋다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[jo-ta → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as good ✅
Answer
좋은 셈 치고.
I. 선물 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[seon-mul → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as a gift 🎁
Answer
선물인 셈 치고.
J. 수업료 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치고
[su-eom-nyo → ＿＿＿＿ sem chi-go]
treating it as tuition 💸
Answer
수업료인 셈 치고.
🔧
Form Box
  • Past action → -(으)ㄴ 셈 치고
  • Present/general action → -는 셈 치고
  • State/adjective → -(으)ㄴ 셈 치고
  • Noun → N인 셈 치고
  • Spacing → 셈 치고, not 셈치고
 

Exercise 2 — Reframe and Move On 🌧️

A. 그 돈은 ＿＿＿＿ 다시 시작해요.
[geu do-neun ＿＿＿＿ da-si si-ja-kae-yo]
Treat that money as gone and start again. 💸
Answer
없는 셈 치고.
B. 이번 실수는 ＿＿＿＿ 다음에는 조심하세요.
[i-beon sil-su-neun ＿＿＿＿ da-eu-me-neun jo-sim-ha-se-yo]
Treat this mistake as a lesson learned and be careful next time. 🧾
Answer
배운 셈 치고.
C. 오늘 많이 걸었으니까 ＿＿＿＿ 쉬어요.
[o-neul ma-ni geo-reo-sseu-ni-kka ＿＿＿＿ swi-eo-yo]
Since we walked a lot today, count it as exercise and rest. 🚶
Answer
운동한 셈 치고.
D. 이번 발표는 ＿＿＿＿ 편하게 하세요.
[i-beon bal-pyo-neun ＿＿＿＿ pyeon-ha-ge ha-se-yo]
Treat this presentation as practice and do it comfortably. 🎤
Answer
연습하는 셈 치고 or 연습인 셈 치고.
E. 이건 작은 ＿＿＿＿ 받아 주세요.
[i-geon ja-geun ＿＿＿＿ ba-da ju-se-yo]
Please accept this as a small gift. 🎁
Answer
선물인 셈 치고.
F. 비싼 ＿＿＿＿ 다음에는 더 조심하겠습니다.
[bi-ssan ＿＿＿＿ da-eu-me-neun deo jo-sim-ha-get-seum-ni-da]
I’ll treat it as expensive tuition and be more careful next time. 💸
Answer
수업료를 낸 셈 치고.
G. 그 말은 ＿＿＿＿ 더 묻지 않겠습니다.
[geu ma-reun ＿＿＿＿ deo mut-ji an-ket-seum-ni-da]
I’ll treat those words as if I didn’t hear them and won’t ask more. 🤐
Answer
못 들은 셈 치고.
H. 이 정도면 ＿＿＿＿ 넘어갑시다.
[i jeong-do-myeon ＿＿＿＿ neo-meo-gap-si-da]
At this level, let’s treat it as okay and move on. ✅
Answer
괜찮은 셈 치고.
I. 오늘은 하루 ＿＿＿＿ 마음껏 쉬세요.
[o-neu-reun ha-ru ＿＿＿＿ ma-eum-kkeot swi-se-yo]
Treat today as a day off and rest as much as you want. 🛌
Answer
쉬는 날인 셈 치고.
J. 이번 비용은 미래에 ＿＿＿＿ 생각하세요.
[i-beon bi-yong-eun mi-rae-e ＿＿＿＿ saeng-ga-ka-se-yo]
Think of this cost as investing in the future. 🌱
Answer
투자하는 셈 치고.
🌧️
Vocabulary Box
  • 실수 → mistake
  • 조심하다 → to be careful
  • 발표 → presentation
  • 작은 선물 → small gift
  • 수업료 → tuition
  • 묻다 → to ask
  • 넘어가다 → to move on
  • 쉬는 날 → day off
  • 마음껏 → as much as one wants
  • 미래 → future
  • 투자하다 → to invest
Tip 💡 This pattern often helps soften disappointment: “Let’s count it as something useful and move forward.”
 

Exercise 3 — 셈 치고 vs Neighbors 🧭

A. “Treat it as having learned something.”
① 배운 셈 치고 넘어가세요.
② 배운다고 치고 넘어가세요.
Answer
① — practical reframing uses 셈 치고.
B. “Let’s suppose that it rains tomorrow.”
① 내일 비가 온다고 쳐요.
② 내일 비가 오는 셈 쳐요.
Answer
① — supposing a statement uses -다고 치다.
C. “It is practically finished.”
① 거의 끝난 셈이에요.
② 거의 끝난 셈 치고요.
Answer
① — conclusion uses 셈이다.
D. “Treat it as finished and submit it.”
① 끝난 셈 치고 제출하세요.
② 끝난 셈이에요 제출하세요.
Answer
① — instruction to regard it that way uses 셈 치고.
E. “Pretend to sleep.”
① 자는 척하세요.
② 자는 셈 치세요.
Answer
① — pretending/acting uses 척하다.
F. “Treat it as a gift.”
① 선물인 셈 치고 받아 주세요.
② 선물이라고 치면 받아 주세요.
Answer
① — count it as a gift and accept it.
G. “If we suppose the price is high...”
① 가격이 비싸다고 치면...
② 가격이 비싼 셈 치고...
Answer
① — scenario reasoning uses -다고 치면.
H. “For a beginner, they do well.”
① 초보자치고는 잘해요.
② 초보자인 셈 치고 잘해요.
Answer
① — category comparison uses -치고는.
I. “Treat this as practice.”
① 연습인 셈 치고 하세요.
② 연습치고는 하세요.
Answer
① — 셈 치고 means “treat it as.”
J. “It amounts to practice.”
① 연습하는 셈이에요.
② 연습하는 셈 치세요.
Answer
① — conclusion/summary uses 셈이다.
🧭
Decision Box
  • 셈 치고 → treating/counting it as, and...
  • 셈이다 → it amounts to / practically is
  • -다고 치다 → suppose that a statement is true
  • 척하다 → pretend / act as if
  • -치고는 → for a category / considering
Tip 💡 셈 치고 usually answers: “What mental label are we giving this situation?”
 

Exercise 4 — Translation Challenge ✍️

A. Treat that money as gone and start again.
Answer
그 돈은 없는 셈 치고 다시 시작하세요.
B. Count this as practice and do it comfortably.
Answer
이번 일은 연습인 셈 치고 편하게 하세요.
C. Treat it as having learned something and move on.
Answer
배운 셈 치고 넘어가세요.
D. Please accept this as a gift.
Answer
이건 선물인 셈 치고 받아 주세요.
E. Treat today as a day off and rest.
Answer
오늘은 쉬는 날인 셈 치고 쉬세요.
F. Treat the presentation as practice and try it.
Answer
발표는 연습하는 셈 치고 해 보세요.
G. Treat that matter as if it never happened.
Answer
그 일은 없었던 셈 치고 넘어가세요.
H. Treat the fee as an investment in the future.
Answer
그 비용은 미래에 투자하는 셈 치고 내세요.
I. Treat it as okay and submit it.
Answer
괜찮은 셈 치고 제출하세요.
J. Treat this as helping me and do it once.
Answer
저를 도와주는 셈 치고 한 번만 해 주세요.
✍️
Writing tip
Useful follow-up verbs after 셈 치고:
  • 넘어가다 → move on
  • 다시 시작하다 → start again
  • 받다 → receive/accept
  • 쉬다 → rest
  • 해 보다 → try doing
  • 제출하다 → submit
Tip 💡 After reframing, the sentence usually tells what to do next.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 셈치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
셈 치고 — write it with a space.
B. ❌ 학생 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
학생인 셈 치고.
C. ❌ 선물 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
선물인 셈 치고.
D. ❌ 좋는 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
좋은 셈 치고.
E. ❌ 먹는 셈 치고 for “treat it as having eaten” → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹은 셈 치고.
F. 없는 셈 치고 다시 시작해요. means:
Answer
Treat it as gone/nonexistent and start again.
G. 배운 셈 치고 넘어가세요. means:
Answer
Treat it as having learned something and move on.
H. Choose the “count/treat it as” form:
① 셈 치다
② 척하다
Answer
① 셈 치다.
I. Choose the noun form:
① 연습인 셈 치고
② 연습 셈 치고
Answer
① 연습인 셈 치고.
J. -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고 is strongest when:
Answer
You mentally count or treat a situation as something, then decide what to do next.
🛡️
Final Check
  • Past action: 배운 셈 치고, 산 셈 치고
  • Present/general action: 연습하는 셈 치고
  • State: 없는 셈 치고, 괜찮은 셈 치고
  • Noun: 선물인 셈 치고, 연습인 셈 치고
  • Spacing: 셈 치고, not 셈치고
Tip 💡 If you can say “let’s count it as...” before the sentence, 셈 치고 probably fits.
 
🎉 Practical reframing complete. You can now use Korean to count a messy situation as a lesson, gift, practice, investment, or fresh start: 배운 셈 치고, 없는 셈 치고, 선물인 셈 치고. Emotional accounting: balanced. 🧮✨