🎬

Describing Nouns with Actions (Present): -는 N

Keywords
-는
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
🎬
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🎬 -는 N lets an action verb describe a noun: 먹는 사람 = a person who eats.
  • 🧩 For most action verbs, remove 다 and add 는: 먹다 = to eat → 먹는 = who/that eats.
  • 🕰️ This lesson uses present or habitual action descriptions, not past or future ones.
  • 🚨 Verbs ending in ㄹ need special care: 만들다 = to make → 만드는 = that makes.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to 밥을 먹는 사람, 책을 읽는 학생, 영화를 보는 친구, and 빵을 만드는 사람. Listen for the small but mighty 는 before the noun. 🔗
 

🌈 The Big Picture

Korean can describe a noun with an action happening now or happening habitually.
 
In English, you might say:
  • “a person who eats rice”
  • “a student who reads a book”
  • “a movie that someone watches”
 
In Korean, the action phrase comes before the noun:
  • 밥을 먹는 사람 = a person who eats rice 🍚
  • 책을 읽는 학생 = a student who reads a book 🎒
  • 친구가 보는 영화 = a movie that a friend watches 🎬
 
Think of 는 as a little connector: action + 는 + noun. Tiny bridge, big meaning. 🌉
 

🧩 Core Pattern

Start with the dictionary form, remove 다, then add 는.
 
  • 먹다 = to eat → 먹 + 는 → 먹는 = who/that eats
  • 마시다 = to drink → 마시 + 는 → 마시는 = who/that drinks
  • 읽다 = to read → 읽 + 는 → 읽는 = who/that reads
  • 보다 = to see/watch → 보 + 는 → 보는 = who/that sees/watches
  • 듣다 = to listen → 듣 + 는 → 듣는 = who/that listens
  • 공부하다 = to study → 공부하 + 는 → 공부하는 = who/that studies
  • 일하다 = to work → 일하 + 는 → 일하는 = who/that works
  • 자다 = to sleep → 자 + 는 → 자는 = who/that sleeps
  • 쉬다 = to rest → 쉬 + 는 → 쉬는 = who/that rests
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Phrase

The action phrase goes directly before the noun it describes.
 
  • 밥을 먹는 사람 = a person who eats rice 🍚
  • 책을 읽는 학생 = a student who reads a book 📚
  • 영화를 보는 친구 = a friend who watches a movie 🎬
  • 음악을 듣는 사람 = a person who listens to music 🎵
  • 커피를 마시는 친구 = a friend who drinks coffee ☕
 

🧭 Useful Extra: The noun can be the doer or the thing

Sometimes the noun after -는 is the person doing the action:
  • 밥을 먹는 사람 = a person who eats rice
  • 공부하는 학생 = a student who studies
 
Sometimes the noun after -는 is the thing receiving the action:
  • 학생이 읽는 책 = a book that a student reads
  • 친구가 보는 영화 = a movie that a friend watches
  • 사람이 듣는 음악 = music that a person listens to
 
This is why 보는 영화 usually means a movie someone watches, not “a movie that watches.” Movies do many things, but watching you back is not usually one of them. 👀
 

🚫 Action Verbs Only Here

For this lesson, use -는 N with action verbs, not regular descriptive adjectives.
 
Use it with action verbs:
  • 먹다 = to eat → 먹는 사람 = a person who eats
  • 읽다 = to read → 읽는 책 = a book someone reads
  • 보다 = to watch → 보는 영화 = a movie someone watches
 
Do not use it with regular adjectives like these:
  • ❌ 작는 책 = awkward attempt at “small book”
  • ✅ 작은 책 = a small book
  • ❌ 좋는 영화 = awkward attempt at “good movie”
  • ✅ 좋은 영화 = a good movie
 

🚨 Special Rule: ㄹ-ending action verbs

Some action verb stems ending in ㄹ drop ㄹ before 는.
 
Common natural examples:
  • 만들다 = to make → 만드는 = who/that makes
  • 살다 = to live → 사는 = who/that lives
  • 놀다 = to play / hang out → 노는 = who/that plays / hangs out
 
Natural phrases:
  • 빵을 만드는 사람 = a person who makes bread 🍞
  • 집에 사는 친구 = a friend who lives at home 🏠
  • 학교에서 노는 학생 = a student who plays at school 🏫
 

🔊 Pronunciation Note

Some written forms are pronounced a little differently because sounds meet each other.
 
  • 먹는 is written 먹는, but sounds like [meong-neun].
  • 읽는 is written 읽는, but sounds like [ing-neun].
  • 듣는 is written 듣는, but sounds like [deun-neun].
 
The spelling stays the same in this lesson. Let Korean Helper Widgets handle the sound workout. 🏋️
 

📚 Cross-check note

The present action modifier -는 N was checked against Korean grammar references from korean.go.kr, including guidance that action verbs can take the adnominal ending -는, while regular adjectives such as 예쁘다 do not use -는 in this way. ✅
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 먹어요는 사람 → ✅ 먹는 사람 = a person who eats — attach 는 to the stem, not 요.
  • ❌ 먹은 사람 for present action → ✅ 먹는 사람 = a person who eats — present action uses 는.
  • ❌ 작는 책 → ✅ 작은 책 = a small book — regular adjectives use the adjective-describing form, not 는.
  • ❌ 만들는 사람 → ✅ 만드는 사람 = a person who makes — 만들다 drops ㄹ.
  • ❌ Thinking 보는 영화 means “a movie that watches” → ✅ 보는 영화 = a movie someone watches.
 
🎉 Present-action noun descriptions unlocked: Korean can now point at “the person doing the thing” or “the thing someone uses.” Grammar paparazzi mode: activated. 📸
 

Try this exercise

Instructions
Complete each present action modifier with 는 or the correct combined form. Read the full phrase aloud, then open the Answer toggle. 🎬
1. 밥을 먹＿＿＿＿ 사람
[ba-beul meok＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
person who eats rice 🍚
Answer
밥을 먹는 사람 = person who eats rice — 먹다 becomes 먹는.
2. 커피를 마시＿＿＿＿ 친구
[keo-pi-reul ma-si＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
friend who drinks coffee ☕
Answer
커피를 마시는 친구 = friend who drinks coffee — 마시다 becomes 마시는.
3. 책을 읽＿＿＿＿ 학생
[chae-geul ik＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
student who reads a book 📚
Answer
책을 읽는 학생 = student who reads a book — 읽다 becomes 읽는.
4. 영화를 보＿＿＿＿ 친구
[yeong-hwa-reul bo＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
friend who watches a movie 🎬
Answer
영화를 보는 친구 = friend who watches a movie — 보다 becomes 보는.
5. 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿ 사람
[eu-ma-geul deut＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
person who listens to music 🎵
Answer
음악을 듣는 사람 = person who listens to music — the spelling is 듣는.
6. 공부하＿＿＿＿ 학생
[gong-bu-ha＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
student who studies 🎒
Answer
공부하는 학생 = student who studies — 공부하다 becomes 공부하는.
7. 일하＿＿＿＿ 사람
[il-ha＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
person who works 💼
Answer
일하는 사람 = person who works — 일하다 becomes 일하는.
8. 빵을 만드＿＿＿＿ 사람
[ppang-eul man-deu＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
person who makes bread 🍞
Answer
빵을 만드는 사람 = person who makes bread — 만들다 drops ㄹ before 는.
9. 집에 사＿＿＿＿ 친구
[ji-be sa＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
friend who lives at home 🏠
Answer
집에 사는 친구 = friend who lives at home — 살다 drops ㄹ before 는.
10. 학생이 읽＿＿＿＿ 책
[hak-saeng-i ik＿＿＿＿ chaek]
book that a student reads 📖
Answer
학생이 읽는 책 = book that a student reads — the noun is the thing being read.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 보다 → to see / watch
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 일하다 → to work
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 살다 → to live
  • 사람 → person
  • 친구 → friend
  • 학생 → student
  • 책 → book
  • 영화 → movie
  • 음악 → music
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 밥 → rice / meal
  • 빵 → bread
  • 집 → house / home
Tip 💡 Present action modifier = verb stem + 는. For ㄹ-ending verbs, drop ㄹ first.
 
 
🚀
Want more practice? When you’re ready, continue to the Practice Hub below for more -는 N present-action practice.
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Describing Nouns with Actions (Present): -는 N
 
Welcome to present-action modifier practice! 🎬 You’ll make phrases like “student who reads” and “movie someone watches.” Your nouns now come with live-action subtitles. 🍿
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear each phrase.
 
📝 How to use: Fill each blank with the correct -는 form, say the phrase aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Watch for ㄹ-ending verbs like 만들다 and 살다.
 

Exercise 1 — People Doing Things

A. 밥을 먹＿＿＿＿ 사람
[ba-beul meok＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who eats rice) 🍚
Answer
밥을 먹는 사람 = person who eats rice.
B. 커피를 마시＿＿＿＿ 사람
[keo-pi-reul ma-si＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who drinks coffee) ☕
Answer
커피를 마시는 사람 = person who drinks coffee.
C. 책을 읽＿＿＿＿ 사람
[chae-geul ik＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who reads a book) 📖
Answer
책을 읽는 사람 = person who reads a book.
D. 영화를 보＿＿＿＿ 사람
[yeong-hwa-reul bo＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who watches a movie) 🎬
Answer
영화를 보는 사람 = person who watches a movie.
E. 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿ 사람
[eu-ma-geul deut＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who listens to music) 🎵
Answer
음악을 듣는 사람 = person who listens to music.
F. 공부하＿＿＿＿ 사람
[gong-bu-ha＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who studies) ✏️
Answer
공부하는 사람 = person who studies.
G. 일하＿＿＿＿ 사람
[il-ha＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who works) 💼
Answer
일하는 사람 = person who works.
H. 자＿＿＿＿ 사람
[ja＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who sleeps) 😴
Answer
자는 사람 = person who sleeps.
I. 쉬＿＿＿＿ 사람
[swi＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who rests) 🛋️
Answer
쉬는 사람 = person who rests.
J. 빵을 만드＿＿＿＿ 사람
[ppang-eul man-deu＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who makes bread) 🍞
Answer
빵을 만드는 사람 = person who makes bread — 만들다 drops ㄹ.
 

Exercise 2 — Students and Friends

A. 공부하＿＿＿＿ 학생
[gong-bu-ha＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who studies) 🎒
Answer
공부하는 학생 = student who studies.
B. 책을 읽＿＿＿＿ 학생
[chae-geul ik＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who reads a book) 📚
Answer
책을 읽는 학생 = student who reads a book.
C. 커피를 마시＿＿＿＿ 학생
[keo-pi-reul ma-si＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who drinks coffee) ☕
Answer
커피를 마시는 학생 = student who drinks coffee.
D. 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿ 학생
[eu-ma-geul deut＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who listens to music) 🎵
Answer
음악을 듣는 학생 = student who listens to music.
E. 일하＿＿＿＿ 친구
[il-ha＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
(friend who works) 💼
Answer
일하는 친구 = friend who works.
F. 자＿＿＿＿ 친구
[ja＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
(friend who sleeps) 😴
Answer
자는 친구 = friend who sleeps.
G. 쉬＿＿＿＿ 친구
[swi＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
(friend who rests) 🛋️
Answer
쉬는 친구 = friend who rests.
H. 영화를 보＿＿＿＿ 친구
[yeong-hwa-reul bo＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
(friend who watches a movie) 🎬
Answer
영화를 보는 친구 = friend who watches a movie.
I. 집에 사＿＿＿＿ 친구
[ji-be sa＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
(friend who lives at home) 🏠
Answer
집에 사는 친구 = friend who lives at home — 살다 drops ㄹ.
J. 학교에서 노＿＿＿＿ 학생
[hak-gyo-e-seo no＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who plays at school) 🏫
Answer
학교에서 노는 학생 = student who plays at school — 놀다 drops ㄹ.
 

Exercise 3 — Things Being Used

A. 읽＿＿＿＿ 책
[ik＿＿＿＿ chaek]
(book someone reads) 📚
Answer
읽는 책 = book someone reads.
B. 보＿＿＿＿ 영화
[bo＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa]
(movie someone watches) 🎬
Answer
보는 영화 = movie someone watches.
C. 듣＿＿＿＿ 음악
[deut＿＿＿＿ eu-mak]
(music someone listens to) 🎵
Answer
듣는 음악 = music someone listens to.
D. 마시＿＿＿＿ 커피
[ma-si＿＿＿＿ keo-pi]
(coffee someone drinks) ☕
Answer
마시는 커피 = coffee someone drinks.
E. 먹＿＿＿＿ 밥
[meok＿＿＿＿ bap]
(meal someone eats) 🍚
Answer
먹는 밥 = meal someone eats.
F. 학생이 읽＿＿＿＿ 책
[hak-saeng-i ik＿＿＿＿ chaek]
(book a student reads) 🎒
Answer
학생이 읽는 책 = book a student reads.
G. 친구가 보＿＿＿＿ 영화
[chin-gu-ga bo＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa]
(movie a friend watches) 🎥
Answer
친구가 보는 영화 = movie a friend watches.
H. 사람이 듣＿＿＿＿ 음악
[sa-ra-mi deut＿＿＿＿ eu-mak]
(music a person listens to) 🎧
Answer
사람이 듣는 음악 = music a person listens to.
I. 친구가 마시＿＿＿＿ 커피
[chin-gu-ga ma-si＿＿＿＿ keo-pi]
(coffee a friend drinks) ☕
Answer
친구가 마시는 커피 = coffee a friend drinks.
J. 학생이 먹＿＿＿＿ 밥
[hak-saeng-i meok＿＿＿＿ bap]
(meal a student eats) 🍚
Answer
학생이 먹는 밥 = meal a student eats.
 

Exercise 4 — Stem Builder

A. 먹다 = to eat → 먹＿＿＿＿ 사람
[meok＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who eats) 🍚
Answer
먹는 사람 = person who eats.
B. 마시다 = to drink → 마시＿＿＿＿ 사람
[ma-si＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who drinks) 🥤
Answer
마시는 사람 = person who drinks.
C. 읽다 = to read → 읽＿＿＿＿ 학생
[ik＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who reads) 📖
Answer
읽는 학생 = student who reads.
D. 보다 = to watch → 보＿＿＿＿ 친구
[bo＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
(friend who watches) 🎬
Answer
보는 친구 = friend who watches.
E. 듣다 = to listen → 듣＿＿＿＿ 사람
[deut＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who listens) 🎵
Answer
듣는 사람 = person who listens.
F. 공부하다 = to study → 공부하＿＿＿＿ 학생
[gong-bu-ha＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who studies) ✏️
Answer
공부하는 학생 = student who studies.
G. 만들다 = to make → 만드＿＿＿＿ 사람
[man-deu＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who makes) 🍞
Answer
만드는 사람 = person who makes — drop ㄹ.
H. 살다 = to live → 사＿＿＿＿ 친구
[sa＿＿＿＿ chin-gu]
(friend who lives) 🏠
Answer
사는 친구 = friend who lives — drop ㄹ.
I. 놀다 = to play → 노＿＿＿＿ 학생
[no＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who plays) 🏫
Answer
노는 학생 = student who plays — drop ㄹ.
J. 쉬다 = to rest → 쉬＿＿＿＿ 사람
[swi＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who rests) 🛋️
Answer
쉬는 사람 = person who rests.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol

A. ❌ 먹어요는 사람 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹는 사람 = person who eats — do not attach 는 after 요.
B. ❌ 먹은 사람 for present action → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹는 사람 = person who eats — present action uses 는.
C. ❌ 작는 책 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
작은 책 = small book — 작다 is an adjective, not an action verb.
D. ❌ 만들는 사람 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
만드는 사람 = person who makes — 만들다 drops ㄹ.
E. 보는 영화 means which one? ① movie someone watches / ② movie that watches → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
① movie someone watches — 보는 영화 = movie someone watches.
F. 책을 읽＿＿＿＿ 학생
[chae-geul ik＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who reads a book)
Answer
책을 읽는 학생 = student who reads a book.
G. 친구가 마시＿＿＿＿ 커피
[chin-gu-ga ma-si＿＿＿＿ keo-pi]
(coffee a friend drinks)
Answer
친구가 마시는 커피 = coffee a friend drinks.
H. 학교에서 노＿＿＿＿ 학생
[hak-gyo-e-seo no＿＿＿＿ hak-saeng]
(student who plays at school)
Answer
학교에서 노는 학생 = student who plays at school.
I. 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿ 사람
[eu-ma-geul deut＿＿＿＿ sa-ram]
(person who listens to music)
Answer
음악을 듣는 사람 = person who listens to music.
J. Choose the natural phrase: ① 일하는 사람 / ② 일해요는 사람 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
① 일하는 사람 = person who works — attach 는 to the stem 일하.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • -는 N → noun described by a present/habitual action
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 보다 → to see / watch
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 일하다 → to work
  • 자다 → to sleep
  • 쉬다 → to rest
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 살다 → to live
  • 놀다 → to play / hang out
  • 사람 → person
  • 친구 → friend
  • 학생 → student
  • 책 → book
  • 영화 → movie
  • 음악 → music
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 밥 → rice / meal
  • 빵 → bread
  • 집 → house / home
  • 학교 → school
Tip 💡 Remove 다, add 는; if the action stem ends in ㄹ, drop ㄹ first.
 
 
🎉
Great work! You nailed present-action descriptions — your nouns now come with live-action subtitles. 🎬