🏷️

Describing Nouns with Adjectives: -(으)ㄴ N

Keywords
-(으)ㄴ
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
🏷️
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🖼️ -(으)ㄴ N lets an adjective describe a noun: “a small book,” “a good house.”
  • 🧱 Use 은 after many consonant-ending adjective stems: 작다 = to be small → 작은 책 = a small book.
  • ☀️ Use ㄴ after many vowel-ending adjective stems: 비싸다 = to be expensive → 비싼 커피 = expensive coffee.
  • 🚨 Some common forms need special attention: 크다 = to be big → 큰 = big, and 맛있다 = to be delicious → 맛있는 = delicious.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to 작은 책, 비싼 커피, 큰 집, and 맛있는 밥. Adjective + noun should sound like one neat little description package. 📦
 

🌈 The Big Picture

Korean often describes nouns by placing a describing form right before the noun.
 
In English, you say “small book.” Korean does the same idea, but the adjective changes shape first:
  • 작다 = to be small → 작은 책 = a small book 📚
  • 좋다 = to be good → 좋은 집 = a good house 🏠
  • 비싸다 = to be expensive → 비싼 커피 = expensive coffee ☕
 
The noun comes immediately after the describing form. Tiny grammar outfit, noun runway. 🧥
 

🧩 Core Pattern

Start with the dictionary form, remove 다, then choose the describing ending.
 
Often use 은 after consonant-ending adjective stems:
  • 작다 = to be small → 작 + 은 → 작은 = small
  • 좋다 = to be good → 좋 + 은 → 좋은 = good
  • 많다 = to be many/much → 많 + 은 → 많은 = many / a lot of
 
Often use ㄴ after vowel-ending adjective stems:
  • 비싸다 = to be expensive → 비싸 + ㄴ → 비싼 = expensive
  • 싸다 = to be cheap → 싸 + ㄴ → 싼 = cheap
  • 크다 = to be big → 큰 = big
 
Some 있다-style descriptive words use 는 before nouns:
  • 맛있다 = to be delicious → 맛있는 = delicious
  • 재미있다 = to be interesting / fun → 재미있는 = interesting / fun
 

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

The describing form goes directly before the noun:
  • 작은 책을 읽어요. = I read a small book. 📖
  • 비싼 커피를 마셔요. = I drink expensive coffee. ☕
  • 재미있는 영화를 봐요. = I watch an interesting movie. 🎬
  • 큰 학교에 가요. = I go to a big school. 🏫
 

🧭 Useful Extra: This is different from full sentences

When the adjective comes before a noun, it changes into a describing form.
 
Compare:
  • 책이 작아요. = The book is small.
  • 작은 책 = a small book
 
  • 커피가 비싸요. = The coffee is expensive.
  • 비싼 커피 = expensive coffee
 
Do not use the polite ending 요 inside the noun description. The noun does not need a tiny polite hat there. 🎩
 

🚨 Special Forms and Irregular Notes

Some adjectives do not behave like the simplest consonant/vowel examples. Here are the important beginner forms for this lesson.
 

1. 크다 → 큰

크다 = to be big becomes 큰 = big before a noun.
  • 큰 집 = a big house 🏠
  • 큰 학교 = a big school 🏫
 

2. 있다-style adjectives: 맛있다 / 재미있다

Some descriptive words ending in 있다 use 는 before a noun.
  • 맛있다 = to be delicious → 맛있는 밥 = a delicious meal 🍚
  • 재미있다 = to be interesting / fun → 재미있는 영화 = an interesting movie 🎬
 

3. ㅎ-irregular adjectives

Some adjectives ending in ㅎ다 lose ㅎ before ㄴ-type describing forms. Common color adjectives often do this:
  • 빨갛다 = to be red → 빨간 = red
  • 파랗다 = to be blue → 파란 = blue
  • 노랗다 = to be yellow → 노란 = yellow
  • 하얗다 = to be white → 하얀 = white
 
Natural examples:
  • 빨간 사과 = a red apple 🍎
  • 파란 하늘 = a blue sky 🌤️
  • 노란 바나나 = a yellow banana 🍌
 

4. ㄹ-ending adjectives

Some adjectives with stems ending in ㄹ drop ㄹ before the describing ㄴ.
  • 길다 = to be long → 긴 = long
  • 멀다 = to be far → 먼 = far
  • 달다 = to be sweet → 단 = sweet
 
Natural examples:
  • 긴 길 = a long road 🛣️
  • 먼 학교 = a far school 🏫
  • 단 커피 = sweet coffee ☕
 

📚 Cross-check note

The adjective modifier pattern -(으)ㄴ N, including forms such as 다른 from 다르다 and ㅎ-irregular examples such as 노란, was checked against Korean grammar references from korean.go.kr. ✅
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 작는 책 → ✅ 작은 책 = a small book — Regular consonant-ending adjective stem uses 은.
  • ❌ 비싸은 커피 → ✅ 비싼 커피 = expensive coffee — Vowel-ending adjective stem takes ㄴ.
  • ❌ 크은 집 → ✅ 큰 집 = a big house — 크다 becomes 큰.
  • ❌ 재미있은 영화 → ✅ 재미있는 영화 = an interesting movie — 있다-style descriptive words use 는.
  • ❌ 빨갛은 사과 → ✅ 빨간 사과 = a red apple — 빨갛다 is ㅎ-irregular.
  • ❌ 길은 길 → ✅ 긴 길 = a long road — 길다 drops ㄹ.
 
🎉 You can now tuck adjectives neatly in front of nouns. Korean noun outfits: upgraded. 🏷️
 

Try this exercise

Instructions
Complete each adjective form before the noun. Read the full phrase aloud, then open the Answer toggle. 🧠
1. 작＿＿＿＿ 책
[jak＿＿＿＿ chaek] — small book 📚
Answer
작은 책 = small book — 작다 has a consonant-ending stem, so use 은.
2. 좋＿＿＿＿ 집
[jo＿＿＿＿ jip] — good house 🏠
Answer
좋은 집 = good house — 좋다 has a consonant-ending stem, so use 은.
3. 비싸＿＿＿＿ 커피
[bi-ssa＿＿＿＿ keo-pi] — expensive coffee ☕
Answer
비싼 커피 = expensive coffee — 비싸다 has a vowel-ending stem, so add ㄴ.
4. 싸＿＿＿＿ 책
[ssa＿＿＿＿ chaek] — cheap book 📖
Answer
싼 책 = cheap book — 싸다 becomes 싼.
5. 크＿＿＿＿ 학교
[keu＿＿＿＿ hak-gyo] — big school 🏫
Answer
큰 학교 = big school — 크다 becomes 큰.
6. 맛있＿＿＿＿ 밥
[ma-sit＿＿＿＿ bap] — delicious meal 🍚
Answer
맛있는 밥 = delicious meal — 맛있다 uses 는 before a noun.
7. 재미있＿＿＿＿ 영화
[jae-mi-it＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa] — interesting movie 🎬
Answer
재미있는 영화 = interesting movie — 재미있다 uses 는.
8. 빨갛＿＿＿＿ 사과
[ppal-gat＿＿＿＿ sa-gwa] — red apple 🍎
Answer
빨간 사과 = red apple — 빨갛다 is ㅎ-irregular.
9. 길＿＿＿＿ 길
[gil＿＿＿＿ gil] — long road 🛣️
Answer
긴 길 = long road — 길다 drops ㄹ.
10. 많＿＿＿＿ 책
[man＿＿＿＿ chaek] — many books 📚
Answer
많은 책 = many books — 많다 has a consonant-ending stem, so use 은.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 작다 → to be small
  • 좋다 → to be good
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 싸다 → to be cheap
  • 크다 → to be big
  • 맛있다 → to be delicious
  • 재미있다 → to be interesting / fun
  • 빨갛다 → to be red
  • 길다 → to be long
  • 많다 → to be many / much
  • 책 → book
  • 집 → house / home
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 학교 → school
  • 밥 → rice / meal
  • 영화 → movie
  • 사과 → apple
  • 길 → road
Tip 💡 The describing form sits right before the noun.
 
🚀
Want more practice? When you’re ready, continue to the Practice Hub below for more -(으)ㄴ N adjective-describing practice.
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Describing Nouns with Adjectives: -(으)ㄴ N
 
Welcome to adjective-modifier practice! 🖼️ You’ll turn plain adjectives into neat noun descriptions. Small book, big school, delicious meal — Korean just got a wardrobe. 👕
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a phrase.
 
📝 How to use: Fill each blank with the correct describing form, say the full phrase aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Check the stem ending and watch for special forms.
 

Exercise 1 — Regular Consonant Stems

A. 작＿＿＿＿ 책 [jak＿＿＿＿ chaek] (small book) 📚
Answer
작은 책 = small book — 작다 uses 은.
B. 작＿＿＿＿ 집 [jak＿＿＿＿ jip] (small house) 🏠
Answer
작은 집 = small house — consonant-ending stem + 은.
C. 좋＿＿＿＿ 책 [jo＿＿＿＿ chaek] (good book) 📖
Answer
좋은 책 = good book — 좋다 uses 은.
D. 좋＿＿＿＿ 집 [jo＿＿＿＿ jip] (good house) 🏠
Answer
좋은 집 = good house — consonant-ending stem + 은.
E. 많＿＿＿＿ 책 [man＿＿＿＿ chaek] (many books) 📚
Answer
많은 책 = many books — 많다 uses 은.
F. 많＿＿＿＿ 영화 [man＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa] (many movies) 🎬
Answer
많은 영화 = many movies — consonant-ending stem + 은.
G. 작＿＿＿＿ 학교 [jak＿＿＿＿ hak-gyo] (small school) 🏫
Answer
작은 학교 = small school — 작다 uses 은.
H. 좋＿＿＿＿ 영화 [jo＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa] (good movie) 🎬
Answer
좋은 영화 = good movie — 좋다 uses 은.
I. 많＿＿＿＿ 책 [man＿＿＿＿ chaek] (many books) 📚
Answer
많은 책 = many books — 많다 uses 은.
J. 작＿＿＿＿ 커피 [jak＿＿＿＿ keo-pi] (small coffee) ☕
Answer
작은 커피 = small coffee — consonant-ending stem + 은.
 

Exercise 2 — Regular Vowel Stems and 크다

A. 비싸＿＿＿＿ 커피 [bi-ssa＿＿＿＿ keo-pi] (expensive coffee) ☕
Answer
비싼 커피 = expensive coffee — vowel-ending stem + ㄴ.
B. 비싸＿＿＿＿ 책 [bi-ssa＿＿＿＿ chaek] (expensive book) 📚
Answer
비싼 책 = expensive book — 비싸다 becomes 비싼.
C. 비싸＿＿＿＿ 집 [bi-ssa＿＿＿＿ jip] (expensive house) 🏠
Answer
비싼 집 = expensive house — vowel-ending stem + ㄴ.
D. 싸＿＿＿＿ 커피 [ssa＿＿＿＿ keo-pi] (cheap coffee) 🪙
Answer
싼 커피 = cheap coffee — 싸다 becomes 싼.
E. 싸＿＿＿＿ 책 [ssa＿＿＿＿ chaek] (cheap book) 📖
Answer
싼 책 = cheap book — vowel-ending stem + ㄴ.
F. 싸＿＿＿＿ 밥 [ssa＿＿＿＿ bap] (cheap meal) 🍚
Answer
싼 밥 = cheap meal — 싸다 becomes 싼.
G. 크＿＿＿＿ 집 [keu＿＿＿＿ jip] (big house) 🏠
Answer
큰 집 = big house — 크다 becomes 큰.
H. 크＿＿＿＿ 학교 [keu＿＿＿＿ hak-gyo] (big school) 🏫
Answer
큰 학교 = big school — use 큰.
I. 비싸＿＿＿＿ 영화 [bi-ssa＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa] (expensive movie) 🎬
Answer
비싼 영화 = expensive movie — vowel-ending stem + ㄴ.
J. 싸＿＿＿＿ 집 [ssa＿＿＿＿ jip] (cheap house) 🏠
Answer
싼 집 = cheap house — 싸다 becomes 싼.
 

Exercise 3 — Special Forms

A. 맛있＿＿＿＿ 밥 [ma-sit＿＿＿＿ bap] (delicious meal) 🍲
Answer
맛있는 밥 = delicious meal — 맛있다 uses 는.
B. 맛있＿＿＿＿ 커피 [ma-sit＿＿＿＿ keo-pi] (delicious coffee) ☕
Answer
맛있는 커피 = delicious coffee — 맛있다 uses 는.
C. 재미있＿＿＿＿ 영화 [jae-mi-it＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa] (interesting movie) 🎬
Answer
재미있는 영화 = interesting movie — 재미있다 uses 는.
D. 재미있＿＿＿＿ 책 [jae-mi-it＿＿＿＿ chaek] (interesting book) 📖
Answer
재미있는 책 = interesting book — 재미있다 uses 는.
E. 빨갛＿＿＿＿ 사과 [ppal-gat＿＿＿＿ sa-gwa] (red apple) 🍎
Answer
빨간 사과 = red apple — ㅎ-irregular: 빨갛다 becomes 빨간.
F. 파랗＿＿＿＿ 하늘 [pa-rat＿＿＿＿ ha-neul] (blue sky) 🌤️
Answer
파란 하늘 = blue sky — ㅎ-irregular: 파랗다 becomes 파란.
G. 노랗＿＿＿＿ 바나나 [no-rat＿＿＿＿ ba-na-na] (yellow banana) 🍌
Answer
노란 바나나 = yellow banana — ㅎ-irregular: 노랗다 becomes 노란.
H. 길＿＿＿＿ 길 [gil＿＿＿＿ gil] (long road) 🛣️
Answer
긴 길 = long road — 길다 drops ㄹ.
I. 멀＿＿＿＿ 학교 [meol＿＿＿＿ hak-gyo] (far school) 🏫
Answer
먼 학교 = far school — 멀다 drops ㄹ.
J. 달＿＿＿＿ 커피 [dal＿＿＿＿ keo-pi] (sweet coffee) ☕
Answer
단 커피 = sweet coffee — 달다 drops ㄹ.
 

Exercise 4 — Sentence Builder

A. 작＿＿＿＿ 책을 읽어요. [jak＿＿＿＿ chae-geul il-geo-yo] (I read a small book.) 📚
Answer
작은 책을 읽어요. = I read a small book.
B. 비싸＿＿＿＿ 커피를 마셔요. [bi-ssa＿＿＿＿ keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-yo] (I drink expensive coffee.) ☕
Answer
비싼 커피를 마셔요. = I drink expensive coffee.
C. 맛있＿＿＿＿ 밥을 먹어요. [ma-sit＿＿＿＿ ba-beul meo-geo-yo] (I eat a delicious meal.) 🍚
Answer
맛있는 밥을 먹어요. = I eat a delicious meal.
D. 재미있＿＿＿＿ 영화를 봐요. [jae-mi-it＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa-reul bwa-yo] (I watch an interesting movie.) 🎬
Answer
재미있는 영화를 봐요. = I watch an interesting movie.
E. 큰 학교에 가요. [keun hak-gyo-e ga-yo] (I go to a big school.) 🏫 → Dictionary form?
Answer
크다 = to be big — 크다 becomes 큰.
F. 빨갛＿＿＿＿ 사과를 봐요. [ppal-gat＿＿＿＿ sa-gwa-reul bwa-yo] (I see a red apple.) 🍎
Answer
빨간 사과를 봐요. = I see a red apple.
G. 긴 길을 걸어요. [gin gi-reul geo-reo-yo] (I walk on a long road.) 🛣️ → Dictionary form?
Answer
길다 = to be long — 길다 becomes 긴.
H. 많＿＿＿＿ 책을 읽어요. [man＿＿＿＿ chae-geul il-geo-yo] (I read many books.) 📚
Answer
많은 책을 읽어요. = I read many books.
I. 좋＿＿＿＿ 영화를 봐요. [jo＿＿＿＿ yeong-hwa-reul bwa-yo] (I watch a good movie.) 🎬
Answer
좋은 영화를 봐요. = I watch a good movie.
J. 싼 커피를 마셔요. [ssan keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-yo] (I drink cheap coffee.) ☕ → Dictionary form?
Answer
싸다 = to be cheap — 싸다 becomes 싼.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol

A. ❌ 작는 책 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
작은 책 = small book — regular adjective 작다 uses 은.
B. ❌ 비싸은 커피 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
비싼 커피 = expensive coffee — vowel stem uses ㄴ.
C. ❌ 크은 집 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
큰 집 = big house — 크다 becomes 큰.
D. ❌ 재미있은 영화 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
재미있는 영화 = interesting movie — 재미있다 uses 는.
E. ❌ 빨갛은 사과 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
빨간 사과 = red apple — ㅎ-irregular.
F. ❌ 길은 길 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
긴 길 = long road — 길다 drops ㄹ.
G. 책이 작아요. vs 작은 책 — Which one means “a small book”? → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
작은 책 = a small book. 책이 작아요 means “The book is small.”
H. 커피가 비싸요. vs 비싼 커피 — Which one means “expensive coffee”? → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
비싼 커피 = expensive coffee. 커피가 비싸요 means “The coffee is expensive.”
I. 좋＿＿＿＿ 책을 읽어요. [jo＿＿＿＿ chae-geul il-geo-yo] (I read a good book.)
Answer
좋은 책을 읽어요. = I read a good book.
J. Choose the natural phrase: ① 맛있는 밥 / ② 맛있은 밥 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
① 맛있는 밥 = delicious meal — 맛있다 uses 는.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • -(으)ㄴ N → adjective describing a noun
  • 은 → common describing ending after consonant stems
  • ㄴ → common describing ending after vowel stems
  • 는 → describing ending for 있다-style descriptive words here
  • 작다 → to be small
  • 좋다 → to be good
  • 많다 → to be many / much
  • 비싸다 → to be expensive
  • 싸다 → to be cheap
  • 크다 → to be big
  • 맛있다 → to be delicious
  • 재미있다 → to be interesting / fun
  • 빨갛다 → to be red
  • 파랗다 → to be blue
  • 노랗다 → to be yellow
  • 길다 → to be long
  • 멀다 → to be far
  • 달다 → to be sweet
  • 책 → book
  • 집 → house / home
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 밥 → rice / meal
  • 영화 → movie
  • 학교 → school
  • 사과 → apple
  • 하늘 → sky
  • 바나나 → banana
  • 길 → road
Tip 💡 Make the adjective into a describing form first, then place the noun right after it.
 
 
🎉
Great work! Your nouns now have clear adjective labels — tiny grammar stickers, maximum meaning. 🏷️