🧱

Making Nouns from Verbs: -기

Keywords
-기
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🧱 Add -기 [-gi] to a verb stem to turn an action into a noun-like idea: “doing…” or “the act of…”
  • ✂️ Drop 다 from the dictionary form first: 읽다 [ik-da] “to read” → 읽기 [il-gi] “reading.”
  • 🎒 Once the verb becomes a noun, it can take particles like 가, 를, and 는: 읽기가 쉬워요 [il-gi-ga swi-wo-yo] “Reading is easy.”
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear the difference between the dictionary verb 읽다 [ik-da] and the noun-like form 읽기 [il-gi]. The final ㄺ in 읽기 links into the next vowel-like sound? Not here — 기 starts with ㄱ, so it is pronounced [il-gi]. 📖
 

🌈 The Big Picture

Korean can turn actions into noun-like chunks. In English, this often looks like “-ing”:
  • reading
  • studying
  • walking
  • cooking
  • writing
In Korean, one clean way to do this is verb stem + 기. It lets an action behave like a noun inside a sentence. 🧱
  • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] — to study 📝
  • 공부하기 [gong-bu-ha-gi] — studying / the act of studying 📝
  • 공부하기가 어려워요. [gong-bu-ha-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo] — Studying is difficult. 🧠
Think of -기 as a little “noun-maker” Lego brick. It does not make the sentence complete by itself; it creates a noun-like action that can then plug into a bigger sentence. 🧩
 

🎨 The Core -기 Family

The core pattern is:
  • 동사 어간 + 기 — verb stem + 기 = “doing the verb”
    • 읽다 [ik-da] “to read” → 읽기 [il-gi] “reading” 📖
    • 쓰다 [sseu-da] “to write” → 쓰기 [sseu-gi] “writing” ✍️
    • 걷다 [geot-da] “to walk” → 걷기 [geot-gi] “walking” 🚶
    • 듣다 [deut-da] “to listen” → 듣기 [deut-gi] “listening” 🎧
    • 만들다 [man-deul-da] “to make” → 만들기 [man-deul-gi] “making” 🧱
Common frames:
  • -기가 쉬워요 [-gi-ga swi-wo-yo] — doing it is easy.
  • -기가 어려워요 [-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo] — doing it is difficult.
  • -기를 좋아해요 [-gi-reul jo-a-hae-yo] — I like doing it.
  • -기는 재미있어요 [-gi-neun jae-mi-i-sseo-yo] — doing it is interesting/fun.
 

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

  1. 한국어 읽기가 쉬워요. [han-gu-geo il-gi-ga swi-wo-yo] — Reading Korean is easy. 🇰🇷📖
      • 한국어 = Korean language, 읽기 = reading, 가 = subject marker, 쉽다 = to be easy.
  1. 아침에 걷기를 좋아해요. [a-chi-me geot-gi-reul jo-a-hae-yo] — I like walking in the morning. 🌅🚶
      • 아침 = morning, 에 = at/in, 걷기 = walking, 를 = object marker, 좋아하다 = to like.
  1. 김밥 만들기는 재미있어요. [gim-bap man-deul-gi-neun jae-mi-i-sseo-yo] — Making gimbap is fun. 🍙
      • 김밥 = gimbap, 만들기 = making, 는 = topic marker, 재미있다 = to be interesting/fun.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

Drop 다, then add 기. That’s it. No vowel harmony drama, no polite-ending puzzle, no tiny grammar gremlin hiding under the sofa. 🛋️
  • 보다 [bo-da] “to watch/see” → 보기 [bo-gi] “watching/seeing” 🎬
  • 마시다 [ma-shi-da] “to drink” → 마시기 [ma-shi-gi] “drinking” 🥤
  • 요리하다 [yo-ri-ha-da] “to cook” → 요리하기 [yo-ri-ha-gi] “cooking” 🍳
  • 운동하다 [un-dong-ha-da] “to exercise” → 운동하기 [un-dong-ha-gi] “exercising” 🏃
  • 청소하다 [cheong-so-ha-da] “to clean” → 청소하기 [cheong-so-ha-gi] “cleaning” 🧹
Important: because 기 starts with a consonant, common irregulars usually do not change here.
  • 듣다 → 듣기, not 들기 🎧
  • 걷다 → 걷기, not 걸기 🚶
  • 만들다 → 만들기, not 만드기 🧱
 

📚 Cross-check note

The nominalizing use of -기 as a noun-forming ending, and its contrast with ordinary derived nouns, was checked against korean.go.kr and standard Korean grammar references. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -기 [-gi] — turns an action into a noun-like idea; often compact, abstract, and useful in set expressions.
  • -는 것 [-neun geot] — also means “doing…” and is very common in conversation. It often feels more concrete or phrase-like.
    • 읽기 [il-gi] — reading 📖
    • 읽는 것 [ing-neun geot] — the thing/action of reading 📖
For this lesson, focus on -기. You can treat -는 것 as a friendly neighbor, not today’s main character. 🏡
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 읽다기 → ✅ 읽기. Drop 다 first. ✂️
  • ❌ 걷기가 쉬워요 translated as “I walk easy” → ✅ “Walking is easy.” 걷기 is acting like a noun. 🚶
  • ❌ 듣기 changed to 들기 → ✅ 듣기. 기 starts with a consonant, so ㄷ-irregular change does not happen here. 🎧
  • ❌ 만드기 → ✅ 만들기. ㄹ stays before 기. 🧱
  • ❌ Using -기 as a full sentence by itself → ✅ Add a sentence ending or frame: 요리하기가 재미있어요. [yo-ri-ha-gi-ga jae-mi-i-sseo-yo] — Cooking is fun. 🍳
 
🎉 You just learned how to turn actions into “things” your sentence can talk about. Tiny 기, mighty grammar brick. 🧱✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Turn each verb into a -기 noun form, then read the full sentence aloud. Open the Answer toggle after you commit. 🎧
1. 한국어를 읽＿＿＿＿가 쉬워요.
[han-gu-geo-reul il-＿＿＿＿-ga swi-wo-yo]
Reading Korean is easy. 🇰🇷📖
Answer
기 — 읽다 → 읽기. Drop 다, add 기.
2. 문장을 쓰＿＿＿＿가 어려워요.
[mun-jang-eul sseu-＿＿＿＿-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
Writing sentences is difficult. ✍️
Answer
기 — 쓰다 → 쓰기.
3. 아침에 걷＿＿＿＿를 좋아해요.
[a-chi-me geot-＿＿＿＿-reul jo-a-hae-yo]
I like walking in the morning. 🌅🚶
Answer
기 — 걷다 → 걷기. No ㄷ-irregular change here.
4. 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿는 재미있어요.
[eu-mag-eul deut-＿＿＿＿-neun jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
As for listening to music, it is fun. 🎧
Answer
기 — 듣다 → 듣기, not 들기.
5. 김밥을 만들＿＿＿＿가 좋아요.
[gim-bap-eul man-deul-＿＿＿＿-ga jo-a-yo]
Making gimbap is nice/good. 🍙
Answer
기 — 만들다 → 만들기. Keep ㄹ.
6. 물을 마시＿＿＿＿를 잊었어요.
[mu-reul ma-shi-＿＿＿＿-reul i-jeo-sseo-yo]
I forgot drinking water / forgot to drink water. 💧
Answer
기 — 마시다 → 마시기.
7. 영화를 보＿＿＿＿는 쉬워요.
[yeong-hwa-reul bo-＿＿＿＿-neun swi-wo-yo]
Watching a movie is easy. 🎬
Answer
기 — 보다 → 보기.
8. 저녁을 요리하＿＿＿＿가 재미있어요.
[jeo-nyeo-geul yo-ri-ha-＿＿＿＿-ga jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
Cooking dinner is fun. 🍳
Answer
기 — 요리하다 → 요리하기.
9. 방을 청소하＿＿＿＿를 싫어해요.
[bang-eul cheong-so-ha-＿＿＿＿-reul shi-reo-hae-yo]
I dislike cleaning the room. 🧹
Answer
기 — 청소하다 → 청소하기.
10. 매일 운동하＿＿＿＿는 중요해요.
[mae-il un-dong-ha-＿＿＿＿-neun jung-yo-hae-yo]
Exercising every day is important. 🏃
Answer
기 — 운동하다 → 운동하기.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 한국어 → Korean language
  • 문장 → sentence
  • 아침 → morning
  • 음악 → music
  • 김밥 → gimbap
  • 물 → water
  • 영화 → movie
  • 저녁 → dinner
  • 방 → room
  • 매일 → every day
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 쓰다 → to write
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 보다 → to watch/see
  • 요리하다 → to cook
  • 청소하다 → to clean
  • 운동하다 → to exercise
Memory tips 💡
  • Drop 다, add 기.
  • -기가 쉬워요 = doing it is easy.
  • -기를 좋아해요 = like doing it.
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready!
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Making Nouns from Verbs: -기
 
Welcome to the action-to-noun workshop. 🧰 In this Practice Hub, you’ll turn verbs into noun-like forms with -기, then plug them into useful frames like “doing it is easy,” “I like doing it,” and “as for doing it…”. It’s grammar carpentry, but with fewer splinters. 🪵✨
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a -기 form inside a full sentence.
 
📝 Instructions: Fill in the blank, read the Korean aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Watch the verb stem carefully: some verbs look irregular elsewhere, but before 기, they usually stay calm.
 

Exercise 1 — Build the -기 Form 🧱

A. 읽다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ik-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to read → reading 📖
Answer
읽기 [il-gi] — drop 다, add 기.
B. 쓰다 → ＿＿＿＿
[sseu-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to write → writing ✍️
Answer
쓰기 [sseu-gi].
C. 보다 → ＿＿＿＿
[bo-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to watch/see → watching/seeing 🎬
Answer
보기 [bo-gi].
D. 마시다 → ＿＿＿＿
[ma-shi-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to drink → drinking 🥤
Answer
마시기 [ma-shi-gi].
E. 먹다 → ＿＿＿＿
[meok-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to eat → eating 🍚
Answer
먹기 [meok-gi].
F. 걷다 → ＿＿＿＿
[geot-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to walk → walking 🚶
Answer
걷기 [geot-gi] — no ㄷ-irregular change before 기.
G. 듣다 → ＿＿＿＿
[deut-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to listen → listening 🎧
Answer
듣기 [deut-gi] — not 들기.
H. 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿
[man-deul-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to make → making 🧱
Answer
만들기 [man-deul-gi] — ㄹ stays before 기.
I. 공부하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[gong-bu-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to study → studying 📝
Answer
공부하기 [gong-bu-ha-gi].
J. 운동하다 → ＿＿＿＿
[un-dong-ha-da → ＿＿＿＿]
to exercise → exercising 🏃
Answer
운동하기 [un-dong-ha-gi].
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 쓰다 → to write
  • 보다 → to watch/see
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 운동하다 → to exercise
  • 기 → noun-making ending
Tip 💡 This exercise is pure form-building: remove 다, attach 기.
 

Exercise 2 — -기가 쉬워요 / 어려워요 🪜

A. 한글을 읽＿＿＿＿가 쉬워요.
[han-geu-reul il-＿＿＿＿-ga swi-wo-yo]
Reading Hangul is easy. 🔤
Answer
기 — 읽기 + 가 쉬워요.
B. 긴 문장을 쓰＿＿＿＿가 어려워요.
[gin mun-jang-eul sseu-＿＿＿＿-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
Writing long sentences is difficult. ✍️
Answer
기 — 쓰기 + 가 어려워요.
C. 한국 드라마를 보＿＿＿＿가 쉬워요.
[han-guk deu-ra-ma-reul bo-＿＿＿＿-ga swi-wo-yo]
Watching Korean dramas is easy. 📺
Answer
기 — 보다 → 보기.
D. 빠른 말을 듣＿＿＿＿가 어려워요.
[ppa-reun ma-reul deut-＿＿＿＿-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
Listening to fast speech is difficult. 🎧
Answer
기 — 듣기, not 들기.
E. 아침에 물을 마시＿＿＿＿가 쉬워요.
[a-chi-me mu-reul ma-shi-＿＿＿＿-ga swi-wo-yo]
Drinking water in the morning is easy. 💧
Answer
기 — 마시기.
F. 매운 음식을 먹＿＿＿＿가 어려워요.
[mae-un eum-shi-geul meok-＿＿＿＿-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
Eating spicy food is difficult. 🌶️
Answer
기 — 먹기.
G. 공원에서 걷＿＿＿＿가 쉬워요.
[gong-wo-ne-seo geot-＿＿＿＿-ga swi-wo-yo]
Walking in the park is easy. 🌳
Answer
기 — 걷기, no irregular change.
H. 김밥을 만들＿＿＿＿가 어려워요.
[gim-ba-beul man-deul-＿＿＿＿-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
Making gimbap is difficult. 🍙
Answer
기 — 만들기, keep ㄹ.
I. 매일 공부하＿＿＿＿가 어려워요.
[mae-il gong-bu-ha-＿＿＿＿-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
Studying every day is difficult. 📝
Answer
기 — 공부하기.
J. 집에서 운동하＿＿＿＿가 쉬워요.
[ji-be-seo un-dong-ha-＿＿＿＿-ga swi-wo-yo]
Exercising at home is easy. 🏠
Answer
기 — 운동하기.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 한글 → Hangul
  • 긴 → long
  • 문장 → sentence
  • 한국 → Korea/Korean
  • 드라마 → drama
  • 빠른 → fast
  • 말 → speech/words
  • 아침 → morning
  • 물 → water
  • 매운 → spicy
  • 음식 → food
  • 공원 → park
  • 김밥 → gimbap
  • 매일 → every day
  • 집 → home/house
  • 쉽다 → to be easy
  • 어렵다 → to be difficult
  • 가 → subject marker
  • 을/를 → object marker
  • 에서 → at/in action place
Tip 💡 -기가 쉬워요/어려워요 = doing it is easy/difficult.
 

Exercise 3 — Likes, Dislikes, and Topics 🎭

A. 저는 책 읽＿＿＿＿를 좋아해요.
[jeo-neun chaek il-＿＿＿＿-reul jo-a-hae-yo]
I like reading books. 📚
Answer
기 — 읽기 + 를 좋아해요.
B. 동생은 일기 쓰＿＿＿＿를 싫어해요.
[dong-saeng-eun il-gi sseu-＿＿＿＿-reul shi-reo-hae-yo]
My younger sibling dislikes writing a diary. 📓
Answer
기 — 쓰기 + 를 싫어해요.
C. 친구는 영화 보＿＿＿＿를 좋아해요.
[chin-gu-neun yeong-hwa bo-＿＿＿＿-reul jo-a-hae-yo]
My friend likes watching movies. 🎬
Answer
기 — 보기.
D. 민수는 커피 마시＿＿＿＿를 좋아해요.
[min-su-neun keo-pi ma-shi-＿＿＿＿-reul jo-a-hae-yo]
Minsu likes drinking coffee. ☕
Answer
기 — 마시기.
E. 지우는 아침 먹＿＿＿＿를 싫어해요.
[ji-u-neun a-chim meok-＿＿＿＿-reul shi-reo-hae-yo]
Jiu dislikes eating breakfast. 🍳
Answer
기 — 먹기.
F. 저는 음악 듣＿＿＿＿를 좋아해요.
[jeo-neun eu-mak deut-＿＿＿＿-reul jo-a-hae-yo]
I like listening to music. 🎧
Answer
기 — 듣기, not 들기.
G. 친구는 밤에 걷＿＿＿＿를 싫어해요.
[chin-gu-neun ba-me geot-＿＿＿＿-reul shi-reo-hae-yo]
My friend dislikes walking at night. 🌙
Answer
기 — 걷기.
H. 김밥 만들＿＿＿＿는 재미있어요.
[gim-bap man-deul-＿＿＿＿-neun jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
Making gimbap is fun. 🍙
Answer
기 — 만들기 + 는.
I. 한국어 공부하＿＿＿＿는 중요해요.
[han-gu-geo gong-bu-ha-＿＿＿＿-neun jung-yo-hae-yo]
Studying Korean is important. 🇰🇷
Answer
기 — 공부하기.
J. 주말에 운동하＿＿＿＿는 좋아요.
[ju-ma-re un-dong-ha-＿＿＿＿-neun jo-a-yo]
Exercising on the weekend is nice/good. 🏃
Answer
기 — 운동하기.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 저 → I/me
  • 책 → book
  • 동생 → younger sibling
  • 일기 → diary
  • 친구 → friend
  • 영화 → movie
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 커피 → coffee
  • 지우 → Jiu
  • 아침 → breakfast/morning
  • 음악 → music
  • 밤 → night
  • 김밥 → gimbap
  • 한국어 → Korean language
  • 주말 → weekend
  • 좋아하다 → to like
  • 싫어하다 → to dislike
  • 재미있다 → to be fun/interesting
  • 중요하다 → to be important
  • 는/은 → topic marker
  • 를 → object marker
Tip 💡 -기를 좋아해요 means “like doing…”. -기는 means “as for doing…”.
 

Exercise 4 — Choose the Correct -기 Shape 🔍

A. 읽다 → reading
① 읽다기 ② 읽기 📖
Answer
② 읽기 — Drop 다 first.
B. 쓰다 → writing
① 쓰기 ② 쓰다기 ✍️
Answer
① 쓰기 — Stem 쓰 + 기.
C. 걷다 → walking
① 걷기 ② 걸기 🚶
Answer
① 걷기 — No ㄷ-irregular change before 기.
D. 듣다 → listening
① 들기 ② 듣기 🎧
Answer
② 듣기 — Keep 듣 before 기.
E. 만들다 → making
① 만들기 ② 만드기 🧱
Answer
① 만들기 — ㄹ stays.
F. 요리하다 → cooking
① 요리하기 ② 요리하다기 🍳
Answer
① 요리하기.
G. 청소하다 → cleaning
① 청소하 ② 청소하기 🧹
Answer
② 청소하기 — the noun-making form needs 기.
H. 마시다 → drinking
① 마시기 ② 마시다기 🥤
Answer
① 마시기.
I. 먹다 → eating
① 먹는 ② 먹기 🍚
Answer
② 먹기 — 먹는 describes a noun; 먹기 is the noun-like action.
J. 운동하다 → exercising
① 운동하기 ② 운동하는 🏃
Answer
① 운동하기 — 운동하는 modifies a following noun.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 쓰다 → to write
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 요리하다 → to cook
  • 청소하다 → to clean
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 운동하다 → to exercise
  • -기 → noun-making ending
  • -는 → present action noun modifier
Tip 💡 -기 makes an action noun. -는 describes a noun that comes after it.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 읽다기 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
[ik-da-gi → ＿＿＿＿]
reading 📖
Answer
읽기 [il-gi] — remove 다 before adding 기.
B. ❌ 듣기가 좋아해요 → ✅ 듣＿＿＿＿를 좋아해요
[deut-gi-ga jo-a-hae-yo → deut-＿＿＿＿-reul jo-a-hae-yo]
I like listening. 🎧
Answer
기 — Use object marker 를 with 좋아해요: 듣기를 좋아해요.
C. ❌ 걷는가 쉬워요 → ✅ 걷＿＿＿＿가 쉬워요
[geon-neun-ga swi-wo-yo → geot-＿＿＿＿-ga swi-wo-yo]
Walking is easy. 🚶
Answer
기 — 걷기가 쉬워요.
D. ❌ 만드기가 재미있어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿가 재미있어요
[man-deu-gi-ga jae-mi-i-sseo-yo → ＿＿＿＿-ga jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
Making is fun. 🧱
Answer
만들기 [man-deul-gi] — keep ㄹ before 기.
E. 한국어를 공부하＿＿＿＿는 중요해요.
[han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-ha-＿＿＿＿-neun jung-yo-hae-yo]
Studying Korean is important. 🇰🇷
Answer
기 — 공부하기는 중요해요.
F. 손을 씻＿＿＿＿가 중요해요.
[so-neul ssit-＿＿＿＿-gi-ga jung-yo-hae-yo]
Washing hands is important. 🧼
Answer
기 — 씻다 → 씻기.
G. 일찍 자＿＿＿＿는 어려워요.
[il-jjik ja-＿＿＿＿-neun eo-ryeo-wo-yo]
As for sleeping early, it is difficult. 🛏️
Answer
기 — 자다 → 자기.
H. 새 단어를 외우＿＿＿＿를 좋아해요.
[sae dan-eo-reul oe-u-＿＿＿＿-reul jo-a-hae-yo]
I like memorizing new words. 🧠
Answer
기 — 외우다 → 외우기.
I. 버스를 기다리＿＿＿＿가 싫어요.
[beo-seu-reul gi-da-ri-＿＿＿＿-ga shi-reo-yo]
Waiting for the bus is unpleasant. 🚌
Answer
기 — 기다리다 → 기다리기.
J. 혼자 여행하＿＿＿＿는 재미있어요.
[hon-ja yeo-haeng-ha-＿＿＿＿-neun jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
Traveling alone is fun. 🧳
Answer
기 — 여행하다 → 여행하기.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 한국어 → Korean language
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 손 → hand
  • 씻다 → to wash
  • 일찍 → early
  • 자다 → to sleep
  • 새 → new
  • 단어 → word
  • 외우다 → to memorize
  • 버스 → bus
  • 기다리다 → to wait
  • 혼자 → alone
  • 여행하다 → to travel
  • 중요하다 → to be important
  • 싫다 → to be disliked/unpleasant
  • 재미있다 → to be fun/interesting
Tip 💡 Pitfall patrol: drop 다, keep stems before consonant-starting 기, then choose the right particle.
 
🎉 You finished the -기 workout. Now actions can become sentence-building nouns: 읽기, 걷기, 공부하기, and a whole toolbox more. Tiny ending, sturdy grammar shelf. 🧰✨