Lesson 14
In this lesson, let’s take a look at the expression -(으)ㄹ 겸 and how it is used. -(으)ㄹ 겸 is used to express something or an action that has dual purposes or positions. It can be translated as “/ [slash]” or “and” when used with nouns, and as “(while doing something else) to do XYZ as well” when used with verbs.
겸
When you want to say “breakfast/lunch” or “singer/actor”, you use the word 겸.
Ex)
아침 겸 점심 = breakfast/lunch, brunch
가수 겸 배우 = singer and actor, singer/actor
화가 겸 작곡가 = painter/composer, painter and composer
-(으)ㄹ 겸
When you want to talk about an action that has two or more purposes, you can list them using -(으)ㄹ 겸. When you just mention one purpose using -(으)ㄹ 겸 in a sentence, the other purpose has to be understood from the context. Since -(으)ㄹ 겸 usually has the nuance of “both at the same time”, you often use the particle -도 (meaning “also”) after the noun that comes before “Verb + -(으)ㄹ 겸”.
Sample Sentences
바람 좀 쐴 겸 밖에 나왔어요.
= (There is another reason/purpose, too, but) I came outside to get some fresh air.
* 바람 좀 쐬다 = To get some breeze/fresh air.
영어 공부도 할 겸, 영어로 된 소설을 읽고 있어요.
= (I am doing it because it is fun, too, but) I am reading a novel written in English to study English as well.
* You are using -(으)ㄹ 겸 when there are additional or hidden reasons for doing something. However, you would not use it when there is only one purpose. There should be at least two purposes.
친구 생일 선물도 살 겸, 제 옷도 볼 겸, 백화점에 갈 거예요.
= I am going to go to the department store to buy a present for my friend’s birthday, and at the same time, look for some clothes for myself.
* If you are only going to buy your friend’s birthday present, you would just say, “친구 생일 선물 사러 갈 거예요.”
산책도 할 겸, 사진도 찍을 겸, 남산에 갔어요.
= I went to Nam Mountain to take a walk and also to take some photos.
-(으)ㄹ 겸 해서
Sometimes, when people feel that just saying -(으)ㄹ 겸 is a little too short, they add the word 해서 after it and say, -(으)ㄹ 겸 해서. It has the same meaning as -(으)ㄹ 겸, but -(으)ㄹ 겸 해서 is usually used with the second verb when there are two verbs used as “purposes” for doing something.
If the other person already knows what you are doing, you do not have to repeat that part. You can just end the sentence with -(으)ㄹ 겸 해서(요).
Ex)
산책도 할 겸, 사진도 찍을 겸 = 산책도 할 겸 해서, 사진도 찍을 겸 해서.