Lesson 28
In Level 6 Lesson 15, we looked at the structure -(이)라는 것, which is used to express what you think is the definition or the nature of something. You can do the same with verbs, except with a slightly different structure.
Let us review a little bit first.
Noun + -(이)라는 것
= What I call “Noun” is...
= (I think that) “Noun” is...
Ex)
평화라는 것은...
= (I think that) Peace is...
우정이라는 것은...
= (In my opinion, the nature of) Friendship is...
In order to express the same thing with verbs, you need to use the structure, -(ㄴ/는)다는 것.
Verb stem + -(ㄴ/는)다는 것
-(ㄴ/는)다는 것 originally comes from -(ㄴ/는)다고 하는 것, which means “the thing that is called + Verb” and it is used to express what you think is the definition or the nature of a certain action/state/verb.
Ex)
배우다 = to learn
배우 + -ㄴ다는 것 → 배운다는 것 = the act of learning
배운다는 것은 언제나 즐거운 일이에요. = Learning is always a pleasant thing to do.
* By using this form, it implies that you are talking about the nature/characteristics of the action.
살다 = to live
사 + -ㄴ다는 것 → 산다는 것 = the act of living, life
외국에 산다는 것은 가끔 힘들 때도 있어요. = The nature of living overseas is that there are sometimes hard times.
Sometimes, -(ㄴ/는)다는 것 can be combined with a particle and shortened to -(느/는)다는 건 (combined with -은) or -(느/는)다는 게 (-이), which often happens in spoken language for easier pronunciation.
Ex)
하다 → 한다는 것이 = 한다는 게
하다 → 한다는 것은 = 한다는 건
Sample Sentences
혼자 공부한다는 것은 생각만큼 쉽지 않아요.
= Studying alone is not as easy as you think.
* You could say, “혼자 공부하는 것은 생각만큼 쉽지 않아요” but by saying “혼자
공부한다는 것은...”, you are talking about the general nature of studying alone rather
than just talking about yourself when you study alone.
주말에도 회사에 가야 한다는 건 정말 슬픈 일이에요.
= Having to go to work on the weekend is so sad.
아이를 키운다는 건 참 힘든 일이에요.
= Raising a child is very tough.
한국에서 유명한 가수가 된다는 건 정말 어려운 일이에요.
= Becoming a famous singer in Korea is a very difficult thing.
장학금을 받는다는 것은 정말 대단한 일이에요.
= Receiving a scholarship is (an) amazing (achievement).