Nominalization with -기 and 것
Korean often turns actions and clauses into noun-like units so they can be evaluated, discussed, or embedded in larger sentences.
Examples
Reading is harder than I expected.
I did not know that he had come.
Studying alone is not easy.
Pattern
verb/adjective + 기 / clause + 것
How it works
Korean often turns actions and clauses into noun-like units so they can be evaluated, discussed, or embedded in larger sentences. This pattern typically appears as verb/adjective + 기 / clause + 것 and becomes easier when you meet it again in short, readable examples.
What to notice
- Nominalization lets Korean treat an action or clause like a thing inside a bigger structure.
- It is common in explanation, evaluation, and reported understanding.
Why it matters
Structure longer explanation and argument more cleanly.
Use in context
This matters because advanced Korean often discusses actions and qualities as concepts rather than only as standalone events.