Special Grammar Patterns

🎭 Expressing Yourself: Special Grammar Patterns in Korean

Imagine you have a magic toolbox. Each tool helps you say exactly what you mean in Korean. Today, we’ll unlock five powerful tools that transform simple sentences into expressive, natural Korean!

🧩 The Big Picture: Why These Patterns Matter

Think of Korean grammar like building with LEGO blocks. You already know basic blocks (nouns, verbs, adjectives). Now you’re learning special connector pieces that let you:

• Turn actions into “things” you can talk about
• Share what others said
• Compare things (bigger, smaller, the BEST!)

Let’s dive in!

📦 Tool #1: Nominalization (것/기) — Turning Verbs into Nouns

The Magic Trick 🪄

Imagine you want to say “Swimming is fun.” In Korean, “swim” is a verb (수영하다). But we need a NOUN to say what IS fun.

Nominalization = turning a verb into a noun-like thing

It’s like taking a movie (action) and putting it in a box (noun) so you can hold it, discuss it, or compare it!

Two Magic Wands: 것 and 기

Examples That Stick 🍯

Using 것 (the “thing” box):

• 먹는 것 = eating (the thing/act of eating)
• 제가 좋아하는 것은 피자예요 = The thing I like is pizza

Using 기 (the “idea” box):

• 수영하기가 재미있어요 = Swimming is fun
• 한국어 배우기가 어려워요 = Learning Korean is difficult

💡 Quick Rule

기 often pairs with feelings: 좋다, 싫다, 어렵다, 쉽다

것 often pairs with actions you can see or specific facts

Verb Stem + 기 → Abstract idea
Verb Stem + 는 것 → Specific thing/action

Mini Story 📖

Little Mina wants to tell her mom what she loves doing.

❌ “나는 그림을 그리다 좋아해요” (Broken!) ✅ “나는 그림 그리기를 좋아해요” (Perfect!)

She put “drawing” in the 기 box so it becomes a lovable thing!

💬 Tool #2: Direct Quotations — Exact Words in a Speech Bubble

The Concept 🗨️

Imagine putting someone’s EXACT words in a speech bubble, then adding “…라고 말했어요” (said).

Direct quotation = Copy-paste the exact words + quotation marker

The Formula

"Exact words" + 라고 + 말하다/하다

Real Examples 🎯

💡 Key Points

• Keep the exact words inside quotes
• Use 라고 after the quote
• Follow with a speaking verb (말하다, 하다, 외치다)

Mini Story 📖

Teacher asks what your friend said.

친구가 뭐라고 했어요? (What did your friend say?)

"숙제 다 했어!"라고 했어요. (He said “I finished homework!”)

You’re delivering his exact words like a messenger!

🔄 Tool #3: Indirect Quotations — Reporting in Your Own Words

The Concept 🎙️

Now imagine you’re a news reporter. You don’t quote exact words — you REPORT what was said.

Indirect quotation = Rephrase + special endings + 고 + 말하다

The Magic Endings

Statement Examples 📋

Present tense:

• 간다고 했어요 = (He) said (he) is going
• 먹는다고 했어요 = (He) said (he) is eating

Past tense:

• 갔다고 했어요 = (He) said (he) went
• 먹었다고 했어요 = (He) said (he) ate

Future/Will:

• 갈 거라고 했어요 = (He) said (he) will go

Question Reporting 🤔

Someone asked “Where are you going?” → 어디 가냐고 물었어요 (Asked where I’m going)

Someone asked “Did you eat?” → 밥 먹었냐고 물었어요 (Asked if I ate)

Command Reporting 📢

Mom said “Study!” → 공부하라고 했어요 (Told me to study)

Teacher said “Be quiet!” → 조용히 하라고 했어요 (Told us to be quiet)

Suggestion Reporting 🤝

Friend said “Let’s play!” → 놀자고 했어요 (Suggested we play)

She said “Let’s eat together” → 같이 먹자고 했어요 (Suggested eating together)

💡 Quick Summary Box

Statement: -ㄴ/는다고 (says that...)
Question: -냐고 (asks if/what...)
Command: -라고 (tells to...)
Suggestion: -자고 (suggests to...)

⚖️ Tool #4: Comparative Expressions — Bigger, Better, More!

The Concept 🏆

Comparing two things is like putting them on a balance scale!

A는 B보다 [adjective] = A is more [adjective] than B

The Formula

A + 는/은 + B + 보다 + (더) + Adjective

Examples That Click 💡

Adding “더” for Emphasis

더 = more (optional but adds punch!)

• 오늘은 어제보다 더 더워요 = Today is even HOTTER than yesterday

💡 Remember

보다 = “compared to” / “than” Always comes AFTER the thing you’re comparing TO

Mini Story 📖

Two friends debate pizza vs. chicken

“피자는 치킨보다 맛있어!” (Pizza is tastier than chicken!) “아니야! 치킨이 더 맛있어!” (No! Chicken is MORE delicious!)

👑 Tool #5: Superlative Expressions — The BEST, The MOST!

The Concept 🥇

When something is NUMBER ONE in its category, we use superlatives!

가장 / 제일 + Adjective = The MOST [adjective]

The Two Champions

Examples That Shine ✨

Full Sentence Examples

• 한국에서 가장 높은 산은 한라산이에요

  • The highest mountain in Korea is Hallasan

• 우리 반에서 제일 키가 큰 사람은 민수예요

  • The tallest person in our class is Minsu

• 이 식당이 제일 맛있어요

  • This restaurant is the most delicious

💡 Pro Pattern

[Place]에서 가장/제일 + [Adjective] + [Noun]
= The most [adjective] [noun] in [place]

Example:

• 세계에서 가장 빠른 동물은 치타예요
• The fastest animal in the world is the cheetah

🧠 Your New Superpower Summary

graph TD
    A["Express Yourself!"] --> B["Nominalization"]
    A --> C["Quotations"]
    A --> D["Comparisons"]

    B --> B1["것 - Specific things"]
    B --> B2["기 - Abstract ideas"]

    C --> C1["Direct: Exact + 라고"]
    C --> C2["Indirect: Report style"]

    C2 --> C2a["-ㄴ/는다고 Statement"]
    C2 --> C2b["-냐고 Question"]
    C2 --> C2c["-라고 Command"]
    C2 --> C2d["-자고 Suggestion"]

    D --> D1["Comparative: 보다"]
    D --> D2["Superlative: 가장/제일"]

🎯 Quick Reference Card

🌟 You Did It!

You’ve just unlocked FIVE powerful grammar patterns. Now you can:

✅ Turn any action into a discussable “thing” ✅ Quote people exactly OR report what they said ✅ Compare anything to anything ✅ Crown something as THE BEST

Keep practicing, and soon these patterns will feel as natural as breathing! 화이팅! 💪