-은Korean modifier ending · TOPIK 2
-eun
One modifier ending with 3 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
An ending of a word that makes the preceding word function as an adnominal phrase and indicates an event or action having occurred in the past.
앞말이 관형어의 기능을 하게 만들고 사건이나 동작이 과거에 일어났음을 나타내는 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 밥을 먹은 뒤에 양치를 했다.
Jisu brushed her teeth after eating.
나는 채소들을 씻은 후 다듬어 두었다.
I washed the vegetables and then trimmed them.
승규는 잡은 물고기들을 도로 놓아주었다.
Seunggyu let the fish he caught go back into the water.
대화In conversation
이 책, 재미있는데 빌려줄까?
This book is interesting—want me to lend it to you?
벌써 읽은 거야. 다른 책 없어?
I've already read it. Don't you have another one?
An ending of word that makes the preceding word function as an adnominal phrase and implies that an action has been completed and its state continues.
앞말이 관형어의 기능을 하게 만들고 사건이나 동작이 완료되어 그 상태가 유지되고 있음을 나타내는 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
승규는 피곤했는지 앉은 채로 졸고 있다.
Seunggyu, maybe tired, was dozing off while sitting.
나는 먹다 남은 반찬들을 넣고 비빔밥을 해 먹었다.
I put the leftover side dishes in and made bibimbap to eat.
구두를 신은 여자가 또각또각 소리를 내며 걸어간다.
The woman wearing heels walked away with a click-clack sound.
An ending of a word that makes the preceding word function as an adnominal phrase and refers to the present state.
앞말이 관형어의 기능을 하게 만들고 현재의 상태를 나타내는 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ.
‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
산 정상에는 키가 작은 나무들이 자라고 있었다.
On the mountain peak, short trees were growing.
넓은 바다를 보니 가슴까지 확 트이는 것 같았다.
Seeing the wide sea made my chest feel wide open.
주말이라 공원에는 많은 사람들이 산책을 즐기고 있었다.
Since it was the weekend, many people were enjoying a stroll in the park.
대화In conversation
와, 정말 높다. 대체 몇 층이야?
Wow, it's really tall. How many floors is it, anyway?
이 빌딩이 세계에서 가장 높은 빌딩이래.
They say this building is the tallest in the world.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other modifier endings you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -은 mean in Korean?
-은 is a modifier ending introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). An ending of a word that makes the preceding word function as an adnominal phrase and indicates an event or action having occurred in the past. It has 3 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -은?
Attaches after verbs ending in a consonant other than ㄹ. The other shape is -ㄴ — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -은 and -ㄴ?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same modifier ending, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -은?
2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.