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-기는Korean expression · TOPIK 3

-gineun

TOPIK 3 3급Expressions 표현2 senses

One expression with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

형태Forms

-기는-긴-기는요-긴요

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

A sentence-final ending used when gently denying or refuting the other person's statement.

상대방의 말을 가볍게 부정하거나 반박함을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives or the honorific -으시-.

‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

대화In conversation

지수 너 노래를 참 잘하는구나. 가수를 해도 되겠어.

Jisu, you're really good at singing. You could be a singer.

잘하기는. 나보다 잘하는 사람이 얼마나 많은데.

Good at it? There are so many people better than me.

A sentence-final ending used when gently criticizing or scolding the other person.

상대방을 가볍게 비난하거나 핀잔함을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives or the honorific -으시-.

‘이다’, 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

아는 것도 없으면서 잘난 척하기는.

Acting all high and mighty when you don't even know anything.

뭐 그렇게 슬퍼할 일도 아닌데 울기는.

Crying over something that's not even that sad.

농담과 진담을 구분도 못하다니 한심하기는.

It's pathetic that you can't tell a joke from a serious remark.

대화In conversation

어떻게 민준이가 나를 속일 수가 있지?

How could Minjun deceive me?

순진하기는. 거짓말 잘하는 민준이 말을 그대로 믿었니?

So naive. You believed Minjun's lies just like that?

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 하다 -ge hada An expression used to order someone to do a certain thing or to make something work. TOPIK 3 -고 나다 -go nada An expression used to indicate that the act denoted in the preceding statement has finished. TOPIK 3 -고 말다 -go malda An expression used to state that it is regrettable that the act mentioned in the preceding statement finally occurred. TOPIK 3 -고 싶어 하다 -go sipeo hada An expression used to indicate that the speaker wants to do an action or fall into the state mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 3 -기 위해 -gi wihaeseo -기 위해서 · -기 위한 · 을 위해 An expression used to indicate the intention, which is the goal for doing a certain thing. TOPIK 3 -나 보다 -na boda An expression used to guess about a fact mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -기는 mean in Korean?

-기는 is a expression introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). A sentence-final ending used when gently denying or refuting the other person's statement. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -기는?

Attaches after the copula 이다, verbs and adjectives or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -긴, -기는요, -긴요 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -기는 and -긴?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -기는?

3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.