-는 모양이다Korean expression · TOPIK 3

-neun moyang-ida

TOPIK 3 3급 Expressions 표현

An expression used to guess that something is in progress or in a certain state, considering another fact or situation.

형태Forms

-는 모양이다-ㄴ 모양이다-은 모양이다

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

An expression used to guess that something is in progress or in a certain state, considering another fact or situation.

다른 사실이나 상황으로 보아 현재 어떤 일이 일어나고 있거나 어떤 상태라고 추측함을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, adjectives and verbs ending in 있다 or 없다 or the honorific -으시-.

‘있다’, ‘없다’, ‘계시다’나 ‘있다’, ‘없다’로 끝나는 형용사, 동사 또는 ‘-으시-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

저 집은 가구를 옮기는 걸 보니 이사를 하는 모양이에요.

Judging by the furniture being moved, it looks like they're moving house.

식당에 사람이 많은 걸 보니 음식이 맛있는 모양이다.

With so many people in the restaurant, the food must be good.

창문이 심하게 흔들리는 걸 보니 바람이 세게 부는 모양이에요.

The windows are shaking hard, so it seems the wind is blowing strongly.

대화In conversation

이 영화는 몇 좌석 안 남아서 뒷줄에 앉아서 봐야 할 것 같아요.

There are only a few seats left for this movie, so we'll have to sit in the back row.

그래요? 사람들이 많이 보는 걸 보니 영화가 재미있는 모양이네요.

Really? With so many people watching, the movie must be interesting.

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 -기는 -gineun -긴 · -기는요 · -긴요 A sentence-final ending used when gently denying or refuting the other person's statement. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -는 모양이다 mean in Korean?

-는 모양이다 is a expression introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). An expression used to guess that something is in progress or in a certain state, considering another fact or situation.

When do you use -는 모양이다?

Attaches after 있다, 없다, 계시다, adjectives and verbs ending in 있다 or 없다 or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -ㄴ 모양이다, -은 모양이다 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -는 모양이다 and -ㄴ 모양이다?

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 -는 모양이다?

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.