-는 편이다Korean expression · TOPIK 3

-neun pyeonida

An expression used to indicate that something has a certain tendency or is classified as such, instead of being sure of it.

어떤 사실을 단정적으로 말하기보다는 대체로 어떤 쪽에 가깝다거나 속한다고 말할 때 쓰는 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

유민이는 외국인 친구와 자주 영어로 이야기해서 그런지 영어를 잘하는 편이에요.

Yumin talks with foreign friends in English often, so she's pretty good at English.

승규는 책을 읽는 것을 좋아해서 주말마다 거의 도서관에 가는 편이다.

Seunggyu likes reading, so he goes to the library almost every weekend.

지수는 쇼핑 목록을 작성해서 꼭 필요한 물건만 사는 편이다.

Jisu makes a shopping list and tends to buy only what she really needs.

대화In conversation

영화를 보는 것이 취미라고 하셨는데 영화를 자주 보세요?

You said watching movies is your hobby—do you watch them often?

일주일에 한 편 이상 보니까 자주 보는 편이에요.

I watch at least one a week, so I'd say I watch them quite often.

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 편이다 mean in Korean?

-는 편이다 is a expression introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). An expression used to indicate that something has a certain tendency or is classified as such, instead of being sure of it.

When do you use -는 편이다?

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

What TOPIK level is -는 편이다?

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.