Korean word

것

Pronunciation

Romanizationkeot

Meaning

  • nounthing

Example

저 것은 제 가방이에요.cheo keo seun che ka bang i e yo

That thing is my bag.

Illustration for 것 (thing)

More examples

냉장고에 먹을 것이 있어요.naeng jang go e meo geul kkeo si i sseo yo

There is something to eat in the fridge.

Core concept

It brings a thing, idea, event, or situation together as one topic, and it lets an action or state become something that a speaker can talk about.

Common phrases

  • 먹을 것meo geul kkeot

    something to eat

  • 살 것sal kkeot

    something to buy

  • 좋은 것cho eun keot

    something good

Similar words

거keo: A casual spoken form for referring to a thing, matter, or situation.
물건mulgeon: A physical object that can be picked up, kept, purchased, or sold.
일il: Something that must be done, such as an errand or a work task.
상황sanghwang: The surroundings and conditions that affect what is happening at a certain time.

Definition in Korean

사물이나 추상적인 일·상태를 가리키는 일반 명사로, 동사·형용사 뒤에 붙어 그 행위나 상태를 하나의 대상으로 묶어 나타내는 명사화 기능도 가진다sa mu ri na chu sang jeo gin il sang tae reul ka ri ki neun il ban myeong sa ro tong sa hyeong yong sa twi e pu teo keu haeng wi na sang tae reul ha na ui tae sang eu ro mu kkeo na ta nae neun myeong sa hwa ki neung do ka jin da

Word origin

Its historical origin is uncertain, but modern Korean uses it both as a noun and as a noun-forming element after verbs and adjectives.

Usage tips

  • After a verb or adjective, it often lets a phrase act like a noun, where English usually uses a clause or a form ending in -ing.

Related words

Word lists with this word