-(으)ㄹ 성싶다

Build it

When to use it

The commonest form is -(으)ㄹ 성싶다 for things still ahead, built on the ㄹ short form. The present -는 성싶다 and completed -(으)ㄴ 성싶다 also occur. 성싶다 is written as one word, with a space after the modifier.

The confidence is low and personal — a private impression rather than a claim: 아무래도 비가 올 성싶다.

Unlike 모양이다, it does not require external evidence, and it can be used about yourself.

The register is literary and somewhat dated. Modern writing generally prefers 듯하다 or 것 같다; you will meet 성싶다 mostly in fiction and essays.

How to attach it

In use

1. 아무래도 비가 올 성싶다.

   I rather think it’s going to rain.

2. 이대로 두면 일이 커질 성싶었다.

   It seemed to me that leaving it would only make things worse.

3. 그는 이미 사정을 아는 성싶었다.

   He seemed already to know how matters stood.

4. 기다려도 오지 않을 성싶어 자리를 떴다.

   Feeling he would not come however long I waited, I left.

5. 이 정도면 직접 만들 성싶은데요.

   I rather think we could make this ourselves.

6. 그런 말은 하지 않는 편이 나을 성싶습니다.

   I rather think it would be better left unsaid.

Compared with

• -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다

  Both are written hedges. 듯하다 is current and neutral; 성싶다 is older and carries a more personal, musing tone.

  비가 올 듯하다. (it appears likely)  /  비가 올 성싶다. (I rather think so)

• -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다

  모양이다 needs external evidence and cannot describe you. 성싶다 has neither restriction.

  비가 오는 모양이에요. (from the evidence)  /  비가 올 성싶다. (my impression)

• -(으)ㄹ 법하다

  법하다 rates a claim as plausible; 성싶다 reports how something strikes you. One judges, the other muses.

  그럴 법해요. (that could well be)  /  그럴 성싶다. (I rather think so)

Watch out

• 이 정도면 직접 만들을 성싶은데요.

  이 정도면 직접 만들 성싶은데요.

  A stem ending in ㄹ already supplies it, as with 만들 거예요 and 만들 뿐이다.

• 비가 올 성 싶다.

  비가 올 성싶다.

  성싶다 is a single word. The space belongs before it, after the modifier.

• 야, 비 올 성싶어.

  야, 비 올 것 같아.

  성싶다 is literary and dated. In conversation, 것 같다 is the natural form.

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