-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다
it seems, I think
States an impression rather than a fact. Korean uses it far more than English uses “I think” — asserting things flatly can sound presumptuous.
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When to use it
The form comes straight from the modifier system. Verbs, present: -는 것 같다 (오는 것 같아요). Verbs, past: -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (온 것 같아요). Adjectives: -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (좋은 것 같아요). Stems in ㄹ drop it.
You use it when there is evidence in front of you but you are not certifying the conclusion: wet umbrellas at the door give 비가 온 것 같아요.
It also softens opinions, including about yourself. 제가 잘못한 것 같아요 is a normal way to admit a mistake, and 이 옷이 예쁜 것 같아요 is how you praise something without sounding like you are issuing a verdict. Learners often under-use it and end up sounding blunter than they intend.
How to attach it
| Word type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb, present | -는 것 같다 | 오다 → 오는 것 같아요 |
| Verb, past | -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 | 오다 → 온 것 같아요 |
| Adjective | -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 | 좋다 → 좋은 것 같아요 |
| 있다 / 없다 group | -는 것 같다 | 재미있는 것 같아요 |
| Ends in ㄹ | ㄹ drops | 만들다 → 만드는 것 같아요 |
| Future or no evidence | -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 | 비가 올 것 같아요 |
In use
밖에 비가 온 것 같아요.
It looks like it rained outside.
그 사람은 지금 자는 것 같아요.
I think he’s sleeping right now.
이 영화가 더 재미있는 것 같아요.
I think this movie is more interesting.
제가 잘못한 것 같아요. 죄송합니다.
I think I made a mistake. I’m sorry.
어머니가 지금 저녁을 만드는 것 같아요.
I think my mother is making dinner now.
이 옷이 저한테 좀 큰 것 같아요.
I think this is a bit big on me.
Compared with
-(으)ㄹ 것 같다
Use -(으)ㄹ for the future, or when you have no direct evidence at all. -(으)ㄴ/는 reports on something already visible.
비가 온 것 같아요. (the ground is wet) / 비가 올 것 같아요. (the sky looks dark)
-겠-
-겠어요 is an immediate reaction to what is in front of you; 것 같다 is a considered opinion. Both hedge, but 것 같다 sounds more deliberate.
맛있겠어요. (looks tasty) / 맛있는 것 같아요. (I think it’s good)
Plain statement
A bare assertion is not wrong, but Korean often prefers the hedged version even for things you are sure of. Dropping 것 같다 everywhere makes speech sound abrupt.
이 영화가 재미있어요. (it is interesting) / 재미있는 것 같아요. (I find it interesting)
Watch out
이 영화가 좋는 것 같아요.
이 영화가 좋은 것 같아요.
좋다 is an adjective, so it takes -(으)ㄴ. Only verbs and the 있다 group take -는.
어머니가 저녁을 만들는 것 같아요.
어머니가 저녁을 만드는 것 같아요.
Stems ending in ㄹ drop it before -는, as everywhere in the modifier system.
밖에 비가 오는 것 같았어요. — meaning “it seems it rained”
밖에 비가 온 것 같아요.
Put the past inside the modifier, not on 같다. 온 것 같아요 says it rained; 오는 것 같았어요 says it seemed to be raining at that time.
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