기 grammar is added after the verb and adjectives it (기) makes changes to those verbs and adjectives into a noun. In simple words, 기 changes verbs and adjectives into nouns. 기 is similar withing in English. 기 should be added after the verb and adjective stems. After the attachment 기 play a role as a noun (가) which is a particle added after a noun and before an adjective. The particle (가) can be omitted (you can either use it or don’t use it).
쉽다(easy), 어렵다(difficult, )좋다(good), 싫다(hate), 나쁘다(bad), 편하다(comfortable), 불편하다(uncomfortable), 힘들다(difficult) etc adjectives are frequently used with 기(가).
기 grammar examples
집이 멀어서 공장에 가기가 어려워요. My house is far, so going to the factory is difficult.
한국말하기가 어려워요. Speaking Korean is difficult.
외국인에게는 기차를 타기가 어렵습니다. Taking the train is difficult.
여기서 택시 타기가 불편해요. Taking the bus from here is inconvenient.
한국 드라마 보기를 좋아해요. I like watching Korean dramas.
한국어를 발음하기 어려워요. Pronouncing korean is difficult
혼자 여행가기 싫어해요. I hate travelling alone.
요리하기 쉬워요. Cooking is easy.
처음에는 한국음식을 먹기가 어려웠어요. Eating Korean food was difficult at first.
수영하기 어려워요. Swimming is difficult.
다리를 다쳐서 축구하기가 힘들다. Because of my injured leg, it’s hard to play soccer.
기 grammar usages
| Base form | -기 | Base form | -기 |
| 읽다: to read | 읽+기 = reading | 하다: to do | 하+기 = Doing |
| 쓰다: to write | 쓰+기 = writing | 치다: to hit | 치+기 = Hitting |
| 사다: to buy | 사+기 = buying | 먹다: to eat | 먹+기 = Eating |
| 놀다: to play | 놀+기 = playing | 움직이다: to move (around) | 움직이+기 = Moving |
| 사랑하다: to love | 사랑하+기 = Loving | 마시다: to drink. | 마시+기 = Drinking |
| 오다: to come | 오+기 = Coming | 생각하다: to think | 생각하+기 = Thinking |
| 말하다: to speak | 말하+기 = Speaking | 싫어하다: to dislike/hate | 싫어하+기 = Disliking |
| 알다: to know | 알+기 = Knowing | 보다: to see/watch | 보+기 = Watching |
| 일어나다: to wake up | 일어나+기 = Waking up | 걷다: to walk | 걷+기 = Walking |
| 원하다: to want | 원하+기 = Wanting | 가르치다: to teach | 가르치+기 = Teaching |
| 춤추다: to dance | 춤추+기 = Dancing | 쓰다: to write | 쓰+기 = Writing |
| 듣다: to listen/hear | 듣+기 = Listening | 울다: to cry | 울+기 = Crying |
| 씻다: to wash | 씻+기 = Washing | 좋아하다: to like | 좋아하+기 = Liking |
| 만들다: to make/create. | 만들+기 = Making | 전화하다: to call | 전화하+기 = Calling |
| 만나다: to meet | 만나+기 = Meeting | 입다: to wear | 입+기 = Wearing |
| 찍다: to take (picture) | 찍+기 = Taking picture | 운전하다: to drive | 운전하+기 = Driving |
기 grammar summary
‘-기’ attaches after an adjective/verb stem. It functions to change ‘adjective/verb’ to ‘noun’. So, this expression can be used as a subject, an object, and various other parts of speech. Also, this expression can be followed by postposition particles such as ‘은/는, 이/가, and 을/를.’ It is possible to omit the particles.
Let’s find out more by looking at the examples.
만들기
예약하기
찾아보기
하기
여권 만들어야 해요. I need to make a passport.
Use ‘-기’ after the verb ‘만들다’ to say ‘여권 만들기 (making passport)’.
‘만들기’ is the combination of the verb ‘만들다’ and ‘-기’.
숙소 예약해야 해요. I need to make a reservation for the accommodation.
Use ‘-기’ after the verb ‘예약하다’ to say ‘숙소 예약하기 (making a reservation for the accommodation)’.
‘예약하기’ is the combination of the verb ‘예약하다’ and ‘-기’.
맛집 찾아봐야 해요. I need to look for good restaurants.
Use ‘-기’ after the verb ‘찾아보다’ to say ‘맞집 찾아보기 (looking for good restaurants)’.
‘찾아보기’ is the combination of the verb ‘찾아보다’ and ‘-기’.
그 일을 다 하기는 힘들 것 같아요. I think it would be difficult to do all of that.
‘하기는’ is a combination of the verb ‘하다’ and -기’ and the particle’-는.’
It is used as a noun by using ‘-기’ after the verb ‘하다’.
가방이 예쁘기는 하지만 너무 비싸요. The bag is pretty, but it’s too expensive.
‘예쁘기는’ is a combination of the adjective ‘예쁘다’ and -기’ and the particle’-는.’
It is used as a noun by using ‘-기’ after the adjective ‘예쁘다’.
Whether an adjective/a verb stem has the final consonant or not, ‘-기’ is used.
When you look at the verb 먹다, remove ‘다’. Then there is the final consonant before ‘다’. Then ‘-기’ is used. So it becomes ‘먹기.’
When you look at the adjective 크다, remove ‘다.’ Then there is no final consonant before ‘다.’ Then ‘-기’ is used. So it becomes ‘크기.’
In summary, whether an adjective/a verb stem has the final consonant or not, ‘-기’ is used.
So ‘먹다’ becomes ‘먹기’, ‘크다’ becomes ‘크기.’
김치가 맵기는 하지만 맛있어요.
‘맵기’ is a combination of the adjective ‘맵다’ and ‘-기’.
오늘은 회사 가기가 싫어요.
‘가기’ is a combination of the verb ‘가다’ and ‘-기.’
서울은 살기 편해요.
‘살기’ is the combination of the verb ‘살다’ and ‘-기’.
