📚 Korean Grammar Tip: Using -게 with Verbs
📘 Korean Grammar Tip: Using -게 with Verbs
The Korean suffix -게 is a super useful little piece that attaches to verbs to express purpose, method, emotion, or causation. Let’s break down how it works and when to use it!
1. To Show Purpose or Result
Think of this as the Korean way to say “so that” or “in order to.”You’re doing something with a goal in mind.
알람을 맞췄어요. → “I set an alarm.”
일찍 일어나게 알람을 맞췄어요. → “I set the alarm so that I wake up early.”
In this structure, -게 connects an action with its desired outcome.
2. To Describe the Way or Manner Something Is Done
Here, -게 shows how something is done.It’s like saying “in a way that…” or “in such a manner that…”
크게 말해 주세요.→ “Please speak loudly.”(Speak in a way that people can hear.)
This usage is common with adverbs like 크게 (loudly), 빠르게 (quickly), etc.
3. To Express Emotion or Leave an Impression
Use -게 with adjectives to show how something made someone feel.You’re describing an emotional effect.
그 영화는 감동되게 끝났어요.→ “The movie ended in a touching way.”
You’ll often see this form used with words like 재미있게 (in a fun way), 슬프게 (sadly), 감동되게 (touchingly).
4. Causative Expression: -게 하다
This is used when someone makes or lets someone else do something.
엄마가 아이를 울리게 했어요.→ “Mom made the child cry.”
Here, 게 하다 turns a verb into a causative expression — you're causing an action to happen.
💬 Sample Dialogues
Dialogue 1
A: 요즘 일찍 일어나요?
B: 네! 늦지 않게 알람을 두 개 맞춰요.
A: 와, 대단하네요! 저도 그렇게 하게 노력해 볼게요.
A: Do you wake up early these days?
B: Yes! I set two alarms so that I won’t be late.
A: Wow, impressive! I’ll try to do that too!
Dialogue 2
A: 목소리가 작아서 잘 안 들려요.
B: 아, 죄송해요. 더 크게 말하게 노력할게요.
A: 감사합니다! 이제 잘 들려요
A: I can’t hear you well — your voice is too quiet.
B: Oh, sorry! I’ll try to speak more loudly.
A: Thanks! I can hear you much better now
📝 Practice Time: Translate These Into Korean!
I wrote it so that beginners can understand it.
Please speak in a way that everyone can hear.
That movie ended in a really sad way.
He made his younger brother clean the room.
I got up early so that I wouldn’t be late.
Try them out and drop your answers in the comments below!
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