🧮

Assuming a Situation: -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다

Keywords
-(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🧮 -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 [-(eu)n/neun sem chi-da] means to treat/count something as if it were A.
  • 셈 means “calculation / way of counting,” and 치다 means “to count/regard as” here. Together: “let’s count it as...”
  • Use it to reframe a situation practically or emotionally: 좋은 경험을 한 셈 치세요. — Treat it as having had a good experience.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear 배운 셈 치다, 산 셈 치다, 없는 셈 치다, 선물인 셈 치다, and 좋은 경험을 한 셈 치다. This grammar is idiomatic, so full chunks are easier than single words. 🎧
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 is used when you decide to treat a situation as if it counts as something, even if the framing is not literally perfect.
 
Think:
  • “Let’s count it as A.”
  • “Treat it as if A happened.”
  • “Assume it as A and move on.”
  • “Consider it A for practical/emotional purposes.”
 
Examples:
  • 수업료라고 생각하고 배운 셈 치세요.
      • [su-eop-nyo-ra-go saeng-ga-ka-go bae-un sem chi-se-yo] — Think of it as tuition and treat it as having learned something. 📚
      수업료 = tuition; 배우다 = to learn.
  • 그 돈은 없는 셈 치고 다시 시작합시다.
      • [geu do-neun eom-neun sem chi-go da-si si-ja-kap-si-da] — Let’s treat that money as gone/nonexistent and start again. 💸
      돈 = money; 없다 = to not exist; 다시 시작하다 = to start again.
  • 이번 일은 좋은 경험을 한 셈 치면 돼요.
      • [i-beon i-reun jo-eun gyeong-heo-meul han sem chi-myeon dwae-yo] — You can treat this as having had a good experience. 🌱
      경험 = experience; 이번 일 = this matter.
 
This pattern often carries a practical “okay, let’s frame it this way” feeling. It can soften disappointment, simplify messy facts, or help someone move on. 🧘

🎨 The Core -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 Family

1. Past action + (으)ㄴ 셈 치다

Use this when you treat something as if an action has already happened.
  • 배우다 [bae-u-da] — to learn → 배운 셈 치다 [bae-un sem chi-da] — count it as having learned
  • 사다 [sa-da] — to buy → 산 셈 치다 [san sem chi-da] — count it as having bought
  • 잃어버리다 [i-reo-beo-ri-da] — to lose → 잃어버린 셈 치다 [i-reo-beo-rin sem chi-da] — treat it as lost
 

2. Present/general action + 는 셈 치다

Use this when you treat something as if an action is happening, habitually true, or conceptually counted that way.
  • 도와주다 [do-wa-ju-da] — to help → 도와주는 셈 치다 — count it as helping
  • 연습하다 [yeon-seu-pa-da] — to practice → 연습하는 셈 치다 — treat it as practice
  • 투자하다 [tu-ja-ha-da] — to invest → 투자하는 셈 치다 — count it as investing
 

3. Descriptive verb/adjective + (으)ㄴ 셈 치다

Use this when treating a state as if it is true.
  • 없는 셈 치다 — treat it as nonexistent / gone
  • 좋은 셈 치다 — treat it as good enough / count it as good
  • 괜찮은 셈 치다 — treat it as okay
 

4. Noun + 인 셈 치다

Use this when treating something as a noun/category.
  • 선물인 셈 치다 — treat it as a gift
  • 수업료인 셈 치다 — treat it as tuition
  • 연습인 셈 치다 — treat it as practice

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

  • 비싼 수업료를 낸 셈 치고 다음에는 조심하세요.
      • [bi-ssan su-eop-nyo-reul naen sem chi-go da-eu-me-neun jo-sim-ha-se-yo] — Treat it as having paid expensive tuition, and be careful next time. 💸
      비싸다 = to be expensive; 내다 = to pay; 조심하다 = to be careful.
  • 오늘은 운동한 셈 치고 집까지 걸어가요.
      • [o-neu-reun un-dong-han sem chi-go jip-kka-ji geo-reo-ga-yo] — Let’s count walking home today as exercise. 🚶
      운동하다 = to exercise; 걸어가다 = to walk.
  • 그 일은 없었던 셈 치고 다시 이야기해요.
      • [geu i-reun eop-seot-deon sem chi-go da-si i-ya-gi-hae-yo] — Let’s treat that matter as if it never happened and talk again. 🔄
      일 = matter/event/work; 이야기하다 = to talk.

🧩 General Formation Rule

Past action

Use -(으)ㄴ 셈 치다.
  • consonant stem → 은 셈 치다
    • 먹다 → 먹은 셈 치다
    • 받다 → 받은 셈 치다
  • vowel stem → ㄴ 셈 치다
    • 가다 → 간 셈 치다
    • 사다 → 산 셈 치다
  • ㄹ stem → drop ㄹ + ㄴ 셈 치다
    • 만들다 → 만든 셈 치다
    • 팔다 → 판 셈 치다
 

Present/general action

Use -는 셈 치다.
  • 연습하다 → 연습하는 셈 치다
  • 돕다 → 돕는 셈 치다
  • 투자하다 → 투자하는 셈 치다
 

Descriptive verbs/adjectives

Use -(으)ㄴ 셈 치다.
  • 좋다 → 좋은 셈 치다
  • 괜찮다 → 괜찮은 셈 치다
  • 없다 → 없는 셈 치다
 

Nouns

Use N인 셈 치다.
  • 선물 → 선물인 셈 치다
  • 연습 → 연습인 셈 치다
  • 수업료 → 수업료인 셈 치다

🚨 Nuance: “Treat It As” vs “Pretend”

-(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 is not usually theatrical pretending. It is more like mental accounting or practical framing.
 
Compare:
  • 모르는 척했어요.
      • [mo-reu-neun cheo-kae-sseo-yo] — I pretended not to know. 🎭
  • 모르는 셈 치고 넘어갔어요.
      • [mo-reu-neun sem chi-go neo-meo-ga-sseo-yo] — I treated it as if I didn’t know and moved on. 🧘
 
척하다 focuses on acting as if something is true.
셈 치다 focuses on counting/regarding something a certain way for practical purposes.

🔍 -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 vs Related Grammar

-(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다

Treat/count something as A, often to accept, simplify, or move on.
  • 좋은 경험을 한 셈 치세요. — Treat it as having had a good experience.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고

Same idea, but used as a connector: “assuming/treating it as A, ...”
  • 없는 셈 치고 다시 시작해요. — Treat it as gone and start again.
 

-다 치면

“If we suppose that...” more directly sets up a hypothetical condition.
  • 그 말이 맞다 치면 문제가 커져요. — If we suppose that statement is true, the problem gets bigger.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는 척하다

Pretend / act as if.
  • 자는 척했어요. — I pretended to sleep.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다

It amounts to / it is practically the case that.
  • 매일 연습하니까 거의 준비된 셈이에요. — Since I practice every day, I’m practically prepared.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는다면

If / assuming that; hypothetical condition.
  • 시간이 있다면 같이 가요. — If there is time, let’s go together.

📚 Cross-check note

🧮
Assuming a State: -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고
🤔
Assuming a Hypothetical: -다 치면
🧮
Summary/Conclusion: 결국 -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다
🤔
Hypothetical Condition: -(으)ㄴ/는다면

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 → treat/count it as A 🧮
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치고 → treating it as A, ... 🔄
  • -다 치면 → supposing that A is true 🤔
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 척하다 → pretend / act as if 🎭
  • -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 → it amounts to / practically is 📊
  • 여기다 → to regard as / consider 🧠

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 먹는 셈 치다 when you mean “count it as having eaten” → ✅ 먹은 셈 치다.
  • ❌ 학생 셈 치다 → ✅ 학생인 셈 치다.
  • ❌ Confusing 척하다 with 셈 치다 → ✅ 척하다 = act/pretend; 셈 치다 = count/regard/treat as.
  • ❌ Using it for a neutral factual conclusion only → ✅ Use -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 for “it amounts to.”
  • ❌ Overusing it in formal reports → ✅ It is common in practical conversation/advice; formal writing may prefer 간주하다, 여기다, or clearer wording.
 
🎉 Now you can “count it as” or “treat it as” in Korean: 배운 셈 치세요, 없는 셈 치고, 좋은 경험을 한 셈 치면 돼요. 🧮✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 form.
1. 배우다 → 이번 일은 좋은 걸 ＿＿＿＿.
[bae-u-da → i-beon i-reun jo-eun geol ＿＿＿＿]
Treat this as having learned something good. 📚
Answer
배운 셈 치세요 — past action + ㄴ 셈 치다.
2. 없다 → 그 돈은 ＿＿＿＿ 다시 시작합시다.
[eop-da → geu do-neun ＿＿＿＿ da-si si-ja-kap-si-da]
Let’s treat that money as gone and start again. 💸
Answer
없는 셈 치고.
3. 운동하다 → 오늘 많이 걸었으니까 ＿＿＿＿.
[un-dong-ha-da → o-neul ma-ni geo-reo-sseu-ni-kka ＿＿＿＿]
Since we walked a lot today, count it as exercising. 🚶
Answer
운동한 셈 쳐요.
4. 선물 → 이건 ＿＿＿＿ 받아 주세요.
[seon-mul → i-geon ＿＿＿＿ ba-da ju-se-yo]
Please accept this as a gift. 🎁
Answer
선물인 셈 치고.
5. 잃어버리다 → 그 물건은 ＿＿＿＿ 포기하세요.
[i-reo-beo-ri-da → geu mul-geo-neun ＿＿＿＿ po-gi-ha-se-yo]
Treat that item as lost and give up. 📦
Answer
잃어버린 셈 치고.
6. 연습하다 → 이번 발표는 ＿＿＿＿ 편하게 하세요.
[yeon-seu-pa-da → i-beon bal-pyo-neun ＿＿＿＿ pyeon-ha-ge ha-se-yo]
Treat this presentation as practice and do it comfortably. 🎤
Answer
연습하는 셈 치고 or 연습인 셈 치고.
7. 괜찮다 → 이 정도면 ＿＿＿＿ 넘어가요.
[gwaen-chan-ta → i jeong-do-myeon ＿＿＿＿ neo-meo-ga-yo]
At this level, let’s treat it as okay and move on. ✅
Answer
괜찮은 셈 치고.
8. ❌ 친구 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
친구인 셈 치고.
9. Choose the “pretend” sentence:
① 모르는 척했어요.
② 모르는 셈 쳤어요.
Answer
① — 척하다 is more directly “pretend.”
10. -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 is strongest when:
Answer
You decide to count, treat, or regard a situation as something for practical or emotional purposes.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 배우다 → to learn
  • 돈 → money
  • 다시 시작하다 → to start again
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 선물 → gift
  • 받다 → to receive
  • 잃어버리다 → to lose
  • 포기하다 → to give up
  • 발표 → presentation
  • 넘어가다 → to move on
Tip 💡 Ask: “What are we counting this as?” That answer goes before 셈 치다.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below gives you a full “count it as” workout. 🧮
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Assuming a Situation: -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다
 
Welcome to the mental-accounting gym. 🧮 You’ll practice treating something as learned, lost, practice, a gift, a mistake, or “good enough” so Korean can help you reframe messy situations naturally.
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧

A. 배우다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
배운 → 배운 셈 치다.
B. 사다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
산.
C. 먹다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
먹은.
D. 받다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
받은.
E. 만들다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
만든.
F. 연습하다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
연습하는.
G. 좋다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
좋은.
H. 없다 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
없는.
I. 선물 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
선물인.
J. 수업료 → ＿＿＿＿ 셈 치다
Answer
수업료인.
📚
Form Box
  • Past action → -(으)ㄴ 셈 치다
  • Present/general action → -는 셈 치다
  • State → -(으)ㄴ 셈 치다
  • Noun → N인 셈 치다
 

Exercise 2 — Reframing Disappointment 🌧️

A. 좋은 경험을 하다 → 좋은 경험을 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
한 셈 치세요.
B. 수업료를 내다 → 수업료를 ＿＿＿＿ 다음에는 조심하세요.
Answer
낸 셈 치고.
C. 돈을 잃어버리다 → 그 돈은 ＿＿＿＿ 잊어버리세요.
Answer
잃어버린 셈 치고.
D. 실수하다 → 이번에는 ＿＿＿＿ 넘어가요.
Answer
실수한 셈 치고.
E. 연습하다 → 이번 발표는 ＿＿＿＿ 편하게 하세요.
Answer
연습하는 셈 치고 / 연습인 셈 치고.
F. 없는 일이다 → 그 일은 ＿＿＿＿ 다시 시작해요.
Answer
없는 셈 치고.
G. 선물이다 → 이건 ＿＿＿＿ 받아 주세요.
Answer
선물인 셈 치고.
H. 운동하다 → 오늘 많이 걸었으니까 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
운동한 셈 쳐요.
I. 도와주다 → 그냥 ＿＿＿＿ 해 줄게요.
Answer
도와주는 셈 치고.
J. 투자하다 → 미래에 ＿＿＿＿ 돈을 쓰세요.
Answer
투자하는 셈 치고.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 경험 → experience
  • 조심하다 → to be careful
  • 잊어버리다 → to forget
  • 실수하다 → to make a mistake
  • 미래 → future
  • 투자하다 → to invest
 

Exercise 3 — Choose the Best Related Grammar 🧭

A. “Treat it as having learned something.”
① 배운 셈 치세요. / ② 배우는 척하세요.
Answer
① — count/treat it as learned.
B. “Pretend to be asleep.”
① 자는 척하세요. / ② 자는 셈 치세요.
Answer
① — theatrical pretending uses 척하다.
C. “Assuming that statement is true...”
① 그 말이 맞다 치면... / ② 그 말을 맞은 셈 치면...
Answer
① — hypothesis uses -다 치면.
D. “It amounts to being prepared.”
① 준비된 셈이에요. / ② 준비된 셈 쳐요.
Answer
① — conclusion/summary uses 셈이다.
E. “Treat that money as gone.”
① 그 돈은 없는 셈 치세요. / ② 그 돈은 없다는 척하세요.
Answer
①.
📚
Decision Box
  • 셈 치다 → count/treat it as
  • 척하다 → pretend/act as if
  • -다 치면 → supposing that
  • 셈이다 → amounts to / practically is
  • -다면 → if / assuming that
 

Exercise 4 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 학생 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
학생인 셈 치고.
B. ❌ 먹는 셈 치세요 for “count it as having eaten” → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹은 셈 치세요.
C. ❌ 선물 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
선물인 셈 치고.
D. ❌ 좋는 셈 치고 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
좋은 셈 치고.
E. 없는 셈 치고 다시 시작해요. means:
Answer
Treat it as gone/nonexistent and start again.
F. 배운 셈 치세요. means:
Answer
Treat it as having learned something.
G. Choose the “count it as” form: ① 셈 치다 / ② 척하다
Answer
① 셈 치다.
H. Choose the noun form: ① 연습인 셈 치고 / ② 연습 셈 치고
Answer
① 연습인 셈 치고.
I. Choose the past action form: ① 산 셈 치다 / ② 사는 셈 치다
Answer
① 산 셈 치다.
J. -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다 is strongest when:
Answer
You mentally count or treat a situation as something for practical/emotional purposes.
📚
Final Check
  • Past action: 배운 셈, 산 셈
  • Present/general action: 연습하는 셈
  • State: 없는 셈, 좋은 셈
  • Noun: 선물인 셈, 연습인 셈
Tip 💡 If you can say “let’s count it as...,” this grammar probably fits.
 
🎉 “Count it as...” grammar mastered! With -(으)ㄴ/는 셈 치다, you can reframe outcomes, soften disappointment, and move forward naturally: 배운 셈 치세요, 없는 셈 치고, 선물인 셈 치고. 🧮✨