TL;DR 🦄
- 👀 -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다 [-(eu)n/neun deut-ha-da] means seems like / appears to / looks as if.
- 🔎 Use it when you make a soft supposition from what you see, hear, sense, or notice.
- 🫧 It sounds gentler and more careful than saying something directly: 피곤한 듯해요 = “They seem tired.”
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Open 
Korean Helper Widgets and listen to 피곤한 듯해요, 바쁜 듯해요, 비가 오는 듯해요, 이미 끝난 듯해요, and 괜찮은 듯해요. Train your ear for the soft “I’m reading the signs” feeling.
🌈 The Big Picture
-(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다 is Korean’s soft “it seems/appears” grammar.
Use it when you do not want to state something as a hard fact. Instead, you are saying:
- “From what I can see, it seems...”
- “It appears that...”
- “It looks/sounds/feels like...”
- “I get the impression that...”
Examples:
- 민수 씨가 피곤한 듯해요.
[min-su ssi-ga pi-go-nan deu-tae-yo] — Minsu seems tired. 😴
피곤하다 = to be tired.
- 밖에 비가 오는 듯해요.
[ba-kke bi-ga o-neun deu-tae-yo] — It seems to be raining outside. 🌧️
밖 = outside; 비가 오다 = to rain.
- 회의가 이미 끝난 듯해요.
[hoe-ui-ga i-mi kkeun-nan deu-tae-yo] — It seems the meeting already ended. 📅
회의 = meeting; 이미 = already; 끝나다 = to end.
This grammar is especially useful when you see a facial expression, hear a sound, notice a situation, or read the mood.
🎨 The Core Pattern
1. Descriptive verb/adjective + -(으)ㄴ 듯하다
Use this when something seems to be in a state.
- 피곤하다 → 피곤한 듯해요 = seems tired
- 바쁘다 → 바쁜 듯해요 = seems busy
- 괜찮다 → 괜찮은 듯해요 = seems okay
- 어렵다 → 어려운 듯해요 = seems difficult
2. Action verb, present/progressive sense + -는 듯하다
Use this when an action seems to be happening or a situation seems currently true.
- 오다 → 오는 듯해요 = seems to be coming / raining
- 웃다 → 웃는 듯해요 = seems to be smiling/laughing
- 기다리다 → 기다리는 듯해요 = seems to be waiting
- 찾다 → 찾는 듯해요 = seems to be looking for
3. Action verb, past/completed sense + -(으)ㄴ 듯하다
Use this when an action seems already completed.
- 끝나다 → 끝난 듯해요 = seems to have ended
- 가다 → 간 듯해요 = seems to have gone
- 먹다 → 먹은 듯해요 = seems to have eaten
- 읽다 → 읽은 듯해요 = seems to have read
4. Future/likely sense + -(으)ㄹ 듯하다
Use this when something seems likely or about to happen.
- 비가 올 듯해요 = It looks like it will rain.
- 곧 끝날 듯해요 = It seems likely to end soon.
This page focuses on -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다 for current or completed supposition based on visible/sensed clues. For the future/likely version, see It seems/appears: -(으)ㄹ 듯하다.
🛠️ How It Works in Sentences
1. Guessing from appearance
- 표정을 보니 기분이 안 좋은 듯해요.
[pyo-jeong-eul bo-ni gi-bu-ni an jo-eun deu-tae-yo]
Looking at their expression, they seem to be in a bad mood. 😕
표정 = facial expression; 기분 = mood.
2. Guessing from sound
- 밖이 조용한 걸 보니 수업이 끝난 듯해요.
[ba-kki jo-yong-han geol bo-ni su-eo-bi kkeun-nan deu-tae-yo]
Seeing that it is quiet outside, class seems to have ended. 🔕
조용하다 = to be quiet; 수업 = class.
3. Guessing from situation
- 불이 꺼져 있는 걸 보니 아무도 없는 듯해요.
[bu-ri kkeo-jyeo in-neun geol bo-ni a-mu-do eom-neun deu-tae-yo]
Seeing that the lights are off, it seems no one is there. 💡
불 = light; 꺼져 있다 = to be turned off; 아무도 없다 = no one is there.
4. Softening your opinion
- 이 방법이 더 나은 듯해요.
[i bang-beo-bi deo na-eun deu-tae-yo]
This method seems better. 🧭
방법 = method; 낫다 = to be better.
🧩 General Formation Rule
Descriptive verbs/adjectives
- Stem ending in vowel → -ㄴ 듯하다
- 크다 → 큰 듯하다
- 바쁘다 → 바쁜 듯하다
- Stem ending in consonant → -은 듯하다
- 좋다 → 좋은 듯하다
- 괜찮다 → 괜찮은 듯하다
Action verbs: present
- Stem + -는 듯하다
- 오다 → 오는 듯하다
- 먹다 → 먹는 듯하다
- 기다리다 → 기다리는 듯하다
Action verbs: past/completed
- Vowel/ㄹ stem + -ㄴ 듯하다
- 가다 → 간 듯하다
- 끝나다 → 끝난 듯하다
- 살다 → 산 듯하다
- Consonant stem + -은 듯하다
- 먹다 → 먹은 듯하다
- 읽다 → 읽은 듯하다
- 입다 → 입은 듯하다
Polite and written forms
- 듯해요 = polite everyday
- 듯합니다 = formal
- 듯하다 = dictionary/plain/written
- 듯했어요 = seemed / appeared
Spacing note
Korean.go.kr guidance treats 듯하다 here as a 보조 형용사 (auxiliary adjective). Write it like this:
- ✅ 온 듯하다
- ✅ 피곤한 듯하다
- ✅ 비가 오는 듯하다
- ❌ 온 듯 하다
In many cases, 붙여쓰기 such as 온듯하다 may be allowed by the auxiliary-verb spacing rule, but learner-safe writing is: modifier + space + 듯하다.
📚 Cross-check note
This lesson was checked against Korean.go.kr guidance on 듯하다. Their explanations describe 듯하다 as a 보조 형용사 used after a modifier form to show guessing or supposition about the preceding event or state. They also give learner-useful spacing guidance such as 온 듯하다, not 온 듯 하다. ✅
🔍 -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다 vs Related Grammar
-(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다
Soft “seems/appears,” often based on sensory clues or careful impression.
- 피곤한 듯해요. — They seem tired.
-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다
Evidence-based supposition; often sounds like “it looks like / apparently,” based on visible signs.
- 피곤한 모양이에요. — It looks like they are tired.
모양이다 can feel a little more like you are drawing a conclusion from evidence. See Supposition: -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다.
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다
Subjective guess based on evidence; common in everyday speech.
- 피곤한가 봐요. — I guess they are tired.
-(으)ㄴ/는 듯싶다
Even softer and more introspective: “I have a feeling / it seems to me.” See Expressing subtle feeling: -(으)ㄴ/는 듯싶다.
- 조금 어려운 듯싶어요. — It seems to me a little difficult.
것 같다
The most common “seems/looks like/think” pattern.
- 피곤한 것 같아요. — They seem tired / I think they’re tired.
듯하다 sounds a bit more polished, written, or careful than everyday 것 같다.
🪞 Synonym Alert
Possible English translations:
- “seems to...” → 바쁜 듯해요. — They seem busy.
- “appears to...” → 문제가 있는 듯해요. — There appears to be a problem.
- “looks as if...” → 곧 비가 올 듯해요. — It looks as if it will rain soon.
- “sounds like...” → 밖에서 누가 오는 듯해요. — It sounds like someone is coming outside.
- “gives the impression that...” → 괜찮은 듯해요. — It gives the impression that it is okay.
Common clue phrases:
- 보니 — seeing that / since I see
- 들어 보니 — from what I hear
- 표정을 보니 — looking at the expression
- 분위기를 보니 — judging from the atmosphere
- 상황을 보니 — judging from the situation
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ 피곤하는 듯해요 → ✅ 피곤한 듯해요. Descriptive verbs/adjectives use -(으)ㄴ.
- ❌ 먹은 듯해요 when you mean “seems to be eating now” → ✅ 먹는 듯해요.
- ❌ 먹는 듯해요 when you mean “seems to have eaten already” → ✅ 먹은 듯해요.
- ❌ 온 듯 하다 → ✅ 온 듯하다.
- ⚠️ Do not use it when you are 100% certain and want to state a fact directly. Use it when you are softening, guessing, or reading clues.
👀 Bottom line: -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다 is your “soft detective” grammar. You notice the signs, then say what seems to be true.
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄴ/는 듯해요 form.
1. 피곤하다 → 민수 씨가 ＿＿＿＿.
Minsu seems tired.
Answer
피곤한 듯해요.
2. 비가 오다 → 밖에 ＿＿＿＿.
It seems to be raining outside.
Answer
비가 오는 듯해요.
3. 끝나다 → 회의가 이미 ＿＿＿＿.
The meeting seems to have already ended.
Answer
끝난 듯해요.
4. 괜찮다 → 이제는 ＿＿＿＿.
It seems okay now.
Answer
괜찮은 듯해요.
5. 기다리다 → 사람들이 밖에서 ＿＿＿＿.
People seem to be waiting outside.
Answer
기다리는 듯해요.
6. 먹다, current action: 아이가 밥을 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
먹는 듯해요.
7. 먹다, completed action: 아이가 이미 밥을 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
먹은 듯해요.
8. ❌ 바쁘는 듯해요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바쁜 듯해요.
9. ❌ 온 듯 하다 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
온 듯하다.
10. Choose the best meaning of 표정을 보니 기분이 안 좋은 듯해요.
Answer
“Looking at their expression, they seem to be in a bad mood.”
Vocabulary Box
- 피곤하다 → to be tired
- 비가 오다 → to rain
- 회의 → meeting
- 이미 → already
- 괜찮다 → to be okay
- 기다리다 → to wait
- 표정 → facial expression
- 기분 → mood/feeling
Tip 💡 Ask: current action? Use -는 듯하다. Completed action or adjective? Often -(으)ㄴ 듯하다.
Want more reps? Continue into the Practice Hub below for forms, meaning, clue-reading, and contrast training. 👀
🎯 Practice Hub — Supposition based on Sight: -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다
Welcome to the soft-detective lab. 👀 You’ll practice reading clues and saying what seems true without sounding too absolute.
🔊 Audio reminder: Use Korean Helper Widgets to hear each sentence aloud.
Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧
A. 피곤하다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
피곤한 듯하다.
B. 바쁘다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바쁜 듯하다.
C. 괜찮다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
괜찮은 듯하다.
D. 오다, current → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
오는 듯하다.
E. 기다리다, current → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
기다리는 듯하다.
F. 끝나다, completed → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
끝난 듯하다.
G. 먹다, completed → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹은 듯하다.
H. 읽다, completed → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
읽은 듯하다.
I. 없다 → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
없는 듯하다.
J. 낫다 = to be better → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
나은 듯하다.
Form Box
- Adjective/state: -(으)ㄴ 듯하다
- Current action: -는 듯하다
- Completed action: -(으)ㄴ 듯하다
- Future/likely: -(으)ㄹ 듯하다
Exercise 2 — Read the Clue 🔍
A. 눈이 빨간 걸 보니 많이 ＿＿＿＿.
Seeing that their eyes are red, it seems they cried a lot.
Answer
운 듯해요.
B. 가방이 없는 걸 보니 이미 ＿＿＿＿.
Seeing that their bag is gone, it seems they already left.
Answer
간 듯해요.
C. 표정을 보니 조금 ＿＿＿＿.
Looking at their expression, they seem a little upset.
Answer
속상한 듯해요.
D. 밖이 시끄러운 걸 보니 사람들이 ＿＿＿＿.
Seeing that it is noisy outside, people seem to be gathering.
Answer
모이는 듯해요.
E. 불이 꺼져 있는 걸 보니 아무도 ＿＿＿＿.
Seeing that the lights are off, it seems no one is there.
Answer
없는 듯해요.
F. 목소리를 들어 보니 감기에 ＿＿＿＿.
Hearing their voice, it seems they caught a cold.
Answer
걸린 듯해요.
G. 분위기를 보니 회의가 잘 ＿＿＿＿.
Judging from the atmosphere, the meeting seems to be going well.
Answer
되는 듯해요.
H. 문이 잠긴 걸 보니 영업이 ＿＿＿＿.
Seeing that the door is locked, business seems to have ended.
Answer
끝난 듯해요.
Clue Vocabulary
- 눈이 빨갛다 → eyes are red
- 울다 → to cry
- 가방 → bag
- 속상하다 → to be upset
- 시끄럽다 → to be noisy
- 모이다 → to gather
- 목소리 → voice
- 감기에 걸리다 → to catch a cold
- 분위기 → atmosphere
- 잠기다 → to be locked
Exercise 3 — Present or Completed? ⏱️
A. “seems to be eating now”
① 먹는 듯해요 / ② 먹은 듯해요
Answer
① 먹는 듯해요.
B. “seems to have eaten already”
① 먹는 듯해요 / ② 먹은 듯해요
Answer
② 먹은 듯해요.
C. “seems to be waiting”
① 기다리는 듯해요 / ② 기다린 듯해요
Answer
① 기다리는 듯해요.
D. “seems to have waited”
① 기다리는 듯해요 / ② 기다린 듯해요
Answer
② 기다린 듯해요.
E. “seems tired”
① 피곤하는 듯해요 / ② 피곤한 듯해요
Answer
② 피곤한 듯해요.
F. “seems to be looking for something”
① 찾는 듯해요 / ② 찾은 듯해요
Answer
① 찾는 듯해요.
G. “seems to have found it”
① 찾는 듯해요 / ② 찾은 듯해요
Answer
② 찾은 듯해요.
H. “seems okay”
① 괜찮는 듯해요 / ② 괜찮은 듯해요
Answer
② 괜찮은 듯해요.
Time Sense Box
- 먹는 듯해요 → seems to be eating
- 먹은 듯해요 → seems to have eaten
- 바쁜 듯해요 → seems busy
- 끝난 듯해요 → seems to have ended
Exercise 4 — Fix the Mistake 🛠️
A. ❌ 피곤하는 듯해요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
피곤한 듯해요.
B. ❌ 바쁘는 듯해요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바쁜 듯해요.
C. ❌ 먹은 듯해요 when the person is eating now → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹는 듯해요.
D. ❌ 끝나는 듯해요 when the meeting already ended → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
끝난 듯해요.
E. ❌ 온 듯 하다 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
온 듯하다.
F. ❌ 괜찮는 듯해요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
괜찮은 듯해요.
G. ❌ 어렵는 듯해요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
어려운 듯해요.
H. ❌ 없은 듯해요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
없는 듯해요.
Pitfall Box
- Adjectives do not use -는.
- Current action and completed action are different.
- Learner-safe spacing: 온 듯하다, 피곤한 듯하다.
- Use it for supposition, not hard facts.
Exercise 5 — Translation Challenge 🌉
A. “They seem busy.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바쁜 듯해요.
B. “It seems to be raining outside.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
밖에 비가 오는 듯해요.
C. “The meeting seems to have ended.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
회의가 끝난 듯해요.
D. “This method seems better.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
이 방법이 더 나은 듯해요.
E. “It seems no one is there.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
아무도 없는 듯해요.
F. “They seem to be waiting outside.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
밖에서 기다리는 듯해요.
G. “It seems they already left.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
이미 간 듯해요.
H. “Looking at their expression, they seem tired.” → ＿＿＿＿
Answer
표정을 보니 피곤한 듯해요.
Final Check
- 피곤한 듯해요 → seems tired
- 비가 오는 듯해요 → seems to be raining
- 끝난 듯해요 → seems to have ended
- 기다리는 듯해요 → seems to be waiting
- 나은 듯해요 → seems better
Tip 💡 If you are reading clues instead of declaring facts, 듯하다 is a perfect softener.
🎉 You finished the -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다 workout. Now you can describe what seems true from clues: 피곤한 듯해요, 비가 오는 듯해요, 끝난 듯해요, and 괜찮은 듯해요. Soft detective Korean unlocked. 👀✨
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