🕵️

Supposition: -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다

Keywords
모양이다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Intermediate Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🕵️ -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 [-(eu)n/neun mo-yang-i-da] means it seems / it appears / it looks like, based on visible, audible, or situational evidence.
  • 모양 means shape / appearance, so this grammar feels like “judging from how things look...”
  • It overlaps with -나 보다, but -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 often feels a little more objective, evidence-based, and written/formal.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets to hear 비가 온 모양이에요, 사람이 많은 모양이에요, 친구가 바쁜 모양이에요, 가게가 닫은 모양이에요, and 학생인 모양이에요. Listen for the “judging from the signs” feeling. 🎧
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 is used when you make a logical supposition from evidence.
 
Think:
  • “It seems that...”
  • “It appears that...”
  • “Judging from the situation...”
  • “Looks like...”
  • “Apparently...”
 
The key order is:
  1. Notice a clue.
  1. Make a careful inference.
 
Examples:
  • 길이 젖어 있어요. 비가 온 모양이에요.
      • [gi-ri jeo-jeo i-sseo-yo. bi-ga on mo-yang-i-e-yo] — The road is wet. It looks like it rained. 🌧️
      길 = road; 젖다 = to get wet; 비 = rain.
  • 식당 앞에 줄이 길어요. 음식이 맛있는 모양이에요.
      • [sik-dang a-pe ju-ri gi-reo-yo. eum-si-gi ma-sin-neun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — The line in front of the restaurant is long. The food must be good. 🍜
      식당 = restaurant; 줄 = line; 맛있다 = to be delicious.
  • 불이 꺼져 있어요. 가게가 닫은 모양이에요.
      • [bu-ri kkeo-jyeo i-sseo-yo. ga-ge-ga da-deun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — The lights are off. It looks like the store closed. 🏪
      불 = light; 꺼지다 = to be off; 닫다 = to close.
 
You are not saying “I know for sure.” You are saying, “the signs point that way.” 🔍

🎨 The Core 모양이다 Family

1. Present action verb + -는 모양이다

Use this when the evidence suggests an action is happening now, happens regularly, or is currently in progress.
  • 기다리다 [gi-da-ri-da] — to wait → 기다리는 모양이다 — it seems someone is waiting
  • 먹다 [meok-da] — to eat → 먹는 모양이다 — it seems someone is eating
  • 찾다 [chat-da] — to look for → 찾는 모양이다 — it seems someone is looking for something
 
Examples:
  • 밖에 사람들이 서 있어요. 누군가를 기다리는 모양이에요.
      • [ba-kke sa-ram-deu-ri seo i-sseo-yo. nu-gun-ga-reul gi-da-ri-neun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — People are standing outside. It seems they are waiting for someone.
  • 전화가 계속 와요. 친구가 저를 찾는 모양이에요.
      • [jeon-hwa-ga gye-sok wa-yo. chin-gu-ga jeo-reul chan-neun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — The phone keeps ringing. It seems my friend is looking for me.
 

2. Completed action verb + -(으)ㄴ 모양이다

Use this when the evidence suggests something already happened.
  • 가다 → 간 모양이다 — it seems someone went
  • 오다 → 온 모양이다 — it seems someone came
  • 먹다 → 먹은 모양이다 — it seems someone ate
  • 닫다 → 닫은 모양이다 — it seems someone closed it
 
Examples:
  • 접시가 비었어요. 다 먹은 모양이에요.
      • [jeop-si-ga bi-eo-sseo-yo. da meo-geun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — The plate is empty. It seems they ate everything.
  • 책상이 깨끗해요. 누가 청소한 모양이에요.
      • [chaek-sang-i kkae-kkeu-tae-yo. nu-ga cheong-so-han mo-yang-i-e-yo] — The desk is clean. It seems someone cleaned it.
 

3. Adjectives / descriptive verbs + -(으)ㄴ 모양이다

Use this when the evidence suggests a state or quality.
  • 바쁘다 → 바쁜 모양이다 — it seems someone is busy
  • 많다 → 많은 모양이다 — it seems there are many
  • 작다 → 작은 모양이다 — it seems small
  • 피곤하다 → 피곤한 모양이다 — it seems someone is tired
 
Examples:
  • 답장이 없어요. 많이 바쁜 모양이에요.
      • [dap-jang-i eop-sseo-yo. ma-ni ba-ppeun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — There’s no reply. They seem very busy. 📱
  • 줄이 길어요. 사람이 많은 모양이에요.
      • [ju-ri gi-reo-yo. sa-ra-mi ma-neun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — The line is long. There seem to be many people. 👥
 

4. Noun + 인 모양이다

Use 인 모양이다 after nouns.
  • 학생 → 학생인 모양이다 — it seems they are a student
  • 휴일 → 휴일인 모양이다 — it seems it is a holiday
  • 문제 → 문제인 모양이다 — it seems it is a problem
 
Example:
  • 학교에 사람이 없네요. 오늘이 휴일인 모양이에요.
      • [hak-gyo-e sa-ra-mi eom-ne-yo. o-neu-ri hyu-i-rin mo-yang-i-e-yo] — There’s no one at school. It seems today is a holiday.
 

5. Future / intention + -(으)ㄹ 모양이다

Use this when the evidence suggests someone will do something or intends to do something.
  • 가다 → 갈 모양이다 — it seems someone will go / intends to go
  • 먹다 → 먹을 모양이다 — it seems someone will eat / intends to eat
  • 하다 → 할 모양이다 — it seems someone will do it / intends to do it
 
Example:
  • 가방을 챙기고 있어요. 곧 나갈 모양이에요.
      • [ga-bang-eul chaeng-gi-go i-sseo-yo. got na-gal mo-yang-i-e-yo] — They’re packing their bag. It looks like they’re about to go out. 🎒

🛠️ How It Works in Sentences

This grammar often appears with an evidence phrase:
  • -는 걸 보니까 — seeing that...
  • -는 것을 보니 — seeing that...
  • 소리를 들으니 — hearing the sound...
  • 표정을 보니 — seeing the expression...
  • 분위기를 보니 — seeing the atmosphere...
 
Examples:
  • 아이가 우는 걸 보니까 어디가 아픈 모양이에요.
      • [a-i-ga u-neun geol bo-ni-kka eo-di-ga a-peun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — Seeing the child crying, it seems something hurts. 😢
  • 방이 조용한 걸 보니 벌써 자는 모양이에요.
      • [bang-i jo-yong-han geol bo-ni beol-sseo ja-neun mo-yang-i-e-yo] — Seeing that the room is quiet, it seems they are already sleeping. 😴
  • 학생들이 뛰어가는 걸 보니까 점심시간인 모양이에요.
      • [hak-saeng-deu-ri ttwi-eo-ga-neun geol bo-ni-kka jeom-sim-si-ga-nin mo-yang-i-e-yo] — Seeing the students running, it seems it is lunchtime. 🍱

🧩 General Formation Rule

Present action verbs

Verb stem + 는 모양이다
  • 먹다 → 먹는 모양이다
  • 기다리다 → 기다리는 모양이다
  • 찾다 → 찾는 모양이다
  • 공부하다 → 공부하는 모양이다
 

Past/completed action verbs

Verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 모양이다
  • 가다 → 간 모양이다
  • 오다 → 온 모양이다
  • 청소하다 → 청소한 모양이다
  • 먹다 → 먹은 모양이다
  • 읽다 → 읽은 모양이다
  • 닫다 → 닫은 모양이다
 

Adjectives / descriptive verbs

Adjective stem + -(으)ㄴ 모양이다
  • 바쁘다 → 바쁜 모양이다
  • 많다 → 많은 모양이다
  • 작다 → 작은 모양이다
  • 피곤하다 → 피곤한 모양이다
 

Nouns

Noun + 인 모양이다
  • 학생 → 학생인 모양이다
  • 휴일 → 휴일인 모양이다
  • 문제 → 문제인 모양이다
 

Future / intention

Verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 모양이다
  • 가다 → 갈 모양이다
  • 먹다 → 먹을 모양이다
  • 만들다 → 만들 모양이다
✍️
Spacing note
Write 모양이다 as a separate word after the modifier:
  • ✅ 비가 온 모양이에요
  • ✅ 사람이 많은 모양이에요
  • ✅ 학생인 모양이에요
  • ❌ 비가온모양이에요

🚨 Nuance: More Objective Than a Casual Guess

-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 sounds like your guess is based on visible facts, heard information, or circumstances.
 
Compare:
  • 비가 왔나 봐요. — I guess it rained. Natural and conversational.
  • 비가 온 모양이에요. — It appears that it rained. Slightly more “judging from the evidence.”
 
Because 모양 means “shape/appearance,” this grammar often feels like you are looking at the outside signs and making a conclusion.
 
⚠️ Avoid using it for a pure personal feeling with no evidence:
  • Less natural: 그냥 좋은 모양이에요 for “I just feel it’s good.”
  • Better: 좋은 것 같아요 — I think it’s good.
 
⚠️ Also be careful with your own intentional actions. Since you usually know your own plan, saying “I seem to be going” about yourself can sound odd unless you are joking, unsure, or describing yourself from outside evidence.

🔍 -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 vs Related Grammar

-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다

Objective-ish inference from appearance, signs, or circumstances.
  • 문이 잠겨 있어요. 집에 없는 모양이에요. — The door is locked. It seems they are not home.
 

-나 보다 / -(으)ㄴ가 보다

Also evidence-based, but often more conversational and light.
  • 집에 없나 봐요. — I guess they’re not home.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다

General “I think / it seems.” It may be based on evidence, feeling, or opinion.
  • 집에 없는 것 같아요. — I think they’re not home.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다

More literary, indirect, or soft “seems as if.” Often useful in written or formal style.
  • 집에 없는 듯해요. — It seems they are not home.
 

-아/어 보이다

Looks adjective based on appearance. Used only with adjectives/descriptive meanings.
  • 피곤해 보여요. — They look tired.
 

-(으)ㄴ/는다고 치다

Suppose/assume as a scenario, not evidence-based appearance.
  • 비가 온다고 쳐요. — Let’s suppose it rains.

📚 Cross-check note

This lesson was checked against the existing lesson set and should stay focused on logical inference from visible/audible signs. It overlaps with
🔎
Based on Evidence: -나 보다 / -(으)ㄴ가 보다, but this page emphasizes 모양 as “appearance/shape,” a slightly more objective evidence-based tone, and the full modifier family: -는 모양이다, -(으)ㄴ 모양이다, 인 모양이다, and -(으)ㄹ 모양이다. Also compare with
👀
Supposition based on Sight: -(으)ㄴ/는 듯하다,
TOPIK II: Modality '-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다' (Logical Inference), and
🤔
Supposing an Outcome: -(으)ㄴ/는다고 치다. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

English translations depend on context:
  • “It seems...” → 바쁜 모양이에요. — It seems they are busy.
  • “It appears...” → 비가 온 모양이에요. — It appears it rained.
  • “Looks like...” → 가게가 닫은 모양이에요. — Looks like the store closed.
  • “Apparently...” → 오늘 휴일인 모양이에요. — Apparently today is a holiday.
 
Useful evidence phrases:
  • -는 걸 보니까 — seeing that...
  • -는 것을 보니 — seeing that...
  • 소리를 들으니 — hearing the sound...
  • 표정을 보니 — seeing the expression...

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 먹은 모양이에요 for “seems to be eating now” → ✅ 먹는 모양이에요.
  • ❌ 먹는 모양이에요 for “seems to have eaten already” → ✅ 먹은 모양이에요.
  • ❌ 학생 모양이에요 → ✅ 학생인 모양이에요.
  • ❌ 바쁘는 모양이에요 → ✅ 바쁜 모양이에요.
  • ❌ Using it for a random guess with no clue → ✅ Use it when there is evidence.
  • ❌ Confusing 모양이다 with -나 보다 as exactly identical → ✅ Both infer from evidence, but 모양이다 highlights appearance/signs more strongly.
 
🎉 Now you can make evidence-based suppositions with a more objective Korean feel: 비가 온 모양이에요, 바쁜 모양이에요, 학생인 모양이에요. Detective grammar upgraded. 🕵️✨
 

Try this exercise

Instructions: Complete each sentence with the correct -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 form.
1. 오다 → 바닥이 젖었어요. 비가 ＿＿＿＿.
[o-da → ba-da-gi jeo-jeo-sseo-yo. bi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
The ground is wet. It seems it rained. 🌧️
Answer
온 모양이에요 — completed action + ㄴ 모양이에요.
2. 많다 → 줄이 길어요. 사람이 ＿＿＿＿.
[man-ta → ju-ri gi-reo-yo. sa-ra-mi ＿＿＿＿]
The line is long. There seem to be many people. 👥
Answer
많은 모양이에요.
3. 기다리다 → 사람들이 밖에 서 있어요. 누군가를 ＿＿＿＿.
[gi-da-ri-da → sa-ram-deu-ri ba-kke seo i-sseo-yo. nu-gun-ga-reul ＿＿＿＿]
People are standing outside. It seems they are waiting for someone. 🚪
Answer
기다리는 모양이에요.
4. 학생 → 교복을 입었어요. ＿＿＿＿.
[hak-saeng → gyo-bo-geul i-beo-sseo-yo. ＿＿＿＿]
They are wearing a school uniform. It seems they are a student. 🎒
Answer
학생인 모양이에요.
5. 바쁘다 → 답장이 없어요. ＿＿＿＿.
[ba-ppeu-da → dap-jang-i eop-sseo-yo. ＿＿＿＿]
There is no reply. They seem busy. 📱
Answer
바쁜 모양이에요.
6. Choose “seems to be eating now”:
① 먹는 모양이에요 / ② 먹은 모양이에요
Answer
① — present action + -는 모양이에요.
7. Choose “seems to have eaten already”:
① 먹는 모양이에요 / ② 먹은 모양이에요
Answer
② — completed action + -(으)ㄴ 모양이에요.
8. ❌ 학생 모양이에요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
학생인 모양이에요.
9. ❌ 바쁘는 모양이에요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바쁜 모양이에요.
10. This grammar is best when:
Answer
There is visible, audible, or situational evidence for the supposition.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 오다 → to come
  • 바닥 → floor / ground
  • 젖다 → to get wet
  • 줄 → line
  • 많다 → to be many/much
  • 기다리다 → to wait
  • 밖 → outside
  • 교복 → school uniform
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 답장 → reply
Tip 💡 Choose the form by time/type: action now, action completed, adjective, noun, or future intention.
🚀
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below gives you a full supposition-from-evidence workout. 🕵️
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Supposition: -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다
 
Welcome to the evidence lab. 🕵️ You’ll practice reading visible signs and turning them into careful Korean suppositions: wet streets, empty plates, quiet rooms, long lines, packed bags, and more.
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
 

Exercise 1 — Form Builder 🔧

A. 먹다 present action → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
먹는 모양이에요.
B. 기다리다 present action → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
기다리는 모양이에요.
C. 오다 completed action → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
온 모양이에요.
D. 먹다 completed action → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
먹은 모양이에요.
E. 바쁘다 adjective → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
바쁜 모양이에요.
F. 많다 adjective → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
많은 모양이에요.
G. 학생 noun → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
학생인 모양이에요.
H. 휴일 noun → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
휴일인 모양이에요.
I. 나가다 future/intention → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
나갈 모양이에요.
J. 만들다 future/intention → ＿＿＿＿ 모양이에요
Answer
만들 모양이에요.
📚
Form Box
  • Present action → -는 모양이에요
  • Completed action → -(으)ㄴ 모양이에요
  • Adjective → -(으)ㄴ 모양이에요
  • Noun → 인 모양이에요
  • Future/intention → -(으)ㄹ 모양이에요
 

Exercise 2 — Read the Evidence 🔍

A. 길이 젖었어요. 비가 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
온 모양이에요. — The road is wet, so it seems it rained.
B. 접시가 비었어요. 다 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
먹은 모양이에요.
C. 방이 조용해요. 벌써 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
자는 모양이에요.
D. 줄이 길어요. 손님이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
많은 모양이에요.
E. 답장이 없어요. 친구가 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
바쁜 모양이에요.
F. 불이 꺼져 있어요. 가게가 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
닫은 모양이에요.
G. 가방을 챙겨요. 곧 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
나갈 모양이에요.
H. 교복을 입었어요. 학생＿＿＿＿.
Answer
학생인 모양이에요.
I. 눈이 빨개요. 많이 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
운 모양이에요.
J. 책상이 깨끗해요. 누가 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
청소한 모양이에요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 길 → road
  • 접시 → plate
  • 비다 → to be empty
  • 방 → room
  • 조용하다 → to be quiet
  • 손님 → guest/customer
  • 불이 꺼지다 → for a light to be off
  • 챙기다 → to pack / take care of
  • 울다 → to cry
  • 청소하다 → to clean
 

Exercise 3 — Pick the Correct Time 🕰️

A. “It seems they are eating now.”
① 먹는 모양이에요 / ② 먹은 모양이에요
Answer
① — present action.
B. “It seems they already ate.”
① 먹는 모양이에요 / ② 먹은 모양이에요
Answer
② — completed action.
C. “It seems they are sleeping now.”
① 자는 모양이에요 / ② 잔 모양이에요
Answer
① — present action.
D. “It seems they slept.”
① 자는 모양이에요 / ② 잔 모양이에요
Answer
② — completed action.
E. “It seems they will go out.”
① 나가는 모양이에요 / ② 나갈 모양이에요
Answer
② — future/intention.
F. “It seems they are leaving now.”
① 나가는 모양이에요 / ② 나간 모양이에요
Answer
① — present action.
G. “It seems they left.”
① 나가는 모양이에요 / ② 나간 모양이에요
Answer
② — completed action.
H. “It seems the store is closed.”
① 닫는 모양이에요 / ② 닫은 모양이에요
Answer
② — completed/closed state from the evidence.
I. “It seems they are busy.”
① 바쁜 모양이에요 / ② 바쁘는 모양이에요
Answer
① — adjective + -(으)ㄴ 모양이에요.
J. “It seems today is a holiday.”
① 휴일 모양이에요 / ② 휴일인 모양이에요
Answer
② — noun + 인 모양이에요.
🧠
Decision Box
  • 먹는 모양이에요 → seems to be eating
  • 먹은 모양이에요 → seems to have eaten
  • 나갈 모양이에요 → seems about to go out / intends to go out
  • 바쁜 모양이에요 → seems busy
  • 휴일인 모양이에요 → seems to be a holiday
 

Exercise 4 — Compare the Guessing Patterns 🔎

A. More conversational evidence-based guess: 집에 없＿＿＿＿.
Answer
집에 없나 봐요.
B. More appearance/sign-based inference: 집에 없는 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
집에 없는 모양이에요.
C. General “I think”: 집에 없는 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
집에 없는 것 같아요.
D. Literary/soft “seems”: 집에 없는 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
집에 없는 듯해요.
E. “They look tired”: 피곤해 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
피곤해 보여요.
F. “They seem tired from evidence”: 피곤한 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
피곤한 모양이에요.
G. Scenario assumption, not evidence: 비가 온다고 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
쳐요 — 비가 온다고 쳐요 = let’s suppose it rains.
H. Evidence-based supposition: 비가 온 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
모양이에요.
I. Strong obvious prediction: 늦을 게 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
뻔해요.
J. Appearance-based supposition: 늦는 ＿＿＿＿.
Answer
모양이에요.
🧭
Comparison Box
  • -나 보다 → conversational evidence-based guess
  • 모양이다 → evidence/sign/appearance-based inference
  • 것 같다 → general “I think / seems”
  • 듯하다 → softer/literary “seems”
  • 보이다 → looks adjective
  • -다고 치다 → suppose as a scenario
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 학생 모양이에요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
학생인 모양이에요.
B. ❌ 바쁘는 모양이에요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
바쁜 모양이에요.
C. ❌ 먹은 모양이에요 for “seems to be eating now” → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹는 모양이에요.
D. ❌ 먹는 모양이에요 for “seems to have eaten already” → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Answer
먹은 모양이에요.
E. 비가 온 모양이에요 means:
Answer
It seems / appears that it rained.
F. 나갈 모양이에요 means:
Answer
It seems they will go out / intend to go out.
G. Choose the noun form: ① 문제인 모양이에요 / ② 문제 모양이에요
Answer
① — noun + 인 모양이에요.
H. Choose the adjective form: ① 많는 모양이에요 / ② 많은 모양이에요
Answer
② — adjective + -(으)ㄴ 모양이에요.
I. Choose the present action form: ① 찾는 모양이에요 / ② 찾은 모양이에요
Answer
① — seems to be looking for.
J. -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 is strongest when:
Answer
The speaker has visible, audible, or situational evidence and makes a logical inference from it.
📚
Final Check
  • Present action: 먹는 모양이에요
  • Completed action: 먹은 모양이에요
  • Adjective: 바쁜 모양이에요, 많은 모양이에요
  • Noun: 학생인 모양이에요
  • Future/intention: 나갈 모양이에요
Tip 💡 If there is no clue, choose a softer general pattern like 것 같아요.
 
🎉 Supposition-from-evidence mastered! With -(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다, you can sound observant and precise: 비가 온 모양이에요, 바쁜 모양이에요, 학생인 모양이에요. 🕵️✨