TL;DR 🦄
- 📌 Use -(으)ㅁ [-eu-m / -m] to turn a verb or adjective into a formal noun-like fact: 알다 [al-da] “to know” → 앎 [am] “knowing / awareness.”
- 🧱 Use -음 after most consonant-ending stems, and -ㅁ after vowel-ending stems and ㄹ-ending stems: 먹음 [meo-geum], 감 [gam], 만듦 [man-deum].
- 🏛️ This form feels written, formal, compact, and fact-like. You see it in notices, reports, labels, summaries, and grammar study more than casual conversation.
🎧 Iru Helper Note — Use Korean Helper Widgets to hear compact forms like 앎 [am], 삶 [sam], 만듦 [man-deum], and 없음 [eop-sseum]. These forms are short, so pronunciation practice helps a lot. 🎧
🌈 The Big Picture
Korean has several ways to turn actions, states, or facts into nouns:
- -기 [-gi] — compact activity noun, like “doing.”
- -는 것 [-neun geot] — conversational “the thing/fact of doing.”
- -(으)ㅁ [-eu-m / -m] — formal written “fact/state/experience.”
The form -(으)ㅁ is especially useful for notices, short labels, written summaries, reports, and formal statements. It makes the sentence feel like a fact on a clipboard. 📋
- 문이 열려 있음. [mu-ni yeol-lyeo i-sseum] — The door is open. / Door is open. 🚪
- 예약이 완료됨. [ye-ya-gi wan-nyo-doem] — The reservation has been completed. 📅
- 문제가 없음. [mun-je-ga eop-sseum] — There is no problem. ✅
In casual speech, you usually say a full sentence instead:
- 문이 열려 있어요. [mu-ni yeol-lyeo i-sseo-yo] — The door is open.
- 예약이 완료됐어요. [ye-ya-gi wan-nyo-dwae-sseo-yo] — The reservation was completed.
🎨 The Core -(으)ㅁ Family
Think of -(으)ㅁ as a formal noun-maker.
- 가다 [ga-da] “to go” → 감 [gam] — going / the fact of going 🚶
- 오다 [o-da] “to come” → 옴 [om] — coming 🚪
- 먹다 [meok-da] “to eat” → 먹음 [meo-geum] — eating / having eaten 🍚
- 읽다 [ik-da] “to read” → 읽음 [il-geum] — reading / having read 📖
- 알다 [al-da] “to know” → 앎 [am] — knowing / awareness 🧠
- 만들다 [man-deul-da] “to make” → 만듦 [man-deum] — making / having made 🧱
- 없다 [eop-da] “to not exist / not have” → 없음 [eop-sseum] — absence / none 🚫
- 예쁘다 [ye-ppeu-da] “to be pretty” → 예쁨 [ye-ppeum] — prettiness 🌸
Common written frames:
- 문제 없음 [mun-je eop-sseum] — no problem
- 사용 가능함 [sa-yong ga-neung-ham] — available for use
- 예약 완료됨 [ye-yak wan-nyo-doem] — reservation completed
- 참석 여부 확인함 [cham-seok yeo-bu hwa-gin-ham] — attendance status confirmed
🛠️ How It Works in Sentences
- 회의가 끝났음. [hoe-ui-ga kkeut-na-sseum] — The meeting ended. / Meeting ended. 📝
- 회의 = meeting, 끝나다 = to end, -았음 = formal written fact.
- 자료를 받았음을 확인했습니다. [ja-ryo-reul ba-da-sseu-meul hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da] — I confirmed that I received the materials. 📄
- 자료 = materials, 받다 = to receive, 확인하다 = to confirm.
- 문제가 없음을 알립니다. [mun-je-ga eop-sseu-meul al-lim-ni-da] — We inform you that there is no problem. ✅
- 문제 = problem, 없다 = to not exist, 알리다 = to inform.
Notice the style: these sound like notices, reports, records, or formal writing. In a cafe conversation, you probably would not say 회의가 끝났음; you would say 회의가 끝났어요 [hoe-ui-ga kkeut-na-sseo-yo] — “The meeting ended.”
🧩 General Formation Rule
Use -음 after most consonant-ending stems.
- 먹다 [meok-da] → 먹음 [meo-geum] 🍚
- 읽다 [ik-da] → 읽음 [il-geum] 📖
- 없다 [eop-da] → 없음 [eop-sseum] 🚫
Use -ㅁ after vowel-ending stems.
- 가다 [ga-da] → 감 [gam] 🚶
- 오다 [o-da] → 옴 [om] 🚪
- 하다 [ha-da] → 함 [ham] ✅
Use -ㅁ after ㄹ-ending stems, and ㄹ combines with ㅁ in the spelling.
- 알다 [al-da] → 앎 [am] 🧠
- 살다 [sal-da] → 삶 [sam] 🌱
- 만들다 [man-deul-da] → 만듦 [man-deum] 🧱
After past or future-like markers, use -음.
- 갔다 [gat-da] → 갔음 [ga-sseum] — went / fact that someone went
- 했다 [haet-da] → 했음 [hae-sseum] — did / fact that someone did
- 하겠다 [ha-get-da] → 하겠음 [ha-ge-sseum] — will do / intention as written fact
📚 Cross-check note
The form -(으)ㅁ as a nominalizing ending, including spelling choices like -음 after most consonant-ending stems and -ㅁ after vowel or ㄹ-ending stems, was checked against korean.go.kr and standard Korean grammar references. ✅
🪞 Synonym Alert
These three forms overlap, but their vibes differ:
- -기 [-gi] — compact activity noun.
- 걷기 [geot-gi] — walking.
- -는 것 [-neun geot] — conversational “doing / the fact that.”
- 걷는 것 [geon-neun geot] — walking / the fact of walking.
- -(으)ㅁ [-eu-m / -m] — formal written fact/state.
- 걸음 [geo-reum] can be a lexical noun “step/walk,” but 걷음 [geo-deum] can function as a formal nominalized “walking” form in grammar contexts.
Beginner takeaway: use -기 and -는 것 for normal speaking; recognize -(으)ㅁ for written Korean, notices, reports, and formal summaries. 🏛️
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ 먹ㅁ → ✅ 먹음. Consonant-ending stem takes -음. 🍚
- ❌ 가음 → ✅ 감. Vowel-ending stem takes -ㅁ. 🚶
- ❌ 알음 → ✅ 앎. ㄹ-ending stem takes -ㅁ. 🧠
- ❌ 만들음 → ✅ 만듦. ㄹ + ㅁ spelling compresses. 🧱
- ❌ Using -(으)ㅁ in every casual conversation → ✅ Use it mainly for written/formal style. 🏛️
- ⚠️ Some -(으)ㅁ forms are also established dictionary nouns, like 삶 [sam] “life.” Context tells you whether it is a grammar form or a fixed noun.
🎉 Bottom line: -(으)ㅁ turns actions and states into compact written facts. It is the grammar equivalent of putting a sentence on an official label. 📋✨
Try this exercise
Instructions: Choose -음 or -ㅁ, then read the full form aloud. Open the Answer toggle after you commit. 🎧
1. 먹다 → 먹____
[meok-da → meo-g____]
to eat → eating / fact of eating 🍚
Answer
음 — 먹음 [meo-geum]. Most consonant-ending stems use -음.
2. 가다 → 가____
[ga-da → ga____]
to go → going / fact of going 🚶
Answer
ㅁ — 감 [gam]. Vowel-ending stems use -ㅁ.
3. 알다 → 알____
[al-da → al____]
to know → knowing / awareness 🧠
Answer
ㅁ — 앎 [am]. ㄹ-ending stems use -ㅁ.
4. 읽다 → 읽____
[ik-da → il-g____]
to read → reading / fact of reading 📖
Answer
음 — 읽음 [il-geum].
5. 만들다 → 만들____
[man-deul-da → man-deul____]
to make → making / fact of making 🧱
Answer
ㅁ — 만듦 [man-deum]. ㄹ + ㅁ combines in spelling.
6. 없다 → 없____
[eop-da → eop-s____]
to not exist → absence / none 🚫
Answer
음 — 없음 [eop-sseum].
7. 하다 → 하____
[ha-da → ha____]
to do → doing / fact of doing ✅
Answer
ㅁ — 함 [ham].
8. 예쁘다 → 예쁘____
[ye-ppeu-da → ye-ppeu____]
to be pretty → prettiness 🌸
Answer
ㅁ — 예쁨 [ye-ppeum].
9. 받았다 → 받았____
[ba-da-tta → ba-da-s____]
received / fact that someone received 📦
Answer
음 — 받았음 [ba-da-sseum]. After past -았/었-, use -음.
10. 하겠다 → 하겠____
[ha-get-da → ha-ge-s____]
will do / written intention ✅
Answer
음 — 하겠음 [ha-ge-sseum].
Vocabulary Box
- 먹다 → to eat
- 가다 → to go
- 알다 → to know
- 읽다 → to read
- 만들다 → to make
- 없다 → to not exist / not have
- 하다 → to do
- 예쁘다 → to be pretty
- 받다 → to receive
- -았/었- → past marker
- -겠- → intention / future-like marker
Memory tips 💡
- Consonant except ㄹ → -음.
- Vowel or ㄹ → -ㅁ.
- After -았/었- or -겠- → -음.
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready!
🎯 Practice Hub — The Fact/Experience: -(으)ㅁ
Welcome to the formal-fact workshop. 📋 You’ll practice choosing -음 vs. -ㅁ, reading written notice-style Korean, and contrasting -(으)ㅁ with -기 and -는 것. It is compact, official, and a little clipboard-coded. ✅
📝 Instructions: Fill in each blank, say the Korean aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Watch the stem ending carefully.
Exercise 1 — Choose -음 or -ㅁ 🧱
A. 먹다 → 먹____
[meok-da → meo-g____]
eating / fact of eating 🍚
Answer
음 — 먹음 [meo-geum].
B. 가다 → 가____
[ga-da → ga____]
going 🚶
Answer
ㅁ — 감 [gam].
C. 오다 → 오____
[o-da → o____]
coming 🚪
Answer
ㅁ — 옴 [om].
D. 읽다 → 읽____
[ik-da → il-g____]
reading 📖
Answer
음 — 읽음 [il-geum].
E. 듣다 → 듣____
[deut-da → deu-d____]
listening 🎧
Answer
음 — 들음 [deu-reum] is used with the ㄷ-irregular change because -음 starts with a vowel sound.
F. 걷다 → 걷____
[geot-da → geo-d____]
walking 🚶
Answer
음 — 걸음 [geo-reum] as a lexical noun means “step/walk”; grammar-wise ㄷ irregular can surface before vowel-starting endings.
G. 알다 → 알____
[al-da → al____]
knowing 🧠
Answer
ㅁ — 앎 [am].
H. 살다 → 살____
[sal-da → sal____]
living / life 🌱
Answer
ㅁ — 삶 [sam].
I. 만들다 → 만들____
[man-deul-da → man-deul____]
making 🧱
Answer
ㅁ — 만듦 [man-deum].
J. 하다 → 하____
[ha-da → ha____]
doing ✅
Answer
ㅁ — 함 [ham].
Vocabulary Box
- 먹다 → to eat
- 가다 → to go
- 오다 → to come
- 읽다 → to read
- 듣다 → to listen
- 걷다 → to walk
- 알다 → to know
- 살다 → to live
- 만들다 → to make
- 하다 → to do
Tip 💡 ㄹ stems use -ㅁ: 앎, 삶, 만듦.
Exercise 2 — Written Notice Style 📋
A. 문제 ____.
[mun-je ____]
No problem. ✅
Answer
없음 — 문제 없음. [mun-je eop-sseum].
B. 예약 완료____.
[ye-yak wan-nyo____]
Reservation completed. 📅
Answer
됨 — 예약 완료됨. [ye-yak wan-nyo-doem].
C. 사용 가능____.
[sa-yong ga-neung____]
Available for use. ✅
Answer
함 — 사용 가능함. [sa-yong ga-neung-ham].
D. 출입 금지____.
[chu-rip geum-ji____]
Entry prohibited. 🚫
Answer
됨 — 출입 금지됨. [chu-rip geum-ji-doem].
E. 회의 끝났____.
[hoe-ui kkeut-na-s____]
Meeting ended. 📝
Answer
음 — 회의 끝났음. [hoe-ui kkeut-na-sseum].
F. 자료 받았____.
[ja-ryo ba-da-s____]
Materials received. 📄
Answer
음 — 자료 받았음. [ja-ryo ba-da-sseum].
G. 변경 사항 있____.
[byeon-gyeong sa-hang it-____]
There are changes. 🔁
Answer
음 — 변경 사항 있음. [byeon-gyeong sa-hang i-sseum].
H. 추가 비용 없____.
[chu-ga bi-yong eop-s____]
No extra cost. 💸
Answer
음 — 추가 비용 없음. [chu-ga bi-yong eop-sseum].
I. 확인했____.
[hwa-gin-hae-s____]
Confirmed. ✅
Answer
음 — 확인했음. [hwa-gin-hae-sseum].
J. 참석 가능____.
[cham-seok ga-neung____]
Attendance possible. 🙋
Answer
함 — 참석 가능함. [cham-seok ga-neung-ham].
Vocabulary Box
- 문제 → problem
- 없다 → to not exist
- 예약 → reservation
- 완료되다 → to be completed
- 사용 → use
- 가능하다 → to be possible/available
- 출입 → entry
- 금지되다 → to be prohibited
- 회의 → meeting
- 끝나다 → to end
- 자료 → materials
- 받다 → to receive
- 변경 사항 → changes
- 추가 비용 → extra cost
- 확인하다 → to confirm
- 참석 → attendance
Tip 💡 Notice-style Korean often drops polite endings and uses compact fact forms.
Exercise 3 — Formal Sentence Frames 🏛️
A. 문제가 없____ 알립니다.
[mun-je-ga eop-s____ al-lim-ni-da]
We inform you that there is no problem. ✅
Answer
음을 — 문제가 없음을 알립니다. [mun-je-ga eop-sseu-meul al-lim-ni-da].
B. 자료를 받았____ 확인했습니다.
[ja-ryo-reul ba-da-s____ hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da]
I confirmed that I received the materials. 📄
Answer
음을 — 받았음을 확인했습니다. [ba-da-sseu-meul hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da].
C. 회의가 끝났____ 보고했습니다.
[hoe-ui-ga kkeut-na-s____ bo-go-haet-seum-ni-da]
I reported that the meeting ended. 📝
Answer
음을 — 끝났음을 보고했습니다. [kkeut-na-sseu-meul bo-go-haet-seum-ni-da].
D. 예약이 완료되었____ 알려 드립니다.
[ye-ya-gi wan-nyo-doe-eot-s____ al-lyeo deu-rim-ni-da]
We inform you that the reservation has been completed. 📅
Answer
음을 — 완료되었음을 알려 드립니다. [wan-nyo-doe-eot-sseu-meul al-lyeo deu-rim-ni-da].
E. 변경 사항이 있____ 확인했습니다.
[byeon-gyeong sa-hang-i it-____ hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da]
I confirmed that there are changes. 🔁
Answer
음을 — 있음을 확인했습니다. [i-sseu-meul hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da].
F. 추가 비용이 없____ 안내했습니다.
[chu-ga bi-yong-i eop-s____ an-nae-haet-seum-ni-da]
I explained that there is no extra cost. 💸
Answer
음을 — 없음을 안내했습니다. [eop-sseu-meul an-nae-haet-seum-ni-da].
G. 민수가 참석했____ 들었습니다.
[min-su-ga cham-seok-hae-s____ deu-reot-seum-ni-da]
I heard that Minsu attended. 🙋
Answer
음을 — 참석했음을 들었습니다. [cham-seok-hae-sseu-meul deu-reot-seum-ni-da].
H. 문이 열려 있____ 확인했습니다.
[mu-ni yeol-lyeo it-____ hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da]
I confirmed that the door is open. 🚪
Answer
음을 — 열려 있음을 확인했습니다. [yeol-lyeo i-sseu-meul hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da].
I. 제품이 작동하____ 확인했습니다.
[je-pu-mi jak-dong-ha____ hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da]
I confirmed that the product works. ⚙️
Answer
ㅁ을 — 작동함을 확인했습니다. [jak-dong-ha-meul hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da].
J. 계획이 바뀌었____ 알게 됐습니다.
[gye-hoe-gi ba-kkwi-eot-s____ al-ge dwaet-seum-ni-da]
I came to know that the plan changed. 🔄
Answer
음을 — 바뀌었음을 알게 됐습니다. [ba-kkwi-eot-sseu-meul al-ge dwaet-seum-ni-da].
Vocabulary Box
- 알리다 → to inform
- 확인하다 → to confirm
- 보고하다 → to report
- 알려 드리다 → to inform politely
- 안내하다 → to guide/explain
- 듣다 → to hear
- 열리다 → to open / be opened
- 작동하다 → to operate/work
- 바뀌다 → to change
- 알게 되다 → to come to know
Tip 💡 In formal writing, -음을 often means “that…” as the object of verbs like “confirm,” “report,” or “inform.”
Exercise 4 — Contrast: -기, -는 것, -(으)ㅁ 🧩
A. 걷____ 좋아해요.
[geot-____ jo-a-hae-yo]
I like walking. Use compact activity noun. 🚶
Answer
기를 — 걷기를 좋아해요. [geot-gi-reul jo-a-hae-yo].
B. 걷____ 좋아해요.
[geon-____ jo-a-hae-yo]
I like walking. Use conversational thing/fact form. 🚶
Answer
는 것을 — 걷는 것을 좋아해요. [geon-neun geo-seul jo-a-hae-yo].
C. 걷____ 확인함.
[geo-d____ hwa-gin-ham]
Walking confirmed. Use formal written fact style. 🚶
Answer
음 — 걷음 확인함. [geo-deum hwa-gin-ham]. This is grammar-practice style, not a natural daily phrase.
D. 책 읽____ 좋아해요.
[chaek il-____ jo-a-hae-yo]
I like reading books. Use -기. 📚
Answer
기를 — 책 읽기를 좋아해요. [chaek il-gi-reul jo-a-hae-yo].
E. 책 읽____ 좋아해요.
[chaek ing-____ jo-a-hae-yo]
I like reading books. Use -는 것. 📚
Answer
는 것을 — 책 읽는 것을 좋아해요. [chaek ing-neun geo-seul jo-a-hae-yo].
F. 자료 읽었____ 확인함.
[ja-ryo il-geo-s____ hwa-gin-ham]
Confirmed that the materials were read. Use formal written fact. 📄
Answer
음 — 자료 읽었음 확인함. [ja-ryo il-geo-sseum hwa-gin-ham].
G. 요리하____ 재미있어요.
[yo-ri-ha-____ jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
Cooking is fun. Use -기. 🍳
Answer
기는 — 요리하기는 재미있어요. [yo-ri-ha-gi-neun jae-mi-i-sseo-yo].
H. 요리하____ 재미있어요.
[yo-ri-ha-____ jae-mi-i-sseo-yo]
Cooking is fun. Use -는 것. 🍳
Answer
는 것은 — 요리하는 것은 재미있어요. [yo-ri-ha-neun geo-seun jae-mi-i-sseo-yo].
I. 요리했____ 기록함.
[yo-ri-hae-s____ gi-rok-ham]
Recorded that cooking was done. Use formal written fact. 🍳
Answer
음 — 요리했음 기록함. [yo-ri-hae-sseum gi-rok-ham].
J. 문제가 없____ 알림.
[mun-je-ga eop-s____ al-lim]
Notice that there is no problem. Use formal written fact. ✅
Answer
음 — 문제가 없음을 알림. [mun-je-ga eop-sseu-meul al-lim].
Vocabulary Box
- 걷다 → to walk
- 좋아하다 → to like
- 확인하다 → to confirm
- 책 → book
- 읽다 → to read
- 자료 → materials
- 요리하다 → to cook
- 재미있다 → to be fun
- 기록하다 → to record
- 문제 → problem
- 없다 → to not exist
- 알림 → notice / notification
Tip 💡 Speech: -기 or -는 것. Official writing: often -(으)ㅁ.
Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️
A. ❌ 가음 → ✅ ____
[ga-eum → ____]
going 🚶
Answer
감 [gam] — vowel-ending stem uses -ㅁ.
B. ❌ 먹ㅁ → ✅ ____
[meok-m → ____]
eating 🍚
Answer
먹음 [meo-geum] — consonant-ending stem uses -음.
C. ❌ 알음 → ✅ ____
[a-reum → ____]
knowing / awareness 🧠
Answer
앎 [am] — ㄹ-ending stem uses -ㅁ.
D. ❌ 만들음 → ✅ ____
[man-deu-reum → ____]
making 🧱
Answer
만듦 [man-deum] — ㄹ + ㅁ combines.
E. 문제가 없____ 확인했습니다.
[mun-je-ga eop-s____ hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da]
I confirmed that there is no problem. ✅
Answer
음을 — 문제가 없음을 확인했습니다. [mun-je-ga eop-sseu-meul hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da].
F. 예약이 되었____ 알립니다.
[ye-ya-gi doe-eot-s____ al-lim-ni-da]
We inform you that the reservation has been made. 📅
Answer
음을 — 예약이 되었음을 알립니다. [ye-ya-gi doe-eot-sseu-meul al-lim-ni-da].
G. 선생님이 오시었____ 들었습니다.
[seon-saeng-ni-mi o-shi-eot-s____ deu-reot-seum-ni-da]
I heard that the teacher came. 🙇
Answer
음을 — 오시었음을 들었습니다. [o-shi-eot-sseu-meul deu-reot-seum-ni-da].
H. 제품이 작동하____ 확인함.
[je-pu-mi jak-dong-ha____ hwa-gin-ham]
Product operation confirmed. ⚙️
Answer
ㅁ을 — 제품이 작동함을 확인함. [je-pu-mi jak-dong-ha-meul hwa-gin-ham].
I. 추가 비용 없____.
[chu-ga bi-yong eop-s____]
No extra cost. 💸
Answer
음 — 추가 비용 없음. [chu-ga bi-yong eop-sseum].
J. 계획을 변경했____ 기록함.
[gye-hoe-geul byeon-gyeong-hae-s____ gi-rok-ham]
Recorded that the plan was changed. 🔄
Answer
음 — 계획을 변경했음 기록함. [gye-hoe-geul byeon-gyeong-hae-sseum gi-rok-ham].
Vocabulary Box
- 가다 → to go
- 먹다 → to eat
- 알다 → to know
- 만들다 → to make
- 문제 → problem
- 확인하다 → to confirm
- 예약 → reservation
- 알리다 → to inform
- 선생님 → teacher
- 오시다 → to come honorifically
- 듣다 → to hear
- 제품 → product
- 작동하다 → to work/operate
- 추가 비용 → extra cost
- 계획 → plan
- 변경하다 → to change
- 기록하다 → to record
Tip 💡 If the style sounds like a memo, report, label, or official notice, -(으)ㅁ is probably nearby.
🎉 You finished the -(으)ㅁ workout. Now you can recognize Korean’s formal fact-maker in notices, reports, summaries, and compact written records. Clipboard unlocked. 📋✨