Korean Adjective Grammar: How to Use ~(으)ㄴ Before Nouns

Korean Learning Hub · Grammar Lesson

Korean Adjective Modifiers: How to Use ~(으)ㄴ Before Nouns

Korean adjectives are descriptive verbs. To place one before a noun, you usually change it with ~(으)ㄴ: 작다 → 작은 방, “a small room.”

What You’ll LearnVocabularyGrammarComparisonIrregularsMistakesPracticeQuizSummary

What You’ll Learn

Core Pattern

How vowel-ending and consonant-ending stems take ~ㄴ or ~은.

Sentence Position

The difference between predicate form and noun-modifier form.

Important Exceptions

How forms such as 맛있는, 추운, 긴, and 빨간 are created.

Natural Usage

How to use adjective modifiers in practical phrases and sentences.

Key Vocabulary

Dictionary FormMeaningModifierExample
크다to be big큰큰 집 — a big house
작다to be small작은작은 방 — a small room
좋다to be good좋은좋은 사람 — a good person
맛있다to be delicious맛있는맛있는 음식
춥다to be cold추운추운 날씨

Grammar Formula

Remove ~다, then check whether the stem ends in a vowel or consonant.

Vowel-ending stem → ~ㄴ

Vowel-ending stem + ㄴ + noun

크다 → 크 + ㄴ → 큰 집

keun jip — a big house

비싸다 → 비싸 + ㄴ → 비싼 옷

bissan ot — expensive clothes

Consonant-ending stem → ~은

Consonant-ending stem + 은 + noun

작다 → 작 + 은 → 작은 가방

jageun gabang — a small bag

좋다 → 좋 + 은 → 좋은 생각

joeun saenggak — a good idea

Predicate vs. Noun Modifier

Predicate

날씨가 따뜻해요.

The weather is warm.

Noun Modifier

따뜻한 날씨

warm weather

Key idea: The modifier comes immediately before the noun: 예쁜 꽃, 넓은 방, 재미있는 영화.

Important Exceptions and Irregulars

있다 and 없다 words → ~는

맛있다 → 맛있는 음식
재미있다 → 재미있는 영화
맛없다 → 맛없는 커피
멋있다 → 멋있는 사람

ㅂ irregular descriptive verbs

춥다 → 추운 날씨
덥다 → 더운 여름
어렵다 → 어려운 시험
쉽다 → 쉬운 문제
Not every ㅂ-ending word is irregular. 좁다 → 좁은 길 follows the regular rule.

ㄹ-ending stems

길다 → 긴 머리
멀다 → 먼 나라

ㅎ irregular forms

빨갛다 → 빨간 사과
까맣다 → 까만 가방
그렇다 → 그런 사람
어떻다 → 어떤 책

Everyday Examples

따뜻한 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.

Ttatteuthan amerikano han jan juseyo.

Please give me one warm Americano.

친절한 선생님을 만나고 싶어요.

Chinjeolhan seonsaengnimeul mannago sipeoyo.

I want to meet a kind teacher.

시원한 물을 마실 거예요.

Siwonhan mureul masil geoyeyo.

I am going to drink cool water.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

재미있은 영화

Correct

재미있는 영화

Incorrect

춥은 날씨

Correct

추운 날씨

Incorrect

길은 머리

Correct

긴 머리

Practice

  1. 예쁘다 + 꽃
  2. 넓다 + 방
  3. 맛있다 + 음식
  4. 덥다 + 날
  5. 멀다 + 학교
Show answers
  1. 예쁜 꽃
  2. 넓은 방
  3. 맛있는 음식
  4. 더운 날
  5. 먼 학교

Quiz

1. “An interesting movie”
A. 재미있은 영화
B. 재미있는 영화
C. 재미인 영화

2. Correct modifier of 춥다
A. 춥은
B. 추운
C. 춘

3. 비싸다 + 신발
A. 비싼 신발
B. 비싸은 신발
C. 비싸는 신발

4. Correct modifier of 길다
A. 길은
B. 긴
C. 길는

5. Correct sentence
A. 좋은 사람을 만났어요.
B. 좋는 사람을 만났어요.
C. 좋ㄴ 사람을 만났어요.

Show answers

1. B   2. B   3. A   4. B   5. A

Lesson Summary

  • Vowel-ending stems usually take ~ㄴ.
  • Consonant-ending stems usually take ~은.
  • Words ending in 있다/없다 usually take ~는.
  • Watch for ㅂ, ㄹ, and ㅎ irregulars.
  • The modifier appears immediately before the noun.

Related Lessons

Korean Grammar Course
Learn 있다 and 없다
Learn the Korean Future Tense
Learn 에 Time Particle

Popular posts from this blog

Korean Counter Words: Beginner Guide to Counting in Korean

Beginner Korean · Counters Korean Counters Made Easy: How to Count Food, Drinks, & Objects Learn the Korean number forms and counter words you need to order food, count drinks, describe objects, and speak more naturally. Table of Contents What You'll Learn Grammar Formula Native Numbers General Counter Food & Drinks Common Objects Dialogue Common Mistakes Quiz FAQ Lesson Summary Related Lessons What You'll Learn How Korean counter sentences are structured How 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 change before counters Which counters to use for food, drinks, and objects How to order naturally in cafés and restaurants How to use 개 when you forget a specific counter Ordering a coffee or asking for two apples in a Korean café can feel daunting when you first start learning Korean grammar. In English, we ...
Read more

Essential Korean Phrases for Ordering Food Like a Local

Travel Korean · Dining Essential Korean Phrases for Ordering Food Like a Local Learn how to enter a restaurant, order confidently, make special requests, and pay naturally in Korean. Table of Contents Dining Etiquette Getting a Table Ordering Food Special Requests Paying Dialogues Quiz Lesson Summary Related Lessons South Korea is a culinary paradise, famous worldwide for sizzling BBQ tables, rich stews, crisp street snacks, and aesthetic cafes. However, stepping into a bustling local eatery without knowing how to navigate the dining experience can feel a bit overwhelming for beginners. Learning essential Korean phrases for ordering food empowers you to walk into any restaurant, request your favorite dishes, customize your order, and pay with confidence. In this guide, we break down every stage of a Korean meal—from getting a table to asking for the bill—complete wit...
Read more

How to Say Thank You in Korean: Formal, Polite & Casual Phrases

Image
Essential Korean Expressions How to Say Thank You in Korean: Polite, Formal & Casual Learn which Korean thank-you phrase to use with strangers, elders, coworkers, acquaintances, close friends, and family. Table of Contents Lesson Summary Formal Thank You Everyday Polite Casual Thank You Gamsa vs. Gomawo You're Welcome Culture Tips Common Mistakes Quiz FAQ The right Korean thank-you phrase depends on politeness, relationship, and situation. Lesson Summary 감사합니다 is the safest formal thank-you phrase. 고맙습니다 is also formal and may sound slightly warmer. 고마워요 is polite and friendly for peers or younger acquaintances. 고마워 is casual and reserved for close relationships. 아니에요 is a natural response meaning “It’s nothing” or “No problem.” Learning how to say thank you in Korean helps you sound respectful and natural in cafés, shops, restaurants, workplaces, classrooms, and everyday conversations. Korean gratit...
Read more