Nominalization in Korean: Using 음/ㅁ
Introduction: What is Nominalization?
In Korean, alongside 는 것 and 기, 음/ㅁ is a prevalent ending used to transform verbs (and adjectives) into nouns.
This grammatical structure has specific nuances:
- Typically used in writing, not in spoken language.
- The noun form often appears as a distinct entry in dictionaries.
- Not applicable to 하다 verbs (where 하다 can simply be omitted).
- Rarely used with hanja root words.
- Avoided for quantifiable measures (e.g., 깊다 > 깊이, not 깊음).
Examples of Nominalization using 음/ㅁ
돕다
도움 [to help help, assistance ]
I gave my friend some help.
즐겁다
즐거움 [to be pleasurable, enjoyable pleasure, enjoyment ]
Reading for pleasure is not a popular hobby among Saudi teenagers.
외롭다
외로움 [to be lonely loneliness ]
Even though we live in a connected world, loneliness seems to be more common among young people than before.
얼다
얼음 [to freeze ice ]
My mother said you should be careful because the icy sidewalk is slippery.
굶주리다
굶주림 [to starve starvation, hunger ]
Twenty percent of the world's population suffers from starvation.
졸다
졸음 [to be drowsy, sleepy **drowsiness ]**
Drowsiness while driving is a problem in big countries such as the United States and Canada.
가르치다
가르침 [to teach teachings ]
Muslims follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
슬프다
슬픔 [to be sad sadness ]
Sadness is a natural human feeling.
웃다
웃음 [to laugh laughter ]
The sound of the children's laughter filled the house.
싸우다
싸움 [to fight a fight ]
In order to avoid arguments, couples should have regular converzations about their relationship.
움직이다
움직임 [to move, stir movement ]
The movements of figure skaters are very elegant.
아프다
아픔 [to be painful pain ]
The older you get, the more aches and pains you feel.
지다
짐 [to carry a load on one’s back, luggage ]
He went up the hill with a heavy load (on his back).
자다
잠 [to sleep sleep ]
I fell asleep with the TV on.
꾸다
꿈 [to dream a dream ]
I had a strange dream last night.
기쁘다
기쁨 [to be joyful joy ]
My heart throbbed with joy at the wedding.
걸다
걸음 [to walk a step ]
The journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step.
느끼다
느낌 [to feel feelings ]
Why do I feel like I got ripped off?
죽다
죽음 [to die death ]
울다
울음 [to cry crying, tears ]
When he heard about his grandfather's death, he burst into tears.
믿다
믿음 [to believe belief, faith ]
In Saudi Arabia, abandoning one's Islamic faith is a serious crime.
젊다
젊음 [to be young youth ]
Our society places great emphasis on maintaining youthfulness, but everyone eventually gets old.
알리다
알림 [to inform, announce a notice, announcement ]
Press this button to turn off message notifications.
그렇다
그럼 [to be that way a certain way ]
Well then if (circumstances/schedules) are that way, shall we meet at 6pm?
다르다
다름 [to be different difference, variance ]
Since I moved to Singapore, all my savings have virtually gone.
아름답다
아름다움 [to be beautiful beauty ]
Canada is famous for its natural beauty.
모이다
모임 [to gather, meet gathering, meeting ]
Family gatherings were the most stressful period of the year.
어덥다
어둠 [to be dark darkness ]
Are you afraid of the dark?
어렵다
어려움 [to be difficult difficulty ]
When I was young I had trouble making friends.
그리다
그림 [to draw picture ]
Can you draw (pictures) well?