What is “-은/ㄴ”?

“-은/ㄴ” is an adnominal ending that attaches to verbs and adjectives to form modifiers. It primarily indicates that an action or state has occurred in the past or is completed. Its form changes depending on whether the preceding word has a final consonant (받침).

Forms and Usage

• Without a final consonant (받침 없음): Use -ㄴ
  Example: 가다 → 간 (to go → gone)
• With a final consonant (받침 있음): Use -은
  Example: 먹다 → 먹은 (to eat → eaten)

2. Grammar Information about “-은/ㄴ”

A. Usage with Verbs or Adjectives

With Verbs

“-은/ㄴ” indicates completed or past actions when used with verbs.

Example: 어제 본 영화가 정말 재미있었어요. (The movie I watched yesterday was really fun.)

With Adjectives

“-은/ㄴ” describes current states or conditions when used with adjectives.

Example: 조용한 방에서 공부하는 게 좋아요. (I like studying in a quiet room.)

B. Usage with Nouns

“-은/ㄴ” is used to modify a noun, giving additional details about it.

• 내가 찍은 사진이 여기 있어요. (The photo I took is here.)
• 맛있는 음식을 준비했어요. (I prepared delicious food.)
• 어디서 산 큰 가방이에요? (Where did you buy the big bag?)

3. Usage

1) Describing Current States

When combined with adjectives, “-은/ㄴ” describes a current state or condition.

• 옆집에 사는 귀여운 강아지를 봤어요. (I saw the cute dog that lives next door.)
• 책상 위에 있는 파란 공책이 내 거야. (The blue notebook on the desk is mine.)
• 여기는 조용한 동네라서 살기 좋아요. (This is a quiet neighborhood, so it’s nice to live here.)
• 산에 있는 높은 나무가 정말 멋져요. (The tall trees in the mountains are really amazing.)

2) Completed Actions with Continuing Effects

“-은/ㄴ” is used to express actions that have been completed but whose results continue to affect the present.

• 비에 젖은 옷이 아직도 안 말랐어요. (The clothes that got wet in the rain are still not dry.)
• 다친 손가락이 아직도 아파요. (The injured finger still hurts.)
• 읽은 책이 마음에 남아 있어요. (The book I read still lingers in my mind.)
• 바닥에 떨어진 물건을 주웠어요. (I picked up the item that had fallen on the floor.)

3) Past Actions

“-은/ㄴ” is used to describe completed actions in the past.

• 지난 주말에 읽은 책이 정말 좋았어요. (The book I read last weekend was really good.)
• 어제 먹은 음식이 너무 매웠어. (The food I ate yesterday was too spicy.)
• 조금 전에 온 택배가 어디 있나요? (Where is the package that arrived a while ago?)
• 작년에 찍은 사진들을 다시 봤어요. (I looked at the photos I took last year again.)

4. Practice Quiz

Fill in the blanks with the correct adnominal ending.

1. 책상 위에 있는 ______(파랗다) 공책이 내 거야.
   (The blue notebook on the desk is mine.)
2. ______(맛있다) 음식을 준비했어요.
   (I prepared delicious food.)
3. 조금 전에 ______(오다) 택배가 어디 있나요?
   (Where is the package that arrived a while ago?)
4. ______(다치다) 손가락이 아직도 아파요.
   (The injured finger still hurts.)

5. Answers

• 책상 위에 있는 파란 공책이 내 거야. 
• 맛있는 음식을 준비했어요. 
• 조금 전에 온 택배가 어디 있나요? 
• 다친 손가락이 아직도 아파요.