Korean Grammar Patterns

것/거 vs 게/걸 (축약)

Meaning

것 contractions (것을→걸)

How to use it

것 (thing/the fact) contracts in speech: 것이 → 게, 것을 → 걸, 것은 → 건, 것 + particle → 거 + particle (거예요). Full forms are written in formal text; contractions suit casual speech and dialogue.

게 = 것이, 걸 = 것을, 건 = 것은.,거예요/거야 (것이에요/것이야) are everyday spoken forms.

Examples

Korean	English
이게 제가 만든 거예요. ige jega mandeun geoyeyo.	This (것이→게) is the thing I made (것이에요→거예요).
먹을 걸 좀 사 왔어. meogeul geol jom sa wasseo.	I bought something to eat (먹을 것을 → 먹을 걸).
중요한 건 마음이야. jungyohan geon maeumiya.	What matters (것은→건) is the heart.

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