안녕하세요. 토미입니다.
Let’s get focused on studying Korean today!
Today’s grammar is, first, -는 사이에 “while (sub) is doing ~,” second, -는 셈 치다, “to tentatively pretend as if ~,” and third, -는 수가 있다, “(sub) will do ~.”
Once you have learned today’s grammar, you will be able to understand a cheesy movie title such as,
당신이 잠든 사이에
While you are sleeping
You like this kind of title, don’t you?
So, let’s make sure to learn the expressions that native speakers often use! And pass TOPIK II level 4, and become a super master of intermediate Korean!
You can accomplish this for sure!
그럼 시작할게요!
-는 사이에
The first grammar, -는 사이에 means, “while (sub) is doing ~.”
-는 동안 is a similar expression. Therefore, you can interchangeably use them.
For the usage, you use the present tense of a noun modifier such as -는 사이에. You attach 는 to the verb stem regardless of a final consonant.
Therefore, 가다 “to go” will be 가는 사이에 “while I was going.” 먹다 “to eat” will be 먹는 사이에 “while I was eating.”
If you want to make the past tense, you use (으)ㄴ, 았/었던, or 던.
Now, let’s read a sample sentence to see what happened while a speaker was doing something.
어제 내가 회사에 간 사이에 택배가 왔다.
Delivery arrived while I went to the office yesterday.
Here, 가다 is “to go.” You apply the past tense of a noun modifier, which is ㄴ 사이에 to make 간 사이에, “while I went to (the office).”
Let’s read the next sample sentence.
내가 이렇게 나이를 먹은 사이에 아들은 벌써 어른이 되어 있었다.
While I got old like this, my son already became an adult.
Here, 나이를 먹다 means, “to get old.” You use -(으)ㄴ 사이에 to make 나이를 먹은 사이에, “while I got old.”
나이를 먹다 literally means “to eat age.” on nom nom
It’s a unique Korean expression to mean “to get old,” right?
Then, let’s read the next sample sentence.
어머니는 항상 내가 학교에 가는 사이에 방을 청소한다.
My mom always cleans my room while I go to school.
Indeed, moms can clean the room quickly in a brief time.
swish, swish, swish, swish!
Anyway, here, 가다 is “to go.” You attach 는 사이에 to the stem to make 가는 사이에 “while I go to.” Now, let’s read the next sample sentence.
내가 밥을 먹는 사이에 동생은 목욕을 했다.
While I was eating, my brother took a bath.
Here, 먹다 means “to eat.” You use the present tense of a noun modifier. So, you add -는 사이에 to the verb stem to make 먹는 사이에, “while (I) was eating.”
Quiz
Now, let’s deepen our understanding by taking simple quizzes! Which one is the correct answer?
내가 시장 ( ) 사이에 숙제를 전부 끝내 놔.
While I go shopping and come back, finish all your homework.
(1)갔다 오는 (2) 갔던
The correct answer is number one. 갔다 오다 means “to go and come back.” Since it appears that the mom is about to go shopping, you use the present tense of a verb modifier 는 to make 갔다 오는 사이에, “while I go shopping and come back.”
Number two is wrong because 갔던 is the past tense. This speaker wants to express the present tense, right?
Then, let’s read the sentence together!
내가 시장 (갔다 오는) 사이에 숙제를 전부 끝내 놔.
Please imagine yourself to be a mom. Let’s read the next sample sentence.
어제 내가 친구하고 밥 ( ) 너는 어디 있었어?
Yesterday, while I ate out with my friend, where were you?
(1)먹은 사이에 (2) 먹을 사이에
The correct answer is number one. Since it is in the past that the speaker ate out, you use the past tense of a noun modifier (으)ㄴ. Thus, it is going to be 먹은 사이에, “while (I) ate.”
Number two 먹을 사이에 is wrong. Usually, you don’t apply this grammar to the future tense. OK? Then, let’s read a sentence together!
어제 내가 친구하고 밥 (먹은 사이에) 너는 어디 있었어?
Please read this sentence with a feeling of wonder.
-는 셈 치다
The second grammar, -는 셈 치다 means, “to assume ~/ to tentatively pretend as if ~/ Let’s just say~.”
You use this when you hypothesize a certain state of affairs to be true.
You use -는 셈 치다 with verbs. You mainly use this in the past tense of a noun modifier such as -(으)ㄴ 셈 치다, or the present tense, -는 셈 치다.
For example, 가다 “to go” will be 가는 셈 치다 “to tentatively pretend as if I go.” 먹다 “to eat” will be 먹는 셈 치다 “to tentatively pretend as if I eat.”
Then, let’s read a sample sentence to see an expression, “Well, let’s pretend that it is that way!”
한국어 공부하는 셈 치고 한국에 같이 여행 가요.
Pretending to be studying Korean, let’s go on a trip to Korea together.
Here, 공부하다 is “to study.” You attach the present tense of a noun modifier -는 셈 치고 to make 공부하는 셈 치고, “pretend that we are studying.”
In this sample sentence, the real motive is “to enjoy traveling in Korea.” But, the speaker’s family might object to this plan if he doesn’t have a legitimate reason.
Therefore, they use the expression 셈 치다, “to pretend that ~,” saying, 한국어 공부하는 셈 치고, “pretend that we are studying Korean.” Do you understand this? Then, let’s read the next sample sentence.
바빠서 점심을 못 먹었지만 동료들이 걱정하니까 그냥 먹은 셈 쳐요.
I was too busy to have lunch, but since my co-workers will be worried, let’s just say that I already ate lunch.
Indeed, I would be worried if someone did not have lunch, wouldn’t you?
Here, 먹다 is “to eat.” You attach the past tense of a noun modifier (으)ㄴ to make 먹은 셈 쳐요, “pretend that (I) already ate.” Next, let’s see the last expression!
속는 셈치고 내 말을 한번 믿어 주세요.
As if you pretend to be deceived, please take my word for once.
Here, 속다 is “to be deceived.” You add 는 셈치다 to the stem to make 속는 셈치다 “as if you pretend to be deceived”
Quiz
Then, let’s deepen our understanding with some quizzes. Which one is the correct answer?
시간이 없으니까 영화는 ( ) 셈 치고 밥 먹으러 가지 않을래요?
Since we don’t have time, let’s just say that we watched a movie already and have a meal instead?
(1)본 (2) 볼
The correct answer is number one. You can use this sample sentence on a date when you’re in a hurry.
Here, 보다 is “to watch.” You attach the past tense of a noun modifier ㄴ to make 본 셈 치고, “let’s just say that we watched.”
Thus, this speaker wants to express that “let’s skip the movie this time, and eat out something instead.”
Number two is wrong because it used the future tense 볼. You cannot use this grammar with the future tense. OK?
Now, let’s read this sentence together!
시간이 없으니까 영화는 ( 본 ) 셈 치고 밥 먹으러 가지 않을래요?
Please read this sentence until you can read it naturally. Then, let’s try the next quiz!
친구를 도와주는 ( ) 친구 부탁을 들어주었다.
Let’s just say that I am helping my friend, I accepted my friend request.
(1)셈 치고 (2)셈이고
The correct answer is number one. 도와주다 means “to help.” You add 는 셈 치고 to the stem to make 도와주는 셈치고 “Let’s just say that I am helping my friend.”
In other words, the speaker is not that happy to accept his friend’s request. Maybe, his friend asked him to buy something expensive for him. But the speaker decided to accept his request assuming that he was helping his friend.
Can you feel the nuance?
Number two 셈이고 sounds a little bit strange. It’s not a common expression. So, don’t get tricked!
Then, let’s read this sentence together.
친구를 도와주는 (셈 치고) 친구 부탁을 들어주었다.
Please read this sentence to convey the feeling that you looked after your friend.
-는 수가 있다
Okay, then, let’s learn our last grammar, -는 수가 있다!
Hey, Tammy, this is very similar to 할 수 있다.
That’s right.
할 수 있다 means “can do something,” right? You can express the possibility. On the other hands, this 하는 수가 있다 means “(sub) will do ~.”
You use this expression to threaten, order, or warn the other person because you can expect a possibility that something negative might happen.
You use -는 수가 있다 only with the present tense of a noun modifier. Therefore, 가다 “to go” will be 가는 수가 있다 “（I) will go.” 먹다 “to eat” will be 먹는 수가 있다 “（I) will eat.”
Then, let’s read a sample sentence to see what kind of warning the speaker is giving.
방 청소 안 하면 용돈 안 주는 수가 있어.
Clean your room, or I will not give you an allowance.
This is an expression a mother can use towards her child. The expression is a warning that if the state of the room remains unclean, the “(sub) will not give allowance.” So, you use -는 수가 있다.
In this sentence, 안 주다 means, “not to give.” So, you attach the present tense of a noun modifier to make 안 주는 수가 있다, “(I) will not give you an allowance.”
Let’s read what warning the speaker is giving next!
엄마 말 안 들으면 혼나는 수가 있어.
If you don’t listen to me, you will be scolded.
You can feel the atmosphere in which the mother is trying to persuade her child. By the way, I often use this expression to my children.
Here, 혼나다 is “to be scolded.” You attach 는 수가 있다 to make 혼나는 수가 있다. You change this to 반말 to make 혼나는 수가 있어, “(you) will be scolded.” Let’s see what the next speaker is advising on.
약도 과하게 먹으면 독이 되는 수가 있다.
Medicine can be poisonous if you take it too much.
Indeed, taking too much medicine is not healthy, right? Here, 독이 되다 means “to be poisonous.” You attach -는 수가 있다 to the stem to make 독이 되는 수가 있다 “can be poisonous.”
Quiz
Then, let’s deepen our understanding with some quizzes and give warnings or advice. Which one is the correct answer?
아들, 빨리 안 오면 우리가 고기 전부 ( ) 수가 있어.
Son, if you don’t come soon, we will eat all barbeque meat.
(1)먹은 (2) 먹는
Oh, no!! You should hurry to eat the meat!
The correct answer is number two. You can probably imagine a barbeque scene. Here, 먹다 is “to eat.” You attach -는 수가 있다 to make 먹는 수가 있다 “(we) will eat.”
Since this is a casual speaking, you say, 먹는 수가 있어, “(we) will eat.”
Number two is wrong because 먹은 is not the present tense. the present tense, 먹는 is always correct for this grammar. So, be careful!
Then, let’s read this sentence by imagining a family barbeque scene!
아들, 빨리 안 오면 우리가 고기 전부 (먹는 ) 수가 있어.
Please read this sentence with the feeling of making the listener hurry up. Let’s read the next sample sentence.
운전할 때 졸지 마. 그러다가 사고가 ( ) 있다.
Don’t sleep when you are driving. If you do such a thing, you will have an accident.
(1)날 (2) 나는 수가
The correct answer is number two. 사고가 나다 is “to have an accident.” You attach -는 수가 있다 to the verb stem to make 나는 수가 있다, “you will have an accident.”
Number one is incorrect because 날 is the future tense. It is always the present tense for this grammar! So, don’t get tricked!
Then, let’s warn this person with dignity!
운전할 때 졸지 마. 그러다가 사고가 (나는 수가 ) 있다.
Please read this sentence as if you were sincerely giving advice.
Homework
Now, it’s time for today’s saying!
속는 셈 치고 “자기는 할 수 있다”고 몇 번이나 말해 보세요!
저절로 자존감이 올라갈 겁니다!
Pretend to be fooled and say “I can do it” over and over again!
Your self-esteem will rise naturally.”?
Wow!! such a powerful sentence! You should trust yourself to improve your Korean, right?
Then, I will announce today’s homework! There are two parts to the homework. For the first part, please make three sentences, using today’s grammar.
For the first sentence, please use -는 사이에, “while (sub) is doing ~.”
For example,
나는 시험에 합격하기 위해서 사람들이 자는 사이에 공부한다.
To pass the examination, I study while everyone else is sleeping.
This is a wonderful sentence that conveys the fact that this person is making an effort.
For the second sentence, please use -는 셈 치다, “to tentatively pretend as if ~/let’s say that”
For example,
오늘은 많이 걸었으니까 운동한 셈 치고 헬스장은 오늘 하루 쉬어야지.
Today, since I walked a lot, let’s say that I exercised and skip going to the gym.
There is a nuance of making an excuse for himself. Right?
For the third sentence, please use -는 수가 있다, “(sub) will do ~,” to warn a child as if you are a parent.
For example,
그렇게 공부 안 하면 이번 토픽 시험에 떨어지는 수가 있어!
If you don’t study, you might fail the coming TOPIK examination!
If you put your hands on your waist, you might come up with some good sentences.
The second homework is to memorize new words. Please memorize the forty words beginning from number 1641 to number 1680, on page 21 of the intermediate vocabulary list. There is a vocabulary quiz for forty words on my website, so feel free to try it. The link is in the description box.
That’s all! Great job, everyone, as always. I am wholeheartedly cheering for the happiness of all of you.
수업 정말 수고 많았어요!!
그럼 오늘도 행복 가득, 웃음 가득한 하루 되세요！
한국어 화이팅, 화이팅, 화이팅！！
