V/A + -(으)ㅁ – Nominalization & Derived Nouns (-(으)ㅁ)
Meaning: Act of doing; state of being (Nominalizer & concise written ending)
Conjugation & Pattern
- V/A stem without batchim or ending in ㄹ: + -ㅁ (자다 -> 잠, 꾸다 -> 꿈, 아프다 -> 아픔, 살다 -> 삶)
- V/A stem with batchim (except ㄹ): + -음 (죽다 -> 죽음, 믿다 -> 믿음, 돕다 -> 도움, 걷다 -> 걸음)
Detailed Usage
Serves two key functions: (1) Derives standalone nouns from native Korean verbs and adjectives (e.g., 기쁨 - joy, 슬픔 - sadness, 모임 - gathering, 도움 - help); (2) Acts as a concise sentence-final ending in memos, notices, reports, and notes (e.g., 이상 없음 - nothing abnormal).
Example Sentences
- 1
어려움 뒤에는 반드시 기쁨이 찾아옵니다.
Eoryeoum dwieneun bandeusi gippeumi chajaomnida.
Joy surely comes after hardship.
- 2
선생님의 따뜻한 말씀이 저에게 큰 도움이 되었어요.
Seonsaengnimui ttatteuthan malsseumi jeoege keun doumi doeeosseoyo.
The teacher's warm words were a great help to me.
- 3
젊음을 유지하려면 규칙적으로 운동해야 합니다.
Jeolmeumeul yujiharyeomyeon gyuchikjeogeuro undonghaeya hamnida.
To maintain youthfulness, you must exercise regularly.
Important Notes
Watch out for irregular stems when adding '-(으)ㅁ': 돕다 -> 도움, 그립다 -> 그리움 (ㅂ irregular); 걷다 -> 걸음, 묻다 -> 물음 (ㄷ irregular); 살다 -> 삶, 알다 -> 앎 (ㄹ merges with ㅁ into ㄻ).
