Formal Nominalization (-(으)ㅁ)
-(으)ㅁ (명사화)
Turns a verb into a formal noun form, used in written and official contexts.
Pattern
Verb/Adjective stem + -(으)ㅁ
Explanation
-(으)ㅁ is a nominalizing suffix that converts verbs and adjectives into noun forms. Use -ㅁ after stems ending in a vowel and -음 after stems ending in a consonant: 알다 (know) → 앎 (knowing/knowledge), 죽다 (die) → 죽음 (death), 슬프다 (sad) → 슬픔 (sadness), 기쁘다 (happy) → 기쁨 (joy).
Many -(으)ㅁ forms have become established nouns in their own right: 꿈 (dream, from 꾸다), 잠 (sleep, from 자다), 웃음 (laughter, from 웃다), 울음 (crying, from 울다). These are used as regular nouns and appear frequently in everyday Korean.
Compared to -기, -(으)ㅁ is more formal, objective, and factual. It is preferred in formal writing, official documents, and news articles. For example, 그가 떠남을 알았다 (I knew of his departure) is more formal than 그가 떠나기를 알았다. TOPIK Level 3 learners should recognize -(으)ㅁ forms in reading passages.
Examples
죽음을 두려워하지 마세요.
Jugeumreul duryeowohaji maseyo.
Don't be afraid of death.
그의 슬픔을 이해해요.
Geuui seulpeumeul ihaehaeyo.
I understand his sadness.
웃음이 가장 좋은 약이에요.
Useumi gajang joeun yagieyo.
Laughter is the best medicine.
앎의 기쁨은 크다.
Amui gippeumeun keuda.
The joy of knowledge is great.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
슬프기를 이해해요.
Correct
슬픔을 이해해요.
For established emotional nouns like 슬픔 (sadness), 기쁨 (joy), use -(으)ㅁ forms, not -기.
Wrong
죽기를 두려워하지 마세요.
Correct
죽음을 두려워하지 마세요.
죽음 is the established noun form for 'death'. While -기 is grammatically possible, -(으)ㅁ is natural here.
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