Korean: What's the meaning of 〜걸/〜것을

In this article, we will introduce "〜것을", which is very common in everyday conversations. First of all, we will explain the meaning of 〜것을, which is derived from 〜것을, and when it is placed at the end of a sentence, it has the meaning of euphemism or correction. Then we introduce the grammatical rules of conjugation because it is often used together with conjugation. Finally, let's take a look at some example sentences to practice.

Meaning

Abbreviations

"~걸" is an abbreviation of "것을".
것 is a pronoun that means "something". 을 is a particle used to indicate the object of the action, which is also known as the object in grammar books.
For more information on auxiliary words, please refer to this article [Korean: About Korean Particles 를/을, 는/은, 가/이] (/tutorial/en/basic/particles_ep1).

At the end of a sentence

It is not uncommon to hear or see "걸(요)" placed at the end of a sentence in everyday speech.
When it is placed at the end of a sentence, it usually means a euphemistic rebuttal or correction.

Since 것 is often used with verb/adjective conjugations, we'll introduce some grammar rules when 걸 is used with verb/adjective conjugations.

When 걸 is used with verb/adjective conjugations

The usage of conjugation has been discussed in the previous articles Korean: Modifying Nouns with Verb and Korean: Modifying Nouns with Adjective， If you are not familiar with it, we suggest you review it.
Because verb/adjective conjugation is related to tenses, the following is organized according to the tenses.

Present tense

Glossary	～걸(요)
specify word(이다)	～인 걸(요)
adjectives	～ㄴ 걸(요)
verbs/existential word(있다)	～는 걸(요)

Past tense

Glossary	～걸(요)
verbs	～ㄴ 걸(요)
adjectives	～았/었는 걸(요)

Past completion tense

Glossary	～걸(요)
verbs	～았/었는 걸(요)

未來式

Glossary	～걸(요)
verbs/adjectives	(으)ㄹ 걸(요)

Sentences

가장 싼 걸주세요.

Give me the cheapest one.

A:언제 집에 갈거야? B:일이있는 걸요.

A:When are you going home? B:There is work...

A:그는 아직 오지 않아? B:벌써 왔는걸.

A:He's not coming yet? B:already came.