intermediate
Turns an adjective into an adverb, or says what an action is for: 크게 (keuge), "loudly".
Checked against the official learner dictionary from the National Institute of Korean Language
- Same form after any stem: 크게 keuge, 맛있게 masitge.
- With adjectives it makes an adverb, like "-ly". With verbs it says the purpose: "so that…".
Build it
When to use it
How (adverbs)
Adjective + 게.
So that
The purpose of the action.
So that … not
With 지 않게 ji anke.
Watch out
Add 게 straight to the stem 예쁘 yeppeu.
In context
9 examples- 1
맛있게 드세요.
Masitge deuseyo.
Enjoy your meal.
- 2
방을 깨끗하게 청소했어요.
Bangeul kkaekkeutage cheongsohaesseoyo.
I gave the room a good clean.
- 3
감기에 걸리지 않게 따뜻하게 입으세요.
Gamgie geolliji anke ttatteutage ibeuseyo.
Dress warmly so you don't catch a cold.
- 4
사진 예쁘게 찍어 주세요.
Sajin yeppeuge jjigeo juseyo.
Please take a nice picture of me.
- 5
모두 볼 수 있게 크게 써 주세요.
Modu bol su itge keuge sseo juseyo.
Please write it big so everyone can see.
- 6
늦지 않게 일찍 출발했어요.
Neutji anke iljjik chulbalhaesseoyo.
I left early so I wouldn't be late.
- 7
주말 재미있게 보내세요.
Jumal jaemiitge bonaeseyo.
Have a fun weekend.
- 8
머리를 짧게 잘랐어요.
Meorireul jjalge jallasseoyo.
I cut my hair short.
- 9
아이들이 먹을 수 있게 안 맵게 만들었어요.
Aideuri meogeul su itge an maepge mandeureosseoyo.
I made it mild so the kids could eat it.
Practice
8 questions예쁘다 + 게
게 or 기 위해서?
Both can explain why you do something. 기 위해서 names a goal you're working toward, while 게 describes the situation you want to end up with, often so that someone else can do something:
- 살을 빼기 위해서 운동해요. sareul ppaegi wihaeseo undonghaeyo "I work out to lose weight."
- 모두 들을 수 있게 크게 말해요. modu deureul su itge keuge malhaeyo "I speak loudly so everyone can hear."
Don't mix it up with 게 meaning 것이
예쁘게 yeppeuge, stuck to the stem, means "prettily". 예쁜 게 yeppeun ge, with a space, is short for 예쁜 것이, "the pretty one". There's more on that in the 는 것 lesson.
Look it up in the dictionary
The entry for 게 in two trusted Korean dictionaries.