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Lv 4Grammar expressionIntermediate · TOPIK II

-을 모양이다

-eul moyang-ida

it looks like (will happen)

Attaches to a verb stem to guess, based on other facts or circumstances, that something will happen or be a certain way in the future.

Form

Other shapes
-ㄹ 모양이다

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to guess that something could happen or be in a certain state in the future, considering another fact or situation.

    다른 사실이나 상황으로 보아 앞으로 어떤 일이 일어나거나 어떤 상태일 것이라고 추측함을 나타내는 표현.

    ※ ‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

Examples

  • 영수는 배탈이 난 이후로 죽만 먹더니 오늘부터는 밥을 먹을 모양이다.

    Yeongsu had only been eating porridge since his stomach trouble, but it looks like he'll start eating rice again today.

  • 승규는 아까부터 두통이 있다고 하던데 약을 안 먹고 있는 걸 보니 참을 모양이다.

    Seunggyu said he's had a headache for a while, but since he's not taking any medicine, it looks like he's going to just tough it out.

  • 지수가 강아지를 잃어버려서 속상해했는데 보호하고 있는 사람한테 연락이 왔다니까 곧 찾을 모양이야.

    Jisu was upset about losing her puppy, but since someone looking after it got in touch, it looks like she'll find it soon.

  • 아직까지 아무도 안 오는 걸 보면 지원자가 없을 모양이다.

    Since no one's shown up yet, it looks like there are no applicants.

  • 아까 승규한테 전화하니까 자고 있던데, 언제 온대? 방금 택시를 탔다니까 모임에 늦지는 않을 모양이야.

    I called Seunggyu earlier and he was asleep -- when's he coming? He just said he got in a taxi, so it looks like he won't be late to the gathering.

  • 민준이가 한껏 멋을 내는 걸 보니 여자 친구를 만날 모양이다.

    Minjun is dressed to the nines, so it looks like he's going to meet his girlfriend.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Don’t confuse with

Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-을 모양이다’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “it looks like (will happen)”?