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-기. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
-기, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
-기 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
-기 you have here. The definition of the word
-기 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
-기, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Jeju
Etymology
See Korean -기 (-gi).
Suffix
-기 (-gi)
- to, -ing, that...; derives verbal and adjectival substantives.
- -ing, -ment, -tion; derives nouns from verbs and adjectives.
Korean
Etymology 1
From Middle Korean -기〮 (-kí) ~ -이〮 (-í). The suffix was rare in fifteenth-century Middle Korean (Lee and Ramsey 2011, p. 177), but came to increasingly displace -옴 (-wom).
Suffix
-기 • (-gi)
- to, -ing, that...; derives verbal and adjectival substantives.
- Synonym: (formal) -음 (-eum)
- 아기들은 울기만 한다. ― Agi-deur-eun ul-gi-man handa. ― All babies do is cry.
- 죽기는 쉽고 살기는 어렵다. ― Juk-gi-neun swipgo sal-gi-neun eoryeopda. ― It is easy to die and difficult to live.
- 이 아이는 그림 그리기를 잘한다. ― I ai-neun geurim geuri-gi-reul jal-handa. ― This child is good at drawing pictures.
- 그가 떠났기 때문이다. ― Geu-ga tteonat-gi ttaemun-ida. ― It is because of him leaving.
- -ing, -ment, -tion; derives nouns from verbs and adjectives.
- Synonyms: -음 (-eum), -이 (-i)
- 듣- (deut-, “to listen”) + -기 (-gi) → 듣기 (deutgi, “listening”)
- 달리- (dalli-, “to run”) + -기 (-gi) → 달리기 (dalligi, “running”)
Derived terms
Etymology 2
Suffix
-기 • (-gi)
- For Sino-Korean suffixes, see the entries at 기 (gi).
Middle Korean
- 기〮 (-kí) – After a vowel.
- -이〮 (-í) – After a consonant.
Suffix
-기〮 (-kí)
- -ing, -ment, -tion; derives nouns from verbs and adjectives.
Derived terms
- 글스기 (kul-su-ki, “writing”)
- 남진어르기 (namcin-elu-ki, “courting a husband”)