-기에
gie
Grammar · 3 senses
for, to, too X to Y, not enough X to Y
Examples
바다 가기에는 날씨가 딱 좋아요.
The weather is just right for going to the beach.
케이크 먹기엔 너무 배불러.
I'm too full to eat cake.
그 게임 하기엔 인원이 부족해. 8인부터잖아.
We don't have enough people to play that game. It's for 8 or more players.
When you'd hear it
-기에 is common in both speech and writing, though everyday conversation often shortens it to -기엔. It is especially natural when judging whether something is suitable, possible, or sufficient, as in plans, activities, and practical situations.
What learners get wrong
Learners may confuse -기에 with -(으)려면, but -기에 evaluates whether conditions are right or enough for an action, while -(으)려면 means “if one wants to” or “in order to.”
think, feel
Examples
너가 보기엔 어때?
What do you think about it?
제가 보기에는 아주 능력 있는 분이에요.
I think she's very capable.
제가 느끼기에는 그 책은 초등학생이 읽기에는 적절하지 않아요.
I feel that that book is not appropriate for elementary schoolers to read.
When you'd hear it
This pattern appears in phrases such as 보기에는, 듣기에는, and 느끼기에는 in polite conversation and writing. 보기엔 is a common contracted form, especially in speech and online discussion.
What learners get wrong
Do not automatically read -기에 as “because”: in 보기에는 and 느끼기에는, the preceding verb gives the viewpoint. The context and verbs of perception or judgment usually distinguish this use from the causal -기에.
Since, because, As a result of...
Examples
날씨가 따뜻하기에 산책을 했다.
Since the weather was warm, I went for a walk.
사람들이 너무 많기에 다른 곳에 갔다.
Because there were too many people, I went to a different place.
When you'd hear it
This ending is common in formal writing, official notices, reports, and literary or public speech. It can sound stiff in casual conversation, though it may appear in dramas when a character is speaking formally.
What learners get wrong
Learners often use it as if it were ordinary conversational -아서/어서. Use -기에 for a formal or written tone, and -아서/어서 for everyday conversation.
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