Look at how the ending before 것 같아요 shifts depending on the time of the event:
- Past observation: You see puddles on the ground → *“비가 온 것 같아요.”* (It seems it rained.) - Present observation: You see raindrops falling right now → *“비가 오는 것 같아요.”* (It seems to be raining.) - Future prediction: You check tomorrow’s weather app → *“비가 올 것 같아요.”* (I think it will rain.)
Past (과거)-(으)ㄴ 것 같다 · 비가 온 것 같아요 · Looking at wet puddles on the ground
Present (현재)-는 것 같다 · 비가 오는 것 같아요 · Watching rain falling right now
Future (미래/추측)-(으)ㄹ 것 같다 · 비가 올 것 같아요 · Checking tomorrow’s weather forecast
Why do these three have different shapes?
Notice that the small piece attached to the verb changes depending on time:
- 과거: -(으)ㄴ - 현재: -는 - 미래: -(으)ㄹ
Why do these exact three shapes exist across Korean? You will discover the astonishing secret behind this in the very next stage! For now, simply remember how each tense sounds.
어제 비가 온 것 같아요.It seems it rained yesterday. (Past observation)
지금 비가 오는 것 같아요.It seems to be raining right now. (Present observation)
내일 비가 올 것 같아요.I think it will rain tomorrow. (Future prediction)
연습 · Practice
이 레슨에는 풀어 보는 문제가 6개 있습니다. 앱에서 하나씩 맞히며 넘어갑니다. 6 exercises come with this lesson — open it to work through them.