EPS-TOPIK Chapter 31-2 Korean Grammar: -게 (How You Do Something)

Chapter 31-2

Adjective Stem + -게

In a … way / -ly (Nang …)

🎯 This page’s goal: I can describe HOW someone does something (-게).
🇵🇭 Kaya kong ilarawan KUNG PAANO ginagawa ng isang tao ang isang bagay.

🛑 WAIT! Grammar is way easier once you know the words — if you haven’t studied Chapter 31-2 Vocabulary (Work Attitude) yet, go memorize them first! Today we’ll learn -게 to say HOW someone does something — perfect for compliments at work.

🇵🇭 Teka muna! Mas madali ang grammar kapag alam mo na ang mga salita — kung hindi mo pa naaral ang Chapter 31-2 Vocabulary (Work Attitude), i-memorize muna ito! Ngayon, aralin natin ang -게 para sabihin KUNG PAANO ginagawa ng isang tao ang isang bagay — swak sa pagpuri sa trabaho.

👉 Go to Vocabulary Ch 31-2 First

📌 1. What is -게?

-게 is mainly attached to an adjective to show HOW or HOW MUCH an action is done — just like “-ly” in English (diligent → diligently).
🇵🇭 Idinidikit ang -게 pangunahin sa pang-uri para ipakita KUNG PAANO o GAANO ginagawa ang isang kilos — parang “-ly” sa English o “nang …” sa Tagalog.

[Basic pattern]
✅ Just add -게 to the stem — no vowel change! 👉 (e.g., 성실하다 → 성실하게 일해요)
✅ Works with or without a final consonant 👉 (e.g., 짧다 → 짧게 잘랐어요, 싸다 → 싸게 샀어요)
✅ Put it right in front of the verb 👉 Adjective-게 + Verb (e.g., 단정하게 입어요)

💡 TIP: No irregular changes here — but watch the sound!
-게 never changes the stem: 무겁다 → 무겁게, 크다 → 크게, 바쁘다 → 바쁘게. But listen carefully: 짧게 sounds [짤께], 맛있게 sounds [마싣께], 늦게 sounds [늗께].
🇵🇭 Walang irregular dito — hindi nagbabago ang stem: 무겁다 → 무겁게, 크다 → 크게. Pero ingat sa tunog: 짧게 [짤께], 맛있게 [마싣께], 늦게 [늗께].
Compare: 칼로 씨는 성실해요. (Carlo IS diligent — about the person.) vs 칼로 씨는 성실하게 일해요. (Carlo works diligently — about HOW he works.)

💡 Remember: “Stem” means removing -다 first! Full explanation in Chapter 4-1.
🇵🇭 Tandaan: tinatanggal muna ang -다 para makuha ang “stem”! Buong paliwanag sa Chapter 4-1.

📖 2. Example Sentences

Korean	Meaning (English / Tagalog)
칼로 씨는 항상 성실하게 일하네요.	🇺🇸 Carlo always works so diligently! 🇵🇭 Palaging masipag magtrabaho si Carlo!
배가 고파서 점심을 아주 맛있게 먹었어요.	🇺🇸 I was hungry, so I really enjoyed my lunch. 🇵🇭 Gutom ako kaya sarap na sarap ako sa tanghalian ko.
머리를 너무 짧게 잘랐지요?	🇺🇸 I cut my hair too short, didn’t I? 🇵🇭 Masyado kong iniksian ang buhok ko, ano?
칼로 씨는 이야기를 재미있게 해요.	🇺🇸 Carlo tells stories in a fun way. 🇵🇭 Nakakatuwang magkuwento si Carlo.
마두 씨는 항상 옷을 단정하게 입어요.	🇺🇸 Madhu always dresses neatly. 🇵🇭 Palaging maayos manamit si Madhu.
일이 많아서 늦게 퇴근했어요.	🇺🇸 I had a lot of work, so I left work late. 🇵🇭 Marami akong trabaho kaya gabi na ako nakauwi galing trabaho.
휴게실이 지저분해서 깨끗하게 청소했어요.	🇺🇸 The break room was messy, so I cleaned it up nicely. 🇵🇭 Makalat ang break room kaya nilinis ko ito nang maayos.
지하철에서 크게 말하면 안 돼요.	🇺🇸 You shouldn’t talk loudly on the subway. 🇵🇭 Hindi ka dapat magsalita nang malakas sa subway.

💡 Quick tip: -게 is perfect for compliments at work! Saying “성실하게 일하네요” (You work so diligently) or “맛있게 드세요” (Enjoy your meal) will make your coworkers smile!

🎧 Final Step: Practice the Real Sound with Nova Player!

Learn with your ears, NOT your eyes! Listen and repeat again and again until it feels natural to you! 👇

✅ Can you do it now?
Can you say HOW someone does something in Korean? Try: 항상 성실하게 일해요.

👉 [VOCA] Ch 31-2
👉 [GRAMMAR] Ch 32-1
👉 [CONVERSATION] Ch 31-2

Source: HRD Korea Standard Textbook for EPS-TOPIK, rearranged by Teacher Nova for easier learning.
Pinagmulan: HRD Korea Standard Textbook para sa EPS-TOPIK, inayos ni Teacher Nova para sa mas madaling pag-aaral.