Learn Korean: Verb + 모습

Let's take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 모습. 모습 has several meanings the basic of which are figure, shape, or image. We use this to talk about someone’s way of doing something or the image of someone when doing something. If your smile brightens my mood, I would tell you I like / the way you smile. The second part is expressed through 모습. The main verb is 웃다 (to smile). It also means to laugh. We take the verb (웃) and attach 는 모습. 웃는 모습 refers to her image when she smiles. And to say that I like it, I use the word 좋다. The actual sentence is 웃는 모습(이) 좋아(요). If my lazy son starts working his ass off, I would compliment him that he looks doing that or being like that. The main verb is 열심히 일하다 (to work hard). We take the verb stem (일하) and attach 는 모습. 열심히 일하는 모습 refers to the way he looks when he works hard. And to say it’s cool, I use the word 멋지다. The actual sentence is (아들) 열심히 일하는 모습 (아주) 멋져(요). The extra words mean son (아들) and very (아주).

공부하는 모습을 처음 봐.

It’s my first time to see you study. (the image of someone studying)

춤 추는 모습 완벽해.

You are perfect when you dance. (the image of someone when dancing)

가는 모습을 보기 아파요.

It hurts me to see you go. (the image of someone leaving)