V + -(으)ㄴ/는 척하다

1. Title

Expressing Habits and Attitudes with -(으)ㄴ/는 척하다

2. Grammar Explanation

The Korean expression -(으)ㄴ/는 척하다 is used to indicate that the subject is acting in a way that contradicts reality or to describe such a state. This pattern is often used to describe someone pretending or feigning a certain action or state.

Usage:

1. Present Tense:

   • Verb stem + 는 척하다: Describes pretending to be doing something currently.

     • Example: 그는 자는 척해요. (He pretends to sleep.)

2. Past Tense:

   • Verb + ㄴ/은 척하다: Describes pretending to have done something.

     • Example: 나는 책을 읽은 척했어요. (I pretended to have read the book.)

3. Adjectives:

   • Adjective + ㄴ/은 척하다: Describes pretending to have a certain attribute.

     • Example: 그녀는 예쁜 척해요. (She pretends to be pretty.)

* If the verb ends with ㄹ, you have to drop ‘ㄹ’ and plus 는 척하다, when you want to make a sentence in the present tense. When it comes to the past tense, you have to drop ‘ㄹ’ and plus ㄴ 척하다.

• to cry 울다 (present tense : 우는 척하다 / past tense : 운 척하다)

3. Example Sentences

1. 제 남자친구는 항상 바쁜 척해요.

   • My girlfriend always pretends to be busy.

2. 선생님은 아픈 척하면서 학교에 안 갔어요.

   • My teacher pretended to be sick and didn't go to school.

3. 나는 친구들 앞에서 한국어를 잘하는 척했어요.

   • I pretended to be good at Korean in front of my friends.

4. 제 친구는 귀여운 척해요.

   • My friend pretends to be cute.

5. 우리는 그 이야기를 처음 듣는 척했어요.

   • We pretended to hear the story for the first time.

4. Sample Dialogues

• A : 와 진짜 맛있다! (Wow, this is so delicious!)

  B : 맞아, 저번보다 훨씬 더 맛있어졌어. (Right, it became more delicious than last time.)

  A : 저번..? 우리 여기 처음 왔어. (Last time? This is the first time we came here.)

  B : …

  A : 너 전 여자친구랑 왔지? 아닌 척하지 마. (You came here with your ex right? do not pretend you didn’t.)

• A : 너 왜 내 폰 보고 있어? (Why are you checking my phone?)

  B : 야. 그건 됐고, 이 남자 누구야? (Hey, that’s not important. Who is this guy?)

  A : …

  B : 얘 니 전 남자친구지? (This is your ex, right?)

  A : 아니, 우리 사촌오빤데. (No, he is my cousin.)

  B : 거짓말 하지 마!!! (Do not lie!!!)

5. Make Korean Sentences from English!

1. I pretend to be happy.

2. My mom pretended to know the answer.

3. My sister pretends to study.

4. My friend pretended to have finished the homework.

5. The teacher pretended to be angry.

6. I pretended not to see him.

7. My brother pretended to be brave.

8. My friend pretends to be tired.

9. I pretended to hear the conversation.

10. My mom pretended to be asleep.