VS + 는 듯 마는 듯

1. Title

VS + 는 듯 마는 듯 — "It seems like [someone] is doing it, but not really"

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2. Grammar Explanation

-는 듯 마는 듯 is a descriptive expression used to indicate that someone seems to be doing something but not clearly or fully. It carries a strong nuance of hesitation, uncertainty, or incomplete action, and often reflects the speaker's subjective judgment or guess.

Let’s analyze this structure:

• -는 듯 literally means "seems like [someone] is doing..." and conveys a sense of guessing or assumption.

• -마는 듯 adds the nuance of not really completing the action, implying that it’s only half-done or not fully carried out.

When combined, -는 듯 마는 듯 하다 describes an action that appears to be happening but only vaguely or incompletely, and the speaker is not fully certain.

This form is commonly used in descriptive writing, such as novels or lyrics, but also used in everyday Korean to give nuanced, detailed descriptions of behavior or expression.

Conjugation:

1. Take the verb stem.

2. Add -는 듯 마는 듯 하다 to form a descriptive phrase.

It can also be shortened as:

• -는 듯 마는 듯 (without 하다) in casual or poetic speech.

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3. Example Sentences

1. 그 남자는 말하는 듯 마는 듯 중얼거렸어요.
   (He mumbled as if speaking, but not clearly.)

2. 아기가 울 듯 말 듯 눈물이 맺혔어요.
   (The baby looked like she was about to cry, but didn’t.)

3. 민수는 대답하는 듯 마는 듯 고개만 끄덕였어요.
   (Minsu only nodded, as if he was answering but not fully.)

4. 친구는 웃는 듯 마는 듯 애매한 표정을 지었어요.
   (My friend made a vague expression, seeming to smile but not really.)

5. 학생이 손을 드는 듯 마는 듯 머뭇거렸어요.
   (The student hesitated, almost raising their hand.)

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4. Sample Dialogues

Dialogue 1
A: 저 사람 지금 뭐 하는 거야?
B: 말하는 듯 마는 듯 하네. 헷갈려.

A: What is that person doing right now?
B: Seems like he’s talking, but I can't tell for sure.

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Dialogue 2
A: 고양이가 자는 거야?
B: 자는 듯 마는 듯 해. 눈을 살짝 떴어.

A: Is the cat sleeping?
B: Looks like it’s sleeping, but kind of not. Its eyes are slightly open.

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5. Make Korean Sentences from English!

1. I seemed to be studying, but I wasn’t really focused.

2. My mom looked like she was listening, but she wasn’t really.

3. My friend was trying to talk, but hesitated.

4. I answered the question, but not clearly.

5. My brother smiled faintly, like he was hiding something.

6. The customer seemed like they were going to buy something, but didn’t.

7. The singer sang quietly, like whispering.

8. My friend looked like she was going to cry.

9. The baby made a sound like laughing, but stopped.

10. The dog barked a little, but then stopped.