아/어 보이다 vs 것 같다 = looks like, seems..

안녕하세요! I'm Koreanstudyjunkie. Welcome or welcome back to another lesson. I have a series aptly named "This vs That" where I break down the difference between 2 or more words or concepts.

In this lesson, we will look at 2 grammar structures that are sometimes translated the same as, "look like". I'll start by summarizing each concept individually.

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것 같다

USAGE:

Used when you’re making a subjective guess or assumption

Based on: feelings, indirect clues, general impression, incomplete info

Translation: It seems, I think, It looks like

TENSE:

[Past tense] Verb + -ㄴ/은 것 같다

가다 --> 간 것 같다 (look like he went...)

먹다 --> 먹은 것 같다 (seem that she ate...)

*만들다 --> 만든 것 같다 (look like she made...)

[Present tense] Verb + -는 것 같다 ;

Adjective + ㄴ/은 것 같다 ; Noun + 인 것 같다

학생 --> 학생인 것 같다 (seems one’s a student)

가다 --> 가는 것 같다 (looks like he’s going)

먹다 --> 먹는 것 같다 (seems like he’s eating)

*만들다 --> 만드는 것 같다

[Future tense] Verb + -ㄹ/을 것 같다 ;

Adjective + ㄹ/을 것 같다 ; Noun + 일 것 같다

작다 --> 작을 것 같다 (think will be small)

가다 --> 갈 것 같다 (seems she will go)

먹다 --> 먹을 것 같다 (looks like one will eat)

*만들다 --> 만들 것 같다 (seems one will make)

EXAMPLE SENTENCES:

집에 아무도 없는 것 같아요.

I guess there is no one in this house.

(Seeing the quiet house)

어젯밤에 비가 온 것 같아요.

It looks like it rained last night.

(Seeing water on the road)

PRACTICE TIME:

translate each sentence into Korean

1.) It seems like so many people are eating at the restaurant we planned to go to.

2.) Cheolsu seems really nice. Have you met him before?

3.) It seems like the kids that attend Korean schools don’t speak English that well.

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아/어 보이다

USAGE:

These grammatical structures are used to express "looks like" or "seems to be". They are primarily used when making assumptions based on appearance or circumstances.

Translation: Seems like, Looks like

TENSE:

Present Tense: Adjective + 아/어 보이다 or -게 보이다

좋다 --> 좋아 보이다 or 좋게 보이다 (look good)

무겁다 --> 무거워 보이다 or 무겁게 보이다 (seem heavy)

차갑다 -> 차가워 보이다 or 차갑게 보이다 (look cold)

재미있다 --> 재미있어 보이다 or 재미있게 보이다

(seem interesting)

Past Tense: Adjective + 아/어 보였다 or -게 보였다

좋다 --> 좋아 보였다 or 좋게 보였다 (looked good)

덥다 --> 더워 보였다 or 덥게 보였다 (looked hot)

Future Tense: Adjective +

아/어 보일 것이다 or -게 보일 것이다

시원하다 --> 시원해 보일 것이다 (will look cool)

좋다 --> 좋아 보일 것이다 (will look good)

덥다 --> 더워 보일 것이다 (will look hot)

EXAMPLE SENTENCES:

상자가 무거워 보이는데 같이 들까요?

The box looks heavy, shall we hold it together?

지도에서는 가까워 보이는데 걸어갈까요?

- 보기보다 머니까 버스를 타는게 좋겠어요.

In the map, it looks near, so should we take a walk?

- It's farther than it looks, so it is better to take a bus.

이렇게 더운 날씨에 코트를 입었어요? 너무 더워 보여요.

- 감기에 걸려서 그래요.

You wore a coat in this hot weather? It looks so hot.

- It's because I caught a cold.

이것은 무슨 놀이예요? 아주 재미있게 보여요.

- 한국의 전통 놀이인데 윷놀이라고 해요.

What game is this? It looks very interesting.

- It's a traditional Korean game called Yutnori.

PRACTICE TIME:

Translate each sentence

4). Woah, look! This cake looks delicious.

5). The sofa where Seung-gyu was sitting looked very comfortable.

6). Minho looks smart. Maybe because he is wearing glasses today.

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보이다 vs 것 같다

것 같다

> Mind-based guess

> Broader use

> Can be visual, logical, emotional, or contextual

보이다

> Sight-based impression

> Usually appearance / visible state

> Feels more immediate and observational

Koreans actually use 것 같다 WAY more broadly.

It’s like the universal softener for opinions: sounds less blunt, polite, and natural. You’ll hear it way more.

They CAN overlap

Sometimes both are natural but change nuance:

그 영화 재미있을 것 같아요.

= I think the movie will be fun. (general guess)

그 영화 재미있어 보여요.

= The movie looks fun. (based on actual visuals)

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Hopefully you learned something new today! That's all i have for you today. I have linked below 3 "related" posts if you'd like to keep learning.

ANSWERS SECTION:

1). 우리가 가려고 한 식당에서 정말 많은 사람들이 식사를 하는 것 같아요. / 하고 있는 것 같아요.

2). 철수는 정말 좋은 사람인 것 같아요. 그를 만난 적이 있나요?

3). 한국 학교에 다니는 아이들은 영어를 잘 못하는 것 같아요.

4). 우와, 봐봐! 이 케이크는 맛있어 보여요.

5). 승규가 앉아 있는 소파는 무척 편안해 보였어요.

6). 민준이는 똑똑해 보인데 안경을 쓰고 있어서 그래요.

민준이는 안경을 쓰고 있어서 그런지 똑똑해 보인다.