Formal Reasoning: -ㄴ/은/는 즉 (That Is, Namely)

This pattern takes a situation and explains the result or meaning. You attach it to the end of a verb or adjective. It tells the listener, "Based on what I just said, here is the point." It creates a very strong link between two ideas. The first part is usually the reason or the definition. The second part is the logical outcome or the clarification. It is like saying, "The situation is X, which means Y." It simplifies complex ideas by breaking them down. You will often see it in news reports or academic papers. It helps the writer sound objective and professional. It is like a grammar traffic light. It signals that a clear explanation is coming next.

1. 1For Adjectives, look at the stem. If it ends in a vowel, add -ㄴ 즉. If it ends in a consonant, add -은 즉. For example, 좋다 becomes 좋은 즉.
2. 2For Verbs, simply add -는 즉. This works for both vowel and consonant stems. For example, 가다 becomes 가는 즉 and 먹다 becomes 먹는 즉.
3. 3For Nouns, you use the form 인즉 or 인즉슨. This is very common in spoken formal Korean. For example, 사실 (fact) becomes 사실인즉.
4. 4For Past Tense, you use -았던/었던 즉. This refers to something that already happened. For example, 본 즉 means "having seen it."

Use this when you are in a formal setting. Imagine you are at a job interview. You want to explain your philosophy on work. You could say, "My goal is growth, namely (인즉) helping the company." It is also great for giving directions in a formal way. If you are writing a report for a professor, use it to define terms. It works well when you are stating a logical truth. For example, "If you study hard, namely (하는 즉), you will succeed." Use it when you want to sound authoritative. It is perfect for presentations where you need to be very clear. It also appears in historical dramas when kings give orders. It adds a touch of class to your Korean.

Do not use this when texting your best friend. It will sound like you are reading from an old textbook. Avoid it when ordering food at a restaurant. If you say, "I am hungry, namely (인즉), give me chicken," the server will be confused. It is too heavy for casual daily life. Do not use it if you are not 100% sure of the logic. Because it is so formal, mistakes stand out more. It is not for emotional or vague statements. It is for facts and logical steps. If the situation is lighthearted, stick to -니까 or -어서. Using it in a casual setting is like wearing a ball gown to the gym. It just doesn't fit the vibe.

Many people confuse this with simple "because" endings. They use it for personal feelings. For example, 슬픈 즉 (Since I am sad) sounds very weird. It should be used for objective facts. Another mistake is using the wrong ending for verbs and adjectives. Remember, verbs always take -는 즉. Adjectives change based on the final consonant. Some people forget the 인 when using it with nouns. 사실 즉 is wrong; it must be 사실인즉. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! Don't worry if you find it tricky at first. Another mistake is using it in the middle of a very casual sentence. It creates a "tone clash" that sounds awkward. Keep the whole sentence formal.

How is this different from -니까? Well, -니까 is for general reasons. -(으)ㄴ/는 즉 is for formal definitions or logical results. It is much more serious. How about -라는 것은? That is used for defining a word. -(으)ㄴ/는 즉 is used for explaining a whole situation. It is also different from -말하자면. -말하자면 is like saying "so to speak." It is more conversational. -(으)ㄴ/는 즉 is more like a mathematical equation. A leads to B. It is also more formal than -기 때문에. Think of -기 때문에 as a standard reason. Think of -(으)ㄴ/는 즉 as a high-level logical proof.