Academic Definition: -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다 (Means That)

This pattern combines three parts. First, you take a verb or adjective. Second, you turn it into a noun using -ㄴ/은/는 것. Finally, you add the object marker -를 and the verb 뜻한다. The verb 뜻하다 means "to mean" or "to signify". By using the noun form, you are defining a specific action or state as the meaning of a subject. For example, if you want to define "happiness," you don't just say "happiness is good." You say "Happiness means living a fulfilling life." In Korean, that becomes 행복은 보람찬 삶을 사는 것을 뜻한다. It focuses on the descriptive nature of the definition. It is very common in written Korean. You won't hear people say this while eating tteokbokki at a street stall. But you will definitely see it in a dictionary or a business contract. It is the gold standard for formal explanations.

1. 1Creating this structure is like building a Lego set. Follow these steps carefully:
2. 2Identify the verb or adjective that describes the meaning.
3. 3Check the tense of that description. Usually, definitions use the present tense.
4. 4For verbs ending in a vowel, add -는 것. For example: 가다 becomes 가는 것.
5. 5For verbs ending in a consonant, also add -는 것. For example: 먹다 becomes 먹는 것.
6. 6For adjectives ending in a vowel, add -ㄴ 것. For example: 크다 becomes 큰 것.
7. 7For adjectives ending in a consonant, add -은 것. For example: 작다 becomes 작은 것.
8. 8Add the object marker 을 (often shortened or kept as 것을).
9. 9Finish with the formal verb 뜻한다.
10. 10Remember, the subject of your sentence usually takes the topic marker -은/는. This sets the stage for what you are about to define. It is like pointing a spotlight at the word before explaining it.

You should use this when you want to be precise. It is perfect for academic writing or formal presentations. If you are in a job interview and asked to define "teamwork," use this. It makes you sound professional and well-educated. Use it when writing a blog post about a serious topic. It is also great for explaining cultural terms to someone. For example, if you are explaining 정 (jeong), you might say it means "sharing hearts." Using -는 것을 뜻한다 makes that explanation feel official. It is also common in legal documents or technical manuals. If a manual says "Red light means stop," it would use this pattern. It is the "serious mode" of Korean grammar. Use it when you want people to take your definition seriously.

Do not use this with your friends or family. It will sound very strange and robotic. If your friend asks "What does this word mean?", just use ~라는 뜻이야. Using 뜻한다 in a cafe is like wearing a tuxedo to a gym. It is too stiff for casual conversations. Also, avoid using it for simple translations. If you are just saying "Apple means 사과," don't use this complex pattern. This is for defining concepts, not just swapping words. Don't use it if you are unsure of the definition. Because it sounds so formal, people will assume you are an expert. If you are wrong, you will look extra silly! Keep it for the big, important explanations.

The most common mistake is forgetting the noun-making part. You cannot say 가다 뜻한다. You must say 가는 것을 뜻한다. Another mistake is using the wrong tense marker. Remember that definitions are usually timeless truths. So, we almost always use the present tense -는. Some people forget the object marker 을. While you can omit it in speech, you should keep it in formal writing. Another trap is using it for people. You don't use this to say "He means a lot to me." That is a different kind of "mean." This is only for definitions and significations. Finally, don't mix it up with ~라고 한다. That is for quoting what people say, not defining what things mean. It is a subtle difference, but a big one for native speakers.

You might know ~라는 뜻이다. This is the most common alternative. ~라는 뜻이다 is like saying "It means X." It is versatile and used in both speech and writing. However, -ㄴ/은/는 것을 뜻한다 is more descriptive. It focuses on the action or state within the definition. There is also ~를 의미한다. 의미하다 is a synonym for 뜻하다. They are almost interchangeable. However, 뜻하다 feels slightly more native Korean, while 의미하다 is a Hanja-based word. In very formal papers, you might see ~라 함은 ~을 말한다. This is the "final boss" of formal definitions. It is even more archaic and formal than our pattern today. If you see that, you are probably reading a law book or a very old philosophy text.