siheom jeone gongbuhaneun geoseun dangyeonhaeyo.

It is natural to study before an exam.

Breakdown of siheom jeone gongbuhaneun geoseun dangyeonhaeyo.

• ~은: topic particle
• 공부하다: to study
• 시험: exam
• 전에: before
• 것: thing
• 당연하다: natural

Questions & Answers about siheom jeone gongbuhaneun geoseun dangyeonhaeyo.

What is the function of -는 것 in 공부하는 것은?

-는 것 turns the verb phrase 공부하다 (“to study”) into a noun phrase, literally “the act of studying.” In this sentence, 공부하는 것 means “studying.”

Why is 은 attached to 것 (making 것은) instead of another particle?

은/는 is the topic marker in Korean. By saying 공부하는 것은, you’re marking “studying” as the topic: “As for studying…”

Could I use -기 instead of -는 것, like 공부하기는?

Yes. 공부하기는 uses the nominalizer -기 plus the topic/contrast marker 는. It’s slightly more formal or literary. 공부하는 것은 feels more natural in everyday speech.

What does 시험 전에 mean, and why 전에 not just 전?

시험 전 (“exam-before”) is an attributive form that modifies a noun (e.g. 시험 전 준비). When you want to say “before the exam” as a standalone time expression, you add the time/location marker 에, giving 시험 전에.

What exactly does 당연해요 mean here?

당연해요 is the polite present form of the adjective 당연하다, meaning “to be natural,” “to be obvious,” or “to go without saying.” So 공부하는 것은 당연해요 means “Studying is only natural.”

Is there a nuance difference between 공부하는 것은 당연해요 and 공부해야 해요?

Yes.

• 공부해야 해요 (“you have to study”) expresses obligation.
• 공부하는 것은 당연해요 (“studying is natural/obvious”) states that it’s a given or expected, not giving a direct command.

What level of politeness is -해요 in 당연해요?

The -해요 ending is polite (해요체), suitable for everyday conversation with people you’re not extremely close to or in semi-formal situations.