Yap.Town

거는

what …, starting a conversation with, speaking to, picking a fight with, hitting on

→ 것
phrase Uncommon #9,965
what … A colloquial form of 것은, used to make a preceding action or description the topic: “as for what …” or “the thing that ….”
KO: 내가 원하는 거는 조용한 하루야.
EN: What I want is a quiet day.

네가 죽인 거는 맞는 거 네요?

So you did kill him, then?

— 마더 (2009)

이칸다고 죽은 아가 살아 돌아오는 거는 아니잖아요, 여보

It’s not like our dead baby is going to come back to life just because we do this, honey.

— 친절한 금자씨 (2005)

일단 네가 개 때린 거는 맞지?

You did hit the dog, though, right?

— The Chaser (2008)

나 한테 말 거는 거 냐?

Are you talking to me?

— 증오 (1995)

verb · informal Rare #15,741
starting a conversation with, speaking to Often used in the phrase 말을 걸다, meaning to start talking to someone.
KO: 처음 보는 사람에게 말을 거는 건 어려워요.
EN: It’s hard to start a conversation with someone you’ve just met.
picking a fight with Often used in the phrase 시비를 걸다, meaning to provoke or pick a fight with someone.
KO: 그 사람은 아무 이유 없이 나한테 시비를 거는 것 같아.
EN: I think that person is picking a fight with me for no reason.
hitting on Colloquial; often used in the phrase 작업을 걸다.
KO: 저 사람이 너한테 작업을 거는 것 같아.
EN: I think that person is hitting on you.
calling Used for making a phone call, as in 전화를 걸다.
KO: 지금 친구한테 전화를 거는 중이에요.
EN: I’m calling a friend right now.
hanging Used for putting something on or from something, as in 귀에 걸다 (hang or wear something on the ear).
KO: 귀에 거는 이어폰을 샀어요.
EN: I bought earphones that you wear over your ears.
Conjugation of 걸다
걸고걸건거는
Indicative
걸어
Imperative
걸게
Indicative present
걸어요
Future
걸게요
Necessitative
걸어야
Irrealis
걸지

누구 한테 전화 거는 거 지?

Who are you calling?

— 리턴 (2003)

전 또 변태 아저씨가 작업 거는 줄 알았어요

I thought another pervert was hitting on me.

— 포풍추영 (2025)

시칠리에서 거는 거 예요

I'm calling from Sicily.

— 시네마 천국 (1988)

귀에 거는 게 어때?

How about wearing it over your ears?

— 음식남녀 (1994)

난 무라드 에게 거는 기대가 아주 커

I have very high expectations for Murad.

— 걸리 보이 (2019)