Learn Korean: 내가 + Verb + 건

내가 is a combination of 나 and the subject marker 가. We never say 나가 (it sounds like the verb for go out though). We use this pattern to express that something is what we do and that do can be anything depending on the verb-ending. It could something you did, something you can do, something you have to do, etc. The nuance and usage is the same with that in English. Moreover, you can change the subject of the sentence and 건 into specific nouns.

내가 바란 건 이런 게 아니었어.

This isn’t what I wanted.

내가 원하는 건 이것뿐이야.

This is all what I wanted, nothing else.

제가 하고 싶은 건 바로 이거야.

This is what I really wanted to do.

내가 듣고 싶은 건 우리 엄마 목소리야.

What I want to hear is my mom’s voice.

내가 하고 싶은 말은 그거야.

That’s what I wanted to say.

내가 할 수 있는 건 그것밖에 없어.

That’s all I can do you for.

내가 해야 할 일이 뭔지 알아?

Do you know what is it that I have to do?