Learn Korean: Verb + 티 나다

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 티 나다. The verb 티(가) 나다 means to be obvious as in the sentence It is obvious that you like me. We use this to express that someone’s action shows no matter how he tries to hide it. For example, it’s a rule at home that no one should eat beyond midnight. One time, I was going to the kitchen to drink some water when I caught my brother munching some snacks at the sink area. He tried to hide it, but his mouth was so full that he could choke badly. I said Chew it. / It’s obvious (I can tell) that you are eating. The main verb is 먹다 (to eat). We take the verb stem (먹) and attach 는 것. 것 is often simplified into 거. Then, we add 티(가) 나다. The actual sentence is 씹어. / 먹는 거 티가 나(요).

나 여기 숨은 거 티 나?

Was it obvious that I hid here?

걔 좋아하는 거 너무 티가 나.

It’s so obvious that you like him.

나한테 악감정 있는 거 티가 나요.

It is so obvious that you have ill feelings towards me.