Learn Korean: Verb + 남아 있다

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 남아 있다. 남다 which means to remain or be left is one of those verbs that are conjugated into their 아.어.여 form when combined with 있다 in their progressive form. We say 남아 있다 and not 남고 있다. We use this pattern to say that there is still something to do, have to do, etc. That something is the conjugated verb before 남아 있다. Let’s say There is still something I have to do. The main verb is 하다 (to do). To add the nuance ‘have to do something’, we conjugate it with the verb ending 야 하다. It becomes 해야 하다. Next, we get rid of 다 and attach ㄹ 것because it ends in a vowel. Otherwise, use 을 것. Then, we add 남아 있다. The actual sentence is 해야 할 거 남아 있어(요). We can also use 일 as in 해야 할 일 남아 있어(요).

할 말이 남아 있어.

I still have something to tell you.

할 일이 남아 있어.

I still have something to do. I still have stuff to finish up.

줄 게 남아 있어.

I still have something to give you.