V-(으)ㄴ/는 셈치다 grammar = let’s just assume, as if ~express a supposition considering something to be true in unfortunate situations

V-(으)ㄴ/는 셈치다 grammar = let’s just assume, as if you intended to ~express a supposition considering something to be true in unfortunate situations.

Usage:

- 셈 = calculation, 셈치다 = suppose, assume, grant (that)

- V-(으)ㄴ/는 셈치다 is used to suppose an action or a state of affairs to be true in unfortunate situations as it hasn’t occurred or is different from in reality = let’s just assume…, think of it as…, consider as…, pretend, … as if you intended to…

- V-(으)ㄴ/는 셈치다 can be replaced by V-(으)ㄴ다고 생각하다 without meaning change.

Tense:

Verb + 는 셈치다 (Present tense) | (으)ㄴ 셈치다 (Past tense)

가다 -> 가는 셈치다 -> 간 셈치다 (think of it as going…)

먹다 -> 먹는 셈치다 -> 먹은 셈치다 (consider as eating…)

속다 -> 속는 셈치다 -> 속은 셈치다 (think of it as being fooled)

없다 -> 없는 셈치다 -> 없은 셈치다 (pretend not to exist…)

운동하다 -> 운동하는 셈치다 -> 운동한 셈치다 (think of it as exercising…)

Examples:

1. 엘리베이터가 고장 났어요.

- 그래요? 그럼 계단으로 가야겠네요. 운동하는 셈칩시다./운동한다고 생각합시다.

The elevator is broken.

- Really? Then we should go to the stairs. Let's think of it as we're working out

2. 선생님이 있으면 칭피해서 말을 못하겠어.

- 그럼 선생님이 없는 셈치고 이야기해./ 없다고 생각하고 이야기해.

If there is the teacher, I am embarrassed so I can’t say anything.

- Then, thinking as there is no teacher and talk

3. 오늘 저녁 식사를 대접하고 싶은데요.

- 죄송합니다. 오늘 좀 바빠서요. 먹은 셈치겠습니다. / 먹었다고 생각하겠습니다.

I'd like to treat you to dinner tonight.

- I'm sorry. I'm a little busy today. I'll consider as I have had dinner.

4. 유학 간 남자 친구한테 계속 연락 없어?

- 응. 이제는 그냥 죽은 셈치고 잊어버릴 거야.

You haven't contacted your studying-abroad boyfriend?

- Yeah, now let’s just assume I'm dead and forget it.

5. 정말 이번에 투자하면 큰 돈을 벌 수 있을까요?

- 그럼요, 속는 셈치고 제 말을 믿어 보세요. 큰 돈을 벌을 수 있을 거예요.

Can I really make a lot of money if I invest this time?

- Sure, please trust me as if you intended to be tricked. You'll be able to make a lot of money.

6. 친구가 계속 번역을 부탁해서 귀찮아 죽겠어요.

- 공부하는 셈치고 친구 좀 도와 주지 그래요?

I’m bored to death because my friend keeps asking me to do translation.

- Why don’t you let just assume you study and help your friend?

7. 그냥 액땜한 셈치세요 (액땜 = getting rids of devils /misfortune/ the worse)

Think of it as the price you paid to avoid the worse.

8. 자식 하나 없는 셈치고 살겠다.

I’m going to live as if I never had the child.

9. 제가 시간이 없으니까 먹은 셈칠게요.

Since I don’t have time, let’s just pretend I’ve eaten.

10. 그 사람에게 속는 샘치고 돈을 그냥 빌려주었다.

I just lent him money as if I intended to be tricked.

11. 휴가를 가는 셈칠 거예요.

I will think as I go for a vacation.

12. 잃어버린 물건은 버린 셈치고 잊어버리세요.

Forget the thing you lost as if you intended to throw it away.

Difference between -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 grammar, -ㄹ/를 셈이다 grammar, and -(으)ㄴ/는 셈치다 grammar:

1. -(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 grammar or -(으)ㄴ/는 셈으로 grammar is used to express conjecture that something is more or less similar to another = you could say, it's practically

한국에서 20년에 살았으니까 한국은 내 고향인 셈이에요.

Since I have lived in Korea for 20 years, I could say it is my hometown.

수지가 이 정도면 괜찮은 셈으로 생각했다.

I thought Suzy was okay with this degree.

Learn more about: A/V-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 grammar = I could say, it's practically

2. -(으)ㄹ 셈이다 grammar is used to express a plan or intention to do something = plan to, intend to

오늘 일찍 잠을 잘 셈이에요.

I plan to sleep early today.

나는 그를 동생처럼 생각하고 잘 해 줄 셈이에요.

I intend to treat him like my brother and be nice to him.

3. -(으)ㄴ/는 셈치다 is used to express a supposition considering something to be true as it is different from reality or hasn’t occurred. = let’s just assume, think as

소매치기 당한 걸 자꾸 생각하지 마세요. 떡 사 먹은 셈치세요.