Korean > Grammar > Flashcards
Grammar Flashcards
politely learn about something
N-이/가 어떻개 되세요.
agreement, right? verb ending
V-지(요) or 죠 (easier pronunciation)
V-지요 or 죠 (for easier pronunciation)
Usages
Use -지(요) when:
(1) talking about something, supposing that the other person also already knows about it;
(2) both you and the other person know about something or have a common opinion about something, and you are just mentioning the fact again.
Use -지(요) as an interrogative (question) ending when:
(3) both you and the other person know about something, but you are just reassuring yourself by asking the question;
(4) you know about something, and you are asking yourself to confirm the fact. In this case, you do not speak in 존댓말;
(5) you do not know something, so you are asking yourself a question. Usually you are thinking out loud and asking the other people around at the same time. 반말 is used in this case as well.
Ex)
오늘 금요일이에요. = Today is Friday.
오늘 금요일이네요! = Oh, today is Friday!
오늘 금요일이지요. = Today is Friday.
(You and the other person already know that today is Friday, but you are just confirming out loud that it is, indeed, Friday.)
오늘 금요일이지요? = Today is Friday, right?
(You and the other person already know that today is Friday, and you are just reassuring yourself by asking the question.)
Conjugation
Present Tense: verb stem + -지(요)
Past Tense: verb stem + -았/었/였- + -지(요)
Future Tense: verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 거 + -지(요) (almost exclusively used only as an interrogative ending)
Contraction
When you speak in 존댓말, the verb ending -지요 often changes to -죠 for simplicity and ease of pronunciation.
Sample Sentences
오늘 날씨 춥지요?
= The weather is cold today, right?
→ (You know that the other person knows that the weather is cold.)
맞아요. 피자 정말 맛있죠.
= That is right. Pizza really is delicious.
→ (You know that the other person also thinks that pizza is delicious.)
재미있지요?
= It is fun, right?
→ (You know that the other person already thinks that it is fun, but you are asking again just to make sure.)
이게 뭐지? (asking oneself)
= What is this?
→ (You are not directly asking anybody, so you do not say “이게 뭐야?” or “이게 뭐예요?”)
그럴 수도 있죠.
= Yeah, that could be possible.
→ (You and the other person both know that something is possible, and you are simply expressing your agreement to what the other person is saying.)
How about (feelings or options)…N or a V (as a noun)?
N-어뗗요? or
V-ㄴ/는고 어뗗요?
because of, due to (reason for action or state of being)
N-때문(에)
V-기때문(에)
> used with a tense marker
> use 아/어서 with an excuse, apology, or gratitude because it’s out of your control and inevitable.
Can you (lit. have the ability to)..? Can’t..verb ending
V-ㄹ(을) 수 있다
V-ㄹ(을) 수 없다
Do you know (how to do something)…? verb ending
V-(으)ㄹ 줄 알다
v-(으)ㄹ 줄 모르다
and, and then (linking two sentences)
그리고
future tense (probability, regardless of response / intention, desiring a response, if it’s all right with you, if you want me to)
V-(으)ㄹ 거여요
V-(으)ㄹ 게
have you ever had an experience of (or not)…? verb ending
V-(으)ㄴ 적(이) 있다 (없다)
to give something a try verb ending
V-아/어/여 보다 (to see)(eg. 옷 입어 봐도 돼요?)
how much/how long
얼마
얼마나 + adjective/adverb/verb (how often, fast, early, soon, etc.)
it might, it’s possible, it could, can also…verb ending
V-ㄹ(을) 수도 있다
I think, I feel, it seems to be verb ending (all tenses)
- descriptive verbs V-(으)ㄴ 것 같아요
- action verbs. V-(는) 것 같아요
- past tense V-(으)ㄴ 것 같아요
- future tense V-(으)ㄹ 것 같아요
The Korean verb for “to think” is 생각하다, but it is not commonly used to say “I think that…” in Korean. This is mainly because many Korean people think that this is too direct to say it in such a way. Instead, it is preferred to say “I think that…” using the following expression:
… 것 + 같다
같다 on its own means “to be the same,” but when it is used with other nouns, it means “it is like …”
Ex)
학생 같아요.
= You are like a student. / You look like a student.
저 사람 한국 사람 같아요.
= He looks like a Korean person. / He is like a Korean.
In order to say “I think that…”, what you need to do is know how to say that “something seems like” in combination with a “sentence”.
Do you remember how to make noun groups for various tenses?
Past tense: -(으)ㄴ 것
Present tense: -는 것
Future tense: -(으)ㄹ 것
After that, you just add 같다 in order to express “I think that…”
Past tense: -(으)ㄴ 것 같다
Present tense: -는 것 같다
Future tense: -(으)ㄹ 것 같다
Ex)
하다 = to do
Past tense: 한 것 같다
Present tense: 하는 것 같다
Future tense: 할 것 같다
벌써 한 것 같아요.
= I think (someone) already did it.
지금 하는 것 같아요.
= I think (someone) does/is doing it now.
내일 할 것 같아요.
= I think (someone) will do it tomorrow.
Sample Sentences
내일 비 올 것 같아요.
= I think it will rain tomorrow.
이게 더 좋은 것 같아요.
= I think this is better.
이거 뭐인 것 같아요?
= What do you think this is?
누가 한 것 같아요?
= Who do you think did it?
곧 도착할 것 같아요.
= I think I will arrive soon.
since, from (time), starting from (location)
부터
[English word or sentence] What does it mean?
[English] 무슨 뜻이여요?
[English] is what it means.
[English] (이)라는 뜻이여요.
N-with, and
하고
(이)랑
의, 과
past progressive tense
V-고 있었다
present progressive tense (IK G11.1)
V-고 있다 / V-고 계세요 (honorific)
Past tense V-고 있었다 / V-고 계셨어요. (honorific)
Only action verbs can take this form.
past tense
V-(오/아 = 았, other = 었, ㅎ = 였) + 어요
[English word or sentence] as for, how do you say in Korean?
[english] 는 한극어로 어떠게 말해요.
[Korean] we say.
[Korean] 이 하고 말해요.
How + adjective/adverb (often, fast, early, soon, etc.)
얼마나 (자주, 빨리, etc.)
How many times…
몇 번
verb to a noun
The nominalizer V-기 is used to form a noun out of a verb, as in the English gerund. Sometimes V-는것 and V-기 are used interchangeably, as in:
수업 시간에 말하기를 배워요.
to try to do something…verb ending
- Tell someone to attempt something
- Ask if someone has tried something.
V-아/어/여 보다
- tell someone to try or attempt something;
- ask if someone has ever done or tried something;
- make a command sound less demanding.
The structure -아/어/여 보다 is composed of two parts: -아/어/여 and 보다. -아/어/여 is the basic suffix used after verb stems, and 보다 means “to see”. The literal translation of -아/어/여 보다 is “to do something and see (what happens)”.
Nevertheless, this structure really does not have a specific meaning and is used simply to make sentences more natural. However, the most common translation of -아/어/여 보다 is “to try doing something”.
Conjugation
Verb stem + -아/어/여 보다
Examples
(1) 쓰다 = to use
→ 쓰 + -어 보다 = 써 보다 = to try using (something)
이거 써 봤어요?
= Have you tried using this? / Have you used this before?
(2) 들어가다 = to enter, to go in
→ 들어가 + -아 보다 = 들어가 보다 = to try going in
들어가 볼까요?
= Shall we try going in (and see what it is like)? / Shall we attempt to go in?
(3) 하다 = to do
→ 하 + -여 보다 = 해 보다 = to try doing (something)
이거 해 보고 싶어요.
= I want to try doing this. / I want to give it a try.
Fixed expressions and verbs containing -아/어/여 보다
Since -아/어/여 보다 is a frequently used structure, some verb are more common in the -아/어/여 보다 structure than others, and other verbs are actually already in the form of -아/어/여 보다. For some structures, -아/어/여 보다 is already a part of some verbs, so the space between -아/어/여 and 보다 is not necessary.
- 물어보다 vs 물어 보다
- 물어보다 = to ask; to try asking
- 물어 보다 (x) - 알아보다 vs 알아 보다
- 알아보다 = to look into something; to recognize
- 알아 보다 (x) - 지켜보다 vs 지켜 보다
- 지켜보다 = to keep a watchful eye on someone/something
- 지켜 보다 (x)
Sample Sentences
이거 먹어 봐요.
= Try eating this. / Try some of this.
저도 거기 안 가 봤어요.
= I have not been there yet, either. / I have not tried going there, either.
제가 먼저 해 볼게요.
= I will try doing it first. / I will give it a try first.
누구한테 물어볼까요?
= Whom shall I ask?
제가 알아볼게요.
= I will look into it.
Won’t you..,do you want, how about? Be going to, will, I want to..(most determined future tense or polite question of intention, IK G11.2)
V-(으)ㄹ 래요? or V-지 않을래요?
If you have studied with Talk To Me In Korean until this point, you are already familiar with the future tense verb ending -(으)ㄹ 거예요. Do you remember how to use it? In case it has slipped your mind, here’s a quick refresher:
-(으)ㄹ 거예요 can be used to express plain future tense sentences.
Ex)
내일 갈 거예요. = I am going to go tomorrow.
Now that it is starting to come back to you, take the opportunity to build upon that knowledge and continue this lesson on-(으)ㄹ래요.
Meaning
-(으)ㄹ래요 is used when expressing the intent or the will to do something. If you place a question mark at the end of the sentence, you can ask about someone else’s will or intention to do something, such as in “Do you want to…?” When used as a statement, it can mean “I want to…” or “I am going to…”.
Conjugation:
Verb stems ending with a consonant + -을래요
Ex) 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹을래요.
Verb stems ending with the consonant ㄹ + -래요
Ex) 팔다 (to sell) becomes 팔래요.
Verb stems ending with a vowel + -ㄹ래요
Ex) 사다 (to buy) becomes 살래요.
Sample Sentences
집에 갈래요.
= I want to go home. / I am going to go home.
- Comparison
집에 가고 싶어요. - the most general and vague way
= I want to go home.
집에 갈게요. - looking for feedback / reacting to the situation
= (If so) I will go home. (Implying that you wonder what the other person thinks about it.)
집에 갈 거예요. - most direct
= I am going to go home. (Implying that it is your plan to go home.)
혼자 할래요.
= I will do it alone. / I want to do it alone.
- However, if you say “혼자 할게요” (“I will do it alone (if you do not mind)”), it sounds much nicer.
저는 안 갈래요.
= I do not want to go.
= I am not going to go.
- “저는 안 가고 싶어요” also means “I do not want to go”, but it has some room for change, so it can mean “If you really insist, I might go”.
뭐 마실래요?
= What do you want to drink?
= What are you going to drink?
- Although you can ask a person what he/she wants by using the ending “-고 싶어요?” in Korean, it is unnatural and sounds a bit like a textbook. By using the “-(으)ㄹ래요?” ending, you are asking another person what he/she wants to do in such a way that it lets him/her know that he/she is not obligated to answer because of you or in your favor.
커피 마실래요, 차 마실래요?
= Do you want to drink coffee or tea?
- This can be very similar to “커피 마시고 싶어요, 차 마시고 싶어요?”, but “커피 마실래요, 차 마실래요?” is more natural way to ask.
이거 볼래?
= Do you want to see this?
언제 만날래?
= When do you want to meet?
- Here, you are talking about “we” or “us”, so you can add the word 우리 and say “우리 언제 만날래?” to make the meaning clearer.
** Note
The -(으)ㄹ래요 ending is typically used only in casual settings. You cannot use this verb ending if you are talking to someone with whom you must use formal language.
For formal, use the form V-(으)시겠어요.
V-and then, therefore, because…(IK 10.4)
V-아/어/여서
- Clause 1~아서/어서 + Clause 2 is used to give a cause or reason for clause 2. It is often used in response to 왜?
- Close temporal relationship between clauses. Clause 2 cannot take place unless clause 1 does.
- Clause 1 never takes a tense marker, only clause 2.
- Clause 2 can be omitted if context makes it clear to listener what is omitted.
V-to do something for someone
V-아/어/여 주다
Verbs and adjectives into nouns (eg surfing is fun, adds-ing)
V-기
number counters (noun + number + counter)
Word order:
noun + particle + number + counter + verb (있어요)
개 - things (Korean)
명 - people, friends, etc. (Korean)
대 - vehicles, machinery (Korean)
마리 - animals (Korean)
병 - bottles (Korean)
잔 - glasses (Korean)
그릇 - bowls (Korean)
권 - books (volumes, Korean)
장 - papers, pages, tickets (Korean)
과 - lessons for counting (Korean)
시간 - hours (duration, Korean)
달 - months (Korean)
충 - floors, layers (1충 first floor, Sino-Korean)
과 - lesson numbers (Sino-Korean)
번 - number / times (Korean)
(한, 두, 세, etc) 번째 - first, second, third (Korean)
(Korean)째 + person - ordinal number counter with people
원 - won (Sino-Korean)
학년 - school year, grade (Sino-Korean)
년 - year (Sino-Korean)
월 - month (Sino-Korean)
일 - day (for date, Sino-Korean)
호 - room number (sino-Korean)
to(for)/from someone (by occasionally with a passive verb), from someone
한테 (께 hon), 한테서
한테 is used with giving or sending verbs 하다/주다/보내다.
한테서 is used with receiving verbs 받다/가다/오다.
도 can be added after 한테(서) also.
future progressive tense
V-고 있을 거여요 (Future Eg. I will be
also, even verb ending
V-기도 하다 (eg. 먹기도 해요: to also eat, to even eat, 공부도 하다: to study also, to even study)
only
Used with imperative sentences (give instructions or request something) or if the verb is more negative (싫다):
N/PN-만
V-기만 하다
Eg. 이것 주세요.
Generally used more than 만 (cannot be used with commands):
N-밖에 + negative v conjugation (outside of …, I don’t…)
-expresses surprise that it’s so low! Opposite of N-(이)나 to express surprise at so much/many!
to be good at, to do well (at something)…verb ending
[object]-을/를 잘하다
to not do something well…verb ending
[object]-ㄹ(을) (잘) 못하다
thing, object, stuff, (with a verb/noun, a fact, an act)
것
Verb to nouns to mean:
1. “doing” something
2. The act of “doing” something
3. The thing which one “does”
4. what one “does”
5.the fact that one is “doing” our “does” something
V-는 것 (or 거)
to have to, should / must, need to
V-아/어/여 야 되다 (or 하다, not as often used as more forceful) Ex. 가야 돼요, I have to go.
after (a day of the week)
이후에
than, compared to
N-보다
don’t be…”don’t be sad” or “don’t hate me”, etc.
turn descriptive verbs to action verbs ( with - 아/어/여 하다) and add V-지 마세요.
Ex: 1. 슬퍼하지 마세요, don’t be sad. 2. 싫어하지 마세요, don’t hate me.
What is your favorite? What do you like best?
뭐가 제일 좋아요? (only used for yourself) 뭐를 제일 좋아해요?
I don’t need..
필요없어요
If sentences verb ending
만약 (in case, if at the start of long sentence)
V-(으)면
Past tense Ex: 먹었으면 (if I ate), 샀으면 (if I bought)
Future tense Ex: V-(으)ㄹ 거면
someday, something, someone, somewhere
Word-ㄴ가
언젠가
뭔가, 무언가
누군가
어딘가
Please form verb ending
V-(ㄹ/을) 세요
Please do something for me (a favor) verb ending
V-아/어/여 주세요 (줘요 is slightly less formal)
particle for method, way (channel, tool, device, method)
ingredients an object is made of
cause of disease or something that happened
direction someone is going
status or identity of person doing something
N-(으)로
- Asking yourself a question or expressing doubt verb ending.
- Raising a question and attracting others attention.
- Suggesting doing something together, ask opinion (IK G11.4)
V-(으)ㄹ 까요
Past tense: V-았/었/였 + (으)ㄹ 까요.
Linking verbs that have a logical connection.
1. Reason -> result
2. Action -> another action after the first action.
3. Action -> purpose or plan after action.
4. Fixed expressions
1-3. V-아/어/여서 + expression
4a. -에 따라서 according to…
4b. 여를 들어서 for example
A is similar
A-(이)랑 (or -하고) 비슷해요. It is similar to A.
A is the same.
A is the same as B.
A하고 같아요.
A하고 B는 같아요
N-To be like something else. To seem like something else. To look like (smell, etc.) something else.
N-같다
N-To be like something else. To seem like something else. To look like (smell, etc.) something else.
N-같다
All future verb endings in one slide for review.
- Most willful future, polite but casual question (I want to, I’m going to, Do you want to..). V-(으)ㄹ 래요
- Future probability, no input from listener, plain future V-(으)ㄹ 거에요
- If you want me to, if it’s okay with you, V-(으)ㄹ 게요
- I think, it seems (very common) V-(으)ㄹ 것 같아요
- Express doubt, questioning, invite others V-(으)ㄹ 까요
- Intention, want to/about to, or state of something V-(으)려고 하다 (or 했어요, best with noun groups)
Before + noun
Before + verb
noun + 전애
V-기 전애
ㅂ irregular verbs
ㅂ verb ending followed by vowel, 오 > 와 (eg 돕다 > 도와요 present, 도왔어요 past, 도울 거여요 future)
ㅂ verb ending followed by vowel NOT 오 > 우 (eg 어렵다 > 어려워요 present, 어려웠어요 past, 어려월 거여요 future)
입다 to wear
잡다 to catch
씹다 to bite
좁다 to be narrow
넓다 to be wide
to do it in such a way, to do that
그래 > 그렇게해 > 그렇게하요
Excuse me! (calling for a waiter, taxi, etc ).
저기요!
여기요!
It’s not…
아니에요 (eg It’s not me. 저 아니에요.)
to be (something/someone is)
N/PN-(이)여요.
I want to…(more causal, natural, but willful way verb ending. V-(으)ㄹ 래요.
V-고 싶어요
location particle at, on, to, in (something exists) / from, at, in (where action is taking place)
N-에 / N-에서
negative sentences
- Add 안 before V
- V-지 않다
2 exceptions: 없다, 모르다
For 하다 verbs, separate noun from 하다 (eg. 생각 안해요, or 생각하지 안해요.)
In this lesson, you will learn how to create negative sentences in Korean. There are two main ways to accomplish this:
(1) Add 안 before a verb
(2) Using the negative verb ending, -지 않다
Method (1) is simpler and more colloquial, and method (2) is relatively formal but not necessarily only for formal situations. If you want to use method (1), and add 안 [an] before a verb, it is easier than method (2) because you do not have to worry about the different tenses of your sentences. The word 안 [an] does not change the tense.
Conjugation:
가다 [ga-da] = to go
집에 가요. [ji-be ga-yo.] I am going home. / I go home.
집에 안 가요. [ji-be an ga-yo.] I am NOT going home. / I DO NOT go home.
집에 안 가요? [ji-be an ga-yo?] You are NOT going home? / You DO NOT go home?
버리다 [beo-ri-da] = to throw away
그거 버렸어요. [geu-geo beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.] I threw it away.
그거 안 버렸어요. [geu-geo an beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.] I DID NOT throw it away.
그거 아직 안 버렸어요. [geu-geo a-jik an beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.] I DID NOT throw it away yet.
-지 않다 [-ji an-ta] is the basic form and you need to conjugate it according to the tense, too.
Present tense: -지 않아요 [-ji a-na-yo]
Past tense: -지 않았어요 [-ji a-na-sseo-yo]
Conjugation:
가다 [ga-da] = to go
가지 않다 [ga-ji an-ta] = to not go
가지 않아요 [ga-ji a-na-yo] = I DO NOT go. / I am NOT going.
가지 않았어요 [ga-ji a-na-sseo-yo] = I DID NOT go.
버리다 [beo-ri-da] = to throw away
버리지 않다 [beo-ri-ji an-ta] = to not throw away
버리지 않아요 [beo-ri-ji a-na-yo] = I DO NOT throw it away.
버리지 않았어요 [beo-ri-ji a-na-sseo-yo] = I DID NOT throw it away.
Sample Conversations
A: 아파요? [a-pa-yo?] = Does it hurt?
B: 안 아파요. [an a-pa-yo.] = It does not hurt.
A: 안 아파요? 진짜 안 아파요? [an a-pa-yo? jin-jja an a-pa-yo?] = It does not hurt? It really does not hurt?
B: 안 아파요. [an a-pa-yo.] = It does not hurt.
A: 안 먹어요? [an meo-geo-yo?] = You are not going to eat?
B: 안 먹어요! [an meo-geo-yo!] = I am not eating!
A: 정말 안 먹어요? 맛있어요! [jeong-mal an meo-geo-yo? ma-si-sseo-yo!] = You are really not going to eat? It is delicious.
B: 안 먹어요. 배 안 고파요. [an meo-geo-yo. bae an go-pa-yo.] = I am not eating. I am not hungry.
A: 이거 매워요? [i-geo mae-wo-yo?] = Is this spicy?
B: 아니요. 안 매워요. [a-ni-yo. an mae-wo-yo] = No. It is not spicy.
A: 진짜 안 매워요? [jin-jja an mae-wo-yo?] = It is really not spicy?
B: 네. 안 매워요. [ne. an mae-wo-yo.] = No, it is not spicy.
There are two words which do not follow these rules that we just introduced. This is because they have antonyms that are very frequently used.
있다 [it-tta] = to be, to exist; to have
없다 [eop-tta] = to not be, not exist; to not have
알다 = [al-da] = to know
모르다 [mo-reu-da] = to not know
making adjectives from action verbs
Verb -는
How to say “let’s”…verb ending
- -아/어/여요 [polite/plain]
- -(으)시죠 [honorific]
- -자 [-ja] [informal]
- -(으)ㄹ래요? [polite/casual]
- -(으)실래요? [polite/formal]
in order to, for the sake of (not used in conversations)
N+휘해 /휘해서
V+기 휘해(서)
3 ways to say after
-(으)ㄴ + 다음에 next
-(으)ㄴ + 후에 after
-(으)ㄴ + 뒤에 behind, back
Even if, even though…verb ending connecting to another sentence
V-아/어/여도
보다 = to see
→ 보아도 = 봐도 = even if you see; even if you look
울다 = to cry
→ 울어도 = even if you cry; even though you cry
공부하다 = to study
→ 공부해도 = 공부하여도 = even if you study; even though you study
Combining two sentences together:
요즘에 바빠요. + 그래도 운동은 하고 있어요.
= I am busy these days. But still, I am doing some exercise.
→ 요즘에 바빠도, 운동은 하고 있어요. = Even though I am busy these days, I am still doing some exercise.
for as many as (eg. 15 years)
time-이나 (15년이나)
Natural and polite linking verb ending or sentence ending (makes Korean more natural) (also IK G10.1/10.3)
- Explain background or situation before making a suggestion, request, or question.
- Explain situation first before what happened.
- Show a result or situation which contrasts previous action or situation.
- Show surprise or exclamation.
- Ask a question requesting more info.
- Expect an answer or response.
Sentence Ending
1. Polite ending that allows the listener to decide what to do.
2. Deals with delicate situations of disagreement, denial, or rejection. Allows speaker to avoid directness and be more subtle and implicit.
Conjugation:
1. -는데 is used after action verbs, after 있다 and 없다, and after -았 or -겠.
- -은데 is used after descriptive verbs which have a final consonant in the verb stem, except for the consonant ㄹ.
- -ㄴ데 is used after descriptive verbs which end in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ(in this case, ㄹ is dropped), and after 이다 and 아니다.
Ex)
하다→하는데(했는데)
있다 →있는데(있었는데)
먹다→먹는데(먹었는데)
작다→작은데(작었는다)
줍다 →주운데(주웠는데)
예쁘다→예쁜데(예뻤는데)
멀다→먼데(멀었는데)
Variety of Usages
The way this ending can be used is very diverse.
Usage 1
Explaining the background or the situation before making a suggestion, a request, or a question.
Ex)
내일 일요일인데, 뭐 할 거예요?
= It is Sunday tomorrow + (-ㄴ데) + what are you going to do?
Usage 2
Explaining the situation first before explaining what happened.
Ex)
어제 자고 있었는데, 한국에서 전화가 왔어요.
= I was sleeping yesterday + (-는데) + I got a phone call from Korea.
Usage 3
Showing a result or situation which is contrasting to the previous action or situation.
Ex)
아직 9시인데 벌써 졸려요.
= It is still 9 o’clock but I am already sleepy.
The second part (after -는데) can be omitted when the meaning is easily implied.
Ex)
준비 많이 했는데(요)…
= I prepared a lot, but…
Usage 4
Showing surprise or exclamation.
Ex)
멋있는데(요)!
[meo-sin-neun-de(-yo)!]
= Oh, that is cool!
Usage 5
Asking a question (expecting some explanation about a situation or behavior).
Ex)
지금 어디에 있는데(요)?
[ji-geum eo-di-e in-neun-de(-yo)?]
= So where are you now?
Usage 6
Expecting an answer or a response.
Ex)
지금(요)? 지금 바쁜데(요).
= Now? I am busy now, so…
Sample Sentences
내일 친구 생일인데, 선물을 아직 못 샀어요.
= It is my friend’s birthday tomorrow, but I have not been able to buy a present.
이거 일본에서 샀는데, 선물이에요.
= I bought this in Japan, and it is a present for you.
오늘 뉴스에서 봤는데, 그거 진짜예요?
= I saw it in the news today. Is that for real?
이거 좋은데요!
= I like this! / This is good!
어? 여기 있었는데.
= Huh? It was here…
영화 재미있었는데, 무서웠어요.
= The movie was interesting, but it was scary.
영화 봤는데, 무서웠어요.
= I saw a movie, and it was scary.
저 지금 학생인데, 일도 하고 있어요.
= I am a student now, but I am working, too.
Sentence Ending
지금 집에 없는대요. (He’s not home right now (but what can I do for you?).)
내일 파티에 같이 가는데요.
It could, it’s possible, it might…verb ending
V-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다
In this lesson, you will learn about the expression-(으)ㄹ 수도 있다. This is a combination of two grammar points which were covered in previous lessons:
- -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 [-(eu)l ssu it-tta] was introduced in Level 2, Lesson 17, and it means “can, to be able to”.
2 -도 [-do] was introduced in Level 2, Lesson 13, and it means “also, too”.
When these two expressions are combined into -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 [-(eu)l ssu-do it-tta], it means “it could…”, “it is possible that…”, or “it might…”. In order to understand why -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 has such meanings, we first need to take a closer look at the expression -(으)ㄹ 수 있다.
Basically, the word 수 [su] is a noun which, in this particular structure, means “way”, “method”, or “idea”. Therefore, -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 means “there is a way to do…”, “there is an idea for doing…”, or “there is a possibility for doing…”.
When the meaning of -도 [-do], which is “also” or “too”, is added to -(으)ㄹ 수 있다, the sentence takes the meaning of “there is also the possibility of…”.
Although -(으)ㄹ 수도 있다 COULD mean “to also be able to do something”, it usually means “it might”, “it could”, or “perhaps”.
Ex)
알다 [al-da] = to know (something/someone)
→ 알 수도 있다 [al ssu-do it-tta] = might know (something/someone)
→ 제 친구가 알 수도 있어요. [je chin-gu-ga al ssu-do i-sseo-yo] = My friend might know (the person/the thing).
만나다 [man-na-da] = to meet
→ 만날 수도 있다 [man-nal ssu-do it-tta] = might meet
→ 내일 다시 만날 수도 있어요. [nae-il da-si man-nal ssu-do i-sseo-yo.] = We might meet again tomorrow.
작다 [jak-tta] = to be small
→ 작을 수도 있다 [ja-geul ssu-do it-tta] = might be small
→ 모자가 작을 수도 있어요. [mo-ja-ga ja-geul ssu-do i-sseo-yo.] = The hat could be small.
Sample Sentences
저 내일 올 수도 있어요.
[jeo nae-il ol ssu-do i-sseo-yo.]
= I might come here tomorrow.
저 내일 안 올 수도 있어요.
[jeo nae-il an ol ssu-do i-sseo-yo.]
= I might not come here tomorrow.
저 내일 못 올 수도 있어요.
[jeo nae-il mot ol ssu-do i-sseo-yo.]
= I might not be able to come here tomorrow.
이거 가짜일 수도 있어요.
[i-geo ga-jja-il ssu-do i-sseo-yo.]
= This might be fake.
정말 그럴 수도 있어요.
[jeong-mal geu-reol ssu-do i-sseo-yo.]
= It might really be so.
Impressed, surprised, express sympathy, apology, or personal thought verb ending
V-네요
For example, saying “맛있어요” just means “it is delicious.” Saying “맛있네요”, on the other hand, expresses that you are impressed or surprised by the taste. While “맛있어요” can mean the same thing when said with the right intonation, it cannot convey the same message when it is written.
Conjugation:
Verb stem + -네요
-었/았/였 (past tense suffix) + -네요
Ex)
크다 = to be big (verb stem = 크)
크 + 어요 → 커요. = It is big. (Fact)
크 + 네요 → 크네요. = (I see that) it is big. / (Oh, I did not know it was big, but) it is big. (Expressing surprise)
잘 어울리다 = to suit someone well; to go well with someone
잘 어울리 + 어요 → 잘 어울려요. = It looks good on you. (Fact)
잘 어울리 + 네요 → 잘 어울리네요. = Oh! I find that it looks good on you. (Expressing your impression)
맞다= to be correct
맞 + 아요 → 맞아요. = It is correct. (Fact)
맞 + 네요 → 맞네요. = I see that it is correct! (Finding out a fact for the first time.)
Sample Sentences
여기 있네요!
= Oh, here it is!
이 드라마 재미있네요.
= I find this drama fun to watch.
- If you already know that this drama is fun and you are telling someone else that as a fact, you need to say “이 드라마 재미있어요.”
별로 안 춥네요.
= Well, it is not that cold.
아무도 안 왔네요.
= Oh, look. Nobody is here yet.
벌써 11월이네요.
= Wow, it is already November!
르 Irregular verbs
Irregular 르 is applied only on the following three occasions as follows.
Verb stems ending with -르 followed by:
+ -아/어/여요
+ -아/어/여서
+ -았/었/였어요
In these cases, 르 is changed to ㄹ and placed at the end of the previous vowel. ONE MORE ㄹ is needed before adding the verb ending.
Even if the verb stem ends with -르, if it is then followed by other endings, such as -고, -는데, etc., -르 will still stay the same.
Ex)
고르다= to choose; to pick; to select
→골라요. = I pick.
→ 골라서 = I pick and then; because I pick
→ 골랐어요. = I picked.
모르다 = to not know
→몰라요. = I do not know.
→ 몰라서 = because I do not know
→ 몰랐어요. = I did not know.
빠르다 = to be fast
→빨라요. = It is fast.
→ 빨라서 = because it is fast
→ 빨랐어요. = It was fast.
자르다 = to cut
→잘라요. = I cut.
→ 잘라서 = I cut and then; because I cut
→ 잘랐어요. = I cut.
기르다 = to grow, to raise
→길러요. = I raise.
→ 길러서 = I raise and then; because I raise
→ 길렀어요. = I raised.
Sample Sentences
뭐 골랐어요?
= What did you choose?
저도 몰라요.
= I do not know, either.
비행기는 빨라서 좋아요.
= Planes are good because they are fast. / I like airplanes because they are fast.
누가 케이크 잘랐어요?
= Who cut the cake?
토끼를 5년 동안 길렀어요.
= I had a rabbit as a pet for five years. / I raised a rabbit for five years.
ㄷ irregular verbs
ㄷ changed to ㄹ
When the Korean letter ㄷ is the 받침 [bat-chim] (the final consonant at the end of a syllable) of a verb stem and is followed by a vowel, ㄷ is changed to ㄹ. Some verbs follow this rule, and some do not.
Examples of irregular ㄷ verbs
-듣다[deut-tta] = to listen
-걷다[geot-tta] = to walk
-묻다[mut-tta] = to ask
-싣다[sit-tta] = to load
-깨닫다[kkae-dat-tta] = to realize
For these verbs, ㄷ changes to ㄹ when followed by a vowel:
- 듣 + 어서 →들어서[deu-reo-seo]
- 걷 + 어요 →걸어요[geo-reo-yo]
- 묻 + 으면 →물으면[mu-reu-myeon]
- 싣 + 을 거예요 →실을 거예요[si-reul kkeo-ye-yo]
- 깨닫 + 았어요 →깨달았어요[kkae-da-ra-sseo-yo]
Examples of verbs which do NOT follow this rule:
- 받다 [bat-tta] = to receive
- 묻다 [mut-tta] = to bury
- 닫다 [dat-tta] = to close
- 믿다 [mit-tta] = to believe
For these verbs, you keep 받침 as ㄷ, even when it is followed by a vowel:
- 받 + 아서 = 받아서 [ba-da-seo]
- 묻 + 어요 = 묻어요 [mu-deo-yo]
- 닫 + 으면 = 닫으면 [da-deu-myeon]
- 믿 + 어요 = 믿어요 [mi-deo-yo]
- Although 묻다 (to ask) and 묻다 (to bury) are spelled the same way, they are conjugated differently and the meaning can only be determined from the context of the sentence.
Ex)
I ask. = 물어요. [mu-reo-yo.]
I bury. = 묻어요.
Usage examples of irregular ㄷ verbs
(1)
듣다 [deut-tta] = to listen
→ 듣고 있어요 [deut-kko i-sseo-yo]
= I am listening. (ㄷ does not change because -고 [-go] begins with a consonant.)
→ 들었어요 [deu-reo-sseo-yo]
= I heard. (ㄷ changes to ㄹ because -었 [-eot] starts with a vowel.)
(2)
걷다 [geot-tta] = to walk
→ 걷는 것 좋아해요 [geon-neun geot jo-a-hae-yo]
= I like walking. (ㄷ does not change because -는 [-neun] starts with a consonant.)
→ 한 시간 걸었어요 [han si-gan geo-reo-sseo-yo]
= I walked for an hour. (ㄷ changes to ㄹ because -었 starts with a vowel.)
Sample Sentences
어디에서 들었어요?
[eo-di-e-seo deu-reo-sseo-yo?]
= Where did you hear that?
많이 걸었는데, 안 피곤해요.
[ma-ni geo-reon-neun-de, an pi-go-nae-yo.]
= I walked a lot, but I am not tired.
그 이야기를 믿어요?
[geu i-ya-gi-reul mi-deo-yo?]
= Do you believe that story?
물어도 대답이 없어요.
[mu-reo-do dae-da-bi eop-sseo-yo.]
= Even if I ask, there is no answer.
반말 vs. 존댓말
반말
In Level 1, Lesson 1, you learned the basics of the two main categories of honorifics used in the Korean. All of what you have learned so far in the Talk To Me In Korean series has been in존댓말[jon-daen-mal] (polite/formal language). In this lesson, you will learn about the casual/informal/intimate way of speaking,반말[ban-mal].
Politeness levels are determined by the verb ending. There are three basic verb endings used to express different politeness levels:
Type 1. -ㅂ니다 [-m-ni-da] = the most polite and most formal ending
Type 2. -(아/어/여)요 [-(a/eo/yeo)-yo] = the polite, natural, and slightly formal ending
Type 3.: -아/어/여 = the casual, informal, and intimate ending
Types 1 and 2 fall under the 존댓말 [jon-daen-mal] category, and Type 3 goes into the 반말 [ban-mal] category.
When do you use 반말?
Generally, 반말 is considered to be the most intimate and casual way of speaking with others in Korean; it has no formality at all. You can only use 반말 to someone who is younger than you, someone of the same age as you, or (if the other person is older than you) someone with whom you agreed to mutually use 반말.
If the other person’s age or social status is not known, do not use 반말 in any circumstance. Once you know the other person’s age and find out if he or she is younger than you, you can use 반말. However, it is safer, as well as a nice gesture, to ask the person with whom you are speaking to whether you can use 반말 with him/her.
Common cases where 반말 is appropriate
- You are much older than the other person and you know for sure that the other person will not be offended if you use 반말.
- You are older than the other person, and you got his or her permission to use 반말.
- You are of the same age as the other person, and you got his or her permission to use 반말.
- You are in elementary school, middle school, or high school, and you know that all your classmates are of the same age as you.
- You are talking to yourself or writing in a diary/journal.
- Remember in Korean, unlike some other cultures, it is standard etiquette to establish a speaker’s position by asking one’s age on first encounter. So do not be too surprised if you are asked how old you are, and use this as a tool to gauge which form of language to use. When in doubt, ALWAYS use 존댓말.
Common cases in which NOT to use 반말
- You know the other person only through work and not personally.
- You are older than the other person, but he or she is your business client or customer.
- You are older than the other person, but you are talking to the person in an official environment such as business meetings, seminars, lessons, etc.
- You do not know the other person. You just met him/her.
- You are younger than the other person, and you never got permission from him/her that you can use 반말 to him/her.
- You are the same age as the other person, but you are both adults, and you do not know each other that well.
- You are older than the other person, but he/she is your boss.
- You are older than the other person, but he or she is the spouse of your older sibling.
- You are talking to a large group of people or filming a video blog.
How do you ask for and give permission to speak in 반말?
There are certain expressions that people say to get permission from the other person to use 반말.
If you are the older one:
- 말 놔도 돼요?
[mal nwa-do dwae-yo?]
= May I speak in 반말 with you?
* 말을 놓다 [ma-reul no-ta] literally means to “put down the language” or “lower the language.” - 말 편하게 해도 돼요?
[mal pyeon-ha-ge hae-do dwae-yo?]
= May I speak comfortably with you?
If you are the younger one:
- 말 놓으셔도 돼요.
[mal no-eu-syeo-do dwae-yo.]
= You can speak casually with me. - 말 편하게 하셔도 돼요.
[mal pyeon-ha-ge ha-syeo-do dwae-yo.]
= You can speak comfortably with me. / You can speak 반말 with me.
If you are of the same age as the other person:
- 우리 말 놓을까요?
[u-ri mal no-eul-kka-yo?]
= Shall we speak in 반말 to each other? - 말 편하게 해도 되죠?
[mal pyeon-ha-ge hae-do doe-jyo?]
= I can talk in 반말 with you, right?
How to change 존댓말 to 반말
Present tense
-아/어/여요 → -아/어/여
-이에요 [-i-e-yo] / -예요 [-ye-yo] → -이야 [-i-ya] / -야 [-ya]
Past tense
-았/었/였어요 [-at/eot/yeo-sseo-yo] → -았/었/였어
Future tense
-(으)ㄹ 거예요 [-(eu)l kkeo-ye-yo] → -(으)ㄹ 거야 [-(eu)l kkeo-ya]
Ex)
(1) What is this?
존댓말: 이거 뭐예요?[i-geo mwo-ye-yo?]
반말: 이거 뭐야?[i-geo mwo-ya?]
(2) I am going to work tomorrow.
존댓말: 내일 일할 거예요.[nae-il il-hal kkeo-ye-yo.]
반말: 내일 일할 거야.[nae-il il-hal kkeo-ya.]
(3) I met a friend yesterday.
존댓말: 어제 친구 만났어요.[eo-je chin-gu man-na-sseo-yo.]
반말: 어제 친구 만났어.[eo-je chin-gu man-na-sseo.]
Addressing people
When politely addressing someone using 존댓말, add the word 씨, as in 경은 씨 [gyeong-eun ssi], 현우 씨 [hyeo-nu ssi], 석진 씨 [seok-jjin ssi], 소연 씨 [so-yeon ssi], and 현정 씨 [hyeon-jeong ssi]. If in a business or school setting, add the title of the person’s job or status after his/her name, such as 경은 선생님 [gyeong-eun seon-saeng-nim], 현우 회장님 [hyeo-nu hoe-jang-nim], etc., to show more formality toward the addressee.
When speaking in 반말, however, you can just say the name of the person without 씨. In order to make the name sound more natural when addressing the other person, add 아 [a] or 야 [ya] to the end of the name. Names which end WITHOUT a consonant are followed by 야 [ya], and names which end WITH a consonant are followed by 아 [a].
Ex)
경은 → 경은아! [gyeong-eu-na!] (Hey Kyeong-eun!)
현우 → 현우야! [hyeo-nu-ya!] (Hey Hyunwoo!)
Speaking in Third Person
When using a person’s name while speaking or writing in third person, 이 [i] is added after names which end with a consonant. Therefore, names such as 경은 and 석진 are followed by 이.
If 현우 wants to talk about Seokjin in a sentence, he says Seokjin’s name as “석진이” [seok-jji-ni].
Ex)
석진이가 했어. [seok-jji-ni-ga hae-sseo.] = Seokjin did it.
More Phrases in 반말
- 안녕하세요 [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] → 안녕 [an-nyeong]
- 안녕히 가세요 [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] → 안녕 [an-nyeong] / 잘 가 [jal ga]
- 안녕히 계세요 [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] → 안녕 [an-nyeong] / 잘 있어. [jal i-sseo]
- 저 [jeo] → 나 [na]
- ~ 씨 [ssi] / You → 너 [neo]
- 네 [ne] / 예 [ye] → 응 [eung] / 어 [eo]
- 아니요 [a-ni-yo] → 아니 [a-ni] / 아니야 [a-ni-ya]
ㅅ irregular verbs
When ㅅ is the 받침 [bat-chim] of a verb stem and it is followed by a vowel, the ㅅ is dropped. Ex) 낫다 [nat-tta] = to heal; to recover; to be better (in comparison) 낫 + 아요 (present tense) → 나아요 [na-a-yo] = It is better. / Please feel better. 젓다 [jeot-tta] = to stir (liquid) 젓 + 어요 (present tense) → 저어요 [jeo-eo-yo] = I stir. / Please stir it. 잇다 [it-tta] = to connect; to link 잇 + 었어요 (past tense) = 이었어요 [i-eo-sseo-yo] = I connected (it). / I linked (it). 짓다 [jit-tta] = to build; to compose 짓 + 었어요 (past tense) = 지었어요 [ji-eo-sseo-yo] = I built it. / I composed it.
Sample Sentences 잘 저으세요. [jal jeo-eu-se-yo.] = Stir it well.
두 개를 이었어요. [du gae-reul i-eo-sseo-yo.] = I connected the two (objects).
이 집을 누가 지었어요? [i ji-beul nu-ga ji-eo-sseo-yo?] = Who built this house?
좋은 이름을 지을 거예요. [jo-eun i-reu-meul ji-eul kkeo-ye-yo.] = I am going to create a good name.
감기 다 나았어요? [gam-gi da na-a-sseo-yo?] = Did you recover (completely) from the cold?
Exceptions There are some verb stems in which the “ㅅ” 받침 is regular, meaning that the ㅅ is not dropped and it stays the same. Ex) 웃다 [ut-tta] = to smile; to laugh 웃어요. [u-seo-yo.] = Smile. / I smile. / He laughs. / They laugh.
씻다 [ssit-tta] = to wash 씻을 거예요. [ssi-seul kkeo-ye-yo.] = I am going to wash up. / I am going to wash it.
벗다 [beot-tta] = to take (clothes) off 신발을 벗어 주세요. [sin-ba-reul beo-seo ju-se-yo.] = Please take your shoes off
How many (with counter)
몇
connector between clause 2 happens before clause 1
V-기전에
N-전에
in order to
V-(으)러 used with directional verbs 가다/오다 to indicate the purpose of going or coming.
together with N
N-하고 같이
That doesn’t matter for sure.
상관없지요
from place A to place B
Place A에서 Place B까지
means of motion for walk, run, drive
걸어서, 뛰어서, 운전해서
at the time of N,
when (overlapping things at the same time)
N-때, at the time of N.
V-(으)ㄹ 때, when (overlapping things at the same time)
speech levels
Korean written dates
Year Month Day
Eg. 2023-01-02
이천이십삼 년 일 월 잉 일)
TTMIK 1 Sentence 10 Pronounciation Rules
https://youtu.be/-Rtpq_N93YQ
It keeps getting…or
more and more so in time or
as time goes by
갈수록…
E.g. 갈수록 추워요 (It keeps getting colder.)
it cannot be…or, it’s impossible that…verb ending
V-(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요
In Korean, when you want to express your disbelief in something that is said, has actually happened, or is happening right at that moment, you can use the ding -(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요.
Meaning
-(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요means “it cannot be…” or “it is impossible that…”.
Conjugation:
Verb stems ending with a vowel + -ㄹ 리가 없어요.
Verb stems ending with ㄹ + 리가 없어요.
Verb stems ending with consonants other than ㄹ + -을 리가 없어요.
Meaning of 리
리 means “reason” or “logic” and can be found in the words “이유 (reason)” and “논리 (logic)”. Therefore, the structure -(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요 literally means “there is no reason that…” or “there is no logic behind the fact that…”, and when it is translated into English, it means “it cannot be…” or “it is impossible…”.
Examples
- 그렇다 is a very common expression that is used every day in Korean, which means “to be so”. When 그렇다 is put together with verb endings, the consonant ㅎ is usually dropped.
그러 + ㄹ 리가 없어요 = 그럴 리가 없어요!
= It cannot be!
= It cannot be so!
= That is impossible!
- 눈이 오다 = to snow
눈이 오 + ㄹ 리가 없어요 = 눈이 올 리가 없어요!
= It is impossible that it is snowing!
= It cannot be snowing!
- 모르다 = to not know
모르 + ㄹ 리가 없어요 = 모를 리가 없어요.
= It cannot be that he/she does not know.
= It is impossible that he/she does not know.
Using -(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요 with the past and future tenses
-을 리가 없어요 can be placed after the past tense suffix -았/었/였-. In this case, it is always -을 because the past tense suffixes always end in the consonant ㅆ.
Examples
- 가다 = to go
[present tense] 가 + -ㄹ 리가 없어요 = 갈 리가 없어요
= There is no way that he/she is going/leaving.
= He/She will never go.
[past tense] 가 + -았- + -을 리가 없어요 = 갔을 리가 없어요
= There is no way that he/she went.
- 있다 = to be (somewhere)
[present tense] 있 + -을 리가 없어요 = 있을 리가 없어요
= There cannot be something.
= No way that it exists.
[past tense] 있 + -었- + -을 리가 없어요 = 있었을 리가 없어요
= It is impossible that there was …
For the future tense, the same structure as the present tense is used. You can simply add words which indicate that you are talking about a future action or state.
Ex)
내일이 일요일 + -이 + -ㄹ 리가 없어요. = 내일이 일요일일 리가 없어요.
= There is no way that tomorrow is Sunday.
내일 눈이 오 + -ㄹ 리가 없어요. = 내일 눈이 올 리가 없어요.
= It is impossible that it will snow tomorrow.
Sample Sentences
정말요? 그럴 리가 없어요!
= Really? That cannot be true!
효진 씨가 안 왔을 리가 없어요.
= It is impossible that Hyojin did not come.
= There is no way that Hyojin is not here.
경은 씨가 노래를 할 리가 없어요.
= There is no way that Kyeong-eun is going to sing.
= It is impossible that Kyeong-eun will sing.
안 추울 리가 없어요. 지금 1월이에요.
= It is impossible that it is not cold. It is January right now.
이상하네요. 안 될 리가 없어요.
= It is strange. There is no way that it is not going to work.
당신 and “You”
The word 당신 appears in many Korean songs, dramas and movies, but it needs to be used with caution in real-life conversations. Take a closer look at 당신 by following this lesson.
Meaning
In many dictionaries, if you look up the word “you”, you will see 당신 as a suitable translation. However, in reality, native Korean speakers rarely use the word “you” in sentences, especially when speaking in 존댓말, or formal language.
당신 may technically mean “you”, but the connotation of 당신 is much different than “you” in English. Unless you understand what 당신 means, exactly in what situations you can use it, and how to use it - simply do not use it. Luckily, this lesson is dedicated to helping you understand this pesky, but useful, little word!
Well, then when is it that people DO use the word 당신?
You can use the word 당신 when:
1. you are angry at someone and you do not mind fighting or arguing with that person;
2. you are translating from a foreign language and you absolutely must have a word for “you”;
3. you are writing or singing a song, or are using indirect language in general;
4. you are addressing your spouse (commonly used among middle-aged or older people);
5. (rare case) you are talking about someone (who is not present) in an honorific way and want to say “he” or “she”.
Usage 1
당신 뭐야?
= Who do you think you are? / What are you?
당신 뭐가 문제야?
= What is your problem?
Using 당신 in fashion evokes the feeling that you really do not mind getting in a quarrel or a fight with the other person. Note that you are not speaking entirely in 존댓말 anymore. If you are already speaking in 반말, you would say “너”.
Usage 2 & 3
당신의 눈은 참 아름다워요.
= Your eyes are so beautiful.
당신에게 이 노래를 바칩니다.
= I dedicate this song to you.
You are forced to use 당신 here because you do not know the name of the other person without context.
Usage 4
당신 지금 어디예요?
= Honey, where are you?
Other words which can replace 당신 in this usage are 여보 (most common) and 자기 (more common among young couples).
Usage 5
This is becoming more and more rare. Often at times, people drop the word 당신 simply out of fear of being misunderstood.
Then how do you say “you” in Korean?
When speaking in 반말, you can say 너.
너 + 는 [topic marker] = 너는
너 + 가 [subject marker] = 네가(written) or 니가(spoken)
If speaking in 존댓말, simply say the name of the other person and add suffixes such as -씨, -님, or a word which describes his or her position or job title.
Ex)
현우 씨 지금 시간 있어요?
= (Talking to 현우) Do you have time now?
Ex)
최경은 선생님, 어디예요?
= (Talking to teacher 최경은) Where are you?
If speaking in 존댓말, say the social status of the person.
Ex)
기사님, 여기에서 내려 주세요.
= (Talking to the taxi driver) Please drop me off here.
동 Movement Word builder
The key word element of this lesson is동.
The Chinese character for this word is 動.
The word element 동 is related to ‘movement’, ‘move’, and ‘to move’.
Sample Expressions
운 (to transport) + 동 (to move) =운동 運動= exercise; workout
Ex)
요즘에 운동 열심히 하고 있어요.
= I have been diligently exercising lately.
동 (to move) + 작 (to make) =동작 動作= movement; move
Ex)
이 동작을 따라하세요.
= Follow me and do this move.
작 (to make) + 동 (to move) =작동 作動= operation (of a device)
Ex)
작동이 안 돼요.
= It does not work.
활 (to flow, to be alive) + 동 (to move) =활동 活動= activity
Ex)
온라인 활동
= online activities
음악 활동
= music/musical activities
TV 활동
= TV activities/appearances
동 (to move) + 사 (language) = [grammar term]동사 動詞= verb
Ex)
이 단어는 동사예요.
= This word is a verb.
동 (to move) + 물 (object, material) =동물 動物= animal
Ex)
동물 좋아해요?
= Do you like animals?
연 (to connect) + 동 (to move) = [internet term]연동 聯動= linkage; interlocking
Ex)
페이스북 연동
= connecting to Facebook through another site
연동 되어 있어요.
= (Two web services) are linked/connected together.
행 (to do, to go) + 동 (to move) =행동 行動= behavior
Ex)
행동 똑바로 하세요!
= Behave yourself!
동 (to move) + 영 (to project) + 상 (image) =동영상 動映像= video
Ex)
동영상 응답
= video response
- to be okay, fine, alright
- Do not worry, no worries.
- It is good, cool, recommendable (with excitement)
- No thanks, I’m good, I am cool
괜찮아요.
It’s okay to…
you don’t have to…verb ending
V-아/어/여도 되다, (해도 돼요)
안 V-아/어/여도 되다, (안 해도 돼요)
that thing (near listener or understood concept)
그거(ㅅ)
(with particles: 그건 + 는, 그게 + 이, 그걸 +을)
that thing (far from both speaker and listener)
저거(ㅅ) (with particles: 저건 + 는, 저게 + 이, 저걸 +을)
toward, to, by, (method)
N-(으)로
you shouldn’t…you’re not supposed to…verb ending
V-(으)면 안 되다
Conjugation:
Verb stem + -(으)면 안 되다
-(으)면 안 되다can be broken into two parts: -(으)면 and 안 되다. -(으) 면 means “if” (go to Level 2, Lesson 23 to review this), and 되다 means “to work”, “to function”, “to be possible”, or “can do”. Therefore, 안 되다 means “it cannot be done”, “it is not possible”, or “it is not okay”.
-(으)면 안 되다 literally means “it is not okay if…” or “it is not acceptable if…”, and it can be more naturally translated to “you should not…” or “you are not supposed to…” in English.
Examples
- 열다 = to open
열면 안 돼요.
= You should not open it. / You are not supposed to open it.
열면 안 돼요?
= Should I not open it? / Am I not supposed to open it?
열면 안 돼.
= [to a child] You should not open it.
열어도 돼요.
= It is okay to open it. / You can go ahead and open it.
열어도 돼요?
= Can I open it?
- 만지다 = to touch
만지면 안 돼요.
= You should not touch it. / You cannot touch it.
만지면 안 돼요?
= [asking for permission] Am I not supposed to touch it?
만지면 안 돼.
= [to a child] You should not touch it.
만져도 돼요.
= It is okay to touch it. / You can go ahead and touch it.
만져도 돼요?
= Can I touch it?
More Verb Conjugation Practice
- 던지다 = to throw
던지면 안 돼요.
= You should not throw it.
던져도 돼요.
= It is okay to throw it.
- 팔다 = to sell
팔면 안 돼요.
= You should not sell it.
팔아도 돼요.
=It is okay to sell it.
- 말하다 = to tell; to talk
말하면 안 돼요.
= You should not tell/talk.
말해도 돼요.
= It is okay to tell/talk.
Sample Sentences
지금 말하면 안 돼요?
= Shouldn’t I tell/talk now? / Am I not supposed to tell/talk now?
여기서 팔면 안 돼요?
= Shouldn’t I sell it here? / Am I not supposed to sell it here?
그거 던지면 안 돼요. 유리예요.
= You should not throw it. It is (made of) glass.
One activity or event is just finished and another is beginning (after).
V-고나서…
Note: Only V, not DV. Also, more definitive than V-고, since event is complete.
verb ending for curiosity or to soften questions
V-나요?
VD-은가요?
while…ing
-(으)면서
2 simultaneous actions by the same subject.
Not A but B / Don’t do this but this..
In Level 2 Lesson 30, you learned how to use -지 마세요 after verb stems to tell someone NOT to do something. The key verb of -지 마세요 is 말다, which means “to not do something” or “to drop the intention of doing something”.
Ex)
가지 마세요. = Do not go.
하지 마세요. = Do not do it.
방해하지 마세요. = Do not interrupt me.
In this lesson, you will learn to use the verb 말다 in the form “말고” to make expressions such as “not this one but THAT one”, “not here but over there”, or “do not buy it, and use this one [instead]”.
- Note that -고 is the same ending in the word 그리고, meaning “and”.
Conjugation:
When saying “not A, but B” where A is a noun and B is a noun, use 말고 between the two nouns.
Ex) A 말고 B
When saying “do not do A, but/and do B” where A is a verb and B is a verb, add -지 after the verb stem of Verb A just as you would with sentences ending in -지 마세요.
Ex) [Verb A]-지 말고 [Verb B]
Here are some examples of using 말고 with nouns.
- 우유 말고 커피 주세요.
= Give me NOT milk BUT coffee.
= Do not give me milk, give me coffee. - 이거 말고 저거 살게요.
= Not this one, but that one over there, I will buy it.
= I will buy that one over there, not this one.
Here are some examples when 말고 is used with verbs.
- 걱정하지 말고 그냥 해 봐요.
= Do not worry and just give it a try. - 늦지 말고 일찍 오세요.
= Do not be late and come early.
Sample Sentences
전화하지 말고 문자 메시지 보내 주세요.
= Do not call me but [rather] send me a text message.
저 기다리지 말고 먼저 가세요.
= Do not wait for me and leave first.
= Please go first without waiting for me.
차가운 물에 넣지 말고 뜨거운 물에 넣으세요.
= Do not put it in cold water but put it in hot water.
내일은 여기 말고 다른 곳에서 만날 거예요.
= Tomorrow, we are going to meet NOT here, BUT in a different place [instead].
= Tomorrow we are going to meet at a different place rather than here.
지금 사지 말고 조금만 기다리세요.
= Do not buy it now and wait just a little while.
Word contraction 3
In this lesson, you will learn how the object marker -를 is contracted with the word which comes before it to make speaking shorter and more convenient in everyday Korean conversation.
Before you go further, take a moment to review the word contractions you learned in Level 4 Lesson 17 and Level 4 Lesson 23 through the following examples:
1.
이것 (= this) → 이거
이거 + 는 → 이건
2.
저것 (= that) → 저거
저거 + 는 → 저건
3.
이렇게 하면 → 이러면 = if you do it like this
저렇게 하면 → 저러면 = if you do it like that
4.
어떻게 해요? → 어떡해요? = What do we do? / How do we (deal with the situation)?
As you may already know by now at this point in your studies, -을 and -를 are object markers in Korean sentences, which means these little syllables are used to mark the object which is receiving direct action from the verb. -을 is used after words that end with a final consonant and -를 is used after words that end with a vowel.
However, in regular everyday conversational (and sometimes written) Korean, -를 is often shortened to just -ㄹ, which is then contracted to the end of the vowel of the previous word. -을 stays the same and does not contract.
Ex)
1.
저 = I, me (honorific)
저 + 를 = 저를 (me + object marker) → 절
2.
이거 = this
이거 + 를 = 이거를 (this + object marker) → 이걸
3.
여기 = here, this place
여기 + 를 = 여기를 (this place + object marker) → 여길
4.
뭐 = what
뭐 + 를 = 뭐를 (what + object marker) → 뭘
- Note that these examples only contain words which are frequently used on a daily basis and are words which most people habitually use in shortened forms. As for words which are not as frequently used as those in the examples, such as 우유 (milk) or 머리 (head), it is entirely up to the speaker as to whether or not to use a contraction (우율 or 머릴). In most cases, however, contracted forms of words which are not used every day, such as 우율 or 머릴, can be used in spoken Korean but not in written Korean.
Sample Sentences
절 초대해 주세요.
= Please invite me.
누가 절 불렀어요?
= Who called me?
여길 어떻게 알았어요?
= How did you find out about this place?
현우 씨가 여길 알려 줬어요.
= Hyunwoo told me about this place.
뭘 살 거예요?
= What are you going to buy?
뭘 기다리고 있어요?
= What are you waiting for?
이걸 살게요.
= I will buy this.
이걸 누구한테 줘야 돼요?
= To whom should I give this?
어딜 눌러야 돼요?
= Where should I press? / What button should I press?
어딜 보고 있어요?
= Where are you looking?
- Some expressions, such as 여길, 뭘, or 이걸, are so common in spoken Korean that you hardly ever hear people say 여기를, 뭐를, or 이거를.
to tell someone to do something
You have already learned that -(이)라고 is used after nouns or direct speech, and that -(ㄴ/는)다고 is used after verbs when quoting what something is called or what someone said. In this lesson, you will take a closer look at -(으)라고 and how it is used in the structure “verb + -(으)라고 + verb” to quote imperative statements (instructions or commands).
Conjugation:
Verb stems ending with a vowel + -라고 + 하다/말하다/쓰다/듣다/etc.
Verb stems ending with a last consonant + -으라고 + 하다/말하다/쓰다/듣다/etc.
Take a look at some examples:
보다 (= to see) → 보라고 하다 = to tell (someone) to look at (something)
먹다 (= to eat) → 먹으라고 말하다 = to tell (someone) to eat (something)
앉다 (= to sit) → 앉으라고 하다 = to tell (someone) to sit down
When quoting imperative statements, use -(으)라고, not -(ㄴ/는)다고.
Sample Sentences
조용히 하라고 말해 주세요.
= Please tell them/him/her to be quiet.
걱정하지 말라고 했어요.
= They told me not to worry.
= I told them not to worry.
누가 가라고 했어요?
= Who told you/her/him/them to go?
어디로 오라고 했어요?
= Where did they ask you to go?
= Where did you ask them to go?
- 오다 is often translated as “to come” in English, but it does not always make sense to English speakers this way. In English, deciding whether to use “to go” or “to come” is based on the listener’s perspective, but in Korean, “to come” or “to go” is decided from the speaker’s perspective. Therefore, in this case, someone probably told this person “Hey, come to OOO”, and the person is just quoting what he/she was told, which is why it is 오다 instead of 가다.
주연 씨한테 주라고 했어요.
= They told me to give this to Jooyeon.
= I told them to give that to Jooyeon.
whether or not verb ending
The verb ending -(으)ㄴ/는지 is used with verbs related to knowing, guessing, informing, or thinking, and to express the meaning of “whether” or “if”.
It can also be used with words such as 누구 (who), 어디 (where), 어떻게 (how), 왜 (why), 언제 (when), 뭐 (what) and 얼마나 (how + adverb/adjective) to mark the end of a question inside a compound sentence.
Conjugation:
(1) Action verbs
- Verb stem + -는지
Ex)
먹다 → 먹는지 *먹는지 is pronounced as 멍는지.
사다 → 사는지 - When the verb stem ends with ㄹ, drop the ㄹ and add -는지
Ex)
놀다 → 노는지
풀다 → 푸는지
(2) Descriptive verbs
- Verb stems ending with a vowel + -ㄴ지
(The verb -이다 (to be) is included in this category.)
Ex)
크다 → 큰지
예쁘다 → 예쁜지 - Verb stems ending with a consonant + -은지
Ex)
작다 → 작은지
좁다 → 좁은지
Take a look at some examples.
(1)
이거 뭐예요? (= What is this?) + 알아요? (= Do you know)
→ Do you know what this is? = 이거 뭔지 알아요?
이거 뭐이다 → 이거 뭐이 + -ㄴ지 → 이거 뭐인지 → 이거 뭔지 → 이거 뭔지 알아요?
* 인지 is often shortened to -ㄴ지.
(2)
뭐가 좋아요? (= What is good?) + 몰라요. (= I do not know.)
→ I do not know which one is good. = 뭐가 좋은지 몰라요.
뭐가 좋다 → 뭐가 좋 + -은지 → 뭐가 좋은지 → 뭐가 좋은지 몰라요.
(3)
문제가 있다 (= There is a problem.) + 물어보세요. (= Ask.)
→ Ask (them) if there is a problem. = 문제가 있는지 물어보세요.
문제가 있다 → 문제가 있 + -는지 → 문제가 있는지 → 문제가 있는지 물어보세요.
This ending -(으)ㄴ/는지 often implies “whether or not”, but the “or not” part is left unsaid. Here are a few ways to specifically add “or not” in Korean:
(1) When the verb is -이다, use 아닌지.
Ex)
이 금이 진짜 금인지 알고 싶어요. = I would like to know if this gold is real gold.
= 이 금이 진짜 금인지 아닌지 알고 싶어요. = I would like to know whether or not this gold is real gold.
(2) When the verb is 있다, use 없는지.
Ex)
안에 사람이 있는지 모르겠어요. = I cannot tell if someone is inside.
= 안에 사람이 있는지 없는지 모르겠어요. = I cannot tell whether or not someone is inside.
(3) When the verb is not 이다 or 있다, you can either use 안 -(으)ㄴ/는지 or the antonym of the verb.
Ex)
답이 맞는지 확인해 보세요. = Check if the answer is correct.
= 답이 맞는지 안 맞는지 확인해 보세요. = Check whether or not the answer is correct.
= 답이 맞는지 틀리는지 확인해 보세요. = Check whether the answer is correct or incorrect.
Sample Sentences
이 사람 누군지 알아요?
= Do you know who this person is?
이거 괜찮은지 봐 주세요.
= See if this is okay.
어떤 메뉴가 인기가 많은지 알려 주세요.
= Let me know which item on the menu is popular, please.
제가 왜 걱정하는지 몰라요?
= Do you not know why I worry?
내일 우리 만날 수 있는지 없는지 알고 싶어요.
= I would like to know whether or not we can meet tomorrow.
quoting someone
In this lesson, you will learn how to quote other people and yourself by using -(ㄴ/는)다고 and -(ㄴ/는)다는. Before you jump into the explanation, take a moment to briefly review some of the previously introduced verb endings related to -(ㄴ/는)다고 and -(ㄴ/는)다는.
Level 5 Lesson 10:
NOUN + -(이)라고 + VERB (related to speaking or communication)
Ex)
NOUN + -(이)라고 + 말하다
= to say that something is NOUN, to say “NOUN”
NOUN + -(이)라고 + 쓰다
= to write that something is NOUN, to write down “NOUN”
Level 5 Lesson 12:
NOUN + -(이)라는 + NOUN
Ex)
NOUN + -(이)라는 + 사람
= a person who says he/she is NOUN, a person who is called NOUN
NOUN + -(이)라는 + 곳
= a place that is called NOUN
Level 5 Lesson 16:
VERB + -(ㄴ/는)다
Ex)
가다 (= to go) → 나 먼저 간다. (= Hey, I am going to go.)
먹다 (= to eat) → 나 이거 먹는다. (= Hey, I am going to eat this.)
오다 (= to come) → 전화 온다. (= Hey, the phone is ringing.)
-(ㄴ/는)다고 is a COMBINATION of -(이)라고 and -(ㄴ/는)다.
The “NOUN + -(이)라고 + VERB” structure is used when you want to say “(they) say that (something is) + NOUN”. When you want to say “(they) say that (something) + VERB”, change 라 to 다.
NOUN + -라고 → VERB + -다고
In order to change a verb into the -다고 form, however, you need to use the narrative form, which was introduced in the previous lesson.
NOUN + -(이)라고 + 말하다/하다/쓰다/적다/부르다/etc.
VERB + -(ㄴ/는)다고 + 말하다/하다/쓰다/적다/부르다/etc.
* (말)하다 = to say / 쓰다 = to write / 적다 = to write down / 부르다 = to call
Take a look at some examples:
(1) Combined with 말하다 (= to say)
Action Verbs
가다 → 간다고 말하다 (= to say that someone is going, to say that someone will go)
보다 → 본다고 말하다 (= to say that someone sees something, to say that someone is going to see something)
Descriptive Verbs
좋다 → 좋다고 말하다 (= to say that something is good)
크다 → 크다고 말하다 (= to say that something is big)
(2) Combined with 듣다 (= to hear)
Action Verbs
오다 → 온다고 듣다 (= to hear that something/someone is coming)
먹다 → 먹는다고 듣다 (= to hear that someone eats something, to hear that someone is eating something)
Descriptive Verbs
비싸다 → 비싸다고 듣다 (= to hear that something is expensive)
맛있다 → 맛있다고 듣다 (= to hear that something is delicious)
Sample Sentences
뭐라고 했어요?
= What did you say?
전화 온다고 했어요.
= I said that your phone is ringing.
= She said that there is a phone call coming in.
- This sentence can also be translated differently depending on the context. You never
know without the subject.
그 사람이 내일 온다고 해요.
= He says that he will come tomorrow.
그 사람이 언제 온다고 했어요?
= When did he say he would come?
그 사람이 이거 뭐라고 했어요?
= What did he say this was?
한국은 겨울에 정말 춥다고 들었어요.
= I heard that it is very cold during winter in Korea.
여기에 뭐라고 써야 돼요?
= What should I write here?
TTMIK이 좋다고 쓰세요.
= Write “TTMIK is good”.
저도 간다고 말해 주세요.
= Please tell them that I am going to go, too.
이거 재미있다고 들었어요.
= I heard that this is fun.
Just as you learned to create the adjective form of -(이)라고, which is -(이)라는, in Level 5 Lesson 12, you will now learn to create the adjective form of -(ㄴ/는)다고, which is -(ㄴ/는)다는.
VERB + -(ㄴ/는)다는 + NOUN
Again, -(ㄴ/는)다는 is a shortened form of -(ㄴ/는)다고 하는, which is a combination of -(ㄴ/는)다고 하다 plus -는.
Ex)
비가 온다고 하는 이야기 = a story in which someone says that it rains
→ 비가 온다는 이야기
축하한다고 하는 메시지 = a message saying that he/she congratulates me
→ 축하한다는 메시지
Sample Sentences
TTMIK이 재미있다는 이야기를 들었어요.
= I heard (a story in which) someone (was) saying that TTMIK is fun.
저도 간다는 메시지를 남겼어요.
= I left a message saying that I would go, too.
주연 씨 결혼한다는 소식 들었어요?
= Have you heard the news that Jooyeon is getting married?
경은 씨가 제주도에 간다는 이야기를 들었어요.
= I heard (a story that) someone (was) saying that Kyeong-eun was going to Jeju Island.
지금 간다는 사람이 없어요.
= There is no one who says they will go now.
narrative present tense verb ending
-(ㄴ/는)다 is a great little verb ending which is used when you are talking or writing about what is happening, or “narrating” life events; just as Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones narrate movies.
What is being said is not intended for any specific audience, but rather just a general account of things.
For continuity and simplification, Talk To Me In Korean has decided to refer to -(ㄴ/는)다 as the “narrative present tense form”.
-(ㄴ/는)다 is most often used when speaking to someone who is NOT older than you AND with whom you are close, or when writing in a journal or reading a novel. When -(ㄴ/는)다 is used in writing, there is no distinction between formal language (존댓말) and casual language (반말).
Conjugation:
Action verbs:
- Verb stems ending with a vowel + -ㄴ다
Ex)
자다 (to sleep) → 잔다
- Verb stems ending with a last consonant + -는다
Ex)
굽다 (to bake) → 굽는다 - If a verb stem ends with ㄹ, drop the ㄹ and add -ㄴ다.
Ex)
팔다 (to sell) → 파 + ㄴ다 → 판다
Descriptive verbs:
- Verb stem + -다
Ex)
예쁘다 → 예쁘다
* In the case of descriptive verbs, since the verb stem is what remains after removing -다 from the verb, the narrative present tense form is actually the same as the verb’s dictionary form.
있다/없다:
- 있다 and 없다 are conjugated in the same way as descriptive verbs; therefore, they stay the same in the narrative present tense.
Usage Type 1 (speaking and writing)
- This is ONLY used when you are speaking to someone younger than yourself.
Use -(ㄴ/는)다 when:
- you want to show your reaction or impression when talking about a present action or situation;
Ex)
(1)
이거 좋다! = This is good!
* In 반말, you would say “이거 좋아” to the other person in the plain present tense, but “이거 좋다” expresses the reaction more clearly of seeing something for the first time.
(2)
여기 강아지 있다! = There is a puppy here!
* In 반말, you would say “여기 강아지 있어!”, but “여기 강아지 있다” generally does a better job of expressing your surprise or excitement.
(3)
저기 기차 지나간다. = Over there, there is a train passing by.
* “저기 기차 지나가” is typically used in plain 반말, but “저기 기차 지나간다” is used to show surprise or discovery of a certain fact.
(4) 전화 온다. = The phone is ringing.
* Using 반말, you would say “전화 와.” However, because you are describing a certain situation or action AS it is happening and not directing the phrase at anyone in particular, the narrative present tense form is used.
- you want to talk about a present action, situation, or a regular activity;
Ex)
(1)
나 먼저 간다. = I am leaving now (before you).
* In plain 반말, you would say “나 먼저 가” or “나 먼저 갈게”, but here you are narrating your action as you are doing it. It is as if you are saying “Hey, I am leaving now, as you can see. Show a reaction right now if you are going to react.”
(2)
그러면, 다음에는 너 초대 안 한다. = If you do that (If that is the case), next time, I will not invite you (and make that a rule).
* “그러면, 다음에는 너 초대 안 할게” or “그러면 다음에는 너 초대 안 할 거야” are two ways to say this in 반말 since you are talking about the future. If you want to describe it as a rule or a habit, you can say “너 초대 안 한다.”
Usage Type 2 (writing only)
When using -(ㄴ/는)다 in writing, the distinction between formal language and casual language disappears. In fact, this is an incredibly common way of describing a series of actions and is often used in personal journals, recipes, narration scripts for documentary films, or wherever a very neutral and narrative voice is required.
Ex)
(1)
경은은 오늘도 아침 8시에 일어난다. 일어나서 제일 먼저 하는 일은 핸드폰을 보는 것이다. = In a documentary film, Kyeong-eun gets up at 8am as usual. The first thing she does after she gets up is check her cellphone.
(2)
이 학교에서는 500명의 학생들이 한국어를 배운다. = In this school, 500 students learn Korean.
Sample Sentences
오늘 날씨 좋다!
= The weather is good today!
전화가 안 돼요. 어? 다시 된다!
= The phone is not working. Huh? It is working again!
저기 내 친구들 온다.
= There come my friends.
그럼 나는 여기서 기다린다?
= Then I will wait here, okay?
- By adding a question mark at the end, you can imply that you want the other person to
react.
한국어를 잘하고 싶으면, 매일 공부해야 한다.
= If you want to speak Korean well, you need to study every day.
- This sentence must be in writing.
At least, instead, it may not be the best but…
N/Ad/Particle-(이)라고
The expression -(이)라도 can be translated to English a number of different ways depending on the context of the Korean sentence. Since there is no definite translation for this expression and the meanings can vary greatly, you will learn just four of the most common usages in this lesson.
So, how is -(이)라도 used?
- -(이)라도 is attached after nouns, adverbs, or particles to imply one of the following:
- Something is suggested but is not the best out of all choices
Ex)
이거라도 (You are suggesting 이거 (this), but you and the other person know that this is not the best choice. You are suggesting this because it is better than nothing.)
저라도 (You are suggesting yourself to the other person, but you might not be the best choice out of everyone.)
커피라도 (You are suggesting coffee even if it might not be the best choice.)
- “Any choice is fine” (when used after 아무 (any), 누구 (who), 어디 (where), 언제 (when), or 어느 (which))
Ex)
누구라도 = anyone
어디라도 = anywhere
언제라도 = anytime
- Emphasis on number of quantity with the addition of “even” (when used after certain adverbs or words which describe a number or quantity)
Ex)
하루라도 = even just one day
잠시라도 = even just a little while
1달러라도 = even just one dollar
- Expressing suspicion about a certain possibility
Ex)
혹시 감기라도 = by any chance, maybe/perhaps a cold or something
어떤 문제라도 = maybe/perhaps any problem or something
Conjugation:
- Words ending with a vowel + -라도
Ex) 이거 + 라도 = 이거라도
- Words ending with a last consonant + -이라도
Ex) 물 + 이라도 = 물이라도
Sample Sentences
그거라도 주세요.
= Give me that (if you do not have anything better/else).
- “그거” (“that one”) is not the best choice, but you ask for it anyway.
과자라도 먹을래요?
= (I do not have any better food, but) would you like a snack (at least)?
- In this case, you do not have any other proper food, so you are suggesting having
a snack at the very least.
내일 영화라도 볼래요?
= Maybe we can watch a movie or something tomorrow?
= Do you want to watch a movie or something tomorrow?
- Watching a movie is not the best or most interesting thing that you could do together,
but you suggest it anyway because it is better than nothing. If you are very excited about watching a movie, you would instead just say “내일 영화 볼래요?”
이렇게라도 해야 돼요.
= I should at least do this.
= This should at least prevent further trouble.
= I should at least do this, or else…
- You imply here that there are other things which could be done, but you cannot do all of
them, and this is the least you can do to either stay out of trouble or to solve a situation.
저는 언제라도 갈 수 있어요.
= I can go anytime.
- The implication here is that “when” you go would not make much difference.
뭐라도 마셔요.
= Drink something (since it would be uncomfortable for me to see you not drink anything).
- 뭐 means “something” in this sentence, and you are telling the other person to at least
drink SOMETHING since you think it would be better than nothing.
하루라도 빨리 끝내야 돼요.
= I need to finish it quickly. Even one day sooner would make a big difference.
- 하루라도 빨리 can also be understood as a fixed expression that means “as soon as
possible”.
사고라도 났어요?
= Did you get into an accident or what?
= By any chance, did you have an accident?
- 사고가 나다 means “an accident happens” and here, if adding -라도 after 사고, you
imply that you have no concrete evidence or fact, but you have a hunch or suspicion that
something happened.
since, because, as
V-(으)니까 + V
In a previous lesson, you learned how to use 그래서 and -아/어/여서 to link sentences and show a reason/result relationship between them. Building upon that knowledge, you will now learn how to use the verb ending -(으)니까 to express that the verb which comes before -(으)니까 is the reason for another action or the basis of a judgement.
Conjugation:
Verb #1 Stem + -(으)니까 + Verb #2
The verb (Verb #1) preceding -(으)니까 is the reason or the basis of judgement for Verb #2.
Difference between -아/어/여서 and -(으)니까
- Although both of these structures show the reason/result, or cause/effect relationship, of two verbs, -아/어/여서 cannot be used in imperative sentences or with “Let’s”.
Ex)
(1)
지금 바쁘니까 나중에 전화해 주세요. (O)
= I am busy now, so call me later.
지금 바빠서 나중에 전화해 주세요. (X)
- -아/어/여서 cannot be used with imperative sentences.
(2)
지금 피곤하니까 우리 영화 내일 봐요. (O)
= I am tired now, so let’s watch the movie tomorrow.
지금 피곤해서 우리 영화 내일 봐요. (X)
- -아/어/여서 cannot be used with “let’s”.
** 우리 영화 내일 봐요 can be translated in two ways:
a. When 봐요 is translated as “let’s watch”, the entire sentence can NOT exist.
b. When 봐요 just means “we are watching” or “we are going to watch”, the whole sentence can mean “We are tired now, so we are going to watch the movie tomorrow.”
- For basic greetings and when talking about your own feelings or situations, you cannot use -(으)니까. -아/어/여서 must be used in this situation.
Ex)
(1)
와 줘서 고마워요. (O)
= Thank you for coming.
와 주니까 고마워요. (X)
(2)
어제 아파서 못 왔어요. (O)
= I was sick yesterday, so I could not come.
어제 아프니까 못 왔어요. (X)
Sometimes, -(으)니까 can mark the end of the sentence when simply answering a question or providing a basis for a judgement or an action.
Ex)
(1)
Q. 이거 왜 샀어요? = Why did you buy this?
A. 맛있으니까. = Because it is delicious. (반말 / casual language)
= 맛있으니까요. (존댓말 / polite and formal language)
(2)
괜찮아요. 아까 봤으니까.
= It is okay. (Because) I already saw it earlier.
* In this sentence, if speaking in 존댓말, you need to add -요 after 봤으니까. It is, however, still OKAY not to add it because this can be understood as a change in the order of the sentence parts. (아까 봤으니까 괜찮아요 → 괜찮아요, 아까 봤으니까.)
Sample Sentences
더우니까 에어컨 켤까요?
= It is hot, so shall we turn on the air conditioner?
- 더워서 에어컨 켤까요? (X)
- 더워서 에어컨 켰어요. (O) (= It was hot, so I turned on the air conditioner.)
저 지금 바쁘니까 나중에 전화해 주세요.
= I am busy now, so please call me later.
- 저 지금 바빠서 나중에 전화해 주세요. (X)
- 저 지금 바빠서 나중에 전화할게요. (O) (= I am busy now, so I will call you later.)
냉장고에 불고기 있으니까 먹어.
= There is some bulgogi in the refrigerator, so eat it.
- 냉장고에 불고기 있어서 먹어. (X)
- 냉장고에 불고기 있어서 먹었어. (O) (= There was some bulgogi in the refrigerator, so I ate it.)
내일 일요일이니까 내일 하세요.
= Tomorrow is Sunday, so do it tomorrow.
- 내일 일요일이어서 내일 하세요. (X)
- 내일 일요일이어서 일 안 할 거예요. (O) (= Tomorrow is Sunday, so I am not going to work.)
Someone/Something that is called (N+N)…
N-(이)라(고 하)는 N…
Review
-(이)라고 is used when the verb immediately following -(이)라고 ends the sentence. So what do you do when you want to add another noun after -(이)라고? The verb following -(이)라고 must be changed into adjective form.
Ex)
학생이라고 말하다 → 학생이라고 말하는
최고라고 하다 → 최고라고 하는
- Check out Level 3, Lesson 14 to review how to use this structure to turn action verbs into adjective form.
Shortened form
To say “the person who they say is the best” or “the boy that says he is my friend”, use
-(이)라고 하다 + -는, which is -(이)라고 하는 when combined together.
Since -(이)라고 하는 is a bit lengthy, and Korean is big on efficiency, a shortened form of this is commonly used: -(이)라는.
Ex)
학생이라고 하는 사람 = the person who (they) say is a student
→ 학생이라는 사람
책이라고 하는 것 = the thing that (they) call a book
→ 책이라는 것
Usages
You can use this NOUN + -(이)라는 + NOUN form when:
(1) you want to talk about an abstract concept and its innate characteristics.
Ex)
LOVE is… / This thing called LOVE is… = 사랑은 = 사랑이라는 것은…
(2) you want to introduce what something is called or how it is described.
Ex)
The person who they say is a doctor… = 의사라는 사람은…
This person called Hyunwoo is… = 현우라는 사람은…
Sample Sentences
여기에 ‘스쿨푸드’라는 식당이 있어요.
= Here, there is a restaurant called “School Food”.
진석진이라는 선생님이 있어요.
= There is a teacher called Jin Seokjin.
- In English, you have to add “called Jin Seokjin”, “who is called Jin Seokjin”, or “whose
name is Jin Seokjin” after “a teacher”, but in Korean, the order is reversed.
‘TalkToMeInKorean’이라는 웹사이트 알아요?
= Do you know the website called “TalkToMeInKorean”?
공부라는 것은, 재미없으면 오래 할 수 없어요.
= Studying is… (something that) you cannot do for a long time if it is not interesting.
- You can also say “공부는 재미없으면 오래 할 수 없어요.” If you say “공부라는 것은…”, you are talking about 공부 as the grand subject of the sentence.
내일, 알렉스라는 친구가 올 거예요.
= Tomorrow, a friend named Alex will come here.
Because N is/are/am,…
Beacuse N is not/are not/am not,…
N-to quote a subject said, talked, or answered
N-(이)라고 (말)하다, 이야가하다, 대답하다
N-아니라고 말하다… did not say
In this Talk To Me In Korean lesson, you will learn how to use-(이)라고.
-(이)라고 is a way to use direct speech or indirect/reported speech in Korean. In English, an example of this would be “She said, ‘I am a teacher’” or “Charlene said she is a teacher.”
As a way to quote what someone else said, -(이)라고 is typically not used by itself, but rather with words related to speaking, such as 말하다 (to speak), 이야기하다 (to talk), and 대답하다 (to answer).
It can also be used with 하다, which in this case means “to say”, “to tell”, “to talk”, and so on.
Before taking a look at how to form a sentence using -(이)라고 말하다/이야기하다/대답하다, please note that -(이)라고 is used ONLY when you want to say “(he/she/they) said that (something) is + NOUN”. When you want to say “(he/she/they) said that (something) + VERB”, you use different structures which will be covered in a future lesson.
Conjugation:
Noun (or the last word from a direct quotation) ending with a consonant + -이라고
Noun (or the last word from a direct quotation) ending with a vowel + -라고
Ex)
하늘 (sky) + 이라고 = 하늘이라고
나무 (tree) + 라고 = 나무라고
Meaning
하늘 = sky
하늘이라고 = (that it is) sky, “sky”
이거 = this
이거라고 = (that it is) this, “this”
Use with other words
It was mentioned in the beginning of this lesson that -(이)라고 is typically used with words such as 말하다, 이야기하다, 대답하다, and 하다 to indicate speaking or reporting of some type.
Ex)
이거라고 말하다
= to say that it is this, to say that this is it
학생이라고 말하다
= to say that he/she is a student
“감사합니다”라고 말하다
= to say “thank you”
In very casual conversation, the use of 말하다 is not necessary. It can be easily replaced by 하다 and still convey the same meaning. Compare the three examples below with the ones you just read.
이거라고 하다
= to say that it is this, to say that this is it
학생이라고 하다
= to say that he/she is a student
“감사합니다”라고 하다
= to say “thank you”
The meaning is exactly the same, right? It makes things a little easier, but please remember to ONLY use this in casual conversation!
So far, you have practiced the expression “to say that (something/someone) is + NOUN” in Korean, but there was no mention of the “(something/someone)” part. For example, the sentence from above, 학생이라고 말하다, was translated as “to say that he/she is a student”, but there was no mention of who “he/she” was in the Korean sentence. This works either when the subject of the indirect quotation is the same as the subject of the main verb, “to say”, or when the subject is so obvious in the context that it does not need to be mentioned.
Stating the SUBJECT
If you want to or need to clarify the subject of the indirect quotation, you can place the subject before “NOUN + -(이)라고 말하다/이야기하다/대답하다”. The subject marking particles, -이/가, can be omitted.
Ex)
1. 학생이라고 말하다
= to say that (he/she) is a student
* It is not known who is a student without any context.
이 사람이 학생이라고 말하다
= to say that this person is a student
* With this sentence, “this person” is the subject and is a student, but who said that this person is a student is still unknown.
** If you write/say it as 이 사람이 ‘학생’이라고 말했어요, it becomes a direct quotation with the meaning of “this person said ‘student’”.
경은 선생님이 이 사람 학생이라고 했어요.
= Kyeong-eun teacher said that this person is a student.
* The subject marking particle -이 after 이 사람 is omitted here in order not to repeat “-이” and to sound more natural. 했어요 is used rather than 말했어요 because 했어요 is more often used in spoken Korean.
- 공짜라고 하다
= to say that (something) is free of charge
* It is not known what is free of charge without any context.
이 책이 공짜라고 하다
= to say that this book is free of charge
* It is now known that “this book” is free of charge, but who said that this book is free of charge is still unknown.
현우 씨가 이 책 공짜라고 했어요.
= Hyunwoo said that this book is free of charge.
Q: What if I want to say “to say that (something/someone) is NOT + NOUN” in Korean?”
A: In that case, you can use NOUN + (-이/가) 아니라고 말하다/이야기하다/대답하다.
Ex)
학생이라고 말하다
= to say that (he/she) is a student
→ 학생(이) 아니라고 말하다 = to say that (he/she) is not a student
공짜라고 하다
= to say that (something) is free of charge
→ 공짜(가) 아니라고 말하다 = to say that (something) is not free of charge
Sample Sentences
이거라고 했어요.
= He/She/They said that it was this.
한국 사람이라고 했어요.
= He/She/They said that he/she was a Korean person.
뭐라고 말했어요?
= What did you say?
= What did you tell them?
= 뭐라고 했어요?
선생님이 뭐라고 했어요?
= What did the teacher say?
제가 일 등이라고 들었어요.
= I heard that I was the first place winner.
여기가 TTMIK 사무실이라고 해요.
= They say that this is the Talk To Me In Korean office.
저는 ‘(person’s name)’(이)라고 해요.
= My name is (person’s name).
= They call me (person’s name).
현우 씨가 여기 녹음실 아니라고 했어요.
= Hyunwoo said that this is not a recording room.
경은 씨가 이거 선물 아니라고 했어요.
= Kyeong-eun said that this is not a present.
This is a part of a series of lessons about -라고, -라는, -다고, and -다는. The other expressions will be introduced in the future. Stay tuned!
While I was doing, and then verb ending
V-다가
When you want to express a string of consecutive events, or things that happen during or shortly after one another, you can use the verb ending -다가 with the first verb in the sentence. Here are some
English examples to paint a clearer picture:
“I was on my bike and I fell.”
“I was cleaning my room when I found this.”
“She was watching a movie when she fell asleep.”
“She was studying in her room and then suddenly came up with this idea.”
This is a commonly used verb ending in Korean when you are talking about a gradual transition from one action to another or one situation to another.
The subject of the sentence should be the same for both of the verbs.
Conjugation
Verb stem + -다가
가다 (= to go) → 가다가
먹다 (= to eat) → 먹다가
놀다 (= to play) → 놀다가
자다 (= to sleep) → 자다가
전화하다 (= to call) → 전화하다가
Ex)
뛰다가 멈추다
= to be running and then stop
전화를 하다가
= while talking on the phone
전화를 하다가 잠이 들다
= to fall asleep while talking on the phone
Sample Sentences
집에 오다가 친구를 만났어요.
= On my way home, I met a friend.
= While coming home, I bumped into a friend.
텔레비전을 보다가 잠이 들었어요.
= I was watching television and I fell asleep.
= I fell asleep while watching TV.
여행을 하다가 감기에 걸렸어요.
= I was traveling and I caught a cold.
= I caught a cold while traveling.
서울에서 살다가 제주도로 이사 갔어요.
= I was living in Seoul, and then I moved to Jeju Island.
뭐 하다가 왔어요?
= What were you doing before coming here?
= What is it that you were doing before you came here?
- You can use this phrase in two ways: when you are genuinely curious about what the
other person was doing before arriving, or if the other person is late.
집에서 공부하다가 나왔어요.
= I was studying at home and came outside.
= I was studying at home before I came outside.
밥 먹다가 전화를 받았어요.
= I was eating when I received the phone call.
= I was eating and then I received a phone call.
밖에 있다가 들어왔어요.
= I was outside and came inside.
= I was outside before I came inside.
어디에 있다가 지금 왔어요?
= Where were you before you came here now?
= Where have you been?
일하다가 잠깐 쉬고 있어요.
= I was working and now I am taking a short break.
= I am taking a short break from work.
As soon as, right after, verb ending
V-자마자…
In this lesson, you will learn how to say “as soon as (you do something)” or “right after (doing something)” in Korean. The key structure you need to learn in order to say this is -자마자.
Conjugation:
Verb stem + -자마자
Ex)
보다 = to see
보 + -자마자 = 보자마자 = As soon as you see/meet/look
끝나다 = to finish
끝나 + -자마자 = 끝나자마자 = As soon as it finishes/ends
Just like “as soon as + S + V” or “right after + S + V” is not a complete sentence in English, the sentence is likewise incomplete in Korean. Unlike in English, however, the “tense” is not applied to -자마자.
Take a look at the following sentence:
“As soon as I got there, I realized it.”
In English, “got” is the past tense of “get”. In Korean, however, the “tense” of the sentence is expressed through the main verb at the end rather than the verb attached to -자마자.
Ex)
가자마자 전화를 했어요.
= As soon as I went there, I made a phone call.
* Note that it is 가자마자 rather than 갔자마자 - the past tense is expressed only through 했어요.
Sample Sentences
집에 오자마자 잠들었어요.
= I fell asleep as soon as I came home.
* 잠들다 = to fall asleep
졸업하자마자 일을 시작할 거예요.
= I will start working as soon as I graduate.
* 졸업하다 = to graduate
* 일 = work
* 시작하다 = to start
도착하자마자 전화할게요.
= I will call you as soon as I arrive.
* 도착하다 = to arrive
* 전화하다 = to call someone
보자마자 마음에 들었어요.
= As soon as I saw it, I liked it.
* 보다 = to see, to look
* 마음에 들다 = to like
들어가자마자 다시 나왔어요.
= I came outside again right after I went in.
* 들어가다 = to go inside
* 다시 = again
* 나오다 = to come outside
Intention or will to do/want/try something or the state of something in the very near future, verb ending.
The ending -(으)려고 하다 expresses the intention or will to do/want/try something or the state of something in the very near future.
Back in Level 2, Lesson 1, you learned how to make standard future tense sentences using -(으)ㄹ 거예요. In Level 3, Lesson 6, you learned how to use -(으)ㄹ게요 to look or ask for feedback on what you are thinking of doing. In Level 4, Lesson 2, you learned how to express the strong intention to do something or ask someone else’s intention by using -(으)ㄹ래요.
Let us take a moment to review:
- 하다 = to do
1. 할 거예요
= I am going to do; I will do (plain future tense)
2. 할게요
= I am going to do… what do you think? (looking for the other person’s reaction)
3. 할래요
= I want to do; I am going to do (showing determined intention)
Important
It may seem as if there are too many types of future tense endings in Korean, but each has its own specific purpose and WILL come in handy when you need to say things in specific situations. English also has a variety of future tense forms, such as “I will”, “I am going to…”, “I am thinking of…”, “I am going to be…”, etc.
Surely by now you can guess what we are introducing in this lesson. That is right! Yet another future tense ending!
The ending -(으)려고 하다 expresses the intention or will to do/want/try something or the state of something in the very near future.
Conjugation is simple, and as follows:
가 + -려고 하다 = 가려고 하다
먹 + -으려고 하다 = 먹으려고 하다
잡 + -으려고 하다 = 잡으려고 하다
하 + -려고 하다 = 하려고 하다
Usage 1 - showing intention for action
사다 = to buy
사려고 하다 = to be about to buy; to intend on buying; to be planning to buy
[past tense]
사려고 했어요. = I was going to buy it.
[noun group]
사려고 하는 사람 = someone who is planning to buy it
[present tense + -는데]
사려고 하는데 = I am thinking of buying it, and/but…
For expressing intention to do something, -려고 하다 is not commonly used in the plain present tense (-려고 해요) in colloquial Korean. Therefore, if you say “사려고 해요” it might sound very textbook-like and formal. Alternatively, however, you can use it in very formal situations.
Usage 2 - talking about a state of the near future
떨어지다 = to drop; to fall
떨어지려고 하다 = to be about to drop, to be going to drop
Ex)
비가 오려고 해요. = It looks like it is going to rain.
Q: How is this compared to the plain future tense?
A: When using -(으)려고 하다 to talk about the state of something or an event which is going to happen, it is usually based on your own assumptions or judgements.
Ex)
비가 올 거예요. = It is going to rain. (This is a fact.)
비가 오려고 해요. = It is about to rain (based on your own supposition or what you see)
Sample Sentences
어제 친구 만나려고 했는데, 못 만났어요.
= I wanted to meet a friend yesterday, but I could not meet her.
= I was going to meet a friend yesterday, but I could not meet her.
= I was planning to meet a friend yesterday, but I could not meet her.
* -(으)려고 했는데 is very useful for expressing your past plan for the future, which could
be past or present already when using this form.
외국에서 공부하려고 하는 학생들이 많아요.
= There are many students who want to study abroad.
= There are many students who are planning to study abroad.
* Here, you could also say “외국에서 공부할 거예요” but with -(으)려고 하다 it is easier
to make noun groups than -(으)ㄹ 것이다. The phrase 외국에서 공부할 것인 학생
does not make sense, so you have to say 외국에서 공부하려고 하는 학생.
카메라 사려고 하는데, 뭐가 좋아요?
= I am planning to buy a camera. Which one is good?
* “카메라 살 건데, 뭐가 좋아요?” would mean the same in most cases, but here, you are
showing more of your intention.
친구가 울려고 해요.
= My friend is going to cry.
= My friend is about to cry.
* It seems as though this sentence is talking about an action, “to cry”, but it is really expressing the state of your friend. Although he/she is about to cry, he/she is clearly not planning to cry. Judging from the looks of him/her, you assume that your friend is going to cry.
친구가 이사하려고 해요.
= My friend is planning to move.
= My friend is going to move. (= 친구가 이사할 거예요.)
= My friend wants to move.
* “이사하려고 해요” can be regarded as an action or state.
아이스크림이 녹으려고 해요.
= The ice cream is about to melt.
* If you want to say that you know for a fact the ice cream will melt, or if you wait for 10
minutes without eating it, you can say “녹을 거예요.”
I assume, suppose, or guess verb ending
V-나 보다 (action verbs only)
DV-(으)ㄴ 가 보다 (descriptive verbs)
DV(cons)-나 보다 (descriptive verbs ending in concenants)
If you have studied with our Level 4 book, in Lesson 27 you learned how to express “I think that…” or “ it seems that…” by using 것 같다. The key sentence structure in this lesson is somewhat similar to 것 같다, but it carries a stronger connotation of “I suppose… because…” or “I assume … based on ABC (fact).”
-나 보다 = I assume; I suppose; I guess
This is typically only used when you are talking about someone other than yourself. However, when you talk about yourself using -나 보다, you are referring to yourself in the third person by making assumptions about how or why you have done something.
Ex)
I guess you do not like coffee.
I guess I have never heard about it.
* Very important note: -나 보다 is only used with action verbs.
Conjugation:
[present tense]
Verb stem + -나 보다
[past tense]
Verb stem + -았/었/였- + -나 보다
(Future tense uses a different structure, which you will learn with us later.)
Ex)
1. 하다 = to do
하 + -나 보다 = 하나 보다 = I guess they do + something
→ [present tense] 하나 봐요.
→ [past tense] 했나 봐요.
- 모르다 = to not know
모르 + -나 봐요 = 모르나 봐요. = I guess he/she does not know.
→ [past tense] 몰랐나 봐요. = I guess he/she did not know. - 없다 = to not exist; to not be present
없 + -나 봐요 = 없나 봐요. = I guess he/she/it is not there.
→ [past tense] 없었나 봐요. = I guess he/she/it was not there. - 재미있다 = to be fun; to be interesting
재미있 + -나 봐요 = 재미있나 봐요. = I guess it is fun. / I suppose it is interesting.
→ [past tense] 재미있었나 봐요. = I guess it was fun. - 사다 = to buy
사 + -나 봐요 = 사나 봐요. = I guess he/she buys.
→ [past tense] 샀나 봐요. = I guess he/she bought.
Sample Sentences
주연 씨는 아직 모르나 봐요.
= I guess Jooyeon still does not know.
또 비가 오나 봐요.
= I guess it is raining again.
어제 재미있었나 봐요.
= I guess it was fun yesterday. / I assume you had a good time yesterday.
아무도 없나 봐요.
= I guess there is no one there.
고장 났나 봐요.
= I guess it broke.
Let us continue learning how to use -나 보다 to make your Korean more fluent!
You have already learned that you can use -나 보다 for action verbs (turn back one lesson if you have forgotten!)
Ex)
하다 → 하나 보다 (I guess they do…)
오다 → 오나 보다 (I guess they come…)
By slightly modifying -나 보다 to -(으)ㄴ가 보다, you can use this sentence structure with adjectives.
Ex)
예쁘다 → 예쁜가 보다 (I guess it is pretty…)
비싸다 → 비싼가 보다 (I guess it is expensive…)
작다 → 작은가 보다 (I guess it is small…)
For -이다 (to be):
-이다 changes to -인가 보다
Note that since -이다 is not an adjective on its own, it is usually combined with nouns to make a statement. However, in this case, -이다 is followed by -(으)ㄴ가 보다.
Conjugation:
Verb stems ending with a vowel + -ㄴ가 보다
Ex) 크다 → 크 + -ㄴ가 보다 = 큰가 보다
Verb stems ending with a consonant + -은가 보다
Ex) 작다 → 작 + -은가 보다 = 작은가 보다
Commonly accepted exceptions and irregularities
Even though the rule is that action verbs are followed by -나 보다 and adjectives are followed by -(으)ㄴ가 보다, Korean speakers often use -나 보다 with adjectives when the stem ends with a consonant. It does not, however, work the other way around - you absolutely cannot use -(으)ㄴ가 보다 with action verbs.
Ex)
작다 = to be small
Since 작다 is an adjective, it is to be followed by -(으)ㄴ가 보다.
작은가 보다 = I guess it is small.
However, due to the accepted irregularity to this rule, speakers often say 작나 보다 with the same intended meaning as 작은가 보다.
Ex)
맵다 = to be spicy
→ 매운가 보다 or 맵나 보다
Present tense and past tense conjugations
[present tense 존댓말]
-(으)ㄴ가 보다 → -(으)ㄴ가 봐요
[past tense 존댓말]
For past tense, you would simply add the suffix -았/었/였 to the stem of the adjective. After that, for ease of pronunciation and so people know what you are talking about, use -나 봐요 after -았/었/였.
Although the stem of an adjective is followed by -(으)ㄴ가 봐요 in the present tense, it is always followed by -았/었/였나 봐요 in the past tense. For example:
아프다 = to be sick
→ [present tense] 아프 + -(으)ㄴ가 봐요 = 아픈가 봐요
→ [past tense] 아프 + -았/었/였나 봐요 = 아팠나 봐요
Exceptions
When the adjective is composed of a noun and the verb 있다 or 없다 to create an adjective, i.e. 재미있다, 맛있다, 재미없다, or 맛없다, you need to add -나 봐요 after 있 or 없.
재미있다 → 재미있나 봐요 / 재미있었나 봐요
맛없다 → 맛없나 봐요 / 맛없었나 봐요
Sample Sentences
학생이 많아요. = There are a lot of students.
→ 학생이 많은가 봐요. = I guess there are a lot of students.
→ 학생이 많았나 봐요. = I guess there were a lot of students.
요즘 바빠요. = He is busy these days.
→ 요즘 바쁜가 봐요. = I guess he is busy these days.
→ 바빴나 봐요. = I guess he was busy.
아이들이 졸려요. = The kids are sleepy.
→ 아이들이 졸린가 봐요. = I guess the kids are sleepy.
그래요. = It is so./ That is right.
→ 그런가 봐요. = I guess so.
이쪽이 더 빨라요. = This way is faster.
→ 이쪽이 더 빠른가 봐요. = I guess this way is faster.
good work
수고 하세요
The word 수고 by itself is a noun which literally translates to English as “trouble”, “effort”, or “hard work”. However, 수고 is rarely used on its own, as you will find it more in certain fixed expressions.
The expressions which contain 수고 are used SO often in everyday Korean conversations that an entire lesson has been dedicated to it!
Fixed expressions using 수고
1. 수고하세요.
This expression literally means “continue working hard”, “keep up the effort”, “keep doing the work you are doing”, or “continue taking the trouble to do it”, but it does not actually have this meaning in general day-to-day conversation.
When showing appreciation or support for someone who is working hard or is putting in a lot of effort to accomplish something, you can say “수고하세요” to that person as you are leaving. It is almost like saying “goodbye” or “see you” and “keep up the good work” at the same time.
- When speaking to someone younger, say “수고해요” or even “수고해” if you are close friends with that person. 수고하세요 is more polite than 수고해요.
When to use 수고하세요:
- You received a parcel or a letter from a mailman. You want to say “thank you”, but want to add the meaning of “Thank you for the effort. Keep it up!”
- You visit or pass by someone who is working at the moment. As you walk away, you want to say “See you again, and I know you are working hard. Continue doing what you do.”
When NOT to use 수고하세요:
- When speaking to someone much older or someone who needs to be spoken to in more respectful language, do not use 수고하세요 as it may come off as rude or arrogant.
2.수고하셨습니다.
This expression is in the past tense and means “You made a lot of effort” or “You went through a lot of trouble to do this”.
You can use this expression to someone who just finished a task. If you are the one who made that person work, saying “수고하셨습니다” could mean “Thank you for the great job you did”. If you are just commenting on the fact that a person worked hard and has just finished something, it means “Good work” or “Congratulations on finishing it.”
- To someone younger, 수고했어요 or even 수고했어 is acceptable, but only if you are close friends with that person. If you are not the oldest member of the group, however, it is still better to say “수고하셨습니다.”
When to use 수고하셨습니다:
- You worked with other people as a group on a task or a project. The work is now finished. You want to casually celebrate the fact that the work is over and lightly thank the others for working so hard.
- Other people did some work and you became aware of it. You want to say “I know you put a lot of effort into it. It is finished now so as a gesture of acknowledgement, I want to give thanks.”
3.수고 많으셨습니다. / 수고 많았어요.
This expression literally means “Your effort has been a lot.”
This expression can be used in situations similar to those where 수고하셨습니다 is used, but 수고 많으셨습니다 is more specifically said to express appreciation of the effort. After finishing a task as a group, you would say “수고하셨습니다” all together, but you can go up to group members individually and say “수고 많으셨습니다.”
- Technically, because the noun 수고 is the subject, -시- cannot be used since 수고 is not a person. It is, however, still used this way when using honorifics to speak to someone.
to put on or take off various clothing articles
clothes 입다, 벗다
necklaces, earrings 하다, 빼다
shoes 신다, 벗다
hats, glasses 쓰다, 벗다
socks, gloves, rings 끼다
watch 차다, 풀다
belts, ties 하다/매다, 풀다
backpack, purse 매다/들다, 풀다
to resemble-N
N-(이)랑 닮았다
ie. 저는 엄마랑 닮았어요.
Honorific -시 ending
There are certain situations in life where you may find yourself needing to use more formal or polite language. In English, this is typically accomplished by saying “yes” rather than “yeah”, using more formal and/or academic words, or adding “ma’am” or “sir” to the sentence. In Korean, the honorific suffix -시- is used. Although this may be the first time you are being introduced to this suffix, chances are you have heard or seen this being used before. In fact, if you have ever said “안녕하세요” or even “안녕히 가세요”, you have used the honorific suffix -시-!
What is -시-?
-시- is an honorific suffix, which means it is never used on its own, and when combined with verbs, it signifies that the speaker is showing respect for the person who he/she is talking about. If the speaker wants to show respect directly to the person with whom he/she is speaking, this can be accomplished by adding -시-.
This suffix is usually used when talking about, and also directly to, older people; someone with whom you are psychologically distant, or someone who is higher in the social hierarchy. You can never use -시- when talking about yourself.
How is it used?
-시- can be used in any tense by adding -시- between the verb stem and the verb ending indicating tense.
PLAIN
Present tense: verb stem + -아/어/여요
Past tense: verb stem + -았/었/였어요
Future tense: verb stem + -ㄹ 거예요
HONORIFIC
Present tense: verb stem + -시- + -어요
Past tense: verb stem + -시- + -었어요
Future tense: verb stem + -시- + -ㄹ 거예요
* When the verb stem ends with a consonant, add 으 in front of 시 to conjugate it into a form that is easier to pronounce.
Ex)
1. 보다 = to see
Present tense
[plain] 보 + -아요 = 봐요
[honorific] 보 + -시- + -어요 = 보셔요
Past tense
[plain] 보 + -았- + -어요 = 봤어요
[honorific] 보 + -시- + -었- + -어요 = 보셨어요
Future tense
[plain] 보 + -ㄹ 거예요 = 볼 거예요
[honorific] 보 + -시- + ㄹ 거예요 = 보실 거예요
- 웃다 = to laugh; to smile
Present tense
[plain] 웃 + -어요 = 웃어요
[honorific] 웃 + -으시- + -어요 = 웃으셔요
Past tense
[plain] 웃 + -었- + -어요 = 웃었어요
[honorific] 웃 + -으시- + -었- + -어요 = 웃으셨어요
Future tense
[plain] 웃 + -을 거예요 = 웃을 거예요
[honorific] 웃 + -으시- + -ㄹ 거예요 = 웃으실 거예요
Using the plain form is perfectly acceptable if there is no need to be honorific. The honorific form has a subtle nuance to help the speaker express respect, but it translates to the exact same meaning as the same plain form sentence.
Honorific subject marker
Do you remember what the subject marking particles are? In case you have forgotten, -이/가 show “WHO” did the action or “WHO” is the subject of the verb.
Ex)
A: 누가 했어요? (Who did it?)
B: 제가 했어요. (I did it.)
In honorific sentences, the subject marking particles change to -께서. -께서 is only used after subjects who you need to be honorific toward; showing respect and lowering your “status”. If honorific verb conjugations are not used, then -께서 cannot be used. You cannot use one without the other.
Ex)
A가 → A께서
Often at times, the word for the subject itself can change. For example, the word 선생님 is already in the honorific form because it contains the particle “님”, but the word 친구 needs to be changed. In casual conversations, adding 이 or 가 as subject markers is acceptable, but when using honorifics, some words may need to be altered slightly.
Ex)
친구가 → 친구분께서 (adding the particle 분)
사장이 → 사장님께서 (adding the particle 님)
현우 씨가 → 현우 님께서 (changing the particle 씨 to 님)
In everyday conversation with people with whom you know well, it is possible to drop -께서 while still keeping the basic honorific form using -시-.
Ex)
1. 현우 씨, 언제 오실 거예요? = Hyunwoo, when are you going to come here?
2. 선생님이 주셨어요. = My teacher gave it to me.
3. 아빠 오셨어요. = My father is here.
Irregular verbs examples
1. 듣다 = to listen
→ [honorific] 들으시다
Present tense : 들으셔요
Past tense : 들으셨어요
Future tense : 들으실 거예요
- 팔다 = to sell
→ [honorific] 파시다
Present tense : 파셔요
Past tense : 파셨어요
Future tense : 파실 거예요 - 먹다 = to eat
→ [honorific] 드시다
Present tense : 드셔요
Past tense : 드셨어요
Future tense : 드실 거예요 - 마시다 = to drink
→ [honorific] 드시다 (* the same as 먹다)
Present tense : 드셔요
Past tense : 드셨어요
Future tense : 드실 거예요
Fixed expressions (noun + 하시다)
There are a couple of nouns that are only used in honorific situations with 하시다 to form the utmost honorific and polite expression.
말 = talk, speech, story, speaking
→ 말씀
→ 말씀하시다 = to talk
밥 = rice, meal
먹다 = to eat
→ 식사 = meal
→ 식사하시다 = to have a meal
-셔요 becoming -세요
According to the official way Korean is meant to be spoken and written, when -시- is combined with -아/어/여요 - the present tense ending - it becomes -셔요. Over time, people started saying it, and even writing it, as -세요 because it is easier to pronounce. -세요 has been recognized as a language standard for nearly 3 decades, but it is only found in present tense sentences and imperative sentences.
Present tense:
Ex)
어디 가셔요? → 어디 가세요?
(어디 가셔요 is still correct, but 어디 가세요 is more common.)
Imperative:
Ex)
하지 마셔요. → 하지 마세요.
(하지 마셔요 is still correct, but 하지 마세요 is more common.)
almost did or nearly did something verb ending
V-(으)ㄹ 뻔했다
뻔했다
-(으)ㄹ 뻔하다 describes “nearly getting into a situation where something happens” and it is usually used in past tense since you are talking about something that you almost did. However, in order to use a verb with -(으)ㄹ 뻔했다, you need to conjugate the verb into the future tense and add 뻔했다 after it because, at the point of almost doing something, you were going to do it in the near future.
Ex)
사다 = to buy
[polite] 살 뻔했어요. = I almost bought it.
[casual] 살 뻔했어. = I almost bought it.
믿다 = to believe
[polite] 믿을 뻔했어요. = I almost believed it.
[casual] 믿을 뻔했어. = I almost believed it.
울다 = to cry
[polite] 울 뻔했어요. = I almost cried.
[casual] 울 뻔했어. = I almost cried.
Sample Sentences
무서워서 울 뻔했어요.
= It was scary, so I almost cried.
= I almost cried because I was scared.
무거워서 떨어뜨릴 뻔했어요.
= It was heavy and I almost dropped it.
돈을 잃을 뻔했어요.
= I almost lost my money.
죽을 뻔했어요.
= I almost died.
갈 뻔했는데, 안 갔어요.
= I almost went there, but I did not.
- If you want to emphasize the fact that you ALMOST did something, you can put more emphasis on the word 뻔 by pronouncing it stronger when you speak.
to gradually get to do, eventually find oneself doing, to end up doing, verb ending
V-게 되다
By using the Korean structure -게 되다, you can say things like “to gradually get to do”, “to eventually find oneself doing”, or “to end up doing”.
In order to use this structure, it is important that you fully understand the structure itself. Take a look at what -게 and 되다 mean separately:
-게 = in such a way that… / so that…
되다 = to become
Meanings of -게 + 되다
= things happen in a way in which someone gets to do something
= to get into a state where someone does something
Conjugation:
Verb stem + -게 되다
Examples
(1)
하다 (= to do) + -게 되다 = 하게 되다
[present tense] 하게 돼요.
[past tense] 하게 됐어요.
[future tense] 하게 될 거예요.
(2)
알다 (= to know) + -게 되다 = 알게 되다
[present tense] 알게 돼요.
[past tense] 알게 됐어요.
[future tense] 알게 될 거예요.
Usages of -게 되다
-게 되다 has various usages:
1. When you do not want to do something, but you have to and you eventually end up doing it;
안 먹고 싶어요. 그런데 먹게 돼요.
= I do not want to eat it, but I keep eating it anyway.
Think of this as a situation transitioning from A to B. In situation A, you do not want to eat something, but in situation B, you are eating it. At first, you neither wanted to eat something, nor even cared about eating it, but you eventually find yourself eating it.
- When you did not expect or intend to do something, but you ended up having to do it;
지난주에 영화를 보게 됐어요.
= I was not planning to in the first place, but I got to see a movie last week.
You went from situation A, where you did not plan to see that movie, to situation B where you actually saw the movie. - When you want to say that you (or someone else) will eventually do something in the future whether or not you (or he/she) want(s) to.
그렇게 하게 될 거예요.
= You will eventually end up doing it that way.
오게 될 거예요.
= He will eventually come here.
By using -게 될 거예요, you express confidence about what is going to happen in the future.
Sample Sentences
내일 알게 될 거예요.
= You will find out tomorrow.
다 사게 됐어요.
= I ended up buying everything.
다시 학교에 다니게 됐어요.
= (Things have happened so that) now I can go back to school.
어떻게 여기에 오게 됐어요?
= How did you get to come here?
만나게 되면 말해 주세요.
= If you get to meet him, tell me.
to become + adjective
the most basic and common way to say “to become + adjective” is:
-아/어/여지다
Since all Korean adjectives are found in the dictionary in the infinitive form (-다), in order to say “to become + adjective”, you need to know the infinitive form of the adjective.
Ex)
예쁘다 = to be pretty
예쁘 + -어지다 = 예뻐지다 = to become pretty
작다 = to be small
작 + -아지다 = 작아지다 = to become small
이상하다 = to be strange
이상하 + -여지다 = 이상해지다 = to become strange
재미있다 = to be interesting, to be fun
재미있 + -어지다 = 재미있어지다 = to become interesting
If you want to say “to become + more + adjective” in Korean, add “더” before the adjective.
Ex)
더 예뻐지다
= to become prettier
더 작아지다
= to become smaller
더 이상해지다
= to become stranger
더 재미있어지다
= to become more interesting
Sample Sentences
날씨가 따뜻해졌어요.
= The weather has become warm.
컴퓨터가 빨라졌어요.
= The computer has become fast.
한국어 공부가 재미있어졌어요.
= Studying Korean has become fun.
줄이 길어졌어요.
= The line has become long.
내일 다시 추워질 거예요.
= It will become cold again tomorrow.
you know? verb ending
*reminder response (agreed upon) or
*blaming, if said with force.
V-잖아요
to become (change of state) verb ending
V-아/어/여지다
Denotes the resultant state or condition (eg. 봄에는 날씨가 따뜻해져요.).
If the present state is a result of a change in the past, the past tense form is used (eg. 이제 깨끗해졌어요 ‘It’s now become clean.’).
Talk to me in Korean:
the most basic and common way to say “to become + adjective” is:
-아/어/여지다
Since all Korean adjectives are found in the dictionary in the infinitive form (-다), in order to say “to become + adjective”, you need to know the infinitive form of the adjective.
Ex)
예쁘다 = to be pretty
예쁘 + -어지다 = 예뻐지다 = to become pretty
작다 = to be small
작 + -아지다 = 작아지다 = to become small
이상하다 = to be strange
이상하 + -여지다 = 이상해지다 = to become strange
재미있다 = to be interesting, to be fun
재미있 + -어지다 = 재미있어지다 = to become interesting
If you want to say “to become + more + adjective” in Korean, add “더” before the adjective.
Ex)
더 예뻐지다
= to become prettier
더 작아지다
= to become smaller
더 이상해지다
= to become stranger
더 재미있어지다
= to become more interesting
Sample Sentences
날씨가 따뜻해졌어요.
= The weather has become warm.
컴퓨터가 빨라졌어요.
= The computer has become fast.
한국어 공부가 재미있어졌어요.
= Studying Korean has become fun.
줄이 길어졌어요.
= The line has become long.
내일 다시 추워질 거예요.
= It will become cold again tomorrow.
Past tense noun group
Expresses the adjective form of a verb in the past tense.
Examples
1. 보다 = to watch; to see → 보 + -(으)ㄴ = 본
→ 어제 본 영화 = the movie that I saw yesterday
2. 오다 = to come → 오 + -(으)ㄴ = 온
→ 어제 온 사람들 = the people who came yesterday
3. 말하다 = to say; to talk about → 말하 + -(으)ㄴ = 말한
→ 친구가 말한 카페 = the cafe that a friend talked about
Sample Sentences
어제 본 영화 어땠어요?
= How was the movie that you saw yesterday?
새로 이사 간 집은 어때요?
= How is your new house that you moved to?
오늘 배운 내용 복습하세요.
= Please review what you learned today.
Now, take a moment to compare a few different tenses for noun groups using what you have already learned from previous lessons.
Examples
1. 보다 = to watch; to read; to see
Present tense noun group: 보는 + noun
Past tense noun group: 본 + noun
Future tense noun group: 볼 + noun
제가 보는 책이에요.
= It is a book that I am reading.
제가 본 책이에요.
= It is a book that I have read.
제가 볼 책이에요.
= It is a book that I will read.
2. 공부하다 = to study
Present tense noun group: 공부하는 + noun
Past tense noun group: 공부한 + noun
Future tense noun group: 공부할 + noun
요즘 공부하는 외국어예요.
= It is a foreign language that I am studying these days.
어제 공부한 외국어예요.
= It is a foreign language that I studied yesterday.
내일 공부할 외국어예요.
= It is a foreign language that I will study tomorrow.
or
that much/many (more than expected)
(이)나
When used as much more than expected (surprise or shock) it’s placed after a quantity, like time or amounts.
future tense noun group
V-(으)ㄹ + N expresses the adjective form of a verb in the future tense.
Ex)
(1)
읽다= to read → 읽 + -(으)ㄹ =읽을
→읽을 책= a book which (someone) will read; a book to read
(2)
초대하다= to invite → 초대하 + -(으)ㄹ =초대할
→초대할 사람= a person that (someone) will invite; a person to invite
(3)
보내다= to send → 보내 + -(으)ㄹ =보낼
→보낼 편지= a letter that (someone) will send, a letter to send
All of the examples above were in the “verb stem + -(으)ㄹ + noun” form.
When the word 것 (which means “thing” or “the fact”) is used rather than a specific noun, the noun group can mean “something to + verb”.
Ex)
(1)
먹다= to eat→ 먹 + -(으)ㄹ =먹을
→먹을 것= something to eat = food
* 먹을 것 directly translates to “something to eat” or “thing(s) I will eat”, but over the course of time, it has gained the meaning of “food”.
(2)
타다= to ride → 타 + -(으)ㄹ =탈
→탈 것= something to ride = vehicle
* 탈 것 directly translates to “something that I will ride” or “a thing that I will ride”, but colloquially, it means “vehicle”.
(3)
마시다= to drink → 마시 + -(으)ㄹ =마실
→마실 것= something to drink = beverages
Now, do you recognize the ending -(으)ㄹ 거예요 from the lesson on future tense (Level 2 Lesson 1)? In future tense, add -(으)ㄹ 거예요 after a verb stem.
-(으)ㄹ 것 + 이에요 = -(으)ㄹ 것이에요 → -(으)ㄹ 거예요
Since the future tense stems from-(으)ㄹ 것, a Korean sentence like this can be translated in two different ways.
Ex)이거 누가 먹을 거예요?
If you think of this sentence as “누가 먹다 (who + eat) + future tense”, it will be translated as “who will eat this?” If you think of it as “누가 먹을 거 (who + will + eat + thing) + to be”, it will be translated as “this thing, who will eat it?”
Sample Sentences
내일 할 일이 많아요.
= I have a lot (of work) to do tomorrow.
= There is a lot of stuff that I will do tomorrow.
지금은 할 이야기가 없어요.
= Right now, I have nothing to say.
= For now, there is nothing I will say.
냉장고에 먹을 것이 전혀 없어요.
= In the refrigerator, there is not any food at all.
much more, much less
훨씬 = much (more), far (more)
훨씬 in front of 더 (더 can be omitted but not 덜) or 덜
더 멋있다 = to be cooler; to be more stylish
훨씬 더 멋있다 = to be much cooler; to be much more stylish
Sample Sentences
이게 훨씬 더 좋아요.
= This is much better.
서울에서 도쿄까지보다, 서울에서 뉴욕까지가 훨씬 더 멀어요.
= From Seoul to New York is much farther away than from Seoul to Tokyo.
일본어보다 한국어가 훨씬 더 쉬워요.
= 한국어가 일본어보다 훨씬 더 쉬워요.
= Korean is much easier than Japanese.
훨씬 is the “much” in the phrase “much more”, but when using 훨씬, people will already know that you are making a comparison; therefore, sometimes when you want to say “much more + adjective/adverb”, the word 더 can be dropped from 훨씬 더.
- However, you cannot drop 덜 from 훨씬 덜, which means “much less + adjective/adverb”.
Ex)
훨씬 더 좋아요. = 훨씬 좋아요.
훨씬 더 재미있어요. = 훨씬 재미있어요.
Examples of using 훨씬 with 덜.
- Go back to Level 4 Lesson 19 if you want to review on 덜.
덜 = less
비싸다 = to be expensive
덜 비싸다 = to be less expensive
훨씬 덜 비싸다 = to be much less expensive
가깝다 = to be near
덜 가깝다 = to be less near
훨씬 덜 가깝다 = to be much less near
like this, in this way,
like that, in that way
if it’s like this or if you do it like this
if it’s like that or if you do it like that
이렇게
그렇게
저렇게
이러면 (from 이렇다면 or also 이렇게 하면)
그러면
저러면
Word contractions part 2
이렇다 = to be like this; to be this way
그렇다 = to be like that; to be that way
저렇다 = to be like that (over there); to be that way (over there)
If you want to use these as adverbs and say “like this”, “in this way”, or “in that way”, use:
이렇게 = like this, in this way
그렇게 = like that, in such a way
저렇게 = like that (over there)
So, how do you say “if you do it like this” in Korean?
이렇게 하면 = if you do it like this
그렇게 하면 = if you do it in such a way
저렇게 하면 = if you do it like that
When combining “이렇다” (to be like this) with -(으)면 (if) to say “if it is like this”, it creates 이러면 (the consonant ㅎ is dropped).
이렇다면 → 이러면
그렇다면 → 그러면
저렇다면 → 저러면
However, even when saying things such as “if you do it like this” using the verb 하다, it is also contracted to the same form.
이렇게 하면 → 이러면
그렇게 하면 → 그러면
저렇게 하면 → 저러면
When 어떻게 is combined with the 하다 verb, a contraction happens that is similar to the previous structure.
어떻게 하다 → 어떡하다(more common in spoken Korean)
Ex)
(1)
어떻게 해요?
= 어떡해요?
= What are we supposed to do?
= How should we deal with this?
(2)
어떻게 할 거예요?
= 어떡할 거예요?
= What are you going to do?
= How are you going to take care of this?
어떡할 거예요? can be contracted down even further into 어쩔 거예요?
Ex)
(1)
이거 어떡할 거예요?
= 이거 어쩔 거예요?
= How are you going to take care of this?
= What are you going to do about this?
(2)
이제 어떡할 거예요?
= 이제 어쩔 거예요?
= Now what?
= How are you going to take care of it now?
NV-Used to, retrospective
NV-던
With the noun-modifying suffix -던, the speaker describes an actual past situation (event or state) as if he/she were experiencing it at the moment.
Often, the meaning implies that the past situation does not exist any longer.
When attacked to a descriptive verb, implies a change from a past state.
When attached to an action verb, it may mean a habitual action that did not continue, or mean used to.
how to say less, or not completely
덜
In previous Talk To Me In Korean lessons, you learned how to say “more” and “most”. Do you remember? Yes? Great! This lesson will now teach you how to use “less” in Korean sentences to help you get your point across in a natural way.
덜 = less
While in English, the word “less” can be used as a noun as well as an adverb or adjective, the Korean word 덜 can only be used as an adverb (modifying verbs only).
Ex)
덜 먹다 = to eat (something) less
In English, when saying “to eat less”, it generally means that you are eating something, but you are eating less of that something. In Korean, however, the word 덜 is the object of the verb 먹다 which means that what you are actually doing is “less of the action” of 먹다. If you translate 덜 먹다 into “to eat less” in English, the word “less” becomes a noun, which is not accurate. If you translate 덜 먹다 to “to eat (something) less”, it becomes closer to the original meaning in Korean. If you are confused, do not worry! We will show you some examples.
Ex)
덜 쓰다 = to use (something) less
덜 춥다 = to be less cold
덜 비싸다 = to be less expensive
- Since verbs almost always come at the end of the sentences in Korean, the word 덜 comes before verbs.
Sample Sentences
어제보다 덜 추워요.
= It is less cold than yesterday.
덜 비싼 것 없어요?
= Don’t you have a less expensive one?
물은 더 마시고, 술은 덜 마셔야 돼요.
= (lit.) You should drink water more and alcohol less.
= You should drink more water and less alcohol.
덜 can also mean “not completely yet”.
덜 basically means “less”, but it can also mean “not fully” or “not completely yet”. The opposite of this is 다, which means “all” or “completely”.
Sample Conversations
A: 그 맥주 다 마셨어요?
= Did you drink all of that beer?
B: 아니요. 다 안 마셨어요. 덜 마셨어요.
= No, I did not drink all of it. I have not finished it yet.
A: 다 왔어요?
= Are we there yet?
B: 덜 왔어요.
= We are not there yet.
A: 제 책 돌려주세요.
= Give me my book back.
B: 아직 덜 봤어요.
= I have not finished it yet.
How to say most our best
재일 and 가장 (less often used)
Most (+ adjective/adverb) =제일/가장
In English, the words “most” and “best” can be used as both adverbs and nouns. The usage you will look at in this lesson is its usage only as an adverb. (When “most” works as a noun, other Korean words are used, and they will be introduced in a future lesson.)
제일 and 가장 are almost the same thing and they can be used interchangeably. 제일 is Sino-Korean word while 가장 is a native Korean word.
Examples
(1)
예쁘다 = to be pretty
제일 예뻐요.
= (subject) is the prettiest/the most beautiful.
제일 예쁜 여자
= the prettiest girl/the most beautiful girl
제일 = 가장
제일 예뻐요 = 가장 예뻐요
제일 예쁜 여자 = 가장 예쁜 여자
- 제일 is used more commonly in spoken Korean than 가장.
(2)
좋다 = to be good
제일 좋아요.
= (subject) is the best (most + good).
제일 좋은 것
= the best (most + good) thing
Sample Sentences
이게 제일 좋아요.
= This is the best (one).
제일 가까운 역이 어디에요?
= Where is the closest station?
어떤 색깔이 가장 좋아요?
= Which color is the best? / Which color is your favorite?
제일 먼저 온 사람이 누구예요?
= Who is the person that came here first?
요즘 가장 인기 있는 가수는 누구예요?
= These days, who is the most popular singer?
Word contractions 1
Topic marker contractions
When topic markers are used after nouns and pronouns, sometimes they are shortened so people can speak faster.
1.저는→전[polite]
Ex)
저는 괜찮아요. = I am alright. → 전 괜찮아요.
2.나는→난[casual]
Ex)
나는 여기 있을게. = I will stay here. → 난 여기 있을게.
3.이것은[very formal] →이거는[casual] →이건[casual]
Ex)
이것은 뭐예요? = What is this? → 이건 뭐예요?
4.서울에는→서울엔
Ex)
서울에는 왜 왔어요? = What brings you to Seoul? → 서울엔 왜 왔어요?
5.어제는→어젠
Ex)
어제는 왜 안 왔어요? = Why didn’t you come yesterday? → 어젠 왜 안 왔어요?
Subject marker contractions
When the subject marker -이 is used after 것, it is contracted to 게.
1.이것이[formal] →이게[casual]
Ex)
이것이 좋아요. = This one is good. → 이게 좋아요.
2.저것이[formal] →저게[casual]
Ex)
저것이 더 예뻐요. = That (over there) is prettier. → 저게 더 예뻐요.
3.그것이[formal] →그게[casual]
Ex)
그것이 어디 있어요? = Where is it? → 그게 어디 있어요?
- You can use these shortened forms anytime except in extremely formal situations.
Sample Sentences
전 학생이에요.
= I am a student.
이건 제 거예요.
= This is mine.
서울엔 눈이 오고 있어요.
= (Well, in other areas I do not know, but) As far as Seoul is concerned, it is snowing.
어젠 뭐 했어요?
= What did you do yesterday?
저게 편해요.
=That is convenient. / There are no other things as convenient as that one.
저는 그게 없어요.
= I do not have it.
frequency words
always - 항상 (written) or 맨날 (spoken)
often - 자주
sometimes - 종종 (written) or 가끔 (spoken)
seldom - 별로 (negative sentences)
rarely - 거의
never - 전혀 (written) or 한아도
To form a sentence which uses adverbs of frequency (빈도 부사) in Korean - such as “seldom”, “almost”, or “always” - it is important to not just memorize the words, but to also actually practice using them along with the verbs used in conjunction with 빈도 부사.
Take a look at some 빈도 부사 in Korean:
-가끔= sometimes
-자주= often
-항상= always [more common in written language]
-맨날= (lit. every day), always; all the time [more common in spoken language]
-별로= seldom; rarely
-전혀= not at all
-거의= almost (but) not at all
Where do 빈도 부사 fit in a sentence?
These 빈도 부사 usually go right before the verb of a sentence, but unlike in English, their position is very flexible. As long as the meaning of your sentence is clear, it does not matter where they are placed. You can, however, emphasize a certain part of a sentence by changing the word order and intonation.
Sample Sentences
가끔 서점에 가요.
= I sometimes go to the bookstore.
= 서점에 가끔 가요. (The speaker might be emphasizing 가끔 here.)
자주 한국 영화 봐요.
= I often watch Korean movies.
= 한국 영화 자주 봐요. (The speaker might be emphasizing 자주 here.)
그런 말 정말 자주 들어요.
= I hear that really often.
= I get that really often.
항상 물어보고 싶었어요.
= I have always wanted to ask you (that).
중국어를 맨날 공부하는데, 아직 어려워요.
= I study Chinese all the time, but it is still difficult.
요즘에는 운동을 별로 안 해요.
= I rarely work out these days.
= These days, I seldom work out.
= These days, I do not work out that often.
화장을 전혀 안 해요.
= I do not put on makeup at all.
= I never put on makeup.
= I do not put on any makeup at all.
시간이 없어서, 친구들을 거의 못 만나요.
= I do not have time, so I can hardly meet my friends.
라디오를 거의 맨날 들어요.
= I listen to the radio almost every day.
불 / 부 Not - Word Builder
부/불, which is written as 不 in Hanja, is the foundation for many useful words which are used every single day in Korean conversations.
부/불 (不)means “not” in English.
Sample Expressions
불 (not) + 안 (comfortable; relaxed) =불안 不安= anxiety; anxious
Ex)
불안해하지 마세요.
= Do not be anxious.
불 (not) + 편 (comfortable; convenient) =불편 不便= inconvenient; uncomfortable
Ex)
불편해요.
= It is inconvenient. / It is uncomfortable.
불 (not) + 완전 (complete) =불완전 不完全= incomplete
Ex)
불완전한 정보
= incomplete information
불 (not) + 균형 (balance) =불균형 不均衡= imbalance
Ex)
성비 불균형
= gender ratio imbalance
불 (not) + 만 (full) =불만 不滿= complaint
Ex)
저한테 불만 있어요?
= Do you have any complaints against me?
不 (불) is pronounced and written as 부 when the consonant that follows is either ㄷ or ㅈ.
Sample Expressions
부 (not) + 정확 (correct) =부정확 不正確= incorrect; inaccurate
Ex)
부정확한 발음
= inaccurate pronunciation
부 (not) + 주의 (attention) =부주의 不注意= carelessness
Ex)
제 부주의로 사고가 났어요.
= I was careless, so it caused an accident. / My carelessness caused an accident.
부 (not) + 당 (correct, right) =부당 不當= wrong; unfair; unjust
Ex)
부당한 일을 당했어요.
= Someone did something unfair to me.
부 (not) + 적절 (proper) =부적절 不適切= inappropriate
Ex)
부적절한 예문
= inappropriate example sentence
- Note
When 부 is understood as 副, it means “assistant”, “deputy”, or “vice” as in “vice president”.
to try to do something…verb ending
- Tell someone to attempt something
- Ask if someone has tried something.
- Make a command sound less demanding.
V-아/어/여 보다
- tell someone to try or attempt something;
- ask if someone has ever done or tried something;
- make a command sound less demanding.
The structure -아/어/여 보다 is composed of two parts: -아/어/여 and 보다. -아/어/여 is the basic suffix used after verb stems, and 보다 means “to see”. The literal translation of -아/어/여 보다 is “to do something and see (what happens)”.
Nevertheless, this structure really does not have a specific meaning and is used simply to make sentences more natural. However, the most common translation of -아/어/여 보다 is “to try doing something”.
Conjugation
Verb stem + -아/어/여 보다
Examples
(1) 쓰다 = to use
→ 쓰 + -어 보다 = 써 보다 = to try using (something)
이거 써 봤어요?
= Have you tried using this? / Have you used this before?
(2) 들어가다 = to enter, to go in
→ 들어가 + -아 보다 = 들어가 보다 = to try going in
들어가 볼까요?
= Shall we try going in (and see what it is like)? / Shall we attempt to go in?
(3) 하다 = to do
→ 하 + -여 보다 = 해 보다 = to try doing (something)
이거 해 보고 싶어요.
= I want to try doing this. / I want to give it a try.
Fixed expressions and verbs containing -아/어/여 보다
Since -아/어/여 보다 is a frequently used structure, some verb are more common in the -아/어/여 보다 structure than others, and other verbs are actually already in the form of -아/어/여 보다. For some structures, -아/어/여 보다 is already a part of some verbs, so the space between -아/어/여 and 보다 is not necessary.
- 물어보다 vs 물어 보다
- 물어보다 = to ask; to try asking
- 물어 보다 (x) - 알아보다 vs 알아 보다
- 알아보다 = to look into something; to recognize
- 알아 보다 (x) - 지켜보다 vs 지켜 보다
- 지켜보다 = to keep a watchful eye on someone/something
- 지켜 보다 (x)
Sample Sentences
이거 먹어 봐요.
= Try eating this. / Try some of this.
저도 거기 안 가 봤어요.
= I have not been there yet, either. / I have not tried going there, either.
제가 먼저 해 볼게요.
= I will try doing it first. / I will give it a try first.
누구한테 물어볼까요?
= Whom shall I ask?
제가 알아볼게요.
= I will look into it.
among, between
- Between a few items
- Among a group…
- A physical space between two locations
중에(서),사이에서, or사이에
To say things such as “I cannot choose between this one and that one” or “she is popular among our friends” in Korean, you need to learn to use중에서,사이에서, or사이에.
The Chinese character is 中, which means “center” or “middle”. -에서 is a way to mark a location; therefore, when 중 and -에서 are together, it literally means “in the middle”.
Other words which contain 중 (中) are:
중학교 = 중 (middle) + 학교 (school) = middle school
중식 = 중 (middle) + 식 (eat) = formal name for “lunch”
회의 중 = 회의 (meeting, conference) + 중 (middle) = meeting in process
공사 중 = 공사 (construction) + 중 (middle) = under construction
중에서 means “among” or “between”, but it can only be used when listing a few options to choose from. You CANNOT use 중에서 to describe a location and say something such as “the house is located between the bank and the park”. In that case, a different expression, 사이에, is needed (and is explained later in this lesson).
Expression (1) - 중에서
* To make 중에서 shorter, you can drop 서.
When choosing from a few options, put 중에서 at the end of “A and B”.
Ex)
Between A and B
= A하고 B 중에서
Between this book and that book
= 이 책하고 저 책 중에서
Among these three things
= 이 세 개 중에서
Among ten people
= 열 명 중에서
Sample Sentences
Please choose among these.
= 이 중에서 고르세요.
Please take one of these three.
= 이 세 개 중에서 하나 가져가세요.
Expression (2) - 사이에서
When saying “among”, such as in “popular among friends” or “famous among teenagers”, use the expression 사이에서, 사이 can refer to a relationship or the theoretical space between certain objects or people.
Ex)
Among friends
= 친구들 사이에서
Among his/her family members
= 가족들 사이에서
Sample Sentences
He is popular among friends.
= 친구들 사이에서 인기가 많아요.
This singer is popular among Koreans.
= 이 가수는 한국인들 사이에서 인기가 많아요.
Seokjin is popular among our listeners.
= 석진 씨는 청취자들 사이에서 인기가 많아요.
Expression (3) - 사이에
사이에 is used to refer to the physical space between two objects or people.
Sample Sentences
I am between the bank and the park.
= 은행하고 공원 사이에 있어요.
Guess or conjecture (speaker) or asking listener’s guess or conjecture in questions. (“I guess” or “think” or “you must be…”)
Also, used as volition as “will”
V-겠
Raises the politeness level
making adjectives from descriptive verbs
- DV-(으)ㄴ
Eg. 큰 집, 좋은 날씨, 많은 사람, 예쁜 여자
- V ending in ㅂ changes to 우, so :
가깝 > 가까우 + ㄴ > 가까운 - V ending in ㄹ followed by ㄴ/ㅂ/ㅅ, ㄹ is dropped, so:
멀다 > 머 + ㄴ > 먼
길다 > 기 + ㄴ > 긴 - 있다 and 없다 take -는, so:
있는 / 없는 - Multiple adjectives are connected with -고, and only the last one takes the modifying form.
Eg. 싸고 맛있는 음식
honorific subject particle
께서 (이, 가 plain)
“but” or “although”
V-(past or future tense)지만
filler words
Thinking…used at the beginning or middle of a sentence. 음, 어
Thought right on the tip of tongue. 그, 저
Like…used in middle of sentence. 뭐 (using it a lot makes one sound timid)
Doing something carelessly…very slang and not to be used around older peeps 막 (eg. 막 먹어, scarfing food.)
Just…not slang and used for like. 그냥
Really, very, slang but used often and sounds native. 되게
A little bit 약간
Now, so how..이제
giving and receiving
N 한테선물 ( 을 ) 하다 / 주다 / 드리다 :::: N 한테서선물 ( 을 ) 받다
N 한테전화 ( 를 ) 하다 / 걸다 / 드리다 :::: N 한테서전화 ( 를 ) 받다
N 한테편지 ( 를 ) 쓰다 / 보내다 :::: N 한테서편지 ( 를 ) 받다
N 한테이메일 ( 을 ) 하다 / 보내다 ::::
N 한테서이메일 ( 을 ) 받다
Ref: IK, Beg2, 9
Noun modifying form for “that”, “which”, “who” (IK G10.5)
Subject + V/DV-는/(으)ㄴ+ N + Object
- There are no pronouns of that, which, or who.
- The topic marker 은 / 는 cannot occur in a relative clause. 이 / 가 is used instead: 내가 읽는 책‘the book that I read’, not 나는 읽는 책.
- For / ㄹ / irregular verbs, the stem-final / ㄹ / is deleted before ~ 는 or ~ 시
- The copula ~( 이 ) 다 / 아니다 becomes ~ 인 / 아닌 or ~ 이신 / 아니신 for noun modifying forms.
- As noted in G9.2, adjectives take the ( 으 ) ㄴ form as in 큰 ( 크다 ), 예쁜 ( 예쁘다 ), 먼 ( 멀다 ) and the desirative auxiliary verb ~ 고싶다 takes the ( 으 ) ㄴ form as in ~ 고싶은 .
Examples:
한국어를 배우는 학생 a student learning Korean
수업 없는 날은 a day without class
기숙사에 사는 사람이 a person living in the dorm
테니스 잘 치는 사람을 a person who plays tennis well
제 친구 인 스티브가 Steve, who is my friend,
제가 보고싶은 영화는 ‘괴물’이에요 . The Host is the movie that I want to watch.
내가 읽는 신문은 a newspaper I read
기숙사에사는학생 a student who lives in the dorm
음식을만드시는어머니 a mother who makes food
잘아는사이 a relationship that is close
책상 위에 있는 게 뭐예요 ? What is that thing that is on the desk?
고등학생 인 내동생은 지금도 서관에서 공부해요 . My younger sibling, who is a high school student, is studying at the library now.
의사 이신 우리 아버지를 만나세요 . Meet my father, who is a medical doctor.
저는키 (‘height’) 가커요. 그렇지만 키가 작은 사람을 좋아해요. As for me, I’m tall. But, people who are shorter, I like.
제가먹고싶은음식은햄버거예요 .
making suggestions pattern
(place/time)에 (purpose)(으)러 (verb)(으)ㄹ래요?
