We have already learned how to conjugate verbs and adjectives in the present, past, and future tense. The format that we learned is mostly used in the written language such as books, articles, journals, etc.). So as I promised in the previous session, we are going to learn the basic forms that are used in speaking.
In the case of honorifics, Koreans use different conjugations of verbs and adjectives depending on who they are talking to. You should conjugate differently depending on age, social status, or relationship with the person you speak to.
The way we talk to our friends might be different from the way we talk to coworkers in a professional work environment. So you should use different forms with more or less respect depending on who you talk to.
It is important to show our respect to the person by using an appropriate honorific system in the Korean language and this could show how fluent you are in Korean.
Let’s get started!
3 Basic Forms of Honorific Systems
1. Informal with no respect
It is used when you talk to your friends, or the people close to you (including younger people).
2. Formal with low respect
It is used when you talk to people close to you (elderly, high position, or first met).
3. Formal with high respect
It is used when you talk to strangers or in different situations (military, company, or first met).
There is a difference between “formal with low respect” and “formal with high respect” but they are used depending on the situations and status of relationships. So, we need to consider our relationship with the other individual parties. We have to see how and when Koreans use it in conversations. From now on, we are going to learn each basic form that is used for speaking in the present, past, and future tense.
Honorific Sentence Endings (Present Tense)
1. Informal with no respect
‘-어, -아, -여’ are combined with the verb stem.
나는 책을 읽어. (읽 + 어) / I read a book
나는 항상 이곳을 와. (오 + -아) / I always come here
나는 피아노를 연습해. (연습하 + -여) / I practice piano / Irregular
2. Formal with low respect
‘-어요, -아요, -여요’ are combined with the verb stem.
저는 책을 읽어요. (읽 + 어요)
저는 항상 이곳을 와요. (오 + -아요) / Irregular
저는 피아노를 연습해요. (연습하 + -여요)
3. Formal with high respect
‘-ㅂ니다/습니다’ is combined with the verb stem.
저는 책을 읽습니다. (읽 + -습니다)
저는 항상 이곳을 옵니다. (오 + -ㅂ니다)
저는 피아노를 연습합니다. (연습하 + -ㅂ니다)
Honorific Sentence Endings (Past Tense)
1. Informal with no respect
‘-었어, -았어, -였어’ are combined with the verb stem.
나는 책을 읽었어. (읽 + -었어) / I read a book
나는 항상 이곳을 왔어. (오 + -았어) / I always came here
나는 피아노를 연습했어. (연습하 + -였어) / I practiced piano
2. Formal with low respect
‘-었어요, -았어요, -였어요’ are combined with the verb stem.
저는 책을 읽었어요. (읽 + -었어요)
저는 항상 이곳을 왔어요. (오 + -았어요)
저는 피아노를 연습했어요. (연습하 + -였어요)
3. Formal with high respect
‘-었습니다, -았습니다, -였습니다’ are combined with the verb stem.
저는 책을 읽었습니다. (읽 + -었습니다)
저는 항상 이곳을 왔습니다. (오 + -았습니다)
저는 피아노를 연습했습니다. (연습하 + -였습니다)
Honorific Sentence Endings (Future Tense)
1. Informal with no respect
‘-겠어’ is combined with the verb stem.
나는 책을 읽겠어. (읽 + -겠어) / I will read a book
나는 항상 이곳을 오겠어. (오 + -겠어) / I will always come here
나는 피아노를 연습하겠어. (연습하 + -겠어) / I will practice piano
2. Formal with low respect
‘-겠어요’ is combined with the verb stem.
저는 책을 읽겠어요. (읽 + -겠어요)
저는 항상 이곳을 오겠어요. (오 + -겠어요)
저는 피아노를 연습하겠어요. (연습하 + -겠어요)
3. Formal with high respect
‘-겠습니다’ is combined with the verb stem.
저는 책을 읽겠습니다. (읽 + -겠습니다)
저는 항상 이곳을 오겠습니다. (오 + -겠습니다)
저는 피아노를 연습하겠습니다. (연습하 + -겠습니다)
Tables of Verbs (Present, Past, and Future)
보다 (to see) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple | 보다 | 봤다 | 보겠다 |
Informal with no respect | 봐 | 봤어 | 보겠어 |
Formal with low respect | 봐요 | 봤어요 | 보겠어요 |
Formal with high respect | 봅니다 | 봤습니다 | 보겠습니다 |
자다 (to sleep) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple | 자다 | 잤다 | 자겠다 |
Informal with no respect | 자 | 잤어 | 자겠어 |
Formal with low respect | 자요 | 잤어요 | 자겠어요 |
Formal with high respect | 잡니다 | 잤습니다 | 자겠습니다 |
말하다 (to speak) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple | 말하다 | 말했다 | 말하겠다 |
Informal with no respect | 말해 | 말했어 | 말하겠어 |
Formal with low respect | 말해요 | 말했어요 | 말하겠어요 |
Formal with high respect | 말합니다 | 말했습니다 | 말하겠습니다 |
Tables of Adjectives (Present, Past, and Future)
The adjectives are conjugated in the same way as the verbs.
싸다 (to be cheap) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple | 싸다 | 쌌다 | 싸겠다 |
Informal with no respect | 싸 | 쌌어 | 싸겠어 |
Formal with low respect | 싸요 | 쌌어요 | 싸겠어요 |
Formal with high respect | 쌉니다 | 쌌습니다 | 싸겠습니다 |
짧다 (to be short) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple | 짧다 | 짧았다 | 짧겠다 |
Informal with no respect | 짧아 | 짧았어 | 짧겠어 |
Formal with low respect | 짧아요 | 짧았어요 | 짧겠어요 |
Formal with high respect | 짧습니다 | 짧았습니다 | 짧겠습니다 |
Unique Verb ‘이다’ (Present Tense)
1. Informal with no respect
‘-(이)야’ is combined with the verb stem.
When a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-야’.
When a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이야’.
나는 가수야. (-야) / I am a singer
그것은 책이야. (-이야) / That is a book
Negative Form : ‘-야’ is combined with ‘아니다’ (not to be).
그것은 책이 아니야. (-야) / That is not a book
나는 가수가 아니야. (-야) / I am not a singer
2. Formal with low respect
‘-이에요/예요’ is combined with the verb stem.
When a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-예요’.
When a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이에요’.
그것은 피아노예요. (-예요) / That is a piano
저는 경찰이에요. (-이에요) / I am a police officer
Negative Form : ‘-예요/에요’ is combined with ‘아니다’ (not to be).
그것은 피아노가 아니예요. (-예요) / That is not a piano
저는 경찰이 아니에요. (-에요) / I am not a police officer
3. Formal with high respect
‘-ㅂ/입니다’ is combined with the verb stem.
When a verb stem ends with a vowel or a consonant, it is combined with ‘-입니다’.
저는 의사입니다. (-입니다) / I am a doctor
그것은 제 전공입니다. (-입니다) / That is my major
Negative Form : ‘-ㅂ/니다’ is combined with ‘아니다’ (not to be).
저는 의사가 아닙니다. (-ㅂ니다) / I am not a doctor
그것은 제 전공이 아닙니다. (-ㅂ니다) / That is not my major
Unique Verb ‘이다’ (Past Tense)
1. Informal with no respect
‘-이었어, -였어’ are combined with the verb stem.
When a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-였어’.
When a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이었어’.
나는 군인이었어. (-이었어) / I was a soldier
내 친구는 약사였어. (-였어) / My friend was a pharmacist
2. Formal with low respect
‘-이었어요, -였어요’ are combined with the verb stem.
When a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-였어요’.
When a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이었어요’.
저는 요리사였어요. (-였어요) / I was a chief
그것은 약속이었어요. (-이었어요) / That was a promise
3. Formal with high respect
‘-이었습니다, -였습니다’ are combined with the verb stem.
When a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-였습니다’.
When a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이었습니다’.
저는 변호사였습니다. (-였습니다) / I was a lawyer
그것은 거짓말이었습니다. (-이었습니다) / That was a lie
Negative Form : ‘아니’ is combined with ‘-었어(요)’, ‘-었습니다’, ‘-였어(요)’, ‘-였습니다’.
I was not a human
나는 사람이 아니 + 었어 = 나는 사람이 아니었어.
저는 사람이 아니 + 었어요 = 나는 사람이 아니었어요.
저는 사람이 아니 + 었습니다 = 나는 사람이 아니었습니다.
I was not a friend
나는 친구가 아니 + 였어 = 나는 친구가 아니였어.
저는 친구가 아니 + 였어요 = 저는 친구가 아니였어요.
저는 친구가 아니 + 였습니다 = 저는 친구가 아니였습니다.
Unique Verb ‘이다’ (Future Tense)
There are two ways to present the future. We are going to use ‘이다’ and another verb ‘되다’ which means “to become”. They are used depending on the noun which fits more into a given sentence. Let’s take a look at them one by one to see the difference.
1. Informal with no respect
‘-일 거야’ is combined with ‘-이다’.
‘-될 거야’ is combined with ‘-되다’.
When a noun ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-가’.
When a noun ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이’.
그는 미국인 + (-일 거야) = 그는 미국인일 거야. / He would be an American
한국은 좋은 나라 + (-일 거야) = 한국은 좋은나라일 거야. / South Korea would be a good country
나는 교수가 + (-될 거야) = 나는 교수가 될 거야. / I would become a professor
내 친구는 시인이 + (-될 거야) = 내 친구는 시인이 될 거야. / My friend would be a poet
2. Formal with low respect
‘-일 거예요’ is combined with ‘-이다’.
‘-될 거예요’ is combined with ‘-되다’.
When a noun ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-가’.
When a noun ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이’.
그것은 얼굴 + (-일 거예요) = 그것은 얼굴일 거예요. / That would be a face
서울은 수도 + (-일 거예요) = 서울은 수도일 거예요. / Seoul would be a capital
저는 선생님이 + (-될 거예요) = 저는 선생님이 될 거예요. / I would become a teacher
제 친구는 통역사가 + (-될 거예요) = 제 친구는 통역사가 될 거예요. / My friend would become an interpreter
3. Formal with high respect
‘-일 것입니다’ is combined with ‘-이다’.
‘-될 것입니다’ is combined with ‘-되다’.
When a noun ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-가’.
When a noun ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-이’.
그것은 종이 + (-일 것입니다) = 그것은 종이일 것입니다. / That would be a paper
저것은 제 차 + (-일 것입니다) = 저것은 제 차일 것입니다. / That would be my car over there
저는 모델이 + (-될 것입니다) = 저는 모델이 될 것입니다. / I would become a model
제 친구는 작가가 + (-될 것입니다) = 제 친구는 작가가 될 것입니다. / My friend would become an author
Negative Form : ‘아니’ is combined with ‘-었어(요)’, ‘-었습니다’, ‘-였어(요)’, ‘-였습니다’.
‘아니’ is combined with ‘-일 거야, ‘-될 거야’
‘아니’ is combined with ‘-일 거예요’, ‘-될 거예요’
‘아니’ is combined with ‘-일 것입니다’, ‘-될 것입니다’
내 친구는 바보가 아니 + (-일 거야) = 내 친구는 바보가 아닐 거야. / My friend would not be an idiot
내 친구는 바보가 아니 + (-될 거야) = 내 친구는 바보가 안될 거야. / My friend would not become an idiot
저는 학생이 아니 + (-일 거예요) = 저는 학생이 아닐 거예요. / I would not be a student
저는 학생이 아니 + (-될 거예요) = 저는 학생이 안될 거예요. / I would not become a student
이곳은 공원이 아니 + (-일 것입니다) = 이곳은 공원이 아닐 것입니다. / This would not be a park
이곳은 공원이 아니 + (-될 것입니다) = 이곳은 공원이 안될 것입니다. / This would not become a park
Note : once again, this is grammatically correct, but it requires more context to make a full sentence. This is used to display an example of how to conjugate verbs and adjectives. If you think you understand the honorific systems, you can move on to the next step to apply these honorific systems in daily conversations.
How to Apply Honorifics In a Conversation
1. No respect to the listener and the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -아 | 난 괜찮아 (I am okay) |
Question | -어 | 그 책 재미있어? (Is that book interesting?) |
Note
‘-아’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains the vowel ‘아’ or ‘오’.
‘-어’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains any other vowel.
2. No respect to the listener and the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Imperative | -아 | 내 손을 잡아 (Take my hand), 같이 가 (Let’s go together) |
Proposition | -어 | 나를 믿어 (Trust me), 아침 먹어 (Eat breakfast) |
Note
‘-아’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains the vowel ‘아’ or ‘오’.
‘-어’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains any other vowel.
3. No respect to the listener and the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Imperative | -아/어라, -거라 | 책을 읽어라 (Read books), 마음껏 놀아라 (Have a field day) 일찍 자거라 (Sleep early) |
Proposition | -어 | 오늘 저녁 같이 먹자 (Let’s have dinner together today) |
Note
‘-아라’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains the vowel ‘아’ or ‘오’.
‘-어라’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains any other vowel.
4. No respect to the listener and the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -ㄴ/는다, -다 | 동생이 밥을 먹는다 (My brother is eating food) 동생이 귀엽다 (My brother is cute) |
Question | -냐?, 니? | 집에서 뭐하냐? (What are you doing at home?) 책 읽니? (Are you reading a book?) |
Note
When a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-ㄴ/는다’ and ‘-냐?’.
When a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-다’ and ‘니?’.
*Useful Expressions*
1. 지금 뭐하냐? / 지금 뭐하니? / 지금 뭐하나? = What are you doing now?
2. 지금 바쁘냐? / 지금 바쁘니? / 지금 바쁘나? = Are you busy now?
3. 밥 먹었냐? / 밥 먹었니? / 밥 먹었나? = Did you have a meal?
‘-(으)ㄴ/는가?’ is often used by adults when they are speaking to younger people.
지금 뭐하는가? / 지금 바쁜가? / 밥 먹었는가?
5. Low respect to the listener and the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -아요 | 저는 한국에 살아요 (I live in Korea) |
Question | -어요 | 지금 어디에 있어요? (Where are you now?) |
Note
‘-아요’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains the vowel ‘아’ or ‘오’.
‘-어요’ is used when the syllable of a verb stem contains any other vowel.
*Interesting Expressions*
‘-나요?’ and ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 가요?’ are the common question endings which can be interchangeable with ‘-아/어요’. But there is a slight nuance between them.
‘-아/어요’ can be used when you refer to someone closer to you.
‘-나요?’ and ‘-(으)ㄴ/는 가요?’ can be used when you refer to someone who you have more formal relations with.
행복해요? = Are you happy? (close)
행복하나요? or 행복하신가요? = Are you happy? (less close)
밖에 더워요? = Is it hot outside? (close)
밖에 덥나요? / 밖에 더운가요? = Is it hot outside? (less close)
Irregulars
1. 가다 = 가 + -아요 = 가요
2. 가다 = 가 + 시 + -어요 = 가세요
3. 오다 = 오 + -아요 = 와요
4. 오다 = 오 + 시 + -어요 = 오세요
5. 하다 = 하 + -아요 = 해요
6. 하다 = 하 + 시 + -어요 = 하세요
7. 이다 = 이 + -어요 = 예요/이예요
8. 이다 = 이 + 시 + -어요 = 세요/이세요
9. 크다 = 크 + -어요 = 커요
10. 가깝다 = 가깝 + -어요 = 가까워요
11. 반갑다 = 반갑 + -어요 = 반가워요 / Nice to meet you
12. 아름답다 = 아름답 + -어요 = 아름다워요 / It is beautiful
13. 춥다 = 춥 + -어요 = 추워요 / It is cold
6. Low respect to the listener and the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -세요 | 우유 한 잔 주세요 (Please give me a glass of milk) |
Question | -으세요 | 저를 믿으세요? (Do you trust me?) |
Note
If a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-세요’.
If a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-으세요’.
7. Low respect to the listener and the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Imperative | -세요 | 제 손을 잡으세요 (Take my hand) |
Proposition | -으세요 | 저를 믿으세요 (Trust me) |
Note
If a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-세요’.
If a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-으세요’.
‘-세요/으세요’ and ‘-아/어요’ can be as equally used in daily conversation. ‘-세요/으세요’ is just a more respectful way to say than ‘-아/어요’ due to the closeness with the person you are speaking with.
8. High respect to the listener
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -ㅂ니다 -습니다 | 지유는 집에서 공부합니다 (Jiu studies at home) 우리는 책을 읽습니다 (We read a book) |
Question | -ㅂ니까? -습니까? | 지한이는 방에서 공부합니까? (Does Jihan study in his room?) 어디에서 책을 읽습니까? (Where do you read a book?) |
Note
If a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-ㅂ니다’ and ‘-ㅂ니까?’.
If a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-습니다’ and ‘-습니까?’.
9. High respect to the listener
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -시 -으시 | 선생님이 말(씀)하신다 (The teacher speaks) 선생님이 책을 읽으신다 (The teacher reads a book) |
Question | -시니? -으시니? | 선생님이 말씀하시니? (Does the teacher speak?) 선생님이 책을 읽으시니? (Does the teacher read a book?) |
Note
If a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-시’.
If a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-으시’.
10. High respect to the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -셔 | 할머니는 한국에 사셔 (My grandmother lives in Korea) |
Question | -으셔 | 아버지는 어디에 있으셔? (Where is your father?) |
Note
If a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-셔’.
If a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-으셔’.
11. High respect both to the listener and to the subject
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Statement | -십니다 -으십니다 | 선생님이 말(씀)하십니다 (The teacher speaks) 선생님이 책을 읽으십니다 (The teacher reads a book) |
Question | -십니까? -으십니까? | 선생님이 말씀하십니까? (Does the teacher speak?) 선생님이 책을 읽으십니까? (Does the teacher read a book?) |
Note
If a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-십니다’ and ‘-십니까?’.
If a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-으십니다’ and ‘-으십니까?’.
12. High respect to the listener-subject (Very High Honorific Endings)
Sentence Types | Honorific Endings | Examples |
Imperative | –십시오 -으십시오 | 자유롭게 말씀하십시오 (Please speak freely) 여기에 앚으십시오 (Please sit down here) |
Proposition | –십시다 -으십시다 | 같이 춤을 추십시다 (Let’s dance together) 같이 걸으십시다 (Let’s take a walk together) |
Note
If a verb stem ends with a vowel, it is combined with ‘-십시오’ and ‘-십시다’.
If a verb stem ends with a consonant, it is combined with ‘-으십시오’ and ‘-으십시다’.
*Interesting Expressions*
These very high honorific endings are used for a supernatural being like a King of God. Therefore, you can often see these expressions in historical drama or the Bible.
용서하여 주시옵소서. (Please forgive me)
누구시오? (Who is it?)
문제를 잘 읽어보십시오. (Please read the questions well)
Additional Honorific Expressions
1. Honorific Suffix ‘-씨’
The honorific suffix ‘-씨’ is attached to the person’s name to show respect. It is not used to call someone superior to the speaker. It is usually used for colleagues who are considered to be of equal status to the speaker or someone inferior to the speaker.
그 일은 김 씨가 맡기로 했어. (Mr. Kim will take charge of the work)
재희씨, 퇴근 안해요? (Jaehee, aren’t you off work?)
박시완씨, 이리 좀 와 보세요. (Mr. Siwan, please come here)
2. Honorific Suffix ‘-님’
The honorific suffix ‘님’ can be attached to a name, title, or kinship of the person to show respect. The suffix ‘-님’ exalts the person to call and the meaning of the suffix ‘-님’ is higher than the suffix ‘-씨’.
Name : 김주안 님, 들어오세요. (Ms. Juan Kim, please come in)
Title : 선생님이 학생들을 좋아합니다. (The teacher likes her students)
Kinship : 아버님과 어머님이 같이 오셨다. (His father and mother came together)
Terms
1. 아버지 = 아버님 (Father)
2. 어머니 = 어머님 (Mother)
3. 부모 = 부모님 (Parents)
4. 형 = 형님 (Older brother)
5. 누나 = 누님 (Older sister)
6. 아들 = 아드님 (Son)
7. 딸 = 따님 (Daughter)
8. 팀장 = 팀장님 (Team leader)
9. 회장 = 회장님 (CEO)
10. 대통령 = 대통령님 (President)
3. Honorific Case Marker ‘-께’ and ‘-께서’
The case marker ‘-께’ is an honorific word for ”to (-에게)”, so it is used to show respect to the object, whereas the case marker ‘-께서’ indicates a subject in a given sentence.
선생님께서 숙제를 내주셨다. (My teacher assigned some homework to me)
어머니께서 선생님께 편지를 쓰셨다. (My mother wrote a letter to my teacher)
4. Honorific Counter ‘-분’
The honorific counter ‘-분’ is usually used when we count a number of people who are older or who you have never met before to show respect.
몇 분이(서) 오셨어요? (How many in your party?)
오늘 대표님 네 분을 만났습니다. (I met four CEOs today)
이 분은 좋은 분 같아요. (I think he is a great person)
5. Irregular Honorific Verbs
We can apply the honorific systems that we learned above to show respect. However, there are some irregular verbs that have their own format. Some verbs are used a lot in daily conversations, but others are dependent on the situation. It is useful to know them because Koreans use these honorific expressions a lot to show respect to older people when they speak. The way of using verbs can be different depending on what situation you are in, but the meaning of the verbs remains the same.
있다 = 계시다 (to be)
아버지께서 방에 계신다. (My father is in his room)
보다 = 뵙다/뵈다 (to meet)
오늘 부모님을 뵈러 간다. (I will go to meet my parents today)
먹다 = 드시다 or 잡수다 (to eat)
할머니께서 저녁을 드신다/잡수신다. (My grandmother is having dinner)
말하다 = 말씀하시다 (to talk)
선생님이 한국에 대해 말씀하신다. (My teacher is talking about Korea)
묻다 = 여쭙다 or 여쭈다 (to ask)
몇가지만 여쭙겠습니다. (I will ask you some questions)
죽다 = 돌아가시다 (to pass away, to die)
할아버지는 5년 전에 돌아가셨습니다. (My grandfather passed away five years ago)
자다 = 주무시다 (to sleep)
어머니는 늦게 주무신다. (My mother sleeps late)
6. Irregular Honorific Nouns
나이 = 연세 (age)
올해 연세가 어떻게 되세요? (How old are you this year?) / to ask older person’s age
생일 = 생신 (birthday)
오늘 할머니 생신이시다. (Today is my grandmother’s birthday)
아내 = 부인/사모님 (wife)
사모님을 도와드렸습니다. (I helped your wife) / to indicate someone else’s wife)
아이 = 자녀/자제 (child)
그는 자녀들에게 다정하다. (He is affectionate to his children)
영부인 (first lady, president’s wife)
영부인은 항상 우아하게 행동한다. (The first lady always behaves elegantly)
손님 = 귀빈 (honorable guest)
그는 귀빈으로 초대받았다. (He received an invitation as an honorable guest)
귀하 (to whom it may concern)
1) It is a noun that is used after a person’s name to exalt the receiver (email, letter)
2) It is a pronoun to exalt the listener
귀하의 이름이 예약 명단에 없습니다. (Your name is not on the reservation list)
집 = 댁 (house)
댁이 어디세요? (Where is your house?)
밥 = 식사/진지 (food, meal)
식사 전에 약을 복용하세요. (Take a pill before meals)
Irregular Verbs
Every language has particular irregularities, but fortunately, there are not many of them. In the case of irregular verbs, it is just better to memorize the verbs and adjectives. I made a list for each irregular, so I hope you can check how irregular verbs change their stems when they are combined with various types of suffixes, and you will get used to them the more you study.
Irregular ‘ㅅ’
When the last letter of a verb stem is ‘ㅅ’, then the ‘ㅅ’ is dropped before a vowel.
잇다 (to connect, to continue) : 이 + -어 = 이어
짓다 (to do, to construct) : 지 + -어 = 지어
낫다 (to get better) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 낫다 | 나았다 | 낫겠다 |
No respect form | 나아 | 나았어 | 낫겠어 |
Respect form | 나아요 | 나았어요 | 낫겠어요 |
High respect form | 낫습니다 | 나았습니다 | 낫겠습니다 |
‘낫다’ is an only irregular ‘ㅅ’ as an adjective.
*Expressions
웃다 (to laugh), 씻다 (to wash), 솟다 (to soar), 뺏다/빼앗다 (to take away), 벗다 (to take off)
Irregular ‘ㄷ’
When the last letter of a verb stem is ‘ㄷ’, then the ‘ㄷ’ is changed into a consonant ‘ㄹ’.
싣다 (to load) : 실 + -어 = 실어
걷다 (to walk) : 걸 + -어 = 걸어
깨닫다 (to realize) : 깨달 + -어 = 깨달어
묻다 (to ask) : 물 + -어 = 물어
듣다 (to listen) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 듣다 | 들었다 | 듣겠다 |
No respect form | 들어 | 들었어 | 듣겠어 |
Respect form | 들어요 | 들었어요 | 듣겠어요 |
High respect form | 듣습니다 | 들었습니다 | 듣겠습니다 |
*Exceptions
닫다 (to close), 굳다 (to harden), 믿다 (to believe), 받다 (to receive), 뜯다 (to tear off), 묻다 (to bury), 곧다 (to be stubborn)
Irregular ‘ㅡ’
Since it is not evident which ending to use ‘ㅏ’ or ‘ㅓ’, we have to look at the vowel before the ‘ㅡ’ in the word. If the preceding vowel “looks” to the right like ‘ㅏ’, then we have to use ‘ㅏ’ in conjugation. If the preceding vowel “looks” to the left like ‘ㅓ’, then we have to use the ‘ㅓ’ in the final form. If the infinitive word contains neither, we put ‘ㅓ’
끄다 (to turn off) : ㄲ + -어 = 꺼
바쁘다 (to be busy) : 바ㅃ + -아 = 바빠
예쁘다 (to be pretty) : 예ㅃ + -어 = 예뻐
슬프다 (to be sad) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 슬프다 | 슬펐다 | 슬프겠다 |
No respect form | 슬퍼 | 슬펐어 | 슬프겠어 |
Respect form | 슬퍼요 | 슬펐어요 | 슬프겠어요 |
High respect form | 슬픕니다 | 슬펐습니다 | 슬프겠습니다 |
Irregular ‘ㅂ’
When the last letter of a verb stem is ‘ㅂ’, then the ‘ㅂ’ is changed into the vowel ‘ㅜ’.
덥다 (to be hot) : 더 + ㅜ + -어 = 더워
귀엽다 (to be cute) : 귀여 + ㅜ + -어 = 귀여워
쉽다 (to be easy) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 쉽다 | 쉬웠다 | 쉽겠다 |
No respect form | 쉬워 | 쉬웠어 | 쉽겠어 |
Respect form | 쉬워요 | 쉬웠어요 | 쉽겠어요 |
High respect form | 쉽습니다 | 쉬웠습니다 | 쉽겠습니다 |
*Tip : when you describe a noun with an adjective that ends with ‘ㅂ’, then ‘ㄴ’ is added.
춥다 (to be cold) : 추 + ㅜ + -ㄴ = 추운 = 추운 날씨 (Cold weather)
새롭다 (to be new) : 새로 + ㅜ + -ㄴ = 새로운 = 새로운 집 (New house)
*Exception : ‘곱다’ and 돕다’
When the last letter of a verb stem is ‘ㅂ’, then the ‘ㅂ’ is changed into the vowel ‘ㅗ’.
돕다 (to help) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 돕다 | 도왔다 | 돕겠다 |
No respect form | 도와 | 도왔어 | 돕겠어 |
Respect form | 도와요 | 도왔어요 | 돕겠어요 |
High respect form | 돕습니다 | 도왔습니다 | 돕겠습니다 |
*Exceptions
잡다 (to catch), 굽다 (to roast), 좁다 (to be narrow), 집다 (to pick up), 뽑다 (to pull out), 씹다 (to chew)
Irregular ‘르’
When the last letter of a verb stem is ‘르’, then ‘ㅏ’ or ‘ㅓ’ is added.
So, ‘ㄹ’ is attached to the preceding syllable, and ‘ㄹ’ is changed into ‘라’ or ‘러’.
빠르다 (to be fast) : 빨 + -라 = 빨라
누르다 (to press) : 눌 + -러 = 눌러
흐르다 (to flow) : 흘 + -러 = 흘러
다르다 (to be different) : 달 + -라 = 달라
기르다 (to raise) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 기르다 | 길렀다 | 기르겠다 |
No respect form | 길러 | 길렀어 | 기르겠어 |
Respect form | 길러요 | 길렀어요 | 기르겠어요 |
High respect form | 기릅니다 | 길렀습니다 | 기르겠습니다 |
마르다 (to be thin) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 마르다 | 말랐다 | 마르겠다 |
No respect form | 말라 | 말랐어 | 마르겠어 |
Respect form | 말라요 | 말랐어요 | 마르겠어요 |
High respect form | 마릅니다 | 말랐습니다 | 마르겠습니다 |
Irregular ‘ㄹ’
When the last letter of a verb stem is ‘ㄹ’, then ‘-ㅂ/습’ or ‘-ㄹ/을’ is added.
1. Irregular ‘ㄹ’ with ‘-ㅂ/습’
Remove ‘ㄹ’ and add ‘-ㅂ’ to a verb stem.
멀다 (to be far from) : 머 + -ㅂ = 제 집은 여기서 멉니다. (My house is far from here)
놀다 (to play) : 노 + -ㅂ = 저는 집에서 놉니다. (I play at home)
2. Irregular ‘ㄹ’ with ‘-ㅂ/을’
Only ‘ㄹ’ is added to a verb stem.
빌다 (to beg) : 비 + -ㄹ + -어 = 빌어
열다 (to open) : 여 + -ㄹ + -어 = 열어
팔다 (to sell) : 파 + -ㄹ + -어 = 팔어
열다 (to open) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 열다 | 열었다 | 열겠다 |
No respect form | 열어 | 열었어 | 열겠어 |
Respect form | 열어요 | 열었어요 | 열겠어요 |
High respect form | 엽니다 | 열었습니다 | 열겠습니다 |
날다 (to fly) | Present | Past | Future |
Simple form | 날다 | 날았다 | 날겠다 |
No respect form | 날아 | 날았어 | 날겠어 |
Respect form | 날아요 | 날았어요 | 날겠어요 |
High respect form | 납니다 | 날았습니다 | 날겠습니다 |