Learn Korean

How to Learn Korean Grammar

2010-03-04T04:58:00.000-08:00

Korean is the national language of the independent countries of North and South Korea. The Korean language has many city and provincial dialects; the people of Seoul speak differently from those who speak the more provincial dialects of Daejeon and Gwangju. Learning Korean grammar can be a challenge, as its word order is much different than English, but there are many benefits to learning Korean--the least of which being that you'll be able to communicate with 78 million people in two countries.

Step 1

-Decide whether you wish to learn on your own through self-study methods or with a tutor or as a student in a college classroom. In the meantime, purchase a Korean English dictionary (usually priced under $15) which is available online at major booksellers or at bookstores in your area. Start to familiarize yourself with Korean grammar.

Step 2

-If you're interested in interactive learning, then peruse your local university's course catalog to see if any Korean language courses are offered.

Step 3

If its a tutor you are interested in, a good place to find one is the university: international students are probably enrolled at your local college, and chances are there will be a Korean student who may provide quality tutoring services for a reasonable rate. The language department is often a good place to start. You could also post an ad for a tutor with an online classified market such as Craigslist, or go to a local Korean restaurant and ask the manager if he knows of anyone willing to tutor Korean.
Step 4
-Investigate your options. Depending on your budget and needs, an audio Korean language course may be helpful. Your needs will be different
if you're planning a trip to Korea and just want to understand basic grammar rules so that you will be able to communicate effectively, or if you are interested in learning more complex grammar rules to speak and read fluently in Korean.

Step 5

-For getting around and understanding basic principles, try Pimsleur's Basic Korean (about $16 on amazon.com in 2009). Pimsleur employs native speakers and uses a listen-and-repeat method, where no writing or reading are necessary. For more complex grammar and a step toward achieving fluency in Korean, try the software program Rosetta Stone's Korean ($500).

Step 6

-Whatever method you try, practice as often as you can. Devote a half hour of study time each day to learning your new language, and you'll be surprised at how quickly you pick up the concepts of Korean grammar.

Tips and Warnings

The Korean language is structured in verb-final order (meaning the verb typically comes last in the sentence). This makes the language similar to Japanese and Turkish, but not to English. In English, the sentence is subject verb object. For example: "Jody ate an apple." In Korean, the sentence reads: "Jody apple ate."

위에 on top of

2009-08-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

위에 (wi-e) means "on top of, over," or "above." This is a combination of two words: 위 (wi), meaning "up" or "above," and 에 (e), which means "at, to," or "in." Therefore together, 위 + 에 (wi-e) has the meaning of "on top of (something)." The word that 위에 (wi-e) modifies comes before 위에 (wi-e). When we use 위에 (wi-e) on its own, it means "up there."

Formation

For Example:
Noun + 위에 = "on top of/over/above" + Noun

자동차 (jadongcha) "car"
+
위에 (wi-e) "on top of"
Becomes -
자동차 위에
jadongcha wi-e
"on top of the car" / "on the car"

Example Sentences

Korean	*Romanized*	"English"
책상 위에 있어.	Chaeksang wi-e isseo.	"It's on the table."
책상 위에 놔.	Chaeksang wi-e nwa.	"Please put it on the table."
책상 위에 없어.	Chaeksang wi-e eopseo.	"It's not on the table."
위에 있어요.	Wi-e isseoyo.	"It's up there."
거기 위에 봐.	Geogi wi-e bwa.	"Check up there."

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요일 Days in a Week

2009-08-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

We express the days of the week in Korean by adding the word 요일 (yoil) to the end of the letter that represents each day. The names are based on the Chinese characters that represent different things in nature.

Name	Chinese Character	Meaning	Days
일	日 (il)	Sun	일요일 (iryoil)
월	月 (wol)	Moon	월요일 (woryoil)
화	火 (hwa)	Fire	화요일 (hwayoil)
수	水 (su)	Water	수요일 (suyoil)
목	木 (mok)	Tree	목요일 (mogyoil)
금	金 (geum)	Steel	금요일 (geumyoil)
토	土 (to)	Earth	토요일 (toyoil)

Notes

Sometimes, when referring to several days of the week, we only use the first letters.

For Example:

월화수 (wolhwasu)
"Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday"
월수금 (wolsugeum)
"Monday, Wednesday, Friday"

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씨 Honorific Suffix

2009-08-25T20:22:00.001-07:00

씨 (ssi) is an honorific suffix, which is used to show respect. Generally speaking, when two people meet for the first time and are on an even keel, this suffix will be used. Whenever a title is not applicable [e.g. 사장님 (sajangnim), 선생님 (seonsaengnim), kinship terms], the honorific suffix is used. This should be used with people you meet for the first time.

씨 (ssi) should be used only with given names, and not family names. When it is used only with family names, it can be rude.

Formation

[세례명] + [씨]
[given name] + [ssi]

or

[성명 + 세례명] + [씨]
[family name + given name] + [씨]

Example Sentences

1.사라 씨는 학생이세요?
sara ssi-neun hakseng-iseyo?
Are you a student sara?

2.박준호 씨는 누구세요?
bakjunho ssi-neun nuguseyo?
Who is Park Junho?

3.민지 씨... 전화해주세요.
minji ssi... junhwahaejuseyo.
Minji... Please call me.

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여기, 거기, 저기 Place Words

2009-08-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

여기 (yeogi), 거기 (geogi), 저기 (jeogi) are place words, and correlate to the English "here," "there," and "over there."

여기 (yeogi) is equivalent to the English "here."

거기 (geogi) is roughly equivalent to the English "there."
This word implies that the location of conversation is far from the speaker, but close to the listener.

저기 (jeogi) is roughly equivalent to the English "over there."
This word implies that the location of conversation is far from both the speaker and listener.

These words function as nouns, and adjectives as well.

Formation

These words can be used as nouns.

1.여기는 한국입니다.
(yeogi-neun hanguk-imnida)
Here is Korea.

If they are used in conjunction with the verbs 가다 (gada) - to go, or 오다 (oda) - to come, the direction particle or location particle, 에(서) [e(seo)], is attached to these words.

여기 + 에 = yeogi-e

1.여기에서 술 마셨어.
(yeogi-eseo sul masyeosseo.)
(I) drank here.

2.저기에 갔어요.
(jeogi-e gasseoyo.)
(She) went over there.

Example Sentences

1.저도 거기에 갑니다.
(jeo-do geogi-e gamnida)
I am also going there.

2.저기에는 지하철 역이 없습니다.
(jeogi-e-neun jihacheol yeogi eopsseumnida)
There is no subway station over there. (lit. Over there, there is no subway station).
[location is far away from both speaker and listener]

3.거기는 안 추워?
(geogi-neun an chuwo?)
Isn\'t it cold there? (lit. There, isn\'t it cold?)
[location is far away from speaker, but close to the listener]

Related Expressions

이거, 그거, 저거 - Demonstrative Pronouns
이-, 그-, 저- - Demonstrative Prefix

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숫자 (일, 이, 삼, 사...) Sino-Korean Numbers

2009-08-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Korean has two sets of numbers. The Sino-Korean number system is a number system which is derived from Chinese. These numbers are typically used for reciting phone numbers, time (minutes), months, years, counting money, and a number of other things. With the numbers one through ten, one can count till 99.

일 (il) - 1
이 (i) - 2
삼 (sam) - 3
사 (sa) - 4
오 (o) - 5
육 (yuk) - 6
칠 (chil) - 7
팔 (pal) - 8
구 (gu) - 9
십 (sip) - 10
백 (baek) - 100
천 (cheon) - 1,000
만 (man) - 10,000
억 (eok) - 10,000,000

Formation

With the numbers one through ten, one can count till 99.

The number 11 is formed by saying the number 10 and then saying the number 1.
10 - 십 (sip)
1 - 일 (il)
10 + 1 = 11
sip + il = sip-il

The number 12 is formed by saying the number 10 and then saying the number 2.
10 - 십 (sip)
2 - 이 (i)
10 + 2 = 12
sip + i = sip-i

The number 20 is formed by saying the number 2 and then saying the number 10.
2 - 이 (i)
10 - 십 (sip)
2 x 10 = 20
i x sip = i-sip

The number 24 is formed by saying the number 2, then 10, then 4.
2 - 이 (i)
10 - 십 (sip)
4 - 사 (sa)
2 x 10 + 4 = 24
i x sip + sa = i-sip-sa

For 100, the word 백 (baek) is used.

The number 200 is formed by saying the number 2, then 100.
2 - 이 (i)
100 - 백 (baek)
2 x 100 = 200
i x baek = i-baek

The number 349 is formed by saying the number 3, then 100, then 4, then 10, then 9.
3- 삼 (sam)
100 - 백 (baek)
4 - 사 (sa)
10 - 십 (sip)
9 - 구 (gu)
3x100 + 4x10 + 9 = 349
(sam x baek) + (sa x sip) + gu = sam-baek-sa-sip-gu

The number 3257 is formed by saying the number 3, then 1000, then 2, then 100, then 5, then 10, then 7.
3x1000 + 2x100 + 5x10 + 7 = 3257
(sam x cheon) + (i x baek) + (o x sip) + chil = sam-cheon-i-baek-o-sip-chil

Example Sentences

삼천원입니다! (sam-cheon-won-imnida!) - This is 3,000 won!

저는 십오분 늦었어요. (jeo-neun sip-o-bun neujeosseoyo.) - I was late 15 minutes.

나 일월에 뉴욕에 가. (na ilwor-e nyuyok-e ga.) - I'm going to New York in January.

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숫자 (하나, 둘, 셋, 넷) Native-Korean Numbers

2009-08-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Native-Korean numbers are numbers that are, as the name suggests, natively Korean. Generally, these numbers are used when counting. These numbers can be used in the following contexts: reciting ones age, ordering food at a restaurant, seating people.

Formation

The numbers 1 to 10 are as follows.
하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯, 여섯, 일곱, 여덟, 아홉, 열
hana, dul, set, nat, daseot, yeoseot, ilgop, yeodeolp, ahop, yeol
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Counting numbers 1 to 19 require the numbers 1 to 10.
To form the number 11 simply take the number 10 (열) and then say the number 1 (하나) immediately afterwards. Numbers 12 - 19 follow the same pattern.

The numbers 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 have their own words.
스물, 서른, 마흔, 쉰, 예순, 일혼, 여든, 아혼
seumul, seoreun, maheun, swin, yesun, ilhon, yeodeun, aheun

To form the number 25, simply take the word for 20 (스물) and then say the number 5 (다섯) immediately after that.
25 - 스물다섯 - seumul daseot

The remaining numbers follow the same pattern.

If there is something attached to the end of number 1 to 4, the numbers change slightly.
The following are the changes that occur:

하나 -> 한
둘 -> 두
셋 -> 세
넷 -> 네

Example:
If we add the word for hour, 시 (si) to numbers 1 to 4, these numbers change.
하나 (1) + 시 (hour) = 한 시
둘 (2) + 시 (hour) = 두 시
셋 (3) + 시 (hour) = 세 시
넷 (4) + 시 (hour) = 네 시

Example Sentences

1.열두시에 도착합니다.
yeoldu-si-e dochakhamnida.
(I) am arriving at 12 o\'clock.

2.열다섯명 입니다.
yeodaseot-myeong imnida.
We have 15 people.

3.연세는 여든두입니다.
yeonse-neun yeodeundu-imnida.
(He\'s) 82 years old.

Notes

Generally speaking, when numbers get high (40 to 50), Korean speakers tend to use the Sino-Korean numbers. This is because Native-Korean numbers are used generally for counting, and there aren\'t many chances to count to such high numbers.

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숫자 (일, 이, 삼, 사...) Sino-Korean Numbers

2009-08-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Formation

Example Sentences

Related Expressions

Native Korean Numbers.

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숫자 Korean numbers

2009-08-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Korean has two systems for numbers: sino-Korean numbers and native-Korean numbers. We use the sino-Korean numbers for counting dates, money, people, and so on. We generally use the native-Korean numbers for counting.

	Sino Numbers	Native Numbers
1	일 (il)	하나 (hana)
2	이 (i)	둘 (dul)
3	삼 (sam)	셋 (set)
4	사 (sa)	넷 (net)
5	오 (o)	다섯 (daseot)
6	육 (yuk)	여섯 (yeoseot)
7	칠 (chil)	일곱 (ilgop)
8	팔 (pal)	여덟 (yeodeol)
9	구 (gu)	아홉 (ahop)
10	십 (sip)	열 (yeol)
11	십일 (sibil)	열하나 (yeolhana)
12	십이 (sibi)	열둘 (yeoldul)
13	십삼 (sipsam)	열셋 (yeolset)
14	십사 (sipsa)	열넷 (yeolnet)
15	십오 (sibo)	열다섯 (yeoldaseot)
16	십육 (sipyuk)	열여섯 (yeolyeoseot)
17	십칠 (sipchil)	열일곱 (yeolilgop)
18	십팔 (sippal)	열여덟 (yeolyeodeol)
19	십구 (sipgu)	열아홉 (yeolahop)
20	이십 (isip)	스물 (seumul)

Related Lessons

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수동태 Passive

2009-08-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

When a subject is acted upon, the sentence must be in the passive. When a sentence is changed to passive, these passive verbs no longer require an object and become intransitive. Not all verbs have passive forms (하다 verbs, cognitive verbs 알다, 모르다, symmetrical verbs 만나다, 닮다, 싸우다, and generally speaking verbs that end with the vowel ㅣ).

Formation

Construction:
The four different passive infixes: -이, -히, -기, -리
먹다 - 먹히다 - to be eaten
밀다 - 밀리다 - to be pushed
듣다 - 들리다 - to be heard
보다 - 보이다 - to be seen (also to show - same as causative)
끊다 - 끊기다 - to be cut off

----------------------------
★ General Rule ★
----------------------------
vowel-ending stem
(1) ㅎ, ㄲ + 이다
(2) ㄱ,ㄷ,ㅂ,ㄼ + 히다
(3) ㅁ,ㅅ,ㅊ + 기다
(4) ㄹ + 리다
However, there are many exceptions.

Example Sentences

1.듣다 ▶ 여보세요? 제 목소리 들려요? - Hello? Is my voice heard? (= Do you hear my voice?)
2.보다 ▶ 여기서는 안 보여요. - It is not seen from here. (= I can't see it from here.)
3.쓰다 ▶ 자주 쓰이는 표현 - expressions that are used often

Notes

The conjugation rules are there simply as a reference. But because of the large number of exceptions, KoreanClass101.com recommends the learner to memorize passive tense verbs.

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사 Buy it

2009-08-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

사 (sa) means, "I buy" or "buy it" in the intimate politeness level, and you can say 사요 (sayo) to be more polite. Look up the word 사다 (sada) in the dictionary. In a sentence, you can put the word for what you are buying in front of this verb. With a rising tone at the end, you can use it as a question, and when the sentence ends in a plain tone, it can be a plain sentence or an imperative, telling someone else to buy something.

Formation

책 (chaek) "book" + 사 (sa) "buy" =
책 사? (chaek sa?) "Are you buying a book?"
밥 (bap) "meal" + 사 (sa) "buy" =
밥 사! (bap sa!) "Buy me food!"

Example Sentences

1.이 바지 사.
I baji sa.
Buy these trousers.

2.이거 사지 마.
I-geo sajima.
Don't buy this.

3.이거 사 줘.
I-geo sajwo.
Buy me this.

4. 이거 안 사 줘.
I-geo an sajwo.
I won't buy you this.

5. 저거 사고 싶어.
Jeo-geo sagosipeo.
I want to buy that.

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송이 counter for flowers

2009-08-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

송이 (songi) is a word used to count flowers. A noun comes before the number to specify what kind of flower it is, but it can be omitted when you're answering a question.

Formation

(Flower) + Number + 송이

Ex)
▷ a flower = 꽃 한 송이 (kkot han songi)
▷ a rose = 장미 한 송이 (jangmi han songi)

Notes

---------------------------
♣ More Flower Names ♣
---------------------------
Azalea = 진달래
Clover = 토끼풀
Daisy = 데이지
Dandelion = 민들레
Forget-me-not = 물망초
Lilac = 라일락
Lily = 백합
Lotus flower = 연꽃
Narcissus = 수선화
Rose = 장미
Sunflower = 해바라기
Tulip = 튤립

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-의 Possesive Particle

2009-08-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

The particle 의 (ui) is a particle that expresses possession or relationship to someone or something. In most cases, we can translate this particle as "of."

Typically, with the structure A의 B, B is of A.

Formation

Noun1의 Noun2

We can translate this as Noun2 of Noun1.

Example Sentences

je (jeo-ui) chingu-deul-i wasseoyo.

친구의 아버지가 오셨어요.

chingu-ui abeoji-ga osyeosseoyo.

“(My) friend's father came.” (literally, “The father of my friend came.”)

선생님의 의견을 들어보세요.

seonsaengnim-ui uigyeong-eul deuleoboseyo.

“Please listen to your teacher's opinion.” (literally, “The opinion of the teacher, listen to it.”)

Notes

We typically pronounce the particle 의 (ui) differently than it is spelled.
Sometimes we pronounce it as 에 (e).

When it is suffixed to the:

humbling first-person pronoun 저 (jeo), we can contract it as 제 (je)

informal first-person pronoun 나 (na), we can contract it as 내 (nae)

informal second-person pronoun 너 (neo), we can contract it as 네 (ne); however, we usually pronounce this as 니 (ni)

informal third-person pronoun 그 (geu), it is 그의 (geu-ui)

informal third-person pronoun 그녀 (geunyeo), it is 그녀의 (geunyeo-ui)

first-person plural pronoun 우리들 (urideul), we can contract it as 우리의 (uri-ui)

first-person plural pronoun 저희들 (jeohuideul), we can contract it as 저희의 (jeohui-ui)

informal second-person plural pronoun 너희들 (neohuideul), we can contract it as 너희의 (neohui-ui).

Just as with other particles, we can sometimes drop the possessive particle, 의 (ui).

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-와/과 with, and

2009-08-25T20:11:00.001-07:00

We use -와/과 (-wa/gwa) to link nouns in coordination in a sentence. We can translate it as "with," or "and," both of which must be implied from context. -와/과 (-wa/gwa) links the nouns in consecutive order. We can use -와/과 (-wa/gwa) with as many nouns as desired. However, we must link it to each noun in coordination.

When we use this particle with one noun, a non-present noun is assumed to be connected to the linked noun. In this case, we still translate it as "with" or "and."

This particle is interchangeable with -하고 (-hago), and -(이)랑 [-(i)rang], and we consider it formal Korean. We do not use -와/과 (-wa/gwa) as often as –하고 (-hago), and -(이)랑 [-(i)rang] in conversational Korean, but we can find it more often in written Korean.

Formation

We use -와 (wa) is used to link nouns ending in consonants.

We use -과 (gwa) is used to link nouns ending in vowels.

Example Sentences

한국와 중국이 다릅니다.

hanguk-wa jungguk-i dareumnida.

"Korea and China are different."

지연와, 승희과, 지훈와 다 달맜어요.

jiyeon-wa, seunghui-gwa, jihun-wa da dalmasseoyo.

"Jiyeon, Seunghui, and Jihyun, all look alike."

Related Expressions

-하고
-(이)랑

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-요 Politeness Particle

2009-08-25T20:11:00.000-07:00

-요 (-yo) is sometimes used as a politeness particle. Generally speaking, if the -요 (-yo) particle is left out, it becomes the intimate politeness level (sometimes known as the casual politeness level). You can add -요 (-yo) onto nouns, verbs conjugated into the intimate politeness level, grammatical structures, as well as many other parts of speech.

When -요 (-yo) is added, as its title suggests, makes the word or sentence polite. This is in the standard politeness level.

This is used to show to the listeners that you are respecting them. Typically this politeness particle is used in everyday speech, without active knowledge of it. Also, sometimes with active effort to be polite, it is added on at the end.

Formation

[명사] + [요]
[noun] + [yo]

[반말 동사] + [요]
[Verbs, intimate politeness level] + [yo]

Example Sentences

아닌데 (aninde) - but it\'s not
아닌데요 (anindeyo) - but it\'s not (polite)

친구는 와? (chingu-neun wa?) - Is your friend coming?
친구는 와요? (chingu-neun wayo?) - Is your friend coming? (polite)

학교? (hakgyo?) - School?
학교요? (hakgyoyo?) - School? (polite)

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-씩 every, each, per, a

2009-08-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

-씩 (-ssik) is a particle that expresses frequency, or allocated amounts or numbers. There is no single word with the same function as this one in English. We express it through words such as "every, each," or "a."

For Example:

하루 (haru) - "a day "

한 번 (han beon) - "once "

하루에 한 번씩
haru-e han beon-ssik
"once a day"

Here, we can omit씩 (ssik) for the phrase to mean the same thing, but it makes the meaning of the phrases clearer by emphasizing the meaning of "each" or "per."

Formation

Number + (Counter) + -씩

한 명 (han myeong) "one person"
한 명 + 씩 = 한 명씩 (han myeong-ssik)
한 번에 한 명씩
han beon-e han myeong-ssik
"one person at a time"
한 번 (han beon) "one time"
한 번 + 씩 = 한 번씩 (han beon-ssik)
일 년에 한 번씩
il nyeon-e han beon-ssik
"once every year"

Words Expressing Number or Amount + -씩

조금 (jogeum) "a little, a bit"
조금 + -씩 = 조금씩
jogeumssik
"little by little"
이만큼 (i-mankeum) "about this much"
이만큼 + -씩 = 이만큼씩
(i-mankeum-ssik)
"about this much each time"

Example Sentences

Korean	*Romanized*	"English"
일주일에 한 번씩 영화를 봐요.	iljuil-e han beon-ssik yeonghwa-reul bwayo.	"I watch a movie once a week."
날마다 10km씩 걸어요.	nalmada sip-kiromiteo-ssik georeoyo.	"I walk ten kilometers every day."
한 사람한테 하나씩 주세요.	han saram-hante hana-ssik juseyo.	"Please give one of each to one person."
하루에 2시간씩 운동해요.	haru-e du sigan-ssik undonghaeyo.	"I exercise two hours each day."
일년에 책을 10권씩 읽어요.	ilnyeon-e chaek-eul yeolgwon-ssik ilgeoyo.	"I read ten books each year."

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-씩 distribution particle

2009-08-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

-씩 (-ssik) is a particle which is attached directly to numbers, adverbs of frequency, quantity word, or a number modified by a counter. It is used to indicate distribution, and can be translated as "each," "apiece," "respectively."

Formation

This particle is added onto the end of numbers, adverbs of frequency, quantity word, or a number modified by a counter.

Numbers:
하나 (hana) - one
하나씩 - one a piece
하나씩 드세요. - Please eat one, each.

Adverbs of frequency:
두 번 (du beon) - twice
두 번씩 - twice every
한국 인 년에 두 번씩 가요. - I go to Korea twice a year.

Quantity word:
조금 (jogeum) - a little
조금씩 (jogeum ssik) - a little, each
조금씩 공부하세요. - Please study little by litte.

Number modified by a counter:
한 명 (han myeong) - one person
한 명씩 - one person each
이거 한 명씩 받는거야. - One person each receives this.

Example Sentences

1.조금씩 조금씩 공부합니다.
(jogeum-ssik jogeum-ssik gongbuhamnida)
I'm studying little by litte.

2.하루에 열 번씩 화장실 가요.
(haru-e yeol beon-ssik hwajangsilgayo.)
I go to the bathroom ten times a day.

3.한 사람한테 천원씩 주세요.
(han saram-hante cheonwon-ssik juseyo.)
Please give one person 1,000 won each.

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뭔가, 어딘가, 누군가, 언젠가, 왠지 Indefinite Nouns

2009-08-25T20:08:00.001-07:00

Question words can be formed into indefinite nouns by a certain conjugation. After this conjugation, these words now become indefinite nouns. Contrary to their interrogative counter parts, these indefinite nouns mean"some (interogative)."

Formation

Interrogative + ㄴ가
(There are exceptions to this conjugation, and interrogatives that cannot use this conjugation)
KoreanClass101.com suggests these words be memorized as is.

누구 + ㄴ가
누군가 (nugunga) - someone

어디 + ㄴ가
어딘가 (eodinga) - somewhere

뭐 +ㄴ가
뭔가 (mwonga) - something

언제 + ㄴ가
언젠가 (eonjenga) - some time

Exception
왜 + ㄴ지
왠지 (wenji) - some reason

Example Sentences

1.누군가 왔어요.
(nugunga wasseoyo.)
Someone came.

2.어딘가 있겠지.
(eodinga itgetji.)
She must be somewhere.

3.왠지 모르겠어.
(wenji moreugesseo.)
I don't know why (for what reason).

4.뭔가 뭍었어.
(mwonga mudeosseo.)
Something is stuck.

5.언젠가 올 거라고 믿을 거예요.
(eonjenga ol georago mideul geo-yeyo.)
I'll trust that you'll come some time.

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밑에 under, beneath

2009-08-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

밑에 (mit-e) means "below, under," or "beneath." 밑에 (mit-e) is a combination of two words, 밑 (mit) and 에 (e). 밑 (mit) is a noun that means, "under, below," or "beneath." 에 (e) means, "at, to," or "in." So together, 밑에 (mit-e) means, "under (something)." The word that 위에 (mit-e) modifies comes before 위에 (mit-e). When we use 위에 (mit-e) on its own, it means "under there."

Formation

For Example:
Noun + 밑에 = "under/below/beneath" + Noun

의자 (uija) "chair"
+
밑에 (mit-e) "under"
Becomes -
의자 밑에
uija mit-e
"under the chair"

Example Sentences

Korean	*Romanized*	"English"
의자 밑에 있어.	Uija mi-teo isseo.	"It's under the table."
의자 밑에 없어.	Uija mi-te eopseo.	"It's not under the table."
밑에 없어요.	Mi-te eopseoyo.	"It isn't down there."
밑에 찾아봐.	Mi-teo chajabwa.	"Search down there."
밑에 둬.	Mit-e dwo.	"Please put it under there."

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명령형 Imperative (Standard/Intimate Politeness Level)

2009-08-25T20:07:00.001-07:00

One of the imperative conjugations of Korean verbs has the same set of conjugations as the simple present tense (in regards to the standard/intimate politeness level). We can conjugate verbs the same as the simple present tense, yet they have different usages, one of which is the imperative. Although we can conjugate these verbs in the same manner, they have a different function.

As stated above, the imperative is the same as the simple present tense in regards to the standard and informal politeness levels.

Formation

[Verb Stem] + [야/아/어]

For example:

하다 (hada)

[하] + [야] = 해

(ha) + (ya) = hae

가다 (gada)

[가] + [아] = 가

(ga) + (a) = ga

보다 (boda)

[보] + [아] = 봐

(bo) + (a) = bwa

쓰다 (sseuda)

[쓰] + [어] = 써

(sseu) + (eo) = sseo

The formal politeness level uses the conjugation: (으)십시오 (sipsio)

Verb Stem + (으)십시오

For example:

오다 (oda) “to come”

오 + (으)십시오

오십시오 “come” (imperative - formal politeness level)

Note: We can often find the written form (으)시오 on signs on the street, giving warning or directions to the public.
We can find the spoken version of this in many historical Korean dramas as well, however, its use is only relegated to written Korean in modern Korean.

Example Sentences

빨리 밥 먹어.

ppalli bap meogeo.

"Hurry and eat." (intimate)

집에 가세요.

jip-e gaseyo.

"Please go home." (standard)

물 마셔요.

mul masyeoyo.

"Drink water." (standard)

문을 닫으십시오.

mun-eul dadeusipsio.

"Please, close the door." (formal)

문을 닫으시오.

mul-eul dadeusio.

"Please, close the door." (written)

Notes

This conjugation is the same as the simple present tense, only in regards to standard and intimate politeness levels. We do not use the formal politeness imperative often in casual spoken Korean, or even in formal situations. We generally reserve it for people of extreme importance (i.e., kings, queens, royalty, presidents, high-ranking military officials, etc.).

Related Expressions

Imperative (positive) - Formal Politeness Level
Imperative (negative) - Formal/Standard/Intimate Politeness Levels

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못 Can't, Won't, Not Possible

2009-08-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

못 (mot) is an adverb which expresses impossibility, inability, strong denial, or strong refusal. This adverb is used mostly with action verbs. This adverb can be translated as "can't," "won't," "not (possible)," "unable to."

Formation

못 (mot), an adverb, immediately precedes verbs.

[못 + Verb]
놀다 (nolda) - to play
못 놀다 (mot nolda) - to not be able to play

With [noun] + [하다 (hada)] verbs, 못 (mot) is placed between the [noun] and [하다 (hada)].
[Noun + 하다] verb
공부하다 (gongbuhada) - to study
공부 못 하다 (gongbu mot hada) - to not be able to study

With other 하다 (hada) verbs, which are not [noun] + [하다 (hada)] verbs, 못 (mot) immediately precedes the whole verbs.
Other 하다 verbs: 싫어하다
못 싫어하다: to not be able to dislike

Example Sentences

1.많이 먹었어요. 케이크를 못 먹어요.
(manhi meogeosseoyo. keikeu-reul mot meogeoyo.)
I ate a lot. I can't eat cake.

2.시끄러워! 나 공부 못 해!
(sikkeureowo! na gongbu mot hae!)
It's too loud! I can't study!

3.지혜 씨를 못 만났어요.
(Jihye ssi-reul mot mannasseoyo.)
I wasn't able to meet Jihye.

Related Expressions

하다 verbs
안 (adverb)

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명 counter for people

2009-08-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

명 (myeong) is a word used to count people. It can come after numbers and also 몇 (myeot), the interrogative adjective, to ask "how many people". A noun specifying the social title or the identity of the person usually comes before the number, but it can be omitted when you're answering a question.

Ex)
A: 친구 몇 명 있어? (chingu myeot myeong isseo? - How many friends do you have?)
B: 두 명 있어. (du myeong isseo - I have two (friends).)

Formation

(Nouns specifying a social status or a position) + Number + 명

Ex)
▷ 3 friends = 친구 세 명 (chingu se myeong)
▷ 3 teachers = 선생님 세 명 (seonsaengnim se meyong)
▷ 10 taxi drivers = 택시 기사 열 명 (taeksi gisa yeol myeong)

Example Sentences

1. 몇 명 정도 왔어요? (myeot myeong jeongdo wasseoyo?)
- About how many people came?

2. 다섯 명 앉을 자리 있어요? (daseot myeong anjeul jari isseoyo?)
- Are there seats for five people to sit?

3. 한 명만 오세요. (han myeong-man oseyo)
- One person, come over here, please.

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말이다 I'm saying, What I'm saying is

2009-08-25T20:05:00.001-07:00

There are times when it is difficult to emphasize a certain part of your sentence just by using a different intonation. In that case, a common sentence ending that Korean people use is 말이다 (mal-ida). Since 말이다 literally means 말 ("language," "word," "story") + 이다 ("to be"), this sentence ending takes the meaning of "I'm saying" or "What I'm saying is."

Formation

When you use it with nouns or adverbs alone, [Noun/Adverb + 말이다] emphasizes or introduces which topic you are talking about.

For Example:

저 말이에요.
"I'm talking about myself."

When you use it with active or descriptive verbs, in the form of [Verb stem + -ㄴ다는 or (-ㄴ단) 말이다], it emphasizes or introduces what you are trying to say to the other person.

For Example:

어제도 갔단 말이에요.
"I went there yesterday too!"

When you use it in the question form, it shows that you want to make sure that you understood the other person or the situation correctly.

Example Sentences

1. 오늘은 쉬는 날이란 말이에요.
oneul-eun swi-neun nal-iran mal-ieyo.
Don't you know? It's a holiday today."

2. 이것도 모른다는 말이야?
igeot-do moreundaneun mal-iya?
You mean you don't even know this?

3. 저 말이에요?
jeo mal-ieyo?
Are you talking about me?

4. 어제 말이에요...
eoje mal-ieyo.
Um, about yesterday...

5. 어제도 만났단 말이에요.
eoje-do mannatdan mal-ieyo.
You know what? I met him yesterday, too.

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먼저 First, Before Someone/Something

2009-08-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

먼저 (meonjeo) means, "first" or "before" someone or something. We can use 먼저 (meonjeo) to indicate the order of certain actions or to start a speech or conversation. When we use it to start a speech, it's understood as "before anything" or "first of all."

Formation

먼저 (meonjeo) + 가 (ga) = "first" + "you go"
"You go first." ("I'll go after you.")
먼저, 와 주셔서 감사합니다
meonjeo, wa jusyeoseo gamsahamnida
"First of all, thank you for coming."

Example Sentences

1.먼저, 할 말이 있어요.
Meonjeo, hal mal-i isseoyo.
First, I have something to tell you.

2. 먼저 말해.
Meonjeo malhae.
You say it first.

3.먼저 나가.
Meonjeo naga.
You go out first.

4. 먼저 하기 싫어.
Meonjeo hagi sireo.
I don't want to do it first.

5. 먼저 갈게.
Meonjeo gal-ge.
I'm leaving first (before you).

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마리 counter for animals

2009-08-25T20:04:00.001-07:00

마리 (myeong) is a word used to count animals. It can come after numbers and also 몇 (myeot), the interrogative adjective, to ask 'how many animals'. A noun specifying the kind of animal usually comes before the number, but it can be omitted when you're answering a question. 마리 is also used for an animal or fish that is already dead and made into food.

Ex)
A: 나 개 2마리 있어. (na gae du mari isseo - I have two dogs.)
B: 나는 3마리 있어. (na se mari isseo - I have three. )

Formation

(Nouns specifying the kind of animal) + Number + 마리

Ex)
▷ 3 cats = 고양이 세 마리 (goyangi se mari)
▷ 5 birds = 새 다섯 마리 (sae daseot mari)

Example Sentences

1. 모기 한 마리가 들어왔어요. (mogi han mari-ga deureowasseoyo)
- A mosquito came in.

2. 강아지 한 마리 키우고 있어요. (gangaji han mari kiugo isseoyo)
- I'm raising a puppy.

3. 닭 한 마리 다 먹었어요. (dak han mari da meogeosseoyo)
- I ate one whole chicken.

Notes

-------------------------------------
★ Animal Names in Korean ★
-------------------------------------
1. dog = 개 (gae)
2. puppy = 강아지 (gangaji)
3. cow = 소 (so)
4. rabbit = 토끼 (tokki)
5. goat = 염소 (yeomso)
6. sheep = 양 (yang)
7. mouse = 쥐 (jwi)
8. horse = 말 (mal)
9. deer = 사슴 (saseum)
10. monkey = 원숭이 (wonsungi)
11. tiger = 호랑이 (horangi)
12. wolf = 늑대 (neukdae)
13. fox = 여우 (yeou)
14. lion = 사자 (saja)
15. elephant = 코끼리 (kokkiri)
16. pig = 돼지 (dwaeji)
17. bear = 곰 (gom)
18. whale = 고래 (gorae)
19. chicken = 닭 (dak)
20. duck = 오리 (ori)
21. frog = 개구리 (gaeguri)
22. fish = 물고기 (mulgogi)
23. bird = 새 (sae)
24. mosquito = 모기 (mogi)
25. fly = 파리 (pari)

Sometimes the form [Number + Counter + -의(of) + Noun] (ex. 세 명의 친구) can be used. However, it is mostly used in writing and uncommon.

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