--- title: Korean grammar --- Status: 🌿
Table of contents
### Formal vs Casual {#formal} There are two ways of communicating in Korean μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ - formal one. More polite, good `default` mode. 반말 - informal one - to be used with friends Usually the difference is adding -μš” to the end. Also, if there are many ways of saying/writing something, the longer one is more polite one. | μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ | 반말 | | ------------------------ | ----------------- | | μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš” | μ•ˆλ…• | | μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”/잘 κ°€μš” | μ•ˆλ…• / 잘 κ°€! | | μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” / 잘 μ§€λ‚΄μš”! / 잘 μžˆμ–΄μš” | μ•ˆλ…• / 잘 지내 / 잘 μžˆμ–΄! | | μ € | λ‚˜ | | -씨, -λ‹˜ | λ„ˆ, -μ•Ό/-μ•„ | | λ„€ / 예 | 응 / μ–΄ >> μ›… / μ—‰ | | μ•„λ‹ˆμš” / μ•„λ‹ˆμ—μš” | μ•„λ‹ˆ / μ•„λ‹ˆμ•Ό | | 이거 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? | 이거 뭐야? | | 이거 λ­μ˜€μ–΄μš”? | 이거 λ­μ˜€μ–΄? | | 내일 일 ν•  κ±°μ˜ˆμš” | 내일 일 ν•  κ±°μ•Ό | Politeness levels are determined by the verb ending. There are three basic verb endings used to express different politeness levels 1. -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ = the most polite and most formal ending 2. -(μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬)μš” = the polite, natural and slightly formal ending 3. μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ = the casual, informal and intimate ending 반말 can be only used: 1. with someone who is younger 2. someone of the same age 3. someone with whom you agreed to mutually use 반말 If other person's age or social status is not known, do not use 반말. Once you know other's person's age and find out they are younger than you, you can use 반말, however it's safer, as well as a nice gesture, to ask the person whether you can use 반말. Common cases for using 반말 1. You are much older 2. You are older than the other person and you got their permission to use 반말 3. You are the same age and you got their permission to use 반말 4. Students in same age group 5. Talking to yourself or writing in a diary/journal Common cases to **NOT** use 반말 1. You know the other person only through work and not personally 2. You are older than the other person, but they are your business client or customer 3. You are older than the other person, but you are talking in an official environment (like business meeting, seminars, lessons) 4. You just met the other person. 5. You are younger and never got permission from the other person to use 반말 with them 6. You are the same age, but you are both adults and you do not know each other that well 7. You are older, but the other person is your boss 8. You are older than the other person, but they are the spouse of your sibling 9. You are talking to a large group of people or filming a video blog How to ask for 반말? If you are the older one ``` 말 놔도 λΌμš”? = May I speak 반말 with you? 말 = language, word 놓닀 = put down 말을 놓닀 literally means "put down the language" or "lower the language" 말 νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 해도 λΌμš”? = May I speak comfortably with you? νŽΈν•˜λ‹€ comfortable νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ comfortably ``` If you are the younger one ``` 말 λ†“μœΌμ…”λ„ λΌμš” = You can speak casually with me 놓닀 >> λ†“μœΌμ‹œλ‹€ 말 νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ ν•˜μ…”λ„ λΌμš” = You can speak comfortably with me ν•˜λ‹€ >> ν•˜μ‹œλ‹€ ``` If you are of the same age ``` 우리 말 λ†“μ„κΉŒμš”? = Shall we speak 반말 to each other? 말 νŽΈν•˜κ²Œ 해도 되죠? (-μ§€μš”=--μ£ ) = I can talk in 반말 with you, right? ``` ### What {#what} ###### What + verb -> 뭐 + verb example: 뭐 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”? -> What did you do? ###### What + noun = what kind of -> 무슨 + noun example: 무슨 μ±… μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? - what kind of books do you like? ### Time {#time} AM = μ˜€μ „ PM = μ˜€ν›„ hour = μ‹œ minutes = λΆ„ time format: μ˜€μ „/μ˜€ν›„ + NK number + μ‹œ + SK number + λΆ„ year = λ…„ month = μ›” day = 일 date format: SK + λ…„ + SK + μ›” + SK + 일 ### Counting {#counting} what + NK number + counting word example: μ±… λ‹€μ„― ꢌ = five books |word|what it counts|comments| |---|---|---| |μ‚΄|age (years old)|can't use 개| |λͺ…|people|can't use 개| |마리|animal|can't use 개| |병|bottle|| |벌|clothes|| |개|"thing"|can be used for other words unless specified otherwise| |그루|tree|| |케레|a pair|| |μž₯|paper, page, ticket|also works for e-tickets| |ꢌ|book|| |λŒ€|car, phone, tv|from what I understand "expensive" things| |쑰각|piece|| |솑이|flower|| |μ»΅|cup|for cheap/take-away coffee etc| |μž”|glass|for expensive/proper coffee cup etc| ### Subject markers {#subject} **-은/-λŠ”** "unlike other things" "different from other things" **example** μ΄κ±°λŠ” μ‚¬κ³Όμ˜ˆμš”. (The other things are not apples, but) this is an apple. -이/-κ°€ **example** 이 책이 μ’‹μ•„μš”. This book is good (there are no other books as good as this one) 1. Once mentioned, a subject is given `은/λŠ”`. The subject is turned into a topic. - κ·Έ κ°•μ•„μ§€λŠ” μ˜ˆλ»μš” = The dog is pretty - 곡원에 강아지가 μžˆμ–΄μš” = There is a dog at the park 2. `은/λŠ”` can be also used for things that are not subjects. Use `은/λŠ”` when it means _this topic is a little_ **different** _from other topics_ - 여기에 ν•œκ΅­μΈμ΄ λ§Žμ•„μš”. 근데 μ €λŠ” λ―Έκ΅­μΈμ΄μ—μš”. = There are a lot of Koreans here. But I am American - μ €λŠ” 강아지λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•˜λŠ”λ° κ³ μ–‘μ΄λŠ” μ•ˆ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš” = I like dogs, but I don't like cats 3. If **the subject** is important, use `이/κ°€`. If anything other than the subject is more imporant, use the `은/λŠ”`. - λˆ„κ°€ λ“œλž«μ΄μ—μš”? μ œκ°€ λ“œλž«μ΄μ—μš”. (Who is Dreat? I am Dreat => **I(μ €)** is more important than the name) - 이름이 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? 제 이름은 λ“œλž«μ΄μ—μš” (μ €**λŠ”** **λ“œλž«**μ΄μ—μš” / λ“œλž«μ΄ 제 μ΄λ¦„μ΄μ—μš”) = What is your name? My name is Dreat (I am Dreat) (name is more important than `I(μ €)`) ### Object markers {#object} -을/-λ₯Ό ### Present tense {#present} 1. Ends with ㅏ or γ…— = add μ•„μš” 2. Doesn't end with ㅏ or γ…— = add μ–΄μš” 3. Ends with ν•˜ = add μ—¬μš” ### Past tense {#past} 1. Ends with ㅏ or γ…— = add μ•˜μ–΄μš” 2. Doesn't end with ㅏ or γ…— = add μ—ˆμ–΄μš” 3. Ends with ν•˜ = add μ˜€μ–΄μš” ### Future tense {#future} Add -(으)γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. or Add -(으)γ„Ή κ²Œμš” to focus more on actions or decisions as a reaction/result of what the other person says or thinks ### Present progressive (-ing) {#ing} Add -κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš” ### Want {#want} Add -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” #### Do you want to...? -(으)γ„Ήλž˜μš”? It is built based on the future tense. It is used when expressing the intent of the will to do something. With question mark it changes to "do you want to...?". When used as a statement it can mean "I want to..." or "I am going to...". 1. 집에 κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” = I want to go home (most general and vague way) 2. 집에 κ°ˆκ²Œμš” = (if so) I will go home (looking for feedback / reacting to the situation) 3. 집에 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” = I am going to go home (most direct) 4. 집에 κ°ˆλž˜μš” = something between "I want to go home" and "I am going to go home" 혼자 ν• λž˜μš” vs 혼자 ν• κ²Œμš” -> second sounds much nicer, but both mean "I will do it alone" μ €λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€λž˜μš” (I do not want to go/I am not going to go) vs μ €λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” (If you really insist, I might go) ### Negation {#negation} 1. μ•ˆ before verb 2. negative verb ending -지 μ•Šλ‹€ ### Verb into noun {#verbintonoun} 1. Drop λ‹€ 2. Add κΈ° **example** 보닀 - to see λΆ€κΈ° - seeing or add `-(으)γ„΄/λŠ”/(으)γ„Ή 것 ` **for action verbs** 1. present tense: verb stem + -λŠ” 것 2. past tense: verb stem + -(으)γ„΄ 것 3. future tense: verb stem + -(으)γ„Ή 것 **for descriptive verbs** 1. present tense: verb stem + -(으)γ„΄ 것 2. future tense: verb stem + -(으)γ„Ή 것 ### Can/cannot do {#cancannot} 1. Drop λ‹€ 2. Add (으)γ„Ή 수 μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ ### It can't be -(으)γ„Ή 리가 μ—†μ–΄μš” {#itcantbe} `리` means "reason" or "logic" and can be found in `이유(reason)` and `논리(logic)` given that, the structure -(으)γ„Ή 리가 μ—†μ–΄μš” literally means "there is no reason that..." -> it's used as "it cannot be..." or "it is impossible...". `κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€` is a very common expression thatmeans "to be so". (γ…Ž is usually dropped with verb endings) 그러 + ㄹ리가 μ—†μ–΄μš” = 그럴 리가 μ—†μ–΄μš”! = It cannot be/That is impossible! 을 리가 μ—†μ–΄μš” can be places after tense suffix -μ•˜/μ—ˆ/μ˜€. In that case, it always starts with -을. (ex: 갔을 리가 μ—†μ–΄μš” -> There is no way that he/she went) For future tense use present verb form + add words that indicate future (ex: 내일 -> 내일 μΌμš”μΌμΌ 리가 μ—†μ–΄μš” -> there is no way that tomorrow is Sunday) ### Descriptive verbs {#descriptiveverbs} verb stem + μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ + ν•˜λ‹€ **example** μŠ¬νΌμš” - I am sad μŠ¬νΌν•΄μš” - "to feel sad"/"express such emotions" (for feelings only descriptive form can be used for other people) ### Place {#place} -에 = at, to, in **example** 학ꡐ에 κ°”μ–΄μš” - I went to school -μ—μ„œ = at, in, from used to 1. Describe where action is taking place (λ„μ„œκ΄€μ—μ„œ κΆλΆ€ν–ˆμ–΄μš” = I studied in the library) 2. Describe "from place" (μ„œμšΈμ—μ„œ μ™”μ–΄μš” = I came from Seoul) ### From/to {#fromto} ##### From 1. -μ—μ„œ -> for location 2. -λΆ€ν„° -> for time ##### To κΉŒμ§€ (for both location and time) ##### From/to someone 1. -ν•œν…Œ = to/from someone 2. -ν•œν…Œμ„œ = from someone ### And/But/Therefore/So {#andbut} ##### And 1. 그리고 = and, and then. 2. -ν•˜κ³  = and (used for nouns) 3. -(이)λž‘ = and (for nouns), also "with" 2 and 3 can be combined with "같이", which means "together" ##### But 1. κ·Έλ ‡μ§€λ§Œ - gives "disappointment" vibes 2. 그런데 - can be used as "and" 3. 근데 - shorter form, used in speaking ##### Therefore/so κ·Έλž˜μ„œ ### Also/too {#also} -도 저도 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš” - I like it too *도 can emphasise different things in a sentence* -기도 ν•˜λ‹€ 먹기도 ν•΄μš” - I also eat ### Only {#only} -만 μ•„μΉ¨μ—λŠ” μ»€ν”Όλ§Œ λ§ˆμ…”μš” (I only drink coffee in the morning) μ•„μΉ¨μ—λ§Œ 컀피 λ§ˆμ…”μš” (I drink coffee only in the morning) Only + verb 1. verb in noun form 2. add -만 ν•˜λ‹€ - 밖에 = literally outside something, _other than something_, out of range of something `Noun + -밖에 + negative conjugations` μ•„μΉ¨μ—λŠ” 컀피밖에 μ•ˆ λ§ˆμ…”μš” (I drink nothing but coffee in the morning) in general -만 and -밖에 are interchangeable, but 1. You need negative form with -밖에 2. -밖에 is used more 3. -밖에 cannot be used with imperative sentences 4. When verb has a negative meaning, -만 is more commonly used (μ €λŠ” λ‹­κ³ κΈ°λ§Œ μ‹«μ–΄ν•΄μš” = I only hate chicken) ### Irregulars {#irregulars} | ends with | change | | -------------------------------------- | ---------------- | | γ…… | remove γ…… | | γ„· | γ„· => γ„Ή | | last vowel γ…— + γ…‚ | remove γ…‚, add μ˜€μ•„ | | last vowel not γ…— + γ…‚ | remove γ…‚, add μš°μ–΄ | | vowel in 2nd last syllable ㅏ/γ…— + γ…‘ | γ…‘ => ㅏ | | vowel in 2nd last syllable not ㅏ/γ…— + γ…‘ | γ…‘ => γ…“ | | last vowel ㅏ/γ…— + λ₯΄ | λ₯΄ => γ„Ή + 라 | | last vowel not ㅏ/γ…— + λ₯΄ | λ₯΄ => γ„Ή + 러 | but! - μž…λ‹€ -> μž…μ–΄μš” -> μž„μ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (to wear) - μž‘λ‹€ -> μž‘μ•„μš” -> μž‘μ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (to catch) - μ”Ήλ‹€ -> μ”Ήμ–΄μš” -> 씹을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (to chew) - 쒁닀 -> μ’μ•„μš” -> 쒁을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (to be narrow) - λ„“λ‹€ -> λ„“μ–΄μš” -> 넓을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (to be wide) ### More than {#morethan} A보닀 더 = more than A μˆ˜λ°•μ€ 사과보닀 더 μ»€μš” = A watermelon is bigger than an apple ### If/in case {#if} - λ§Œμ•½ - (optional) in case/if - -(으)λ©΄ = verb ending for "if" - ends with no λ°›μΉ¨ or γ„Ή -> add -λ©΄ - ends with λ°›μΉ¨ other than γ„Ή -> add -으면 _examples_: 1. λ§Œμ•½ μ§€κΈˆ 자면, 일찍 일어 λ‚  수 μžˆμ–΄μš” - If I sleep now, I can wake up early 2. μ§€κΈˆ 자면, 일찍 일어 λ‚  수 μžˆμ–΄μš” - I can wake up early, if I sleep now ### Still/already {#stillalready} - 아직 - still, not yet - 아직도 - still + even/also -> "still (not) happening". Sound critical/being a little mad or angry - 이미 - already, when you know about something - 벌써 - when you are just finding out about somthing ### Someone/Something/Somewhere/Someday {#somex} 1. λˆ„κ΅¬ (who) + -γ„΄κ°€ = λˆ„κ΅°κ°€ (someone) 2. 뭐 (what) + -γ„΄κ°€ = λ­”κ°€/무언가 (something) 3. μ–΄λ”” (where) + -γ„΄κ°€ = μ–΄λ”˜κ°€ (somewhere) 4. μ–Έμ œ (when) + -γ„΄κ°€ = μ–Έμ  κ°€ (someday) Even when intended meaning is "someday", μ–Έμ œ can be used instead of μ–Έμ  κ°€. Same goes for 뭐/μ–΄λ””/λˆ„κ΅¬. *examples:* 1. λˆ„κ΅¬ λ§Œλ‚  κ±°μ˜ˆμš”? - whom will you meet? 2. λˆ„κ΅°κ°€ λ§Œλ‚  κ±°μ˜ˆμš”? - will you meet somebody? 3. 뭐 μ°Ύμ•˜μ–΄μš”? - what did you find? 4. λ­”κ°€ μ°Ύμ•˜μ–΄μš”? - did you find something? ### Imperative {#imperative} Fixed expressions using '-μ„Έμš”' - μ–΄μ„œμ˜€μ„Έμš” - Welcome - μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” - goodbye - μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” - goodbye - μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ μ£Όλ¬΄μ„Έμš” - goodnight 1. If you want to tell somebody to do something - Verb ending with vowel or γ„Ή - add -μ„Έμš” - Verb ending with consonant other than γ„Ή - add -μœΌμ„Έμš” 2. Please do it for me. - It has much *nicer tone* - Has nuance of asking someone for a favour or asking someone to do sth "for you" - μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ μ£Όμ„Έμš” *examples*: 1. μ•„μ΄μŠ€ν¬λ¦Ό μ‚¬μ„Έμš” - please buy yourself some icecream 2. μ•„μ΄μŠ€ν¬λ¦Ό 사 μ£Όμ„Έμš” - please buy **me** some ice cream μ€˜μš” is less formal μ£Όμ„Έμš”, but more polite than just -μ„Έμš”. ### Have to/Should/Must {#haveshouldmust} -μ•„μ•Ό/μ–΄μ•Ό/μ—¬μ•Ό + λ˜λ‹€/ν•˜λ‹€ ### Method/way {#methodway} -(으)둜 1. Made with x - 뭐둜 이거 λ§Œλ“€μ—ˆμ–΄μš”? - what did you make this with? 2. Come by x - 였늘 νƒμ‹œλ‘œ μ™”μ–΄μš”? - did you come by taxi today? 3. Do x using y - μΉ΄λ“œλ‘œ λ‚Ό κ±°μ˜ˆμš” - I will pay by card 4. Get hurt/sick - μ‚¬κ΅¬λ‘œ λ‹€μΉ˜λ‹€ - to get hurt in an accident 5. To be famous for x - ν”„λž‘μŠ€λŠ” 치즈둜 유λͺ…ν•΄μš” - France is famous for its cheese 6. Path - 이 길둜 κ°€λ‹€ - to go this path ### All/more {#allmore} - λ‹€ - all - 더 - more ### Don't do it {#dontdoit} add -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” ### Verbs that require nouns {#vnounsreq} Some verbs require nouns to make sense. "To sing"/"To dance"/"To draw" makes no sense if it's not specified **what** examples with most *generic* nouns: 1. To eat - (λ°₯을) λ¨Ήλ‹€ - λ°₯(을) λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” - I eat - λ­”κ°€ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” - I eat something 2. To draw - (그림을) 그리닀 - κ·Έλ¦Ό 그렀료 - I draw - 강아지 κ·Έλ €μš” - I draw a dog 3. To dance - (좀을) μΆ”λ‹€ - 좀을 μΆ°μš” - I dance - νž™ν•©μ„ μΆ°μš” - I dance hip-hop 4. To sing - (λ…Έλž˜λ₯Ό) λΆ€λ₯΄λ‹€/ν•˜λ‹€ - λ…Έλž˜ λΆˆλŸ¬μš” - I sing - μΌ€μ΄νŒ λΆˆλŸ¬μš” - I sing K-pop ### Too much/very {#toomuchvery} λ„ˆλ¬΄ - too much, excessively; Can be also used as very/quite/really. In past it was used only in negative sentences, but nowadays it's possible to use in positive contexts as well. Most people use it both ways. example: λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ”μ›Œμš”: 1. It is too hot 2. It is very hot ### Linking verbs {#linkingverbs} #### -κ³  -κ³  can be used to link verbs. Only last one needs to specify tense, others - just replace `λ‹€` with `κ³ ` It's used to connect **independent** clauses or actions together to form once sentence. example: 곡원에 κ°€κ³  책을 μ½μ—ˆμ–΄μš” -> I went to the park and I read a book. (listing things done in a day) #### -μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ μ„œ -μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ μ„œ is translated as "therefore/so" and is used to connect two or more verbs in a sentence to show logical relationship between the verbs. 1. Reason + μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ μ„œ + result (λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μ„œ λͺ» κ°”μ–΄μš” -> It rained, so I cannot go) 2. An action + μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ μ„œ + another action that takes place after first action (곡원에 κ°€μ„œ 책을 μ½μ—ˆμ–΄μš” -> I went to the park and read a book. Reading a book was after park) 3. An action + μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ μ„œ + the purpose of or the plan after the action (케이크λ₯Ό μ‚¬μ„œ μΉœκ΅¬ν•œν…Œ 쀄 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. -> I'm going to buy a cake and give it to a friend) 4. fixed expressions 1. according to -> -에 따라(μ„œ) (λ‰΄μŠ€μ— λ”°λΌμ„œ 였늘 λΉ„κ°€ 올 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” -> According to the news, it will rain today.) 2. for example -> 예λ₯Ό λ“€μ–΄μ„œ (예λ₯Ό λ“€μ–΄μ„œ μ΄λ ‡κ²Œ ν•  수 μžˆμ–΄μš” -> For example, you can do like this) #### -μ•„/μ–΄/여도 same meaning as "κ·Έλž˜λ„" (but still, nevertheless) #### -λŠ”/은/ㄴ데 1. -λŠ”λ° is used after action verbs (γ„Ή is dropped), after μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€, and after -μ•˜ or -κ²  2. -은데 is used after descriptive verbs with have a final consonant in the verb stem, exepct for the consonant γ„Ή 3. -ㄴ데 is used after descriptive verbs with end in a vowel or γ„Ή (γ„Ή is dropped) and after 이닀 and μ•„λ‹ˆλ‹€ This ending has a diverse meaning 1. Explaining the background or the situation before making a suggestions/request/question -> 내일 μΌμš”μΌμΈλ°, 뭐 ν•  κ±°μ˜ˆμš”? (It is Sunday tomorrow, what are you going to do?) 2. Explaining the situation first before explaining what has happened -> μ–΄μ œ 자고 μžˆμ—ˆλŠ”λ°, ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ μ „ν™”κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš” (I was sleeping + λŠ”λ° + I got phone call from Korea) 3. Showing a result or situation which is contrasting to the previous action or situation -> 아직 9μ‹œμΈλ° 벌써 μ‘Έλ €μš” (it is still 9 o'clock, but I am already sleepy) 4. As 3, but second part can be omitted for implied meaning (bit sassy) -> μ€€λΉ„ 많이 ν–ˆλŠ”λ°(μš”)... 5. Showing surprise or exclamation -> λ©‹μžˆλŠ”λ°(μš”)! (Oh, that is cool!) 6. Asking a question (expecting some explanation about a situation or behaviour) -> μ§€κΈˆ 어디에 μžˆλŠ”λ°(μš”)? (So where are you now?) 7. Expecting an answer or a response -> μ§€κΈˆ(μš”)? μ§€κΈˆ λ°”μœλ°(μš”)... (Now? I am busy now, so...) ### Shall we?/I wonder... {#shallweiwonder} -(으)γ„Ή κΉŒμš”? It is used to: 1. Asking oneself a question of showing doubt about something 2. Raising a question and attracting attention of others 3. Suggesting doing something together ### Approximately, About {#approxabout} 1. -μ―€ (no space) 2. 정도 (after word, with space) 3. μ•½ (before word, with space) `μ•½` can be used as `ummm` to buy time when answering a question. 1+3 and 2+3 are valid options. ### Before noun {#beforenoun} (noun +) 전에 = before (+ noun) - before class = μˆ˜μ—… 전에 - before Sunday = μΌμš”μΌ 전에 ο»Ώο»Ώ- before 1o'clock = 1μ‹œ 전에 - an hour ago = ν•œ μ‹œκ°„ 전에 with verb = change a verb into a noun (-κΈ°) - κ°€κΈ° 전에 = before going - 사기 전에 = before buying - λ¨ΉκΈ° 전에 = before eating **examples** - ο»Ώο»ΏFinish your work before you go home = 집에 κ°€κΈ° 전에 일 λλ‚΄μ„Έμš” - Eat before you study = 곡뢀 ν•˜κΈ° 전에 λ°₯ λ¨ΉμœΌμ„Έμš” - Don't use it before you pay. = λˆμ„ λ‚΄κΈ° 전에 쓰지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”. ### Before verb {#beforeing} change verb into noun (-κΈ° form) + 전에 κ°€λ‹€ -> κ°€κΈ° -> κ°€κΈ° 전에 (before going) 사닀 -> 사기 -> 사기 전에 (before buying) λ¨Ήλ‹€ -> λ¨ΉκΈ° -> λ¨ΉκΈ° 전에 (before eating) 집에 κ°€κΈ° 전에 (before going home) 집에 κ°€κΈ° 전에 일 λλ‚΄μ„Έμš” - finish your work before going home 곡뢀 ν•˜κΈ° 전에 λ¨ΉμœΌμ„Έμš” - eat before you study ### After {#after} λ‹€μŒμ—, 후에, 뒀에 after -ing - -(으)γ„΄ + λ‹€μŒμ— - -(으)γ„΄ + 후에 - -(으)γ„΄ + 뒀에 to go home = 집에 κ°€λ‹€ after going home: 1. 집에 κ°„ λ‹€μŒμ— 2. 집에 κ°„ 후에 3. 집에 κ°„ 뒀에 ### Plural marker {#pluralmarker} noun + λ“€ 컀피듀이 μžˆμ–΄μš” (more than 1) 컀피가 μžˆμ–΄μš” (1 or more than 1) _do not use with counting verbs_ incorrect: '컀피 4μž”'λ“€ (sounds like 1 or more sets of 4 coffee cups) ### But still, nevertheless {#butstillnevertheless} #### κ·Έλž˜λ„ it means "but still"/"however"/"nonetheless"/"nevertheless" example: It is raining! Are you still going? = λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”! κ·Έλž˜λ„ 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”? 그래 + 도 = "even if you do that"/"even if that happens"/"if you do that, too" + the meaning of "still" ### To look like/to seem like {#looklikeseemlike} **λΉ„μŠ·ν•˜λ‹€** = to be similar A is similar to B A은/λŠ” B(이)λž‘/Bν•˜κ³  (use with) λΉ„μŠ·ν•˜λ‹€ Lemon is similar to kiwi ν‚€μœ„λž‘ 레λͺ¬μ€ λΉ„μŠ·ν•΄μš” / 레λͺ¬μ€ ν‚€μœ„λž‘ λΉ„μŠ·ν•΄μš”. **κ°™λ‹€** = to be the same A is the same as B A은/λŠ” B(이)λž‘/Bν•˜κ³  (use with) κ°™λ‹€ A**λž‘** κ°™μ•„μš” - it is the same as A BλŠ” A**λž‘** κ°™μ•„μš” - B is the same as A A**ν•˜κ³ ** BλŠ” κ°™μ•„μš” - A and B are the same ##### with verbs -(으)γ„΄/λŠ”/(으)γ„Ή 것 κ°™λ‹€ - present tense: verb stem + λŠ” 것 - present tense for action verbs - past tense: verb stem + -(으)γ„΄ 것 - present tense for descriptive verbs - past tense for action verbs - future tense: verb stem + -(으)γ„Ή 것 - future tense for action and descriptive ### Making Adjectives {#adjectives} `+ -(으)γ„΄ + λͺ…사 (noun)` In English "pretty" is an adjective and can be found in a dictionary. In Korean "pretty" is "예쁜", but it cannot be found dictionaries. The "descriptive verb" or "the adjective in infinite form" is "μ˜ˆμ˜λ‹€" and can be found in the dictionary. - μ‹Έλ‹€ is not "cheap". It means "to be cheap" - λ°”μ˜λ‹€ is not "busy". It mean "to be busy" - λ§›μžˆλ‹€ is not "delicious". It mean "to be delicious" In Korean adjectives can be conjugated to different tenses, for example - μž¬λ―Έμžˆλ‹€ (to be fun) - μž¬λ―Έμžˆμ–΄μš” (present tense) - μž¬λ―Έμžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš” (past tense) - μž¬λ―Έμžˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (future tense) (vs English It is fun/ It was fun/ It will be fun; `fun` is always the same) **Exceptions:** - ν•˜μ–—λ‹€ -> ν•˜μ–€ (white; ν•˜μ–€ κ°€λ°© - white bag) - κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€ -> 그런 (such; 그런 κ°€λ°© - that kind of bag) - 달닀 -> 단 (sweet) - μžˆλ‹€ -> μžˆλŠ” - μ—†λ‹€ -> μ—†λŠ” **Common mistake** - 예쁜 + μ΄μ—μš” 𐄂 -> μ˜ˆλ»μš” βœ“ - λΉ„μ‹Ό + μ΄μ—μš” 𐄂 -> λΉ„μ‹Έμš” βœ“ - 라떼 ν•œ μž” μ£Όμ„Έμš”. λ”°λœ»ν•œ - 𐄂 (can't be without noun) - 라떼 ν•œ μž” μ£Όμ„Έμš”. λ”°λœ»ν•œ 라떼. βœ“ **Action verbs can be also used as adjectives** action verb -λŠ” + noun (for verbs ending with γ„Ή, drop γ„Ή) - This is **a bag I like** - 이 가방은 μ œκ°€ **μ’‹μ•„ν•˜λŠ” κ°€λ°©**μ΄μ—μš”. - This bag is **a bag I liked** - 이 가방은 μ œκ°€ **μ’‹μ•„ν•œ κ°€λ°©**μ΄μ—μš”. - This bag is **a bag I will like** - 이 가방은 μ œκ°€ **μ’‹μ•„ν•  κ°€λ°©**μ΄μ—μš”. - Someone who Yeji likes -> μ˜ˆμ§€μ”¨κ°€ μ’‹μ•„ν•˜λŠ” μ‚¬λžŒ - Someone who likes Yeji -> μ˜ˆμ§€μ”¨λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•˜λŠ” μ‚¬λžŒ - Is there a Korean food that you eat often? -> 자주 λ¨ΉλŠ” ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹ μžˆμ–΄μš”? - Is there a cafe that you go to often? -> 자주 κ°€λŠ” 카페 μžˆμ–΄μš”? ### Well then, In that case, If so {#wellthenifso} 그러면, 그럼 ``` if, in case = λ§Œμ•½ -(으)λ©΄, or -(으)λ©΄ to be so = κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€ ``` 그러면 is `κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€ + (으)λ©΄` and literaly means ("then" or "in that case") if you say **그럼!/κ·ΈλŸΌμš”** it mean "of course!" or "naturally!" ### Let's {#lets} A few different ways to say `let's` in Korean 1. - μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬μš” (polite/plain) 2. -(으)μ‹œμ£  (honorific) 3. -자 (informal) 4. -(으)γ„Ήλž˜μš”? (polite/casual) 5. -(으)μ‹€λž˜μš”? (polite/formal) ### In order to, For the sake of {#inorderto} μœ„ν•΄, μœ„ν•΄μ„œ = in order, for μœ„ν•˜λ‹€ => μœ„ν•΄ (μœ„ν•˜μ—¬) / μœ„ν•΄μ„œ (μœ„ν•˜μ—¬μ„œ) noun + -을/λ₯Ό μœ„ν•΄μ„œ - 건강을 μœ„ν•΄(μ„œ) = for health/for the sake of health/in order to be healthy - νšŒμ‚¬λ₯Ό μœ„ν•΄(μ„œ) = for the company/for the good of the company "μœ„ν•΄(μ„œ)" in a sentence sounds very formal. In casual, spoken conversation -(으)λ €κ³  or μœ„ν•œ is used ### Maybe I might {#maybeimight} -(으)γ„Ή μˆ˜λ„ μžˆμ–΄μš” = - it could... - it is possible that... - it might 1. -(으)γ„Ή 수 μžˆλ‹€ -> can, to be able to 2. -도 -> also, too The word 수 is a noun which means "way", "method" or "idea". Therefore -(으)γ„Ή 수 μžˆλ‹€ means "there is a way to do...", "there is an idea for doing..." or "there is a possibility for doing..." Adding -도 (too/also) changes the meaning to "to also be able to do something". It usually means "it might", "it could" or "perhaps". - to meet = λ§Œλ‚˜λ‹€ - might meet = λ§Œλ‚  μˆ˜λ„ μžˆλ‹€ - we might meet again tomorrow = 내일 λ‹€μ‹œ λ§Œλ‚  μˆ˜λ„ μžˆμ–΄μš” **important**: 1. I might not come here tomorrow => μ €λŠ” 내일 λ‹€μ‹œ μ•ˆ 올 μˆ˜λ„ μžˆμ–΄μš” 2. I might not be able to come here tomorrow - μ €λŠ” 내일 λ‹€μ‹œ 올 수 없을 μˆ˜λ„ μžˆμ–΄μš” - μ €λŠ” 내일 λ‹€μ‹œ λͺΎ 올 μˆ˜λ„ μžˆμ–΄μš” ### -λ„€μš” verb ending {#neyo} It is used in case of being impressed, surprised, or one's own personal thought. This is used quite frequently Verb stem + -λ„€μš” - ν¬λ„€μš”! = (I see that) it is big! / (I did not know it was but, but) is it big. (expressing surprise) - 잘 μ–΄μšΈλ¦¬λ„€μš”! = Oh, I think that it looks good on you (expressing impression) - λ§žλ„€μš” = I see that it is correct! (Finding out a fact for the first time) - μ—¬κΈ° μžˆλ„€μš”! = oh, here it is! - 벌써 11μ›μ΄λ„€μš” = wow, it is already November ### The more ..., the more... {#themorethemore} -(으)λ©΄ -(으)γ„Ήμˆ˜λ‘ the more A(verb), the more B(verb) = A-(으)γ„Ήμˆ˜λ‘ B examples: - The more delicious it is, the better is sells = λ§›μžˆμ„μˆ˜λ‘ 잘 νŒ”λ €μš” - The more busy you are, the more important your health is = λ°”μ μˆ˜λ‘ 건강 더 μ€‘μš”ν•΄μš” - The more people, the better = μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ λ§Žμ„μˆ˜λ‘ 더 μ’‹μ•„μš” -(으)γ„Ήμˆ˜λ‘ can also mean (depending on context of conversation) - "Even more so, especially when..." - ν•™μƒμΌμˆ˜λ‘ 책을 많이 읽어야 λΌμš” = You need to read a lot of books, even more so if you are a student - "Especially if..." or "Even more..." - "Particularly when..." - λ°”μ μˆ˜λ‘ 더 μžμ•Ό λΌμš” = You need to sleep more, particularly when you are busy If you want to emphasise a bit more, you can use -(으)λ©΄ before -(으)γ„Ήμˆ˜λ‘ - The busier you are... = λ°”μ μˆ˜λ‘ = λ°”μ˜λ©΄ λ°”μ μˆ˜λ‘ - The better is it... = μ’‹μ„μˆ˜λ‘ = μ’‹μœΌλ©΄ μ’‹μ„μˆ˜λ‘ **갈수둝** comes from κ°€λ‹€ + -(으)γ„Ήμˆ˜λ‘. It literally means "the more you go", but it's used as "more and more so in time" or "as time goes by" - It keeps getting colder = 갈수둝 μΆ”μ›Œμš” - Dreat keeps getting better at Korean - λ“œλž«μ€ 갈수둝 ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μž˜ν•΄μš” ### -지(μš”) {#ji} it's a verb ending that subtly changes meaning. Use it 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** 3. (as interrogative/question ending) both you and the other person know about something, but you are just **reassuring yourself** by asking a question 4. (as interrogative/question ending) you know about something, and you are **asking yourself to confirm** the fact. In this case, do not use μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ 5. (as interrogative/question ending) you do not know something, so you are asking yourself a question. **Usually you are thinking out loud and asking the other people around you at the same time**. 반말 is used in this case as well. When speaking in μ‘΄λŒ“λ§, the verb ending -μ§€μš” often changes to -μ£  for simplicity and ease of pronunciation. ### It's okay to / You don't have to {#itsokay} `-μ•„/μ–΄/여도 λ˜λ‹€` `λ˜λ‹€` means "to function", "to be possible" or "can do" 1. to turn on, to switch on -> μΌœλ‹€ 2. it is okay to turn... on, it is okay even if you switch...on -> μΌœλ„ λ˜λ‹€ 3. it is okay. you can turn it on -> μΌœλ„ λΌμš” 4. you can turn the light on -> λΆˆμ„ μΌœλ„ λΌμš” 5. you can turn the computer on -> 컴퓨터λ₯Ό μΌœλ„ λΌμš” 1. to do -> ν•˜λ‹€ 2. it is okay to do / it is okay even if you do -> 해도 λ˜λ‹€ 3. it is okay if you do it tomorrow / you can just do it tomorrow -> 내일 해도 λΌμš” 4. is it okay if I do it tomorrow? -> 내일 해도 λΌμš”? To say "do not have to" or "it is not necessary to" add `μ•ˆ` before whole verb[^1] ### You shouldn't / You're not supposed to {#shouldnot} `-(으)λ©΄ μ•ˆ λΌμš”` λ˜λ‹€ means "to function", "to be possible" or "can do", so `-(으)λ©΄ μ•ˆ λ˜μš”` literally means "it is not okay if"/"it is not acceptable if"; it is used as "you should not..."/"you are not supposed to..." examples: 1. μ—΄λ©΄ μ•ˆ λΌμš” - You should not open it / You are not supposed to open it 2. μ—΄λ©΄ μ•ˆ λΌμš”? - Should I not open it? / Am I not supposed to open it? 3. μ—΄λ©΄ μ•ˆ 돼! - (to a child) You should not open it 4. 열어도 λΌμš” - Is it okay to open it / You can go ahead and open it 5. 열어도 λΌμš”? - Can I open it? ### Among, between {#amongbetween} **μ€‘μ—μ„œ, μ‚¬μ΄μ—μ„œ, 사이에** #### μ€‘μ—μ„œ it means "among" or "between", but it can only be used when listing **a few options** to choose from. It **cannot** be used to describe location (ex: "the house is located between the bank and the park"). examples: 1. Aν•˜κ³  B μ€‘μ—μ„œ = between A and B 2. 이 μ±…ν•˜κ³  μ € μ±… μ€‘μ—μ„œ = between this book and that book 3. 이 μ„Έ 개 μ€‘μ—μ„œ = among these three things 4. μ—΄ λͺ… μ€‘μ—μ„œ = among ten people 5. 이 μ€‘μ—μ„œ 걸라 μ£Όμ„Έμš” = please choose among these 6. 이 μ„Έ 개 μ€‘μ—μ„œ ν•˜λ‚˜ μ‚¬μ Έκ°€μ„Έμš” = please take one of these three #### μ‚¬μ΄μ—μ„œ It is used to explain relationship or the theoretical space between certain objects or people examples: 1. μΉœκ΅¬λ“€ μ‚¬μ΄μ—μ„œ 인기가 λ§Žμ•„μš” = he is popular among friends 2. 이 κ°€μˆ˜λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ‚¬λžŒλ“€ μ‚¬μ΄μ—μ„œ 인기가 λ§Žμ•„μš” = this singer is popular among Koreans #### 사이에 It is used to refer to the physical space between object or people examples: 1. μ€ν–‰ν•˜κ³  곡원 사이에 μžˆμ–΄μš” = I am between the bank and the park 2. 약ꡭ은 ν•™κ΅ν•˜κ³  κ²½μ°°μ„œ 사이에 μžˆμ–΄μš” = the pharmacy is between the school and the police station ### Any (#any) `아무` It is used to say "anyone", "anything", or "anywhere". It basically means "any" _in a positive context_ and it **HAS TO** be used along with other nouns - no exceptions. When used in a negative context it means "no + \" For positive sentences, add -λ‚˜ at the end of the word - μ•„λ¬΄λ‚˜ = anybody, anyone - μ•„λ¬΄λ‚˜ 올 수 μžˆμ–΄μš” = anyone can come - μ•„λ¬΄κ±°λ‚˜ = anything[^2] - μ•„λ¬΄κ±°λ‚˜ μ£Όμ„Έμš” = just give me anything - 아무 λ°λ‚˜ = anywhere, any place[^3] - 아무 λ°λ‚˜ μ’‹μ•„μš” = any place is good For negative sentences, add -도 at the end of the word - 아무도 = nobody - 아무도 μ•ˆ μ™”μ–΄μš”? / 아무도 μ—†μ–΄μš”? = Nobody is here? - 아무것도 = nothing - 아무것도 λ§Œμ§€μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš” = do not touch anything - 아무것도 λͺ°λΌμš” = I don't know anything - 아무 데도 = nowhere - 아무 데도 μ•ˆ 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” = I am not going anywhere If you want someone to be careful making a choice, you can use positive sentence in negative context examples: - μ•„λ¬΄λ‚˜ 올 수 μ—†μ–΄μš” = not everyone can come - 아무도 올 수 μ—†μ–΄μš” = nobody can come - μ•„λ¬΄κ±°λ‚˜ 먹으면 μ•ˆ λΌμš” = you should not eat just anything - 아무것도 먹으면 μ•ˆ λΌμš” = you should not eat anything at all - 아무 λ°λ‚˜ κ°€κ³  싢지 μ•Šμ•„μš” = I do not want to go just anywhere - 아무 데도 κ°€κ³  싢지 μ•Šμ•„μš” = I do not want to go anywhere More 아무 phrases - 아무 λ•Œλ‚˜ = anytime - 아무 말도[^4] / 아무 이야기도 = no word, no mention - 아무렇지도 μ•Šλ‹€[^5] = to be okay, to be alright, to be unaffected by - μ•„λ¬΄ν•œν…Œλ„ = to nobody[^6] - μ•„λ¬΄λ ‡κ²Œλ‚˜[^7] = just in any way, however you like it - 아무(런) + noun + -도 + (μ—†μ–΄μš”) = there is no + noun (of any kind) - 아무(런) μ†Œμ‹λ„ μ—†μ–΄μš” = there is no news[^8] ### Try {#try} `-μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ 보닀` literal translation is "to do something and see (what happens)". It is used: 1. Tell someone to try or attempt something 2. Ask if someone has ever done or tried something 3. make a command sound less demanding ##### Fixed expressions and verbs containing -μ•„/μ–΄/μ—¬ 보닀 _important_ in those expressions space is not necessary 1. 물어보닀 vs λ¬Όμ–΄ 보닀 (묻닀 = to ask) 1. 물어보닀 = to ask, to try asking 2. λ¬Όμ–΄ 보닀 (x) - makes no sense in writing, do not use 2. μ•Œμ•„λ³΄λ‹€ vs μ•Œμ•„ 보닀 (μ•Œλ‹€ = to know) 1. μ•Œμ•„λ³΄λ‹€ = to look into something, to recognize 2. μ•Œμ•„ 보닀 = (x) - makes no sense in writing, do not use 3. μ§€μΌœλ³΄λ‹€ vs μ§€μΌœ 보닀 (지킀닀 = keep) 1. μ§€μΌœλ³΄λ‹€ = to keep a watchful eye on something/someone 2. μ§€μΌœ 보닀 = (x) - makes no sense in writing, do not use ##### examples 1. κΉ€μΉ˜μ°Œκ°œλ₯Ό λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ΄€μ–΄μš”? = Have you tried kimchi stew? 2. 이 μ˜·μ„ μž…μ–΄ 봐도 λΌμš”? = May I try these clothes? 3. 날씨 많이 λ”μ›Œμ‘ŒλŠ”λ°[^9], 이번 주말에 μ œμ£Όλ„μ— κ°€ λΆˆκΉŒμš”? = It's gotten a lot hotter, so would you like to go to Jeju this weekend? 4. 일 λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ§Žμ•„μ„œ κ³ ν–₯에 갈 수 μ—†λŠ”λ°, μ „ν™”ν•΄ 봐도 λΌμš”? / 뢈 수 일을 κΉŒμš”? = I can't go to my hometown, because I have too much work to do, can I try calling? [^1]: 해도 λΌμš” <-> μ•ˆ 해도 λΌμš” [^2]: it comes from 아무 + κ²ƒμ΄λ‚˜; 것 means thing [^3]: 데 means "place" or "spot". While κ³³ also means place, it cannot be used here [^4]: 아무 λ§μ΄λ‚˜ = any word [^5]: 아무 + κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€ (to be so) + 지 μ•Šλ‹€ (to be not); it works only in a negative format [^6]: <=> μ•„λ¬΄ν•œν…Œλ‚˜ = to anybody [^7]: μ•„λ¬΄λ ‡κ²Œ works only here in this case, cannot be used independently [^8]: λ‰΄μŠ€ is used for TV/newspaper news, for gossip/news from friends/family μ†Œμ‹ is used [^9]: λ”μ›Œμ§€λ‹€ = to get hot