Korean  Irregular Verbs are the “Gangster Group” in Korean Hangeul system. There are a total of five Korean Irregular Verbs: ㄷ, ㅂ, ㄹ, 으 and 르. This post is just an introduction of the Korean Irregular verbs, I’ll cover them more details in Learn Korean Language  lessons. Why I called them the “Gangster Group”? Because they will change accordingly when they meet with certain consonants or vowels. We will look at them in the Korean Informal Polite Sentence Endings. Let’s learn the rules below.

Korean Irregular Verbs - ㄷ

The first irregular verbs we learn today is “ㄷirregular verbs”. When a verb stem ends in “ㄷ”, this “ㄷ” becomes “ㄹ” whenever the verb tense ending begin with a vowel (such as the Korean Present Tense 아/어요). Then add the normal present tense ending to this new stem. See examples below.

    * 듣다 [ deut-da ] → 들어요 [ deu-reo-yo ] (듣→들) - to listen
    * 걷다 [ geot-da ] → 걸어요 [ geo-reo-yo ] (걷→걸) - to walk

However, there are few exceptions which mean that the “ㄷ” ending verbs that do not change the stems whether the suffix begins with a vowel or a consonant. See examples below.

    * 받다 [ bat-da ] →  받아요 [ ba-da-yo ] - to receive
    * 쏟다 [ ssot-da ] → 쏟아요 [ sso-da-yo ] - to pour
    * 닫다 [ dat-da ] → 닫아요 [ da-da-yo ] - to close
    * 믿다 [ mit-da ] → 믿어요 [ mi-deo-yo ] - to believe

Examples:

    * 음악을 들었어요. [ eum-a-geul-deu-reo-sseo-yo ] - I listened to music.
    * 빨리 걸으세요. [ bbal-li-geo-reu-se-yo ] - Please walk quickly.
    * 문을 닫으세요. [ mu-neul-da-deu-se-yo ] - Close the door, please.
    * 선물을 받았어요. [ seon-mu-reul-ba-da-sseo-yo ] - I got a present.

Korean Irregular Verbs - ㅂ

The “ㅂ irregular verbs” can be changed to either “우” or “오” for some cases. When a verb stem ends in “ㅂ”, this “ㅂ” becomes “우” or “오” whenever the verb tense ending begins with a vowel (such as the Korean Present Tense 아/어요). When a verb stem ends with a vowel other than “ㅏ or ㅗ”,  this “ㅂ” becomes “우”. Then combined the “우” with the present tense ending 어요 to form the ending 워요. See examples below.

    * 줍다 [ jup-da ] → 주워요 [ ju-wo-yo ] (줍→주우)+어요) - to pick up
    * 굽다 [ gup-da ] → 구워요 [ gu-wo-yo ] (굽→구우)+어요) - to roast
    * 쉽다 [ swip-da ] → 쉬워요 [ swi-wo-yo ] (쉽→쉬우)+어요) - to be easy
    * 귀엽다 [ gwi-yeop-da ] → 귀여워요 [ gwi-yeo-wo-yo ] (귀엽→귀여우)+어요) - to be cute
    * 부럽다 [ bu-reop-da ] → 부러워요 [ bu-reo-wo-yo ] (부럽→부러우)+어요) - to be jealous

When a verb stem ends with “ㅏ or ㅗ”,  this “ㅂ” becomes “오” rather than “우”. Then combined the “오” with the present tense ending 아요 to form the ending 와요. See examples below.

    * 돕다 [ dop-da ] → 도와요 [ do-wa-yo ] (돕→도오)+아요) - to help
    * 곱다 [ gop-da ] → 고와요 [ go-wa-yo ] (곱→고오)+아요) -  to be beautiful

However, there are few exceptions which mean that the “ㅂ” ending verbs that do not change the stems whether the suffix begins with a vowel or a consonant. See examples below.

    * 잡다 [ jap-da ] → 잡아요 [ ja-ba-yo ] - to catch
    * 집다 [ jip-da ] → 집어요 [ ji-beo-yo ] - to pick up
    * 씹다 [ ssip-da ] → 씹어요 [ ssi-beo-yo ] - to chew

Korean Irregular Verbs - 으

When the verb stem ends with the vowel “으”, this “으” is dropped whenever the verb tense ending begins with a vowel (such as the Korean Present Tense 아/어요). Then add the normal present tense ending to this new stem. See examples below.

    * 끄다 [ ggeu-da ] → 꺼요 [ ggeo-yo ] (ㄲ+어요) - to put out/turn off
    * 쓰다 [ sseu-da ] → 써요 [ sseo-yo ] (ㅆ+어요) - to write
    * 크다 [ keu-da ] → 커요 [ keo-yo ] (ㅋ+어요) - to be big
    * 바쁘다 [ ba-bbeu-da ] → 바빠요 [ ba-bba-yo ] (ㅃ+아요) - to be busy

Korean Irregular Verbs - 르

When a verb stem ends in “ㄹ”, before 아/어요 the “ㅡ” is dropped and one more “ㄹ” is added to the syllable preceding the original “ㄹ”. In other word, two “ㄹ” is produced. Then add the normal present tense ending to this new stem. See examples below.

    * 나르다 [ na-reu-da ] → 날라요 [ nal-la-yo ] (나르+아요 = 날+(ㄹ)+아요 = 날라요) - to carry
    * 부르다 [ bu-reu-da ] → 불러요 [ bul-leo-yo ] (부르+어요 = 불+(ㄹ)+어요 = 불러요) - to sing/call out
    * 흐르다 [ heu-reu-da ] → 흘러요 [ heul-leo-yo ] (흐르+어요 = 흘+(ㄹ)+어요 = 흘러요) - to flow
    * 가르다 [ ga-reu-da ] → 갈라요 [ gal-la-yo ] (가르+아요 = 갈+(ㄹ)+아요 = 갈라요) - to divide
    * 지르다 [ ji-reu-da ] → 질러요 [ jil-leo-yo ] (지르+어요 = 질+(ㄹ)+어요 = 질러요) - to yell/set fire to

Korean Irregular Verbs - ㄹ

Here comes our last Korean Irregular Verbs, the “ㄹ irregular verbs”, the most difficult irregular verbs. When a verb stem ends in “ㄹ”, this  “ㄹ” is dropped whenever the consonants such as “ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ” come next. Then add the normal ending to this new stem. There will be no changes when the verb tense ending begins with a vowel (such as the Korean Present Tense 아/어요). See the table below.

Verb/ Adjective -는 -ㅂ니다 -세요 -어/아요
길다 [ gil-da ] - to be long 긴 [ gin ] (길+는→기+ㄴ) not “기는” 깁니다 [ gim-ni-da ] (길+ㅂ니다→기+ㅂ니다) 기세요 [ gi-se-yo ] (길+세요→기+세요) 길어요 [ gi-reo-yo ] (길+어요)
살다 [ sal-da ] - to live/buy 사는 [ sa-neun ] (살+는→사+는) 삽니다 [ sam-ni-da ] (삽+ㅂ니다→사+ㅂ니다) 사세요 [ sa-se-yo ]  (살+세요→사+세요) 살아요 [ sa-ra-yo ] (살+아요)
울다 [ ul-da ] - to cry 우는 [ u-neun ] (울+는→우+는) 웁니다 [ um-ni-da ] (울+ㅂ니다→우+ㅂ니다) 우세요 [ u-se-yo ] (울+세요→우+세요) 울어요 [ u-reo-yo ] (울+어요)
팔다 [ pal-da ] - to sell 파는 [ pa-neun ] (팔+는→파+는) 팝니다 [ pam-mi-da ] (팔+ㅂ니다→파+ㅂ니다) 파세요 [ pa-se-yo ]  (팔+세요→파+세요) 팔아요 [ pa-ra-yo ] (팔+아요)
밀다 [ mil-da ] - to push 미는 [ mi-neun ] (밀+는→미+는) 밉니다 [ mim-ni-da ] (밀+ㅂ니다→미+ㅂ니다) 미세요 [ mi-se-yo ] (밀+세요→미+세요) 밀어요 [ mi-reo-yo ] (밀+어요)
빌다 [ bil-da ] - to beg 비는 [ bi-neun ] (빌+는→비+는) 빕니다 [ bim-ni-da ] (빌+ㅂ니다→비+ㅂ니다) 비세요 [ bi-se-yo ] (빌+세요→비+세요) 빌어요 [ bi-reo-yo ] (빌+어요)
열다 [ yeol-da ] - to open 여는 [ yeo-neun ] (열+는→여+는) 엽니다 [ yeom-ni-da ] (열+ㅂ니다→여+ㅂ니다) 여세요 [ yeo-se-yo ] (열+세요→여+세요) 열어요 [ yeo-reo-yo ] (열+어요)


감사합니다 - Thank you!


Continue from Lesson 31 - Korean Conjunction - And. Today we come to learn Korean question word - how. In this learn Korean language  lesson, we will learn question word - how - 어때요 [ eo-ddae-yo ]. It has the same meaning as English question word - how. However, in Korean, it is use to give a suggestion. So, even though we use it like English word - how, but we use it to suggest, propose or offer something in a friendly manner such as how is something or how is someone? Let’s start!
Korean Question Word - How

When proposing or offering something in a friendly manner, you can use 어때요? It is commonly used to ask for the listener’s thought about the speaker’s proposal. You can simply add 어때요? to the end of the noun. The intonation rises up in the end of the sentence. Like in Comparison of Korean and English and How are English words pronounced in Korean? Together with Korean Subject Marker 이 or 가, The formula “…이/가 어때요?” means “how is something/someone?” Korean Topic Marker 은 or 는 can be use with question word - how - 어때요 too. However, it is use when one wants to stress a new topic.

You may need to refer back both learn Korean language Lesson 4 for Korean topic marker and Lesson 11 for Korean subject marker and understand the difference between both of them. Basically, they are most commonly used noun particles are those used to mark the subject of the sentence and those used to mark the topic of a sentence. Use topic marker 은/는 after the noun and then ask 어때요? The formula “(noun)은/는 어때요?”  means “How about (noun)?”

“…가 어때요?” is used with nouns ending in a vowel and “…이 어때요?” is used with nouns that end in a consonant.

“…는 어때요?” is used with nouns ending in a vowel and “…은 어때요?” is used with nouns that end in a consonant.

Read examples below:

    * 한국어 공부가 어때요? [ han-gu-geo-gong-bu-ga-eo-ddae-yo ] - How do you like studying Korean?
    * 동대문 시장이 어때요? [ dong-dae-mun-si-jang-i-eo-ddae-yo ] - How is Dongdaemun market?
    * 오늘 날씨가 어때요? [ o-neul-nal-ssi-ga-eo-ddae-yo ] - How is the weather today?
    * 김치가 어때요? [ kim-chi-ga-eo-ddae-yo ] - How do you like Kimchi?
    * 토요일은 어때요? [ to-yo-il-eun-eo-ddae-yo ] - How about Saturday.

Be careful!

When connecting this word to Korean verbs which refer to an action (view also Korean adjectives), add “…는 게 어때요?” to the end of the verb stem.

    * 커피가 어때요? [ keo-pi-ga-eo-ddae-yo ] - how about coffee?
    * 내일 집에서 쉬는 게 어때요? [ nae-il-ji-be-seo-swi-neun-ge-eo-ddae-yo ] - How about resting at home tomorrow?

Learn Korean Language Flashback

Do you remember that we have learned Korean Place Marker in learn Korean language lesson 15? We use the particle -에서 together with Korean verb 오다 to ask someone about their nationality. “에서 오다” means “from”. Use that formula with Korean Question Word - Where 어디 to ask “Where are you from?”, you can say “어디에서 왔어요?” [ eo-di-e-seo-wa-sseo-yo ]. When answering a question, the question and answer can be almost the same by replacing the 어디 to Countries.

    * 빌리는 캐나다에서 왔어요. [ bil-li-neun-kae-na-da-e-seo-wa-sseo-yo ] - Billy is from Canada.
    * 친구가 미국에서 와요. [ chin-gu-ga-mi-guk-e-seo-wa-yo ] - A friend of mine is coming from America.
    * 저는 일본에서 왔어요. [ jeo-neun-il-bon-e-seo-wa-sseo-yo ] - I’m from Japan.

감사합니다 - Thank you!


Continue from Lesson 32 - Korean Question Word - How. Today we come to learn Korean Conjunction - But. In this learn Korean language lesson, we will learn conjunction - But - 지만 [ ji-man ]. It has the same meaning as English question word - how. In Korean, it is use to shows a contrast between the two sentences. 지만 is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two sentences together in a way that shows a contrast between the two. 지만 is added to the stem of the verb or adjective in the first sentence. Let’s start!
Korean Conjunction - But

We have learned Korean Conjunction - And in learn Korean language Lesson 23 and Lesson 31. To indicates a contrast between what is said before and after, use 지만. It is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two sentences together in a way that shows a contrast between the two. 지만 is added to the stem of the Korean Verbs or Korean Adjectives in the first sentence. Simply add it to the end of the verb or adjective stem regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant. For example, when the food was expensive but not very tasty, add this Korean conjunction to the end of the adjective stem to make contrast between expensive and tasteless. When you want to watch a movie but have no time, use it to show contrast between your desire and unavailability. See examples below.

    * 이 식당은 비싸지만 맛이 없어요. [ i-sik-dang-eun-bi-ssa-ji-man-ma-si-eop-seo-yo ] - This restaurant is expensive but not very tasty.
    * 그 영화를 보고 싶지만 시간이 없어요. [ geu-yeong-hwa-reul-bo-go-sip-ji-man-si-gan-i-eop-seo-yo ] - I want to watch that movie but I have no time.
    * 토요일에는 하지만 일요일에는 하지 않아요. [ to-yo-il-e-neun-ha-ji-man-il-yo-il-e-neun-ha-ji-an-a-yo ] - It opens Saturday but closes on Sunday.
    * 한국 친구가 있지만 자주 만날 수 없어요. [ han-guk-chin-gu-ga-it-ji-man-ja-ju-man-nal-su-eop-seo-yo ] - I have a Korean friend but we can’t meet often.

When two sentences are connected using 지만, the repeated part in the second sentence is usually omitted.

    * 저는 학교에 가지만 친구는 학교에 안 가요. [ jeo-neun-hak-gyo-e-ga-ji-man-chin-gu-neun-hak-gyo-e-an-ga-yo ] - I go to school, but my friend doesn’t go to school.
    * 저는 학교에 가지만 친구는 안 가요. [ jeo-neun-hak-gyo-e-ga-ji-man-chin-gu-neun-an-ga-yo ] - I go to school, but my friend doesn’t.

To make contrasts involving the past, 았/었지만 is used adding 았/었 to 지만 to indicate the Korean Past Tense. Simply replace 어요 in 았/었어요 with 지만.

    * 어젯밤에 그 일을 했지만 안 가져 왔어요. [ i-jet-bam-e-geu-il-eul-haet-ji-man-an-ga-jyeo-wa-sseo-yo ] - I did the work last night but did not bring it with me.
    * 아까 점심을 먹었지만 배가 고파요. [ a-gga-jeom-sim-eul-meo-geot-ji-man-bae-ga-go-pa-yo ] - I ate lunch a while ago but I am still hungry.

Learn Korean Language Flashback

Here are the learn Korean language flashback of previous lessons. Do you remember that we have learned Korean Irregular Verbs, the “Gangster Group” in Korean Hangeul system? There are a total of five Korean Irregular Verbs: ㄷ, ㅂ, ㄹ, 으 and 르. Let’s revise the ㅂ irregular verbs here.  For more details, please revise that lesson. In Korean there are two types of verbs: Korean Action Verbs (to run, to sleep, to do, to work, to think, to study, etc.) and Descriptive Verbs which is the adjectives (to be happy, to be sad, to be cheap, to be expensive, to be good, to be bad, etc.). These two types of verbs are same when it comes to irregular. When an adjective stem ending in ㅂ is followed by the vowel 아, 어 or 으, the ㅂ changes to 우.

    * 덥다 [ deop-da ] → 덥 + 어요 = 더워요 [ deo-wo-yo ] - to be hot
    * 맵다 [ maep-da ] → 맵 + 어요 = 매워요 [ mae-wo-yo ] - to be hot (spicy)
    * 춥다 [ chup-da ] → 춥 + 어요 = 추워요 [ chu-wo-yo ] - to be cold
    * 쉽다 [ swip-da ] → 쉽 + 어요 = 쉬워요 [ swi-wo-yo ] - to be easy
    * 어렵다 [ eo-ryeop-da ] → 어렵 + 어요 = 어려워요 [ eo-ryeo-wo-yo ] - to be difficult

For examples:

    * 날씨가 더워요. [ nal-ssi-ga-deo-wo-yo ] - It is hot.
    * 한국 신문이 어려워요. [ han-guk-sin-mun-i-eo-ryeo-wo-yo ] - It is difficult to read a Korean newspaper.


-지만 -아/어요 -았/었어요 -아/어서
덥다 덥지만 더워요 더웠어요 더워서
맵다 맵지만 매워요 매웠어요 매워서
춥다 춥지만 추워요 추웠어요 추워서
쉽다 쉽지만 쉬워요 쉬웠어요 쉬워서
어렵다 어렵지만 어려워요 어려웠어요 어려워서

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