Verbs are the backbone of any language, and when it comes to Korean, mastering verb conjugation is a crucial step in becoming proficient. While Korean verb conjugation may seem complex at first, particularly when it comes to tenses, you’ll be pleased to know that conjugating verbs in the present tense is relatively straightforward. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to conjugate present-tense Korean verbs with ease.
Understanding Korean Verb Conjugation in the Present Tense
Conjugating verbs in the present tense in Korean is indeed straightforward. All it involves is removing the 다 (da) ending from the verb stem and adding the appropriate verb ending based on the level of formality you wish to use. The level of formality in Korean plays a significant role in social interactions and must be chosen carefully based on the context.
Here are the three levels of formality and their respective conjugations for the present tense:
Casual Formality:
Verb + 아 or 어
Polite Low Formality:
Verb + 아요 or 어요
Polite High Formality (ends in consonant):
Verb + 습니다
Polite High Formality (ends in vowel):
Verb + ㅂ니다
The choice between using 아 or 어 in the casual form or 아요 or 어요 in the polite form depends on the last vowel in the verb. If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, you should use 아요. If the last vowel is any other vowel, you should use 어요. It’s worth noting that 아 and 어 can combine with the previous syllable if the verb stem ends in a vowel.
Here are some examples to illustrate these conjugation rules:
Last vowel in the verb is ㅏ or ㅗ → 아요
볶다 (to fry) → 볶아요
가다 (to go) → 가요
Last vowel in the verb is anything else → 어요
먹다 (to eat) → 먹어요
보다 (to see) → 봐요
서다 (to stand) → 서요
달리다 (to run) → 달려요
배우다 (to learn) → 배워요
Now, let’s explore how three common Korean verbs are conjugated in the present tense, taking into account each level of formality.
Casual Formality
하다 (to do)
해
가다 (to go)
가
달리다 (to run)
달려
Polite Low Formality
하다 (to do)
해요
가다 (to go)
가요
달리다 (to run)
달려요
Polite High Formality (ends in consonant)
하다 (to do)
합니다
가다 (to go)
갑니다
달리다 (to run)
달립니다
Polite High Formality (ends in vowel)
하다 (to do)
합니다
가다 (to go)
갑니다
달리다 (to run)
달립니다
Please note that the verb 하다 (to do) conjugates slightly differently in the present tense compared to other verbs. Instead of becoming 하요, as one might expect based on the rules mentioned earlier, it becomes 해/해요.
Example Sentences
To provide a practical understanding of how these conjugation rules work in real-life situations, let’s look at some example sentences using common Korean verbs:
Casual Formality
하다 (to do)
나는 숙제를 해. (I am doing homework.)
가다 (to go)
친구들과 공원에 가. (I am going to the park with friends.)
달리다 (to run)
그림을 그리면서 달려. (I run while drawing a picture.)
Polite Low Formality
하다 (to do)
나는 일을 해요. (I do my work.)
가다 (to go)
학교에 가요. (I go to school.)
달리다 (to run)
아침마다 달려요. (I run every morning.)
Polite High Formality (ends in consonant)
하다 (to do)
회의를 진행합니다. (I am conducting the meeting.)
가다 (to go)
고객을 만나갑니다. (I am meeting the customer.)
달리다 (to run)
경주에서 달립니다. (I run in the race.)
Polite High Formality (ends in vowel)
하다 (to do)
회의를 진행합니다. (I am conducting the meeting.)
가다 (to go)
고객을 만나갑니다. (I am meeting the customer.)
달리다 (to run)
경주에서 달립니다. (I run in the race.)
Conclusion
Conjugating Korean verbs in the present tense is an essential skill for anyone looking to communicate effectively in Korean. By understanding the rules for casual and polite forms of the present tense and practicing with examples, you can confidently express actions happening right now, convey general truths, and describe habitual actions in the Korean language. With patience and practice, you’ll find that Korean verb conjugation becomes more intuitive, and your language skills will flourish as a result. So, go ahead and put these rules into practice, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming proficient in Korean verb conjugation!
