The time has come for us to switch from formal to informal Korean. We'll learn how to conjugate the 요 form – the most common, popular form in use in Korean. We'll also learn about when it’s necessary to use formal, as well as informal Korean.
I recommend that you spend extra time reading over this chapter to make sure you know each and every rule. These conjugation rules will also be essential as you learn additional grammar rules in the future.
Conversation
조지: 안녕하세요!
임이랑: 안녕하세요! 아, 혹시 한국 사람이에요?
조지: 아니에요. 저는 미국 사람이에요.
임이랑: 정말이요? 한국어도 할 수 있어요?
조지: 네, 미국 사람이지만 한국어를 조금 해요. 하지만 완벽하지 않아요.
Formal vs. Informal Korean
Up until now, everything we have learned in this book has been formal Korean. By formal, I mean extra polite. This is because all of the concepts we’ve learned so far can be taught more clearly using formal Korean, instead of using informal Korean. Specifically, using the 니다 and 니까 endings is considered formal.
But knowing a foreign language means being able to speak and understand it in all situations, including both formal and informal situations. By informal, I mean polite – but less polite than formal. We’ve now learned a good portion of the basics of the Korean language already, and this is why it is time for us to begin covering informal Korean.
So what is informal Korean, and when do we use it? An easier way to answer this question is by first showing you when you should use formal Korean (such as the 니다 and 니까 endings).
Formal Korean is used in these situations:
1. Meeting people for the first time who are older than you
2. Job interviews
3. Business relations
4. When you want to sound extra polite
Informal Korean can be used in all other situations.
Using the wrong kind of Korean (formal or informal) in any situation can come across as either rude, or overly polite. As a non-Korean, you won’t be held to the same high standards as a native Korean speaker at first, but as your Korean improves you will be expected to know which kind of language to use with each person you communicate with. It’s much easier to learn proper, formal Korean at first, and then to learn informal Korean, than it is to go the other way; it’s better to be overly polite than rude.
The 요 Form
In this chapter we will be learning how to conjugate verbs into a new informal form – the 요 form. Previously, we’ve only been working with the니다 and 니까 forms. But informal does not mean rude; on the contrary, informal Korean is still polite, but less polite than formal. As such, it should not be used in situations where you want to sound more formal, such as the four situations listed previously.
The 요 form isn’t as straightforward to conjugate as the 니다 or 니까 forms, but it does have a set of rules which it follows nicely. With a bit of practice, it will become second nature.
The meaning of the 요 form is the same as the 니다 or 니까 form – yes, it can be used for making both statements and questions – simply add a question mark to turn the sentence into a question. The only difference is that the 요 form is not formal.
The basic steps to conjugating the 요 form are as so:
1. Get the verb stem.
2. Add 아 after ㅏ or ㅗ, or add 어 after anything else.
3. Attach 요.
Remove the 다 at the end of a verb to get the verb stem. Then look at the vowel in the last syllable. If that vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, then attach 아 to the end of it. If that vowel is anything else, then attach 어 to the end of it. Then attach 요.
Before we get into any more rules, let’s take a look at some examples of this in action.
먹다 → 먹
먹 (ㅓ) → 먹어
→ 먹어요
After getting the verb stem of 먹다, which is 먹, we look at the vowel in the last syllable. The last vowel in 먹 is ㅓ, which isn’t ㅏ or ㅗ, so we attach 어 to the end. Then we attach 요, and we’re finished.
Let’s look at another example.
좋다 → 좋
좋 (ㅗ) → 좋아
→ 좋아요
First we take the verb stem of 좋다, which is 좋. Then we look at the vowel in the last syllable. Here, the last vowel of 좋 is ㅗ, so we attach 아 to the end. Finally we attach 요 to the end.
Although this is the basic rule for conjugating the 요 form, there are also some other rules to consider depending on the type of verb. Let’s go over each of them one at a time.
Rule 1: Ends in a vowel with no consonants
If the verb stem ends in a vowel without any consonants on the bottom, then instead of adding 아 or 어 to the end of it like we did in the above examples, the 아 or 어 ending will combine into the last syllable. This is much simpler than it sounds.
가다 → 가
가 (ㅏ) → 가아 → 가
→ 가요
After taking the verb stem of 가다, which is 가, we look at the vowel in the last syllable. The last vowel is ㅏ, so we would normally attach 아to the end.
But see how the 아 combined into 가? This is because it has the same vowel sound as it. It would be unnecessary to drag out the sound and say 가아요, so this is why this rule exists in the first place. This rule makes it easier for us to say these types of verbs more quickly.
오다 → 오
오 (ㅗ) → 오아 → 와
→ 와요
Saying 오아 quickly will sound like 와 anyway.
주다 → 주
주 (ㅜ) → 주어 → 줘
→ 줘요
Let’s take a look at one more.
보다 → 보
보 (ㅗ) → 보아 → 봐
→ 봐요
Rule 2: Ends in ㅣ
If the verb stem ends with ㅣ, then instead of adding 아 or 어 to the end of it, the 아 or 어 ending will combine into the last syllable. This is similar to Rule 1, and works in the same way. However, since ㅣ is not ㅗ or ㅏ, you will always add ㅓ to the end.
마시다 → 마시
마시 (ㅣ) → 마시어 → 마셔
→ 마셔요
It should feel natural to apply this rule as well.
가르치다 → 가르치
가르치 (ㅣ) → 가르치어 → 가르쳐
→ 가르쳐요
Here’s one more example.
피다 → 피
피 (ㅣ) → 피어→ 펴
펴요
Rule 3: Ends in ㅡ
If the verb stem ends with ㅡ, first remove the ㅡ. Then you will need to look at the 2nd to last syllable. If the 2nd to last syllable ends in ㅗ or ㅏ, add ㅏ to the end. If it’s any other vowel, add ㅓ to the end.
바쁘다 → 바쁘
바쁘 (ㅡ) → 바ㅃ
바ㅃ + ㅏ→ 바빠
→ 바빠요
In the above example, after we removed the ㅡ we were left with 바ㅃ, so we had to then look at the 2nd to last syllable – 바. Since 바 ends in ㅏ, we added ㅏ to the end. Then we finished by attaching 요.
예쁘다 → 예쁘
예쁘 (ㅡ) → 예ㅃ
예ㅃ + ㅓ → 예뻐
→ 예뻐요
In this example, after we removed the ㅡ, the 2nd to last syllable is 예 so we added ㅓ to the end.
쓰다 → 쓰
쓰 (ㅡ) → ㅆ
ㅆ + ㅓ → 써
→ 써요
Here, there is no 2nd to last syllable, because the entire verb is only two syllables. In this case, you’ll always add ㅓ to the end.
Advanced Notes:
The reason you’d always add ㅓ to the end in this situation is because the only syllable to look at is the last one remaining. In the above example, 쓰 is all that’s left, and if you remember from our basic rules of conjugation, ㅡ is neither ㅏ or ㅗ so it would require adding ㅓ to the end.
Rule 4: Ends in 르
Although 르 technically also ends in ㅡ like in Rule 2, this is a special case. When the verb stem ends in 르, first remove the ㅡ. Then add an extra ㄹ to the bottom of the 2nd to last syllable. Finally, look again at the 2nd to last syllable; if it’s ㅏ or ㅗ, add ㅏ to the end, else add ㅓ to the end.
모르다 → 모르
모르 (르) → 모ㄹ
몰ㄹ (ㅗ) → 몰ㄹ + ㅏ → 몰라
→ 몰라요
This might seem a bit confusing since there are multiple steps, but don’t worry about it. There are only a few of these verbs in Korean, and the ones you will use are so common that you will be able to memorize them easily just from using them often.
부르다 → 부르
부르 (르) → 부ㄹ
불ㄹ (ㅜ) → 불ㄹ + ㅓ → 불러
→ 불러요
Let’s take a look at one more example.
마르다 → 마르
마르 (르) → 마ㄹ
말ㄹ (ㅏ) → 말ㄹ + ㅏ → 말라
→ 말라요
Rule 5: Ends in ㅂ (Descriptive Verb)
This rule only applies to descriptive verbs. When the verb stem ends in ㅂ (and no other consonants), first remove the ㅂ. Then add 우. Next (since 우 does not end in ㅗ or ㅏ), add ㅓ. Then, remember Rule 1; 우 and ㅓ combine to become 워.
부럽다 → 부럽
부럽 (ㅂ) → 부러
부러 + 우 → 부러우
부러우 + ㅓ → 부러워
→ 부러워요
Let’s look at another example.
맵다 → 맵
맵 (ㅂ) → 매
매 + 우 → 매우
매우 + ㅓ → 매워
→ 매워요
Here’s one more example.
덥다 → 덥
덥 (ㅂ) → 더
더 + 우 → 더우
더우 + ㅓ → 더워
→ 더워요
Remember that this rule only applies to descriptive verbs. Action verbs that end in ㅂ will not conjugate using any of these special rules, but will conjugate completely normally.
Advanced Notes:
An exception to this rule is the action verb 굽다 ("to bake") which conjugates to become 구워요.
In addition, some descriptive verbs that end with the sound 옵다 (곱다, 롭다, 좁다, etc.) will also conjugate uniquely.
곱다 → 고와요
좁다 → 좁아요
But many will still follow the general rules.
새롭다 → 새로워요
외롭다→ 외로워요
까다롭다 → 까다로워요
Take heed of exceptions as you see them, but remember that most verbs will follow the rules.
Rule 6: Ends in ㅐ
If the verb stem ends in ㅐ, then you don’t need to add anything other than 요 to the end.
보내다 → 보내
→ 보내요
Here’s one more example.
새다 → 새
→ 새요
Rule 7: Ends in ㄷ
If the verb ends in ㄷ, the ㄷ will change into ㄹ.
걷다 → 걷
걷 (ㄷ) → 거 + ㄹ → 걸
걸어요
Here’s another example.
듣다 → 듣
듣 (ㄷ) → 드 + ㄹ → 들
들어요
And here’s one last example.
묻다 → 묻
묻 (ㄷ) → 무 + ㄹ → 물
물어요
However, there are also a few common verbs that do not follow this rule that you should keep in mind.
믿다 → 믿어요
받다 → 받아요
얻다 → 얻어요
Rule 8: 어떻다, 그렇다, 이렇다
These three verbs conjugate differently.
어떻다 becomes 어때요.
수업이 어때요?
"How are your classes?"
그렇다 becomes 그래요.
아, 그래요?
"Ah, really?"
이렇다 becomes 이래요.
항상 이래요.
"It’s always this way."
Rule 9: 하다 and 되다
If the verb ends in 하다, or if the verb is just 하다, it simply becomes 해요. This rule applies to any verb that ends in 하다, whether it’s a descriptive verb or an action verb.
하다 → 해
→ 해요
Here’s one more example.
공부하다 → 공부해
→ 공부해요
Advanced Notes:
You might also see 하여 instead of 해 in some situations, such as books. This is an older form of 해. Don’t use it yourself in spoken Korean, but know what it means when you see it.
If the verb ends in 되다, or if the verb is just 되다, you have two options. First, you could conjugate it normally using the basic rule.
되다 → 되
되 + 어→ 되어
→ 되어요
Or, 되다 can simply become 돼요.
되다 → 돼
→ 돼요
Although either one is correct, 돼요 is definitely the more popular choice.
Advanced Notes:
돼 comes from a combination of the diphthong ㅚ and the vowel ㅓ. Imagine ㅓ attaching itself on the right side of 되, and you’d get 돼.
Rule 10: 이다 and 아니다
It’s best to simply memorize how these verbs conjugate in the 요 form.
이다 → 이에요 or 예요
아니다 → 아니에요
이다 becomes 이에요 when following a consonant, or 예요 when following a vowel.
저는 미국 사람이에요.
"I am an American."
저는 남자예요.
"I am a man."
아니다 simply becomes 아니에요.
저는 한국 사람이 아니에요.
"I am not a Korean."
Remember that 아니다 is used together with the Subject Marker (이/가).
Advanced Notes:
A common mistake that native Korean speakers will make is writing 예요 as 에요. This is because예요 when spoken in conversation is actually pronounced 에요 – this is much easier to say.
Rule 11: Irregular Verbs
There is no Rule 11, but Korean does have many irregular verbs which have their own way of conjugating. A few examples I gave specifically are 하다, 되다, 이다, and 아니다, but there are others too.
Instead of teaching every single additional irregular verb in this book, it’s best to go out and learn them on your own. I’ve covered some of them already, and I will be covering more in the future.
Don’t be afraid of a few verbs not conforming to the rules. The vast majority of verbs do follow the rules, but there are some here and there that do not.
Learn these rules as well as you possibly can before continuing on. Knowing how to conjugate the 요 form correctly is one of the most commonly needed skills to have in speaking Korean.
Now that we’ve got all of that out of the way, let’s go over the conversation.
Advanced Notes:
Although we won’t learn it in this book, you will come across spoken and written Korean verbs that are conjugated in this same way, but simply lack the 요 at the end. This is known as casual Korean, and is not polite or formal. However, it’s a bit tricky to work with; in order to avoid offending people and being rude, you need to know exactly when it is okay and not okay to use casual Korean. Be aware of its existence, and don’t be offended if you hear it, but avoid using it for the time being.
조지: 안녕하세요!
"Hello!"
Common Greetings
Even in informal Korean, some greetings will stay the same because they are so common, such as 안녕하세요.
Other greetings may change, such as 안녕히 가세요 and 안녕히 계세요.
The informal version of 안녕히 가세요 is 잘 가요 ("Go well.").
There are a few informal versions of 안녕히 계세요, one of which is 먼저 갈게요 ("I’ll go first."). The grammar used in this form has not been covered yet, but simply memorizing this phrase is sufficient for now.
Another important greeting to know is 여보세요, which means "hello" when answering the phone.
여보세요 is used to get the other person’s attention, just like "hello?" is asked when answering the phone in English. As such, it can also be used to get someone’s attention in a public place – perhaps if someone dropped their wallet.
여보세요?
"Hello?" (on the phone)
여보세요?
"Excuse me?" ("Hello?" to someone in public)
임이랑: 안녕하세요! 아, 혹시 한국 사람이에요?
"Hello! Ah, by chance are you a Korean?"
The Adverb 혹시
혹시 is an adverb that means "by chance," and can be used to soften the tone of a question.
혹시 차가 있어요?
"Do you have a car by chance?"
그분이 혹시 유명한 사람이에요?
"Is he by chance a famous person?"
혹시… 저에게 돈을 조금 줄 수 있어요?
"By chance… can you give a little money to me?"
조지: 아니에요. 저는 미국 사람이에요.
"I’m not. I am an American."
Remember that 아니에요 is different from 아니요 – which simply means "no." Using 아니에요 here is in response to the previous question. In this case, saying just 아니에요 is a shorter way of saying 한국 사람이 아니에요.
임이랑: 정말이요? 한국어도 할 수 있어요?
"Really? Can you speak Korean too?"
Ending Sentences Using (이)요
In the above sentence we have 정말이요, which is 정말 ("really") combined with 요. Simply ending the question with 정말 on its own would be impolite when speaking to older people. Even for informal Korean like we’re learning, it’s important to not be rude. If there is no verb at the end of the sentence, or you’re not using 은요 or 는요 (which we covered in Chapter 7), add (이)요 to the end to make the sentence sound more polite.
Add 요 if the last word ends in a vowel, or 이요 if it ends in a consonant.
저요?
"Me?"
저요.
"Me."
한글이요.
"Hangul."
김 씨요?
"Mr. Kim?"
가방이요.
"(A/The) bag."
Remember that using (이)요 is different from using 은요 or 는요.
저는요?
"How about me?"
김 씨는요?
"What about Mr. Kim?"
조지: 네, 미국 사람이지만 한국어를 조금 해요. 하지만 완벽하지 않아요.
"Yes, I am an American but I can speak a little Korean. But I’m not perfect."
As mentioned in Chapter 12, adding 하다 ("to do") after a language is a common way to express that you can speak it.
저도 한국어를 해요.
"I speak Korean too."
Using 하다 in this way is actually an abbreviation of 말(을) 하다 ("to speak").
Practice
Complete the following exercises using informal Korean.
Conjugate the following verbs:
1. 사다
2. 팔다
3. 내다
4. 뜨겁다
5. 끄다
6. 수영하다
7. 선생님이 되다
8. 바르다
9. 말리다
10. 아니다
11. 켜다
Translate to Korean:
12. "By chance can you speak English?"
13. "I dry my clothes at home."
14. "Where does Mr. Kim eat lunch?"
15. "I don’t know. I’m not meeting him today."
Translate to English:
16. 화장실이 어디 있어요?
17. 저는 피부에 로션을 발라요.
18. 과학 선생님을 좋아해요?
19. 안 좋아해요. 똑똑하지만 조금 이상한 사람이에요.
New Phrases
잘 가요. - "Go well."
먼저 갈게요. - "I’ll go first."
여보세요? - "Hello?" (on the phone)
New Vocabulary
완벽하다 - "to be perfect"
이상하다 - "to be strange"
묻다 - "to inquire"
끄다 - "to turn off"
켜다 - "to turn on"
바르다 - "to spread (on)," "to apply"
말리다 - "to (make) dry," "to dry (something)"
피부 - "skin"
로션 - "lotion"
항상 - "always" (adverb)
먼저 - "first (before anything/anyone else)" (adverb)
처음 - "first" (noun)
첫 - "first" (adjective)
첫 인상 - "first impression"
인상 - "impression"
마지막 - "last" (noun)
가끔 - "sometimes" (adverb)
자주 - "often" (adverb)
때때로 - "from time to time" (adverb)
혹시 - "by chance" (adverb)
특히 - "especially" (adverb)