Billy Go’s Beginner Korean Course | #20: Intro to Conjugation

Name: Billy Go’s Beginner Korean Course | #20: Intro to Conjugation
Uploaded: 2021-03-27T20:59:55.000Z
Duration: 38 min 59 s

Conjugating Verbs in Korean

In this lesson, we will learn how to conjugate verbs in Korean. We will focus on the dictionary form of verbs and how to change them into different forms.

Understanding Conjugated Verbs

Each verb in Korean can have multiple possible ways of conjugating it, depending on how you're using it.

There are many possible ways to conjugate or change a verb from its dictionary form into a different form. However, you only need to learn each form once and you can apply that to every verb.

Present Tense Informal Form

The present tense informal form is used when something is happening right now in the present and is not formal. It's not impolite but should not be used in a formal situation like giving a speech or meeting a boss or someone like that.

To make the present tense informal form, we use what's called the 요 form by attaching 요 at the end of the verb stem. The basic steps are: get the verb stem of a verb, attach 아 if it ends with ㅏ or ㅗ as its vowel, attach 어 if it ends with any other vowel, and finally attach 요 at the end.

Examples of Conjugated Verbs

앉다 (to sit down): 앉아요 (I sit down). 저는 앉아요 (As for me, I sit down).

먹다 (to eat): 먹어요 (I eat). 저는 피자를 먹어요 (As for me, I eat pizza).

만들다 (to make): 만들어요 (I make). 저는 음식을 만들어요 (As for me, I make food).

Mastering the 요 form

In this section, we learn about the exceptions to conjugating verbs in the Korean language. We will cover four exceptions that make it easier to pronounce words.

Exception 1: Verb stem ends with a vowel

Whenever the verb stem ends with a vowel, combine the syllable 아 or 어 into the final syllable of that verb.

Example: 가다 (to go) becomes 가요 (I go).

This rule makes words easier to pronounce because it's not necessary to add on an extra sound when it already ends in a vowel.

Exception 2: Verb stem ends with ㅐ

Any time you have a verb stem that ends with only the vowel ㅐ, simply add 요.

Example: 보내다 (to send) becomes 보내요 (I send an email).

This rule is related to exception one because saying 보내어요 would be too long so they shortened it to 보내요.

Exception 3: Verb stem ends with ㅡ

Remove the ㅡ from the verb stem and look at the second-to-last syllable.

Attach either ㅏ or ㅓ depending on whether there are one or two syllables before removing ㅡ.

Example: 쓰다 (to write/use) becomes 써요 (I use a pen).

Exception 4: Descriptive verbs

For descriptive verbs like 바쁘다 (to be busy), follow steps similar to exception three but attach 아 instead of either of those vowels.

Example: 바쁘다 becomes 바빠요 (I am busy).

Descriptive verbs are used for describing things and will be covered in more detail in a future lesson.

Conclusion

These rules are for the benefit of learners to make the language easier and faster to pronounce.

Many of these exceptions would happen naturally by trying to speak quickly, so it's not necessary to memorize them.

Just practice them and know that they exist.

Korean Verb Conjugation Rules

In this section, we learn about the exceptions to the basic Korean verb conjugation rules. We cover four exceptions that involve specific syllables at the end of verb stems.

Exception 1: 르 Syllable

To conjugate verbs with stems ending in 르 syllable:

Remove ㅡ from the stem

Attach another 리을 (ㄹ) to the second-to-last syllable

Attach either ㅏ or ㅓ to the second-to-last syllable depending on its vowel sound

Finally, attach 요

Example: 부르다 -> 불러요

Exception 2: 히읗 (ㅎ) Syllable

To conjugate verbs with stems ending in 히읗 (ㅎ):

Remove 히읗 (ㅎ)

Attach the sound of ㅐ after the final syllable of that verb stem and combine it with that last syllable

Finally, attach 요

Example: 그렇다 -> 그래요

Exception 3: 하다 Verb Ending

Whenever a verb ends with 하다, simply conjugate it to 해 followed by 요.

Example: 좋아하다 -> 좋아해요

Exception 4: 비읍 (ㅂ) Syllable

To conjugate verbs with stems ending in 비읍 (ㅂ):

Remove 비읍 (ㅂ)

Attach 우 to the stem

Attach either ㅓ or 어 depending on whether the preceding vowel is 오 or 아/어/이 respectively.

Combine and replace 우 and chosen vowel into 워

Finally, attach 요

Example: 맵다 -> 매워요

Some verbs are exceptions to these rules and should be conjugated using the basic Korean verb conjugation rules.

Verb Conjugation Exceptions

In this section, the instructor explains that most conjugation exceptions will make verbs easier and faster to pronounce. However, there are some exceptions called irregular verbs which do not follow any of these rules.

Common Exceptions

The verb 이다 'to be' becomes 이에요 or 예요 and does not follow any of the rules learned.

Sometimes, about half of the time, verb stems that end with the consonant 디귿 (ㄷ) will sometimes change to become a 리을 (ㄹ).

Uncommon Exceptions

Some verbs in Korean have their own way of conjugating that don't follow any rules at all.

There are only a few of those, and whenever we come across them, the instructor will mention them.

Conclusion on Verb Conjugations

In this section, the instructor concludes by stating that learners can now conjugate pretty much any verb they're going to come across in Korean using what they've learned so far.

Learners should practice what they've seen today.

The next lesson will cover even more things.

Farewell

In this section, the instructor bids farewell to learners.

그럼 다음에 또 봐! Well then, see you again next time!