What is a Declarative Sentence?
What is a Declarative Sentence (평서문)?
A declarative sentence, or 평서문 in Korean, is a statement. It's the most fundamental sentence type used to provide information, state a fact, or express an opinion. It typically ends with a period (.).
In Korean, the predicate (a verb or descriptive verb/adjective) usually comes at the end of the sentence. While word order can be flexible, a common pattern for simple sentences is:
Subject - Verb (SV) : e.g., 아기가 자요.
Subject - Object - Verb (SOV) : e.g., 제가 책을 읽어요.
Declarative sentences are the foundation for communication. They stand in contrast to other sentence types you'll learn about soon:
Questions (의문문) : Asking for information.
Commands (명령문) : Telling someone to do something.
Proposals (청유문) : Suggesting an activity together.
Formal Polite Endings: -(스)ㅂ니다
This ending is used in formal situations where you need to show a high level of respect. You'll hear it in news broadcasts, public speeches, business presentations, and in the military. While not as common in casual daily chats, it's essential for formal contexts.
How to Form
You attach this ending directly to the stem of a verb or descriptive verb (adjective).
If the stem ends in a... · Add... · Example
Vowel · -ㅂ니다 · 가다 → 가 + ㅂ니다 → 갑니다
Consonant · -습니다 · 먹다 → 먹 + 습니다 → 먹습니다
Note: The verb 이다 (to be) is a special case. When attached to a noun, it becomes 입니다 . For example, 학생 + 입니다 → 학생입니다.
Standard Polite Endings: -아요/어요
This is the most common and versatile polite ending in Korean. It's the standard for everyday conversations with people you don't know well, colleagues, store clerks, or anyone older than you. It strikes a perfect balance of being respectful yet friendly.
How to Form
The form depends on the last vowel of the verb or adjective stem.