🎙️Korean Conjugation

What is the -다 in Dictionary Forms?

사전형의 -다는 무엇일까?

Learn how to find the stem from the dictionary form of verbs and adjectives.

Stem and Ending

어간과 어미

Understand the core structure of Korean conjugation: the stem and the ending.

Both Verbs and Adjectives Conjugate

동사와 형용사는 모두 활용한다

In Korean, both verbs and adjectives change their forms.

The 6 Steps to Check Before Conjugating

활용 전에 확인해야 할 여섯 단계

Learn the 6-step algorithm to conjugate any new verb or adjective on your own.

When the Stem Vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ: -아요

어간 끝의 모음이 ㅏ·ㅗ일 때 -아요

Learn the rule for attaching -아요 when the stem's last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ.

When the Vowel is Not ㅏ or ㅗ: -어요

ㅏ·ㅗ가 아닐 때 -어요

Learn the rule for adding -어요 when the stem's last vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.

하다 → 해요

Learn the 해요-style conjugation pattern for verbs and adjectives ending in 하다.

When the Same Vowels Meet

같은 모음이 연속될 때 형태가 줄어든다

Learn how forms contract when the stem and ending have the same vowel, like in 가다 and 서다.

When ㅗ Meets ㅏ: The ㅘ Contraction

ㅗ와 ㅏ가 만나 ㅘ로 줄어든다

Learn how the stem vowel ㅗ and the ending -아요 contract into ㅘ.

ㅜ and ㅓ combine into ㅝ

ㅜ와 ㅓ가 만나 ㅝ로 줄어든다

Learn how the stem vowel ㅜ combines with -어요 to shrink into ㅝ.

When ㅣ meets ㅓ, it becomes ㅕ

ㅣ와 ㅓ가 만나 ㅕ로 줄어든다

Learn how the stem vowel ㅣ and the ending ㅓ combine into ㅕ.

되어요 → 돼요

Learn how the verb 되다 conjugates and contracts into 돼요.

The 'ㅡ' Drop Conjugation

ㅡ가 탈락하는 활용

Learn the conjugation rule where the vowel ㅡ drops before -아요/-어요.

Endings That Attach Directly

받침과 상관없이 바로 붙는 어미

Learn endings like -고 and -지만 that attach directly to the stem regardless of batchim.

What Does (으) in Parentheses Mean?

괄호 속 (으)는 무엇을 뜻할까?

Learn what the "(으)" means in endings like -(으)면 and -(으)세요, and how to choose the right form based on the stem's final consonant.

-(으)면

Learn how to express conditions and assumptions by attaching -(으)면 to verb and adjective stems.

-(으)세요

Learn to choose -세요 after vowel-final stems and -으세요 after consonant-final stems other than ㄹ.

Choosing Between -ㄹ and -을

-ㄹ과 -을 선택하기

Learn to choose -ㄹ after vowel-final stems and -을 after consonant-final stems other than ㄹ.

-아요/-어요 and the Present Context

-아요/-어요와 현재 문맥

Learn how the -아요/-어요 form is used to express the present context.

Making the Past Tense with -았어요/-었어요

-았어요/-었어요로 과거 만들기

Learn how to form the past tense using the same vowel rules you already know.

Contractions and Drops in the Past Tense

과거형에서도 축약과 탈락이 일어난다

Learn how vowel contractions and 'ㅡ' drops apply when forming the past tense.

Making Basic Future Expressions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요

-(으)ㄹ 거예요로 대표적인 미래 표현 만들기

Learn to choose -ㄹ 거예요 after vowel-final stems and -을 거예요 after consonant-final stems other than ㄹ in basic future contexts.

One Stem in Present, Past, and Future Contexts

한 용언을 세 시점으로 바꾸기

Learn how the same stem forms expressions for present, past, and basic future contexts.

Building a Conjugation Map with "가다"

가다 하나로 활용 지도 만들기

Let's build a conjugation map by attaching various endings to the stem "가-".

Building a Conjugation Map with 먹다

먹다 하나로 활용 지도 만들기

Let's build a conjugation map for the consonant-ending verb '먹다'.

Comparison of Verb and Adjective Conjugation

동사와 형용사의 활용 비교

Learn how verbs and adjectives conjugate using the same principles.

When You See a New Word for the First Time

새로운 단어를 처음 보았을 때

Apply the 6-step conjugation process to transform new regular verbs and adjectives on your own.

Finding the Dictionary Form

먹어요·먹었어요에서 먹다 찾기

Learn how to find the dictionary form of a word from its conjugated form.

Finding 보다 from 봤어요

봤어요에서 보다 찾기

Learn how to reverse-engineer the contracted past tense form '봤어요' into '보았어요' to find the dictionary form '보다'.

Finding '마시다' from '마셔요'

마셔요에서 마시다 찾기

Learn how to find the dictionary form from conjugated forms like '마셔요' and '기다려요'.

Finding "쓰다" from "썼어요"

썼어요에서 쓰다 찾기

Learn how to find the dictionary form of verbs and adjectives where the vowel ㅡ has dropped in the past tense.

The Six Steps of Conjugation

활용 판단 여섯 단계

Review the six-step algorithm for combining new regular Korean verbs and adjectives with the endings learned in this course.

The Boundary Between Regular and Irregular Conjugation

규칙 활용과 불규칙 활용의 경계

Recognize the boundary where regular conjugation rules stop and irregular stem changes begin.

Conjugating New Regular Verbs and Adjectives on Your Own

처음 보는 규칙 용언 스스로 활용하기

Practice applying conjugation rules to create the correct forms for new regular verbs and adjectives without memorizing them.