Like This, Like That, and How

In Korean, four very common descriptive verbs share the same root pattern. They are used to describe situations, states, or ask questions:

이렇다 (to be like this)

그렇다 (to be like that)

저렇다 (to be like that over there)

어떻다 (to be how)

While they are technically part of the ㅎ irregular family (just like color adjectives), they are used so frequently in daily conversation that it is much easier to memorize them as a single group.

When these words meet the present tense ending -아요/어요 , two things happen:

The ㅎ at the bottom disappears.

The vowel changes to 애요 .

Dictionary Form · Present Tense

이렇다 · 이래요

그렇다 · 그래요

저렇다 · 저래요

어떻다 · 어때요

The past tense follows the exact same logic. Instead of 애요 , you use 앴어요 .

Dictionary Form · Past Tense

이렇다 · 이랬어요

그렇다 · 그랬어요

저렇다 · 저랬어요

어떻다 · 어땠어요

Because these words are irregular, you cannot simply attach -어요 or -았어요 directly to the stem.

Mistake to Avoid

Learners often try to keep the ㅎ when conjugating. This results in unnatural forms.

Incorrect: 어떻어요?

Incorrect: 어떻애요?

Correct: 어때요? (How is it?)

Always remember that the ㅎ drops completely before these vowels.

Watch out: Do not say 어떻어요