Comparing Three Tenses of the Same Word

In Korean, the time of an action or state is typically shown at the end of the sentence.

The Basic Endings

Present: -아요 / -어요

Past: -았/었어요

Future / Plan: -(으)ㄹ 거예요

By looking at the final word, you immediately know when the event happens.

Let's look at action verbs across the three tenses. Notice how the same root word changes slightly to reflect the time.

Action Verb Examples

Word

Present

Past

Future

가다 (to go)

가요

I go / I am going

갔어요

I went

갈 거예요

I will go

먹다 (to eat)

먹어요

I eat / I am eating

먹었어요

I ate

먹을 거예요

I will eat

Once you recognize these endings, you can instantly tell if an action is happening now, already happened, or is planned for the future.

Descriptive verbs (adjectives) and nouns follow the exact same time zones. You don't need a completely different system for states or identities.

Adjectives and Nouns

Word

Present

Past

Future

바쁘다 (to be busy)

바빠요

I am busy

바빴어요

I was busy

바쁠 거예요

I will be busy

학생 (student)

학생이에요

I am a student

학생이었어요

I was a student

학생일 거예요

I will be a student

Even states and identities use these three simple time forms.

In many languages, verb forms change depending on who is doing the action (I, you, he, she, they) or how many people there are. In Korean, the verb form stays exactly the same regardless of the subject.

Subject Consistency

제가 밥을 먹어요.

I eat a meal.

친구가 밥을 먹어요.

My friend eats a meal.

사람들이 밥을 먹어요.

People eat a meal.

Because the form does not change based on the person or number, you only need to focus on selecting the correct time ending.