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TOPIK 1 Grammar β€” 65 Topics & Common Mistakes

Every TOPIK 1 topic below gives you the key rule, real correct-vs-incorrect examples, and the mistakes learners actually make β€” covering particles, verb conjugation, counters numbers and more.

Browse all 65 topics on this pageShow

Verb conjugation

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TOPIK 1 / A1Verb conjugation

Polite Informal Present ν•΄μš”μ²΄ (-μ•„/μ–΄μš”)

ν•΄μš”μ²΄ ν˜„μž¬ν˜• (-μ•„/μ–΄μš”)

ν•΄μš”μ²΄ (haeyoche) is the everyday polite way to talk in Korean β€” what you use with a stranger your age, a shopkeeper, a coworker you're not super close with. To make it, you take the verb stem (the part before -λ‹€ in the dictionary form) and add either -μ•„μš” or -μ–΄μš” depending on the last vowel of the stem. If the last vowel is ㅏ or γ…—, add -μ•„μš” (κ°€λ‹€ β†’ κ°€μš”, 'I go'). For all other vowels, add -μ–΄μš” (λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”, 'I eat'). The verb ν•˜λ‹€ ('to do') is irregular: it becomes ν•΄μš”. The same form covers I/you/he/she/we/they β€” Korean verbs don't change for person β€” and the same form is used for statements, yes/no questions (rising intonation), and even soft commands. So κ°€μš” can mean 'I go,' 'You go?', 'Let's go,' or 'Go!' depending on intonation and context.

Key rule

Stem + -μ•„μš” (last vowel ㅏ/γ…—) or -μ–΄μš” (other vowels). ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν•΄μš”. One form covers statement / question / proposal / soft command β€” only intonation changes.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”. (Jeoneun hakgyo-e gayo.) β€” I go to school.
    μ €λŠ” 학ꡐ에 κ°€λ‹€. (Jeoneun hakgyo-e gada.)

    κ°€λ‹€ is the dictionary form, never used as a sentence ending. You must conjugate to κ°€μš” (vowel-ending stem κ°€- + μ•„μš”, contracted to κ°€μš”).

  • 동생이 λ°₯을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. (Dongsaeng-i bab-eul meogeoyo.) β€” My younger sibling eats rice.
    동생이 λ°₯을 λ¨Ήμ•„μš”. (Dongsaeng-i bab-eul mogayo.)

    λ¨Ή- has final vowel γ…“, not ㅏ or γ…—, so -μ–΄μš” is correct: λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. Don't apply -μ•„μš” just because of γ…“ β†’ ㅏ confusion.

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo.) β€” I study Korean.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ–΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeoyo.)

    ν•˜λ‹€ is irregular: ν•˜ + μ—¬μš” β†’ ν•΄μš” (never ν•˜μ–΄μš” or ν•˜μ•„μš”).

Common mistakes

  • Using the dictionary form -λ‹€ as the sentence ending

    μ €λŠ” 학생이닀.
    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.)

    Dictionary forms (κ°€λ‹€, λ¨Ήλ‹€, 이닀) never end a sentence in conversational Korean. They must be conjugated. Even the copula 이닀 becomes μ΄μ—μš”/μ˜ˆμš” in ν•΄μš”μ²΄.

  • Choosing -μ•„μš” or -μ–΄μš” by spelling instead of last stem-vowel

    λ¨Ήμ•„μš” (because λ¨Ή contains γ…“ which 'looks like ㅏ')
    λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”

    Vowel harmony is determined by the FINAL vowel of the stem only. γ…“ takes -μ–΄μš”. The mnemonic is 'ㅏ/γ…— go together (bright vowels)'; everything else takes -μ–΄μš”.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb conjugation

Formal Polite Present 합쇼체 (-(슀)γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ / -(슀)γ…‚λ‹ˆκΉŒ)

합쇼체 ν˜„μž¬ν˜• (-(슀)γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ / -(슀)γ…‚λ‹ˆκΉŒ)

합쇼체 (hapsyoche) is the most formal polite speech level β€” what you hear on TV news, in business presentations, in airline announcements, and in the military. To make it, take the verb stem and add -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ if the stem ends in a vowel (κ°€λ‹€ β†’ κ°‘λ‹ˆλ‹€, 'I go'), or -μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ if the stem ends in a consonant (λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ λ¨ΉμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€, 'I eat'). Yes/no questions use -γ…‚λ‹ˆκΉŒ/-μŠ΅λ‹ˆκΉŒ instead (κ°€λ‹€ β†’ κ°‘λ‹ˆκΉŒ?, λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ λ¨ΉμŠ΅λ‹ˆκΉŒ?). The verb 이닀 ('to be / to be a') becomes μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€ / μž…λ‹ˆκΉŒ. This register feels stiff and ceremonial for everyday chat between strangers β€” for that, you'd use ν•΄μš”μ²΄ (-μ•„/μ–΄μš”) instead. But in workplaces, formal interviews, public speeches, and writing addressed to a wider audience, 합쇼체 is the standard.

Key rule

Vowel-ending stem + -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€/-γ…‚λ‹ˆκΉŒ. Consonant-ending stem + -μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€/-μŠ΅λ‹ˆκΉŒ. γ„Ή-final stems drop γ„Ή. 이닀 β†’ μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. Pronounced with nasalization: -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ = [γ…λ‹ˆλ‹€].

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°‘λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Jeoneun hangug-e gamnida.) β€” I go to Korea. / I'm going to Korea.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Jeoneun hangug-e gaseumnida.)

    Stem κ°€- ends in a vowel, so -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ attaches directly: κ°‘λ‹ˆλ‹€. -μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ is for consonant-ending stems only.

  • 동생이 빡을 λ¨ΉμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Dongsaeng-i ppang-eul meokseumnida.) β€” My younger sibling eats bread.
    동생이 빡을 λ¨Ήγ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Dongsaeng-i ppang-eul meogmnida.)

    λ¨Ή- ends in consonant γ„±, so -μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ is correct: λ¨ΉμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€.

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhamnida.) β€” I study Korean.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€.

    Don't double-stack registers. -ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ in 합쇼체. (-ν•΄μš” is haeyoche, separate paradigm.)

Common mistakes

  • Choosing -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ vs -μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ by guess instead of by stem ending

    κ°€μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ / λ¨Ήγ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€
    κ°‘λ‹ˆλ‹€ / λ¨ΉμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€

    Vowel-ending stem β†’ -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€ (attached directly to the stem). Consonant-ending stem β†’ -μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. Rule of thumb: if the stem already has a final consonant (λ°›μΉ¨), use -μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€.

  • Forgetting to drop γ„Ή in γ„Ή-final stems

    μ‚΄μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€, μ•ŒμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€, λ§Œλ“€μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€
    μ‚½λ‹ˆλ‹€, μ••λ‹ˆλ‹€, λ§Œλ“­λ‹ˆλ‹€

    γ„Ή-final stems lose their γ„Ή before consonant-initial endings starting with γ„΄, γ…‚, γ……. Before -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€: μ‚΄λ‹€ β†’ μ‚½λ‹ˆλ‹€, λ§Œλ“€λ‹€ β†’ λ§Œλ“­λ‹ˆλ‹€.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb conjugation

Past Tense (-μ•˜/μ—ˆμ–΄μš” / -μ•˜/μ—ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€)

κ³Όκ±° μ‹œμ œ (-μ•˜/μ—ˆ-)

To put a Korean verb in the past tense, you insert -μ•˜- or -μ—ˆ- between the stem and the polite ending. The choice follows the same vowel-harmony rule as the present tense -μ•„μš” / -μ–΄μš”: if the stem's last vowel is ㅏ or γ…—, use -μ•˜μ–΄μš”. Otherwise, use -μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. The verb ν•˜λ‹€ ('do') becomes ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. So κ°€λ‹€ β†’ κ°”μ–΄μš” ('I went'), λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš” ('I ate'), κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ κ³΅λΆ€ν–ˆμ–΄μš” ('I studied'). The same -μ•˜/μ—ˆ- block is used in formal 합쇼체 too: κ°”μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€, λ¨Ήμ—ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€, ν–ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. As with the present tense, one form covers I/you/he/she/we/they; context tells you who. Like the present, vowel-ending stems contract: κ°€ + μ•˜μ–΄μš” β†’ κ°”μ–΄μš” (NOT κ°€μ•˜μ–΄μš”); 보 + μ•˜μ–΄μš” β†’ λ΄€μ–΄μš”; λ§ˆμ‹œ + μ—ˆμ–΄μš” β†’ λ§ˆμ…¨μ–΄μš”; μ£Ό + μ—ˆμ–΄μš” β†’ μ€¬μ–΄μš”.

Key rule

Stem + -μ•˜μ–΄μš” (last vowel ㅏ/γ…—) or -μ—ˆμ–΄μš” (other vowels). ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. Vowel-ending stems contract. Hapsyoche: -μ•˜/μ—ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. Subject is omitted when context clear.

Examples

  • μ–΄μ œ 학ꡐ에 κ°”μ–΄μš”. (Eoje hakgyo-e gasseoyo.) β€” Yesterday I went to school.
    μ–΄μ œ 학ꡐ에 κ°€μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (Eoje hakgyo-e ga-asseoyo.)

    κ°€- + -μ•˜μ–΄μš” must contract to κ°”μ–΄μš”. Uncontracted κ°€μ•˜μ–΄μš” is ungrammatical.

  • μ–΄μ œ ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ„ λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (Eoje hanguk eumsig-eul meogeosseoyo.) β€” Yesterday I ate Korean food.
    μ–΄μ œ ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ„ λ¨Ήμ•˜μ–΄μš”. (Eoje hanguk eumsig-eul meogasseoyo.)

    λ¨Ή- has final vowel γ…“, not ㅏ/γ…—, so -μ—ˆμ–΄μš” is correct: λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”.

  • μ§€λ‚œμ£Όμ— ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (Jinanju-e hangugeo-reul gongbuhaesseoyo.) β€” Last week I studied Korean.
    μ§€λ‚œμ£Όμ— ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (Jinanju-e hangugeo-reul gongbuha-eosseoyo.)

    -ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν–ˆ-, never ν•˜μ—ˆ-. So κ³΅λΆ€ν–ˆμ–΄μš” / μΌν–ˆμ–΄μš” / μ‚¬λž‘ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing -μ•˜/μ—ˆ- by spelling instead of by stem-final vowel

    λ¨Ήμ•˜μ–΄μš” (because λ¨Ή contains γ…“ which 'looks like ㅏ')
    λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”

    Vowel harmony depends on the stem's FINAL vowel only. γ…“ takes -μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. Bright vowels: ㅏ, γ…— β†’ -μ•˜-. Everything else β†’ -μ—ˆ-.

  • Failing to contract vowel-ending stems

    κ°€μ•˜μ–΄μš”, λ³΄μ•˜μ–΄μš”, λ§ˆμ‹œμ—ˆμ–΄μš”, μ£Όμ—ˆμ–΄μš”
    κ°”μ–΄μš”, λ΄€μ–΄μš”, λ§ˆμ…¨μ–΄μš”, μ€¬μ–΄μš”

    Vowel-ending stems must contract: ㅏ + μ•˜ β†’ μ•˜ (one drops); γ…— + μ•˜ β†’ μ™”; γ…£ + μ—ˆ β†’ μ˜€ β†’ μ…¨; γ…œ + μ—ˆ β†’ μ› . Uncontracted forms are ungrammatical.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb conjugation

Future / Probability (-(으)γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš” / -(으)γ„Ή κ²λ‹ˆλ‹€)

미래 μ‹œμ œ (-(으)γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš” / -(으)γ„Ή κ²λ‹ˆλ‹€)

To talk about the future or to express a guess/probability, attach -(으)γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš” to the verb stem. If the stem ends in a vowel, just add -γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (κ°€λ‹€ β†’ 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”, 'I'll go / I'm probably going'). If the stem ends in a consonant, add -을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” (λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ 먹을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”, 'I'll eat / I'm probably eating'). The same -(으)γ„Ή block becomes -(으)γ„Ή κ²λ‹ˆλ‹€ in the more formal 합쇼체. The form has two main meanings: (1) FUTURE β€” what will happen, what someone plans to do (내일 ν•œκ΅­μ— 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” = 'I will go to Korea tomorrow'); (2) PROBABILITY / SUPPOSITION β€” what is probably the case (μ§€κΈˆ 자고 μžˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš” = 'He's probably sleeping right now'). Context tells you which. For first-person promises and decisions, you'll later learn -(으)γ„Ήκ²Œμš” β€” but at TOPIK 1, -(으)γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš” covers both the simple future and the soft probability use.

Key rule

Vowel-ending stem + -γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. Consonant-ending stem + -을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. γ„Ή-final stems just add κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. Hapsyoche: -(으)γ„Ή κ²λ‹ˆλ‹€. Two meanings: future plan or probability/guess.

Examples

  • 내일 ν•œκ΅­μ— 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. (Naeil hangug-e gal geoyeyo.) β€” Tomorrow I'll go to Korea.
    내일 ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°ˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.

    Vowel-ending stem κ°€- + -γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš” β†’ 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. Don't add -을 to vowel-ending stems.

  • 저녁에 ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ„ 먹을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. (Jeonyeog-e hanguk eumsig-eul meogeul geoyeyo.) β€” In the evening I'll eat Korean food.
    저녁에 ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ„ λ¨Ήγ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.

    Consonant-ending stem λ¨Ή- + -을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš” β†’ 먹을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. -γ„Ή alone cannot attach to a consonant-final stem.

  • 주말에 μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ³Ό κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. (Jumal-e yeonghwa-reul bol geoyeyo.) β€” On the weekend I'll watch a movie.
    주말에 μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό 볼을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.

    보- ends in vowel γ…— β†’ -γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš” directly: λ³Ό κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.

Common mistakes

  • Adding -을 to vowel-ending stems

    κ°ˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”, 볼을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”
    갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”, λ³Ό κ±°μ˜ˆμš”

    Vowel-ending stems take only -γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. -을 is for consonant-ending stems.

  • Adding -γ„Ή to consonant-ending stems

    λ¨Ήγ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš”, 읽ㄹ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”
    먹을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”, 읽을 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”

    Consonant-ending stems need the connecting -을. The orphan γ„Ή has nowhere to attach.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb conjugation

Copula 이닀 / μ•„λ‹ˆλ‹€ (-μ΄μ—μš”/μ˜ˆμš”, μ•„λ‹ˆμ—μš”)

이닀 / μ•„λ‹ˆλ‹€

이닀 means 'to be' in the sense of 'to be a (noun)' β€” what English uses 'am/is/are' for. It attaches DIRECTLY to a noun and conjugates like a verb. In ν•΄μš”μ²΄ it has two contracted forms: -μ΄μ—μš” after consonant-ending nouns (학생 β†’ ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”, 'I'm a student') and -μ˜ˆμš” after vowel-ending nouns (μ˜μ‚¬ β†’ μ˜μ‚¬μ˜ˆμš”, 'I'm a doctor'). The negative is a separate word: μ•„λ‹ˆλ‹€ β†’ μ•„λ‹ˆμ—μš” ('I'm not'). For 'I'm not a student': μ €λŠ” 학생이 μ•„λ‹ˆμ—μš” β€” note the 이/κ°€ particle on the noun. In formal 합쇼체: μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€ / μ•„λ‹™λ‹ˆλ‹€. In writing or careful speech, 이닀 also has a written-style ending -이닀 itself (e.g., 'λ‚˜λŠ” 학생이닀.' in a diary). 이닀 is unique among Korean predicates because it cannot stand alone β€” it ALWAYS attaches to a noun.

Key rule

Consonant-ending noun + μ΄μ—μš” (haeyoche) / μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€ (hapsyoche). Vowel-ending noun + μ˜ˆμš” / μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. Negative: noun + 이/κ°€ + μ•„λ‹ˆμ—μš” / μ•„λ‹™λ‹ˆλ‹€. 이닀 always attaches to a noun.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.) β€” I am a student.
    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ˜ˆμš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-yeyo.)

    학생 ends in consonant γ…‡ β†’ must use full -μ΄μ—μš”. The contracted -μ˜ˆμš” is for vowel-ending nouns only.

  • 그뢄은 μ˜μ‚¬μ˜ˆμš”. (Geubun-eun uisa-yeyo.) β€” That person is a doctor.
    그뢄은 μ˜μ‚¬μ΄μ—μš”. (Geubun-eun uisa-ieyo.)

    μ˜μ‚¬ ends in vowel ㅏ β†’ contraction is obligatory: μ˜μ‚¬μ˜ˆμš”.

  • μ €λŠ” 학생이 μ•„λ‹ˆμ—μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-i anieyo.) β€” I am not a student.
    μ €λŠ” 학생을 μ•„λ‹ˆμ—μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-eul anieyo.)

    Negative μ•„λ‹ˆλ‹€ takes subject particle 이/κ°€ on its complement, not the object 을/λ₯Ό.

Common mistakes

  • Contracting -μ΄μ—μš” to -μ˜ˆμš” after consonant-ending nouns

    ν•™μƒμ˜ˆμš”, μ‚¬λžŒμ˜ˆμš”
    ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”, μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”

    Contraction only happens after vowel-ending nouns. Consonant-ending nouns retain the full -μ΄μ—μš”.

  • Failing to contract -μ΄μ—μš” β†’ -μ˜ˆμš” after vowel-ending nouns

    μ˜μ‚¬μ΄μ—μš”, μΉœκ΅¬μ΄μ—μš”
    μ˜μ‚¬μ˜ˆμš”, μΉœκ΅¬μ˜ˆμš”

    Contraction IS obligatory after vowel-ending nouns in standard usage. μ˜μ‚¬μ΄μ—μš” sounds non-native.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb conjugation

μžˆλ‹€ / μ—†λ‹€ β€” Existence and Possession

μžˆλ‹€ / μ—†λ‹€

μžˆλ‹€ means 'to exist, to be located, or to have', and μ—†λ‹€ is its opposite ('to not exist, not be there, not have'). They're a paired set β€” instead of negating μžˆλ‹€ with μ•ˆ or -지 μ•Šλ‹€, you just use μ—†λ‹€. In ν•΄μš”μ²΄: μžˆμ–΄μš” / μ—†μ–΄μš”. In 합쇼체: μžˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ / μ—†μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. Past: μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš” / μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. The same verb μžˆλ‹€ covers two big meanings: (1) LOCATION/EXISTENCE β€” 책상 μœ„μ— 책이 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('There's a book on the desk'); 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm at school'). (2) POSSESSION β€” μ €λŠ” μ°¨κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I have a car'); μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I have time'). The thing that exists or is possessed gets the subject particle 이/κ°€. The owner or location can take 은/λŠ” (topic) or other particles. So μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ are not just verbs you conjugate β€” they also dictate the case/particle pattern of the sentence around them.

Key rule

μžˆλ‹€ = exist / be located / have; μ—†λ‹€ = NOT exist / not be there / not have. Suppletive pair (no μ•ˆ μžˆλ‹€ for non-existence). Subject of existence/possession takes 이/κ°€. Location takes 에 (not μ—μ„œ).

Examples

  • 책상 μœ„μ— 책이 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Chaeksang wi-e chaeg-i isseoyo.) β€” There's a book on the desk.
    책상 μœ„μ— 책을 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Chaeksang wi-e chaeg-eul isseoyo.)

    μžˆλ‹€ takes the subject particle 이/κ°€ on the existing thing, never the object 을/λ₯Ό.

  • μ €λŠ” μ°¨κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Jeoneun cha-ga isseoyo.) β€” I have a car.
    μ €λŠ” μ°¨λ₯Ό μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Jeoneun cha-reul isseoyo.)

    Possession in Korean: possessor 은/λŠ” + possessed 이/κ°€ + μžˆλ‹€. NOT 을/λ₯Ό.

  • μ§€κΈˆ μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μš”. (Jigeum sigan-i eopseoyo.) β€” I have no time right now.
    μ§€κΈˆ μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ•ˆ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Jigeum sigan-i an isseoyo.)

    Don't negate μžˆλ‹€ with μ•ˆ. The opposite of μžˆλ‹€ is the suppletive μ—†λ‹€.

Common mistakes

  • Negating μžˆλ‹€ with μ•ˆ or -지 μ•Šλ‹€ to mean 'not exist'

    μ•ˆ μžˆμ–΄μš”, μžˆμ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”
    μ—†μ–΄μš”

    μžˆλ‹€ ↔ μ—†λ‹€ are suppletive. Always use μ—†λ‹€ for the negative existence/possession meaning.

  • Marking the existing/possessed thing with 을/λ₯Ό

    μ €λŠ” 책을 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    μ €λŠ” 책이 μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    μžˆλ‹€ takes a subject (이/κ°€), not an object. Possession is grammatically 'X has Y' = 'Y exists to X' in Korean's case frame.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb conjugation

Short-Form Negation: μ•ˆ + verb

짧은 λΆ€μ • 'μ•ˆ'

The simplest way to make a Korean verb negative is to put the word μ•ˆ right before it. κ°€λ‹€ β†’ μ•ˆ κ°€μš” ('I don't go'); λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ μ•ˆ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I don't eat'); μ’‹λ‹€ β†’ μ•ˆ μ’‹μ•„μš” ('It's not good'). μ•ˆ stays in front of the verb, separated by a space (in standard writing). Past tense: μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš”, μ•ˆ λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. Future: μ•ˆ 갈 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. There are TWO important catches. (1) For -ν•˜λ‹€ verbs, μ•ˆ goes BETWEEN the noun and ν•˜λ‹€, not before the whole word: κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ 곡뢀 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš” (NOT μ•ˆ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”). μΌν•˜λ‹€ β†’ 일 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”. μ‚¬λž‘ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ μ‚¬λž‘ μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”. (2) μžˆλ‹€ β†’ use μ—†λ‹€ instead of μ•ˆ μžˆλ‹€. μ•Œλ‹€ β†’ use λͺ¨λ₯΄λ‹€ instead of μ•ˆ μ•Œλ‹€. These are suppletive pairs. The μ•ˆ-negation is the casual everyday choice; the longer -지 μ•Šλ‹€ (next tag) is more emphatic and used in writing. For inability ('can't', not 'don't want to'), use λͺ» instead of μ•ˆ (covered in another tag).

Key rule

Place μ•ˆ directly before the verb. For ν•˜λ‹€-verbs (noun+ν•˜λ‹€), insert μ•ˆ between the noun and ν•˜λ‹€: 곡뢀 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”. NEVER use μ•ˆ with μžˆλ‹€ (use μ—†λ‹€) or μ•Œλ‹€ (use λͺ¨λ₯΄λ‹€). μ•ˆ is informal-neutral.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” 컀피λ₯Ό μ•ˆ λ§ˆμ…”μš”. (Jeoneun keopi-reul an masyeoyo.) β€” I don't drink coffee.
    μ €λŠ” 컀피λ₯Ό λ§ˆμ…” μ•ˆμš”. (Jeoneun keopi-reul masyeo anyo.)

    μ•ˆ goes BEFORE the verb, not after. Word order is fixed.

  • 였늘 학ꡐ에 μ•ˆ κ°€μš”. (Oneul hakgyo-e an gayo.) β€” I'm not going to school today.
    였늘 학ꡐ에 가지 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”.

    Don't mix forms. Either μ•ˆ κ°€μš” (short form) OR 가지 μ•Šμ•„μš” (long form).

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ 곡뢀 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo gongbu an haeyo.) β€” I don't study Korean.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ•ˆ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo an gongbuhaeyo.)

    -ν•˜λ‹€ verbs split: insert μ•ˆ between the noun (곡뢀) and ν•˜λ‹€. μ•ˆ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” is wrong (or at best very colloquial).

Common mistakes

  • Putting μ•ˆ in the wrong place β€” after the verb

    κ°” μ•ˆμ–΄μš”, λ§ˆμ…”μš” μ•ˆ
    μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš”, μ•ˆ λ§ˆμ…”μš”

    μ•ˆ must directly precede the verb. It is an adverb of negation that scopes over what follows it.

  • Failing to split ν•˜λ‹€ verbs

    μ•ˆ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”, μ•ˆ μš΄λ™ν•΄μš”, μ•ˆ μΌν•΄μš”
    곡뢀 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”, μš΄λ™ μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”, 일 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”

    Noun-+-ν•˜λ‹€ verbs are compound: the noun is the lexical content, ν•˜λ‹€ is the verb. μ•ˆ negates the action ν•˜λ‹€, so it goes between.

TOPIK 1 / A2Verb conjugation

Long-Form Negation: -지 μ•Šλ‹€

κΈ΄ λΆ€μ • '-지 μ•Šλ‹€'

-지 μ•Šλ‹€ is the longer, more written-style way to negate a Korean verb. You attach -지 μ•Šλ‹€ to the verb stem and then conjugate μ•Šλ‹€ normally. So κ°€λ‹€ β†’ 가지 μ•Šμ•„μš” ('I don't go'); λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ 먹지 μ•Šμ•„μš” ('I don't eat'); κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš” ('I don't study'). It means basically the same thing as the short form μ•ˆ (μ•ˆ κ°€μš” = 가지 μ•Šμ•„μš”) but feels more formal, more emphatic, or more bookish β€” the form you'd see in newspapers, written essays, and careful or written speech. Because the negation is built into the verb word itself, there's no -ν•˜λ‹€ splitting issue: κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš” is just one piece. -지 μ•Šλ‹€ also handles past (-지 μ•Šμ•˜μ–΄μš”) and future (-지 μ•Šμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš”) just like any other verb. Like μ•ˆ, you don't use -지 μ•Šλ‹€ with μžˆλ‹€ (use μ—†λ‹€), μ•Œλ‹€ (use λͺ¨λ₯΄λ‹€), or 이닀 (use -이/κ°€ μ•„λ‹ˆλ‹€).

Key rule

Verb stem + 지 μ•Šλ‹€ + ending. No -ν•˜λ‹€ splitting issue (just κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”). More formal/written/emphatic than μ•ˆ. Suppletives still apply (μ—†λ‹€, λͺ¨λ₯΄λ‹€, μ•„λ‹ˆλ‹€).

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” 컀피λ₯Ό λ§ˆμ‹œμ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”. (Jeoneun keopi-reul masiji anhayo.) β€” I don't drink coffee.
    μ €λŠ” 컀피λ₯Ό μ•ˆ λ§ˆμ‹œμ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”.

    Don't combine μ•ˆ with -지 μ•Šλ‹€. Pick one negation strategy.

  • 였늘 λΉ„κ°€ μ˜€μ§€ μ•ŠμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Oneul biga oji anhseumnida.) β€” It's not raining today. (formal)
    였늘 λΉ„κ°€ 였 μ•ŠμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€.

    Connective -지 is required: 였 + 지 + μ•ŠμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ β†’ μ˜€μ§€ μ•ŠμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€.

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhaji anhayo.) β€” I don't study Korean.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό 곡뢀 μ•ˆ ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”.

    Long form does NOT split -ν•˜λ‹€. Just κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš” β€” clean and unsplit.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing μ•ˆ with -지 μ•Šλ‹€

    μ•ˆ 가지 μ•Šμ•„μš”, μ•ˆ 먹지 μ•Šμ•„μš”
    가지 μ•Šμ•„μš” / 먹지 μ•Šμ•„μš” (or μ•ˆ κ°€μš” / μ•ˆ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”)

    Pick one. Combining the two creates a double negative that is grammatically wrong (and would semantically mean the opposite if it were grammatical).

  • Splitting -ν•˜λ‹€ verbs in long-form negation

    곡뢀 μ•ˆ ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”, 일 μ•ˆ ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”
    κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”, μΌν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”

    The advantage of -지 μ•Šλ‹€ over μ•ˆ is precisely that there's no splitting needed β€” attach to the whole verb.

TOPIK 1 / A2Verb conjugation

Inability Negation: λͺ» + verb / -지 λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€

λΆ€μ • 'λͺ»' / '-지 λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€'

λͺ» means 'can't' or 'unable to' β€” it's about ability or external constraint, NOT choice. Compare μ•ˆ (don't / choose not to) with λͺ» (can't): μ•ˆ κ°€μš” = 'I don't go' (I'm not going); λͺ» κ°€μš” = 'I can't go' (something prevents me). Like μ•ˆ, λͺ» goes immediately before the verb (λͺ» κ°€μš”, λͺ» λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”), and -ν•˜λ‹€ verbs split: κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ 곡뢀 λͺ» ν•΄μš”. There's also a long form -지 λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ that works just like -지 μ•Šλ‹€ but for inability: 가지 λͺ»ν•΄μš”, κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜μ§€ λͺ»ν•΄μš”. Past: λͺ» κ°”μ–΄μš” / 가지 λͺ»ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. Pronunciation note: λͺ» κ°”μ–΄μš” sounds like [λͺ―κΉŸμ–΄μš”] (the γ…… becomes γ„·, then makes the next consonant tense). λͺ» has its own suppletive: don't use λͺ» with μ•Œλ‹€ β€” use λͺ¨λ₯΄λ‹€ (which already encodes inability/ignorance).

Key rule

λͺ» = can't / unable. Place before verb (λͺ» κ°€μš”). For ν•˜λ‹€-verbs: noun + λͺ» + ν•˜λ‹€ (곡뢀 λͺ» ν•΄μš”). Long form: -지 λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€. μ•ˆ = volitional 'don't'; λͺ» = circumstantial 'can't'. Use λͺ¨λ₯΄λ‹€ instead of λͺ» μ•Œλ‹€.

Examples

  • 였늘 친ꡬλ₯Ό λͺ» λ§Œλ‚˜μš”. (Oneul chingu-reul mot mannayo.) β€” I can't meet my friend today.
    였늘 친ꡬλ₯Ό μ•ˆ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”. (when prevented by circumstance)

    If a circumstance (work, illness, no time) prevents the meeting, λͺ» is correct. μ•ˆ implies you're choosing not to meet.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό 잘 λͺ»ν•΄μš”. (Hangugeo-reul jal motaeyo.) β€” I'm not very good at Korean.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό 잘 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš”.

    잘 λͺ»ν•΄μš” = lack of skill ('not good at it'); 잘 μ•ˆ ν•΄μš” = 'don't do it well (= rarely)' which is a different meaning.

  • μ–΄μ œ λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ°”λΉ μ„œ μš΄λ™ λͺ» ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (Eoje neomu bappaseo undong mot haesseoyo.) β€” I was so busy yesterday I couldn't exercise.
    μ–΄μ œ λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ°”λΉ μ„œ μ•ˆ μš΄λ™ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.

    Two errors: (1) circumstance (busy) β†’ λͺ». (2) -ν•˜λ‹€ splitting: μš΄λ™ λͺ» ν–ˆμ–΄μš”, not μ•ˆ μš΄λ™ν–ˆμ–΄μš”.

Common mistakes

  • Using μ•ˆ where λͺ» fits (volition vs circumstance)

    Saying μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš” when you mean 'I couldn't go because of work'
    λͺ» κ°”μ–΄μš”

    μ•ˆ = chose not to. λͺ» = was prevented from / unable to. Listeners notice the difference.

  • Using λͺ» where μ•ˆ fits

    Saying λͺ» λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” to mean 'I don't eat meat by choice (vegetarian)'
    μ•ˆ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” (or just μ±„μ‹μ£Όμ˜μžμ˜ˆμš”)

    Choice β†’ μ•ˆ. Inability β†’ λͺ». A vegetarian doesn't 'can't' eat meat; they choose not to.

TOPIK 1 / A2Verb conjugation

Negative Imperative -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” / -지 말닀

λΆ€μ • λͺ…λ Ή -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”

To tell someone NOT to do something politely, attach -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” to the verb stem. κ°€λ‹€ β†’ 가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” ('Please don't go'); λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ 먹지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” ('Please don't eat'); κ±±μ •ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ κ±±μ •ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš” ('Please don't worry'). The verb 말닀 means 'to stop / quit / not do' and is used as the negative auxiliary for imperatives. -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” is haeyoche-style polite ('please don't'); the more formal 합쇼체 version is -지 λ§ˆμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€. In casual 반말, you'd say -지 마 (가지 마! = 'Don't go!'). For propositions ('let's not...'), use -지 λ§™μ‹œλ‹€ (가지 λ§™μ‹œλ‹€ = 'Let's not go'). One thing to remember: 말닀 is irregular when it conjugates β€” the γ„Ή drops before -μ„Έμš”, so it's λ§ˆμ„Έμš” not λ§μ„Έμš”, and λ§ˆμš” not λ§μ•„μš” in casual polite speech. -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” differs from declarative -지 μ•Šλ‹€ ('does not') and from μ•ˆ (general negation): -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” is exclusively for COMMANDS / REQUESTS not to do something.

Key rule

Stem + 지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” (haeyoche polite negative imperative). 말닀 is γ„Ή-irregular: λ§ˆμ„Έμš” (not λ§μ„Έμš”). Hapsyoche: -지 λ§ˆμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€. Casual: -지 마. Propositional: -지 λ§™μ‹œλ‹€ / -지 말자.

Examples

  • 여기에 듀어가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”. (Yeogi-e deureogaji maseyo.) β€” Please don't enter here.
    여기에 듀어가지 λ§ˆμš”. (mild but awkward) / 여기에 μ•ˆ λ“€μ–΄κ°€μ„Έμš”. (changes meaning)

    -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” is the standard polite negative imperative. μ•ˆ + verb is a declarative negation, not a command.

  • κ±±μ •ν•˜μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”. λ‹€ 잘될 κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. (Geokjeonghaji maseyo. Da jaldoel geoyeyo.) β€” Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
    κ±±μ • μ•ˆ ν•˜μ„Έμš”. (Geokjeong an haseyo.)

    Imperative needs -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”. Declarative μ•ˆ ~ doesn't carry the 'please don't' force.

  • μˆ˜μ—… μ‹œκ°„μ— νœ΄λŒ€ν°μ„ 보지 λ§ˆμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€. (Sueop sigan-e hyudaepon-eul boji masipsio.) β€” Please do not look at your phone during class. (formal)
    μˆ˜μ—… μ‹œκ°„μ— νœ΄λŒ€ν°μ„ 보지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”μ„Έμš”.

    Hapsyoche form: -지 λ§ˆμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€ (NOT a stack of -μ„Έμš”).

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting that 말닀 is γ„Ή-irregular β€” producing λ§μ„Έμš” / λ§μœΌμ„Έμš”

    가지 λ§μ„Έμš”, 먹지 λ§μœΌμ„Έμš”
    가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”, 먹지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”

    γ„Ή-final stems drop γ„Ή before -μ„Έμš”. 말 + μ„Έμš” β†’ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”.

  • Using -지 μ•Šλ‹€ (declarative negation) for commands

    가지 μ•ŠμœΌμ„Έμš”. (intending 'Don't go!')
    가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”.

    -지 μ•Šλ‹€ is for declaratives ('does not go'). For commands, use -지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”.

TOPIK 1 / B1Verb conjugation

Basic Irregular Stems (γ…‚, γ„· β€” μΆ₯λ‹€/λ₯λ‹€, λ“£λ‹€)

κΈ°λ³Έ λΆˆκ·œμΉ™ ν™œμš© (γ…‚, γ„·)

Korean has several irregular conjugation patterns where the stem changes when an ending starting with a vowel is added. Two of the most common are introduced at TOPIK 1: the γ…‚-irregular (μΆ₯λ‹€ 'cold', λ₯λ‹€ 'hot', μ–΄λ ΅λ‹€ 'difficult', 쉽닀 'easy') and the γ„·-irregular (λ“£λ‹€ 'listen', κ±·λ‹€ 'walk'). γ…‚-irregular: when adding -μ•„/μ–΄μš”, -μ•˜/μ—ˆμ–΄μš”, or any other vowel-starting ending, the final γ…‚ becomes 우, then merges. So μΆ₯λ‹€ β†’ μΆ” + 우 + μ–΄μš” β†’ μΆ”μ›Œμš” ('it's cold'). λ₯λ‹€ β†’ λ”μ›Œμš” ('it's hot'). γ„·-irregular: the final γ„· changes to γ„Ή before vowel-starting endings. So λ“£λ‹€ β†’ λ“€ + μ–΄μš” β†’ λ“€μ–΄μš” ('I listen'). κ±·λ‹€ β†’ κ±Έμ–΄μš” ('I walk'). Crucially, NOT every verb ending in γ…‚ or γ„· is irregular: μž…λ‹€ ('wear') is regular (μž…μ–΄μš”, not μ΄μ›Œμš”), and λ°›λ‹€ ('receive') is regular (λ°›μ•„μš”, not λ°œμ•„μš”). You'll memorize which verbs are irregular as you learn them. These two irregulars are the most common at the beginner level; later TOPIK levels add γ……, λ₯΄, 으-drop, γ„Ή-drop, and γ…Ž irregulars.

Key rule

γ…‚-irregular: γ…‚ β†’ 우 before vowel endings (μΆ₯μ–΄μš” β†’ μΆ”μ›Œμš”). γ„·-irregular: γ„· β†’ γ„Ή before vowel endings (λ“£μ–΄μš” β†’ λ“€μ–΄μš”). Memorize which verbs are irregular; not all γ…‚/γ„·-final verbs are. 돕닀 β†’ λ„μ™€μš” (special: γ…‚ β†’ 였).

Examples

  • 였늘 날씨가 정말 μΆ”μ›Œμš”. (Oneul nalssi-ga jeongmal chuwoyo.) β€” Today's weather is really cold.
    였늘 날씨가 정말 μΆ₯μ–΄μš”.

    μΆ₯λ‹€ is γ…‚-irregular: μΆ₯ + μ–΄μš” β†’ μΆ”μ›Œμš” (γ…‚ β†’ 우, then 우+μ–΄ β†’ μ›Œ).

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”. (Hangugeo-ga eoryeowoyo.) β€” Korean is difficult.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ–΄λ ΅μ–΄μš”.

    μ–΄λ ΅λ‹€ is γ…‚-irregular: μ–΄λ ΅ + μ–΄μš” β†’ μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”.

  • 이 μŒμ‹μ΄ λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ§€μ›Œμš”. (I eumsig-i neomu maewoyo.) β€” This food is too spicy.
    이 μŒμ‹μ΄ λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ§΅μ–΄μš”.

    맡닀 is γ…‚-irregular: 맡 + μ–΄μš” β†’ λ§€μ›Œμš”.

Common mistakes

  • Treating γ…‚-irregular verbs as regular

    μΆ₯μ–΄μš”, λ₯μ–΄μš”, μ–΄λ ΅μ–΄μš”, λ§΅μ–΄μš”
    μΆ”μ›Œμš”, λ”μ›Œμš”, μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”, λ§€μ›Œμš”

    These are γ…‚-irregular: γ…‚ β†’ 우 before vowel endings, with 우+μ–΄ β†’ μ›Œ.

  • Treating γ„·-irregular verbs as regular

    λ“£μ–΄μš”, κ±·μ–΄μš”, λ¬»μ–΄μš”
    λ“€μ–΄μš”, κ±Έμ–΄μš”, λ¬Όμ–΄μš”

    γ„·-irregular: γ„· β†’ γ„Ή before vowel endings.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb usage

Want to Do (-κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€ / -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•˜λ‹€)

-κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€ / -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•˜λ‹€

To say 'I want to do something' in Korean, attach -κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€ to the verb stem. κ°€λ‹€ ('go') β†’ κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” ('I want to go'); λ¨Ήλ‹€ ('eat') β†’ λ¨Ήκ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” ('I want to eat'); 보닀 ('see/watch') β†’ 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” ('I want to see / I miss [a person]'). The form -κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€ is used for first-person ('I want') and second-person questions ('Do you want?'). For third person, Korean switches to -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•˜λ‹€ (literally 'shows the wanting'): 동생이 κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•΄μš” ('My sibling wants to go'). This is because Korean treats inner emotions/desires as not directly observable in others β€” you can SEE that they want something, but you can't FEEL it for them. Note that the object of a wanted action commonly takes 이/κ°€ (instead of 을/λ₯Ό): 물이 λ§ˆμ‹œκ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” ('I want to drink water'). The negative is straightforward: κ°€κ³  싢지 μ•Šμ•„μš” / κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ ν•˜μ§€ μ•Šμ•„μš”. -κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€ ALSO means 'to miss (a person)' when used with 보닀: μ–΄λ¨Έλ‹ˆκ°€ 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš” ('I miss my mother') β€” literally 'I want to see my mother'.

Key rule

Stem + -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” (1st person, 2nd-person questions). Stem + -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•΄μš” (3rd person declarative). Object can take 이/κ°€ instead of 을/λ₯Ό. 보고 μ‹Άλ‹€ = 'miss (a person)'.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangug-e gago sipeoyo.) β€” I want to go to Korea.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•΄μš”.

    First-person uses -κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€, NOT -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•˜λ‹€. The latter is for third-person declaratives.

  • 뭐 λ¨Ήκ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”? (Mwo meokgo sipeoyo?) β€” What do you want to eat?
    뭐 λ¨Ήκ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•΄μš”? (when addressing the listener)

    Asking the listener directly = 2nd-person question = -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”?

  • 동생이 μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄ν•΄μš”. (Dongsaeng-i yeonghwa-reul bogo sipeohaeyo.) β€” My younger sibling wants to watch a movie.
    동생이 μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό 보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.

    Third-person declarative requires -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•˜λ‹€ (the speaker can't directly experience the sibling's desire).

Common mistakes

  • Using -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš” for third-person declaratives

    동생이 κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (intending 'My sibling wants to go')
    동생이 κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•΄μš”.

    The 1st/2nd-person vs 3rd-person distinction is grammaticalized in Korean for emotion/desire predicates.

  • Using -κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•˜λ‹€ for first person

    μ €λŠ” κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄ν•΄μš”.
    μ €λŠ” κ°€κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.

    You can directly experience your own desire, so -κ³  μ‹Άλ‹€ (not -μ‹Άμ–΄ν•˜λ‹€) for self.

TOPIK 1 / A2Verb usage

Try Doing (-μ•„/μ–΄ 보닀)

-μ•„/μ–΄ 보닀

-μ•„/μ–΄ 보닀 means 'to try doing something' β€” to give it a go, to taste, to attempt, to test. Attach -μ•„ 보닀 or -μ–΄ 보닀 to the verb stem following the same vowel-harmony rule as -μ•„/μ–΄μš”. λ¨Ήλ‹€ ('eat') β†’ λ¨Ήμ–΄ 보닀 ('try eating'); κ°€λ‹€ ('go') β†’ κ°€ 보닀 ('try going / visit'). Conjugated: λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ΄μš” ('I'll try it / Try it!'); κ°€ λ΄€μ–΄μš” ('I have been there / I tried going'). Two main meanings: (1) ATTEMPT β€” 'ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ„ λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ΄μš”!' ('Try Korean food!'); μž…μ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš” ('Try it on'). (2) EXPERIENCE β€” when used in past tense, often means 'have done before': ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€ λ΄€μ–΄μš” ('I've been to Korea'); λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ΄€μ–΄μš” ('I've tried it / eaten it before'). Polite imperative -μ•„/μ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš” is one of the most common ways to politely suggest something: ν•œλ²ˆ λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš” ('Please try it'); ν•œκ΅­ λ“œλΌλ§ˆλ₯Ό 봐 λ³΄μ„Έμš” ('Try watching Korean dramas'). The verb 보닀 here loses its literal 'see' meaning and acts as an auxiliary 'try'.

Key rule

Stem + -μ•„ 보닀 (after ㅏ/γ…—) / -μ–΄ 보닀 (other) / -ν•΄ 보닀 (ν•˜λ‹€). Means 'try doing'. Past = 'have done / experienced'. Imperative -μ•„/μ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš” is the standard polite suggestion.

Examples

  • ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ„ λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ΄€μ–΄μš”? (Hanguk eumsig-eul meogeo bwasseoyo?) β€” Have you tried Korean food?
    ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ„ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”? (asks present habit, not experience)

    Past + -μ•„/μ–΄ 보닀 = 'have you ever' / 'have you tried'. Plain past λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”? would just ask 'did you eat (a specific time)'.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€ λ΄€μ–΄μš”. (Hangug-e ga bwasseoyo.) β€” I've been to Korea.
    ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μ•„ λ΄€μ–΄μš”.

    κ°€ + -μ•„ 보닀 contracts: κ°€μ•„ β†’ κ°€. So κ°€ λ΄€μ–΄μš”.

  • 이 μ˜·μ„ ν•œλ²ˆ μž…μ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš”. (I os-eul hanbeon ibeo boseyo.) β€” Try this clothing on once.
    이 μ˜·μ„ ν•œλ²ˆ μž…μ„Έμš”.

    Polite suggestion uses -μ•„/μ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš”. Plain μž…μ„Έμš” is just an order without the 'try' nuance.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting vowel harmony for the connective

    λ¨Ήμ•„ λ΄μš”, κ°€μ–΄ λ΄€μ–΄μš”
    λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ΄μš”, κ°€ λ΄€μ–΄μš”

    Same vowel harmony as -μ•„/μ–΄μš”: ㅏ/γ…— stems take -μ•„ 보닀; others take -μ–΄ 보닀. κ°€- (ㅏ) β†’ κ°€ λ΄μš”; λ¨Ή- (γ…“) β†’ λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ΄μš”.

  • Failing to contract vowel-ending stems

    κ°€μ•„ λ΄μš”, 사아 λ΄€μ–΄μš”
    κ°€ λ΄μš”, 사 λ΄€μ–΄μš”

    Vowel-stem contractions apply: κ°€ + μ•„ β†’ κ°€; 사 + μ•„ β†’ 사.

TOPIK 1 / A2Verb usage

Present Progressive (-κ³  μžˆλ‹€)

-κ³  μžˆλ‹€

-κ³  μžˆλ‹€ means 'is/am/are doing' β€” the equivalent of English present progressive ('I am eating'). Attach -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ to the verb stem and conjugate μžˆλ‹€: λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ λ¨Ήκ³  μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm eating'); μžλ‹€ β†’ 자고 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm sleeping'); κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm studying'). It works for any tense/register: λ¨Ήκ³  μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš” ('I was eating'); λ¨Ήκ³  μžˆμ„ κ±°μ˜ˆμš” ('I'll be eating'); λ¨Ήκ³  μžˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ ('I am eating', formal). It emphasizes that an action is IN PROGRESS at the moment in question. Korean often uses the simple present (λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”) where English would use progressive (am eating), so -κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš” is reserved for when you specifically want to highlight 'right now / currently'. The honorific version uses κ³„μ‹œλ‹€: μ–΄λ¨Έλ‹ˆκ°€ 책을 읽고 κ³„μ„Έμš” ('My mother is reading a book'). NOTE: -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ is for ACTION verbs only. For STATES (already in a position/condition), use -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ (next tag): 앉아 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('is sitting / is in the seated state').

Key rule

Stem + κ³  μžˆλ‹€ = action in progress (am/is/are doing). Conjugate μžˆλ‹€ for tense/register. Honorific: -κ³  κ³„μ‹œλ‹€. Action verbs only β€” for states, use -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€.

Examples

  • μ§€κΈˆ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Jigeum hangugeo-reul gongbuhago isseoyo.) β€” Right now I'm studying Korean.
    μ§€κΈˆ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (less specific β€” could be habit)

    When emphasizing 'right now / in progress', use -κ³  μžˆλ‹€. Plain present κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” could mean 'I study (in general)'.

  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 책을 읽고 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Chingu-ga chaeg-eul ilgo isseoyo.) β€” My friend is reading a book.
    μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 책을 읽 μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    The connective -κ³  is required: 읽 + κ³  + μžˆμ–΄μš”.

  • μ–΄μ œ κ·Έ μ‹œκ°„μ— μ €λŠ” 자고 μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (Eoje geu sigan-e jeoneun jago isseosseoyo.) β€” Yesterday at that time I was sleeping.
    μ–΄μ œ κ·Έ μ‹œκ°„μ— μ €λŠ” μž€μ–΄μš”. (= 'I slept', not 'was sleeping')

    Past progressive: -κ³  μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. Plain past μž€μ–΄μš” = 'slept (a completed event)'.

Common mistakes

  • Using -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ for habits or general truths

    맀일 μš΄λ™ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”. (intending 'I exercise every day')
    맀일 μš΄λ™ν•΄μš”.

    Habits are expressed in plain present. -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ is reserved for momentary/in-progress action. 맀일 μš΄λ™ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš” sounds like 'I'm exercising every day right now', which is odd.

  • Confusing -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ (action in progress) with -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ (resulting state)

    μ˜μžμ— 앉고 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (intending 'I am sitting in the chair')
    μ˜μžμ— 앉아 μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    앉고 μžˆλ‹€ = 'in the process of sitting down'; 앉아 μžˆλ‹€ = 'in the sitting state'. For static positions, use -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€.

TOPIK 1 / B1Verb usage

Resultative State (-μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€)

-μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€

-μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ means 'is in the state that resulted from the verb's action'. It's used with a small set of intransitive verbs that describe a position or state change: 앉닀 ('sit down') β†’ 앉아 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('is sitting / is in the seated state'); μ„œλ‹€ ('stand up') β†’ μ„œ μžˆμ–΄μš” ('is standing'); λˆ•λ‹€ ('lie down') β†’ λˆ„μ›Œ μžˆμ–΄μš” ('is lying down'); κ°€λ‹€ ('go') β†’ κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš” ('has gone (and is there)'); μ‚΄λ‹€ ('live') β†’ μ‚΄μ•„ μžˆμ–΄μš” ('is alive'); μ£½λ‹€ ('die') β†’ μ£½μ–΄ μžˆμ–΄μš” ('is dead'). The action already happened; -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ describes the ongoing RESULT. Compare with -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ (action in progress): 앉고 μžˆμ–΄μš” = 'in the process of sitting down' (action); 앉아 μžˆμ–΄μš” = 'currently seated' (state). Important constraint: -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ only attaches to INTRANSITIVE verbs (verbs without a direct object). For transitive verbs, you cannot use -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ in the resultative sense β€” use the passive form first or use a different construction. Common confusion: clothing verbs (μž…λ‹€, μ“°λ‹€, μ‹ λ‹€) don't take -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ in the standard pattern; they use -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ instead, which oddly conveys a state in that case (μž…κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš” = 'is wearing').

Key rule

Stem + μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ = state resulting from completed action. Only with INTRANSITIVE verbs (or passive of transitive). Distinct from -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ (action in progress). Honorific: -μ•„/μ–΄ κ³„μ„Έμš”.

Examples

  • ν• μ•„λ²„μ§€κ»˜μ„œ μ˜μžμ— 앉아 κ³„μ„Έμš”. (Harabeoji-kkeseo uija-e anja gyeseyo.) β€” Grandfather is seated in the chair.
    ν• μ•„λ²„μ§€κ»˜μ„œ μ˜μžμ— 앉고 κ³„μ„Έμš”.

    앉아 μžˆλ‹€ (sitting state) is what's meant. 앉고 μžˆλ‹€ would mean 'in the process of sitting down', which is very rare and odd here.

  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ λ¬Έ μ•žμ— μ„œ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Chingu-ga mun ap-e seo isseoyo.) β€” My friend is standing in front of the door.
    μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ λ¬Έ μ•žμ— μ„œκ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    μ„œ μžˆλ‹€ = standing state. μ„œκ³  μžˆλ‹€ = in process of standing up (rare).

  • μ–΄λ¨Έλ‹ˆλŠ” 벌써 ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Eomeoni-neun beolsseo hangug-e ga isseoyo.) β€” Mom has already gone to Korea (and is there now).
    μ–΄λ¨Έλ‹ˆλŠ” 벌써 ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš”.

    -μ•„ μžˆλ‹€ expresses 'has gone and is now there' β€” the resulting state of having traveled. Plain κ°€μš” doesn't capture this.

Common mistakes

  • Using -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ for static states (and vice versa)

    μ˜μžμ— 앉고 μžˆμ–΄μš” (intending 'is sitting')
    μ˜μžμ— 앉아 μžˆμ–΄μš”

    Static state = -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€. Action in progress = -κ³  μžˆλ‹€.

  • Applying -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€ to transitive verbs

    책을 놓아 μžˆμ–΄μš”, 문을 λ‹«μ•„ μžˆμ–΄μš”
    책이 놓여 μžˆμ–΄μš”, 문이 λ‹«ν˜€ μžˆμ–΄μš”

    Transitive verbs need a passive form first (놓이닀, λ‹«νžˆλ‹€) before they can take resultative -μ•„/μ–΄ μžˆλ‹€.

TOPIK 1 / A1Verb usage

Polite Request: -μ•„/μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”

-μ•„/μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”

-μ•„/μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” means 'please do X (for me)' β€” the most common way to make a polite request in Korean. Attach -μ•„ μ£Όμ„Έμš” (after ㅏ/γ…— stems) or -μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” (other stems) to the verb stem; -ν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” with ν•˜λ‹€ verbs. κ°€λ‹€ β†’ κ°€ μ£Όμ„Έμš” ('Please go'); λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ λ¨Ήμ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” ('Please eat'); 도와주닀 β†’ λ„μ™€μ£Όμ„Έμš” ('Please help'); λ§ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš” ('Please tell me'). The auxiliary μ£Όλ‹€ ('to give') has lost its literal meaning and now conveys 'do (this) for me / for someone'. Variants: ν•΄ μ€˜μš” (less polite), ν•΄ μ€„λž˜μš”? ('would you mind doing it?'), ν•΄ μ£Όμ‹€λž˜μš”? (formal request, with honorific μ‹œ), ν•΄ μ£Όμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€ (very formal), ν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” (standard polite β€” most common). For things you give to someone respected, use λ“œλ¦¬λ‹€ instead of μ£Όλ‹€: 보여 λ“œλ¦΄κ²Œμš” ('I'll show it to you', humble). NOTE: -μ•„/μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” is for asking the listener to do something. Compare with -μ•„/μ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš” ('try doing'), which is a softer suggestion.

Key rule

Stem + μ•„/μ–΄/ν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” = polite request. μ£Όλ‹€ = 'do for me/someone'. Levels: 쀘 (casual) / μ€˜μš” / μ£Όμ„Έμš” / μ£Όμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€ / μ£Όμ‹€λž˜μš”? Use λ“œλ¦¬λ‹€ for honorific recipients. Insert μ’€ to soften.

Examples

  • 사진 μ’€ 찍어 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Sajin jom jjigeo juseyo.) β€” Please take a photo (for me).
    사진을 μ°μœΌμ„Έμš”. (= a direct command, not a request)

    -μ•„/μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” conveys the for-me / for-someone benefit. Plain -(으)μ„Έμš” is just a direct command without that nuance.

  • 천천히 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Cheoncheoni malhae juseyo.) β€” Please speak slowly.
    천천히 말씀해 μ£Όμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€. (= overly formal in casual contexts) / 천천히 말 μ£Όμ„Έμš”.

    Standard polite. Don't omit -ν•΄ from λ§ν•˜λ‹€ β€” full form is 말해 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (말씀해 μ£Όμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€ is a formal honorific variant for highly polite contexts.)

  • μž μ‹œλ§Œ κΈ°λ‹€λ € μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo.) β€” Please wait a moment.
    μž μ‹œλ§Œ κΈ°λ‹€λ¦¬μ„Έμš”. (= less warm, more direct)

    κΈ°λ‹€λ € μ£Όμ„Έμš” conveys 'please wait for me / for our benefit'. κΈ°λ‹€λ¦¬μ„Έμš” is just a direct command.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting the connective -μ•„/μ–΄

    κ°€ μ£Όμ„Έμš” (correct due to contraction) vs λ¨Ή μ£Όμ„Έμš” (wrong, missing -μ–΄)
    λ¨Ήμ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”

    The connective -μ•„/μ–΄ is required between the verb stem and μ£Όλ‹€. Vowel-ending stems may seem to 'skip' it due to contraction (κ°€ + μ•„ β†’ κ°€), but it's there.

  • Using μ£Όμ„Έμš” with honorific recipients instead of λ“œλ¦¬λ‹€

    μ–΄λ¨Έλ‹ˆκ»˜ 책을 보여 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (when asking grandmother to show a book to mother)
    μ–΄λ¨Έλ‹ˆκ»˜ 책을 보여 λ“œλ¦¬μ„Έμš”. (or appropriate honorific)

    When the beneficiary is honorific, the auxiliary should be λ“œλ¦¬λ‹€ (humble equivalent of μ£Όλ‹€).

TOPIK 1 / A2Verb usage

μž˜ν•˜λ‹€ / λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ β€” Be Good / Bad At

μž˜ν•˜λ‹€ / λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€

μž˜ν•˜λ‹€ means 'to be good at / do well', and λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ means 'to be bad at / cannot do well'. They function as ordinary verbs and conjugate normally: μž˜ν•΄μš” / λͺ»ν•΄μš” / μž˜ν–ˆμ–΄μš” / λͺ»ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. The thing you're good or bad at takes the object marker 을/λ₯Ό: ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μž˜ν•΄μš” ('I'm good at Korean'); λ…Έλž˜λ₯Ό λͺ»ν•΄μš” ('I'm bad at singing'). Adverb 잘 ('well') can also stand alone with any verb to say someone does it well: 잘 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I eat well / have a good appetite'); 잘 μžμš” ('Sleep well'). Don't confuse λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ (the lexical verb 'to be bad at / unable to do well') with λͺ» + verb (general inability negation): ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό λͺ»ν•΄μš” = 'I'm bad at Korean (skill)'; ν•œκ΅­μ— λͺ» κ°€μš” = 'I can't go to Korea (circumstance)'. Both use λͺ», but the first is the verb λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ about skill; the second is the adverb λͺ» + a different verb. Common collocations: 잘 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”, 잘 μžμš”, 잘 λͺ¨λ₯΄κ² μ–΄μš”, 잘 λͺ»ν•΄μš” ('not very good at it').

Key rule

μž˜ν•˜λ‹€/λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ = lexical 'be good/bad at'. Skill object takes 을/λ₯Ό. 잘 + verb = adverb 'well'. 잘 λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ (humble) = 'not very good at'. Don't confuse with λͺ» + verb (general inability).

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μž˜ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul jalhaeyo.) β€” I'm good at Korean.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μž˜ν•΄μš”.

    Skill object takes 을/λ₯Ό (object case), not 이/κ°€.

  • 동생은 λ…Έλž˜λ₯Ό μž˜ν•΄μš”. (Dongsaeng-eun norae-reul jalhaeyo.) β€” My sibling sings well.
    동생은 λ…Έλž˜κ°€ μž˜ν•΄μš”.

    Same β€” skill takes 을/λ₯Ό.

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό 잘 λͺ»ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul jal motaeyo.) β€” My Korean isn't very good. (humble)
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μ•ˆ μž˜ν•΄μš”.

    Standard humble 'not very good' is 잘 λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€. μ•ˆ μž˜ν•˜λ‹€ is non-standard.

Common mistakes

  • Marking the skill with 이/κ°€ instead of 을/λ₯Ό

    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μž˜ν•΄μš”.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μž˜ν•΄μš”.

    μž˜ν•˜λ‹€/λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ take a direct object β€” the skill or activity β€” marked with 을/λ₯Ό.

  • Confusing λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ (lexical, skill) with λͺ» + verb (adverb, circumstance)

    Saying ν•œκ΅­μ— λͺ»ν•΄μš” to mean 'I can't go to Korea'
    ν•œκ΅­μ— λͺ» κ°€μš”. (or ν•œκ΅­μ— 가지 λͺ»ν•΄μš”.)

    λͺ»ν•˜λ‹€ alone is about doing-something-not-well. For inability to do an action (going, eating), use λͺ» + verb.

TOPIK 1 / A1Adjectives

Descriptive Verbs as Sentence Endings

ν˜•μš©μ‚¬ μ„œμˆ ν˜•

In Korean, what English calls 'adjectives' are actually a kind of verb β€” 'descriptive verbs' (ν˜•μš©μ‚¬). Instead of needing 'is/am/are' the way English does, you simply conjugate them. μ’‹λ‹€ ('be good') β†’ μ’‹μ•„μš” ('It's good'); μ˜ˆμ˜λ‹€ ('be pretty') β†’ μ˜ˆλ»μš” ('It's pretty'); λΉ„μ‹Έλ‹€ ('be expensive') β†’ λΉ„μ‹Έμš” ('It's expensive'). Conjugation follows the same vowel-harmony rule as action verbs (-μ•„μš” with ㅏ/γ…—, -μ–΄μš” with others, ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ν•΄μš”). They sit at the end of the sentence as the predicate, like any verb. Past tense: -μ•˜/μ—ˆμ–΄μš”. Future/probability: -(으)γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. Critical: descriptive verbs do NOT take action-style endings like -κ³  μžˆλ‹€ (progressive), -(으)μ„Έμš” (imperative), or -μ•„/μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” (request) β€” you can't 'be pretty politely on demand'. So μ˜ˆμ˜μ„Έμš” / 예쁘고 μžˆμ–΄μš” are wrong. They DO modify nouns differently from action verbs (covered in the next tag). Common descriptive verbs: μ’‹λ‹€ (good), λ‚˜μ˜λ‹€ (bad), λΉ„μ‹Έλ‹€ (expensive), μ‹Έλ‹€ (cheap), 크닀 (big), μž‘λ‹€ (small), λ§Žλ‹€ (many), 적닀 (few), μ˜ˆμ˜λ‹€ (pretty), λ©‹μžˆλ‹€ (cool), μž¬λ―Έμžˆλ‹€ (fun), λ§›μžˆλ‹€ (delicious).

Key rule

Descriptive verbs (ν˜•μš©μ‚¬) conjugate like verbs but cannot take action endings (-(으)μ„Έμš”, -κ³  μžˆλ‹€, -μ•„/μ–΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”). Use -μ•„/μ–΄μš” / -μ•˜/μ—ˆμ–΄μš” / -(으)γ„Ή κ±°μ˜ˆμš”. To say 'become X', use -μ•„/어지닀.

Examples

  • 이 가방이 λΉ„μ‹Έμš”. (I gabang-i bissayo.) β€” This bag is expensive.
    이 가방이 λΉ„μ‹Έ μžˆμ–΄μš”. / 이 가방이 λΉ„μ‹Έμ΄μ—μš”.

    Descriptive verbs conjugate directly without μžˆλ‹€ or copula 이닀. λΉ„μ‹Έ + μ•„μš” contracts to λΉ„μ‹Έμš”.

  • ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ΄ 정말 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Hanguk eumsig-i jeongmal masisseoyo.) β€” Korean food is really delicious.
    ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ΄ 정말 λ§›μžˆλ‹€.

    Dictionary form λ§›μžˆλ‹€ cannot end a sentence in conversational Korean. Conjugate to λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.

  • μ–΄μ œ 날씨가 λ„ˆλ¬΄ μΆ”μ› μ–΄μš”. (Eoje nalssi-ga neomu chuwosseoyo.) β€” Yesterday the weather was too cold.
    μ–΄μ œ 날씨가 λ„ˆλ¬΄ μΆ”μ›Œ μžˆμ—ˆμ–΄μš”.

    Descriptive verb past: just -μ•˜/μ—ˆμ–΄μš” directly. Don't add μžˆλ‹€.

Common mistakes

  • Adding μžˆλ‹€ or copula 이닀 to a descriptive verb

    λΉ„μ‹Έ μžˆμ–΄μš”, μ’‹μ•„ μ΄μ—μš”
    λΉ„μ‹Έμš”, μ’‹μ•„μš”

    Descriptive verbs conjugate themselves. They don't need μžˆλ‹€ (existence) or 이닀 (copula). The conjugated form alone IS the predicate.

  • Trying imperative -(으)μ„Έμš” with descriptive verbs

    μ˜ˆμ˜μ„Έμš”! / λΉ„μ‹Έμ„Έμš”!
    Reformulate: μ˜ˆλ»μ§€μ„Έμš” ('become pretty') / not commandable for prices

    States can't be commanded into existence. Use -μ•„/어지닀 (become) for change-of-state if you really need a command.

TOPIK 1 / A2Adjectives

Modifying a Noun: -(으)γ„΄ for adj, -λŠ” for action verbs (present)

κ΄€ν˜•μ‚¬ν˜• μ–΄λ―Έ (ν˜„μž¬): -(으)γ„΄ / -λŠ”

When you want to put a verb or adjective BEFORE a noun to describe it (like English 'good food', 'a person who eats'), Korean uses special modifier endings. The ending depends on whether the verb is descriptive (adjective) or action (verb), and on the tense. For PRESENT tense, the rule is: descriptive verbs use -(으)γ„΄; action verbs use -λŠ”. Examples: μ’‹λ‹€ β†’ 쒋은 μŒμ‹ ('good food'); μ˜ˆμ˜λ‹€ β†’ 예쁜 옷 ('pretty clothes'); λΉ„μ‹Έλ‹€ β†’ λΉ„μ‹Ό κ°€λ°© ('expensive bag'). Action verbs: λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ λ¨ΉλŠ” μ‚¬λžŒ ('person who eats'); κ°€λ‹€ β†’ κ°€λŠ” κ³³ ('place where (someone) goes'); κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λŠ” 학생 ('student who studies'). Connecting rule: for descriptive verbs ending in a CONSONANT, add -은: μ’‹ + 은 β†’ 쒋은. For descriptive verbs ending in a VOWEL, add -γ„΄: λΉ„μ‹Έ + γ„΄ β†’ λΉ„μ‹Ό. γ„Ή-final descriptive verbs drop γ„Ή + add -γ„΄: κΈΈλ‹€ β†’ κΈ΄ 머리 ('long hair'). The modified noun comes immediately AFTER. The modifier always comes BEFORE the noun (Korean is head-final).

Key rule

Descriptive verb + -(으)γ„΄ + noun (쒋은 μ±…). Action verb + -λŠ” + noun (λ¨ΉλŠ” μ‚¬λžŒ). μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ take -λŠ”. Vowel-ending stem β†’ -γ„΄; consonant-ending β†’ -은; γ„Ή-final β†’ drop γ„Ή + γ„΄.

Examples

  • 쒋은 책을 읽고 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Joeun chaeg-eul ilgo isseoyo.) β€” I'm reading a good book.
    μ’‹λŠ” 책을 읽고 μžˆμ–΄μš”. / μ’‹μ•„μš” μ±….

    Descriptive verb μ’‹λ‹€ takes -(으)γ„΄ β†’ 쒋은. Don't use -λŠ” with descriptive verbs.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (Hangugeo-reul gongbuhaneun haksaeng-ieyo.) β€” I'm a student who studies Korean.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•œ ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (= a student who studied β€” past tense modifier)

    Action verb present modifier = -λŠ”. Don't use -γ„΄ for present action.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ λ§Œλ“  μ˜·μ΄μ—μš”. (Hanguk-eseo mandeun os-ieyo.) β€” These are clothes made in Korea.
    ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ λ§Œλ“œλŠ” μ˜·μ΄μ—μš”. (= 'clothes (someone) is making', present-progressive modifier)

    (For TOPIK 1: this example demonstrates that λ§Œλ“€λ‹€ β†’ λ§Œλ“œλŠ” (present, γ„Ή-drop) vs λ§Œλ“  (past β€” covered in T2). For now: present λ§Œλ“œλŠ” = action in progress.)

Common mistakes

  • Using -λŠ” with descriptive verbs

    μ’‹λŠ” μ±…, μ˜ˆμ˜λŠ” 꽃
    쒋은 μ±…, 예쁜 꽃

    -λŠ” is exclusively for action verbs in present-modifier position. Descriptive verbs take -(으)γ„΄.

  • Using -(으)γ„΄ with action verbs (which would be past tense)

    먹은 μ‚¬λžŒ (= past, 'person who ate') vs intended 'person who eats'
    λ¨ΉλŠ” μ‚¬λžŒ (present action)

    -(으)γ„΄ on action verbs marks past tense modifier. For present, use -λŠ”.

TOPIK 1 / A1Adjectives

Intensifiers (λ„ˆλ¬΄, μ•„μ£Ό, 잘, 많이, 쑰금, λ³„λ‘œ)

강도 뢀사

Korean uses adverbs to intensify or weaken verbs and descriptive verbs. The most common are: μ•„μ£Ό ('very, extremely'), λ„ˆλ¬΄ ('too / very'), 정말 ('really'), μ§„μ§œ ('really, truly'), 잘 ('well'), 많이 ('a lot'), 쑰금 / μ’€ ('a little'), λ³„λ‘œ ('not really'), μ „ν˜€ ('not at all'). They go BEFORE the verb/adjective they modify: μ•„μ£Ό λΉ„μ‹Έμš” ('very expensive'), λ„ˆλ¬΄ μΆ”μ›Œμš” ('too cold'), 잘 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I eat well'), 많이 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I eat a lot'). Some are positive-only (μ•„μ£Ό, 정말, μ§„μ§œ), some negative-only (λ³„λ‘œ, μ „ν˜€), and λ„ˆλ¬΄ has shifted from 'too much (negative)' to 'very (often positive)' in modern usage. λ³„λ‘œ and μ „ν˜€ require a negative verb: λ³„λ‘œ μ•ˆ μ’‹μ•„μš” ('not really good'), μ „ν˜€ λͺ»ν•΄μš” ('can't (do it) at all'). Word order rule: intensifier comes immediately before the predicate. μ’€ is the casual contraction of 쑰금 and is also used as a softener in requests (covered separately).

Key rule

Intensifier goes BEFORE the verb/descriptive verb. Positive: μ•„μ£Ό, 정말, μ§„μ§œ, λ„ˆλ¬΄ (modern). Negative-only: λ³„λ‘œ, μ „ν˜€ + negation. Manner: 잘, 빨리, 천천히. Amount: 많이, 쑰금/μ’€, 더, 덜.

Examples

  • 이 가방이 μ•„μ£Ό λΉ„μ‹Έμš”. (I gabang-i aju bissayo.) β€” This bag is very expensive.
    이 가방이 λΉ„μ‹Έμš” μ•„μ£Ό.

    Intensifier μ•„μ£Ό goes BEFORE the predicate λΉ„μ‹Έμš”.

  • ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ΄ 정말 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Hanguk eumsig-i jeongmal masisseoyo.) β€” Korean food is really delicious.
    ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ΄ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” 정말.

    Same β€” intensifier before predicate.

  • 였늘 λ„ˆλ¬΄ μΆ”μ›Œμš”. (Oneul neomu chuwoyo.) β€” It's really cold today. (or 'too cold')
    였늘 μΆ”μ›Œμš” λ„ˆλ¬΄.

    λ„ˆλ¬΄ in modern usage = 'very/really' (in older usage 'too'). Either way, it precedes the predicate.

Common mistakes

  • Placing intensifier AFTER the verb (English-style)

    λΉ„μ‹Έμš” μ•„μ£Ό, μ’‹μ•„μš” λ„ˆλ¬΄
    μ•„μ£Ό λΉ„μ‹Έμš”, λ„ˆλ¬΄ μ’‹μ•„μš”

    Korean intensifiers obligatorily precede the predicate. Postposing them sounds unnatural or breaks the sentence.

  • Using λ³„λ‘œ with a positive verb

    λ³„λ‘œ μ’‹μ•„μš”. (intending 'not really good')
    λ³„λ‘œ μ•ˆ μ’‹μ•„μš”. / λ³„λ‘œ 쒋지 μ•Šμ•„μš”.

    λ³„λ‘œ requires negation. Without it, the sentence is ungrammatical or contradictory.

TOPIK 1 / A2Adjectives

Color Descriptive Verbs (λΉ¨κ°›λ‹€, λ…Έλž—λ‹€, νŒŒλž—λ‹€, κΉŒλ§£λ‹€, ν•˜μ–—λ‹€)

색깔 ν˜•μš©μ‚¬

Korean colors come in two flavors: COLOR DESCRIPTIVE VERBS (which conjugate like other adjectives) and NOUNS (which use 이닀 'be' or attach to nouns directly). The 'true' color descriptive verbs are: λΉ¨κ°›λ‹€ ('be red'), λ…Έλž—λ‹€ ('be yellow'), νŒŒλž—λ‹€ ('be blue'), κΉŒλ§£λ‹€ ('be black'), ν•˜μ–—λ‹€ ('be white'). They're all γ…Ž-IRREGULAR β€” when a vowel ending follows, the γ…Ž drops AND the stem vowel changes. So λΉ¨κ°› + μ•„μš” β†’ λΉ¨κ°œμš” ('It's red'). Same pattern for the others: λ…Έλž˜μš”, νŒŒλž˜μš”, κΉŒλ§€μš”, ν•˜μ–˜μš”. As noun-modifiers: λΉ¨κ°„ ('red'), λ…Έλž€ ('yellow'), νŒŒλž€ ('blue'), 까만 ('black'), ν•˜μ–€ ('white'). λΉ¨κ°„ 사과 ('red apple'). All other colors are typically NOUNS: 뢄홍색 (pink), 보라색 (purple), κ°ˆμƒ‰ (brown), νšŒμƒ‰ (gray), 주황색 (orange), μ΄ˆλ‘μƒ‰ (green). To use noun-colors, attach to noun-modifying form μƒ‰μ˜ / 색 + noun: 뢄홍색 κ°€λ°© ('pink bag') or use copula: 가방이 λΆ„ν™μƒ‰μ΄μ—μš” ('the bag is pink'). The five core color descriptive verbs are introduced at TOPIK 1; their full γ…Ž-irregular conjugation is also a foundation for the broader γ…Ž-irregular pattern (next tag).

Key rule

Five core γ…Ž-irregular color verbs: λΉ¨κ°›λ‹€/λ…Έλž—λ‹€/νŒŒλž—λ‹€/κΉŒλ§£λ‹€/ν•˜μ–—λ‹€. Vowel ending: γ…Ž drops + stem ㅏ + μ•„ β†’ ㅐ β†’ λΉ¨κ°œμš”/λ…Έλž˜μš”/νŒŒλž˜μš”/κΉŒλ§€μš”/ν•˜μ–˜μš”. Modifier: λΉ¨κ°„/λ…Έλž€/νŒŒλž€/까만/ν•˜μ–€. Other colors are nouns: 뢄홍색, 보라색, etc.

Examples

  • 사과가 λΉ¨κ°œμš”. (Sagwa-ga ppalgaeyo.) β€” The apple is red.
    사과가 λΉ¨κ°›μ•„μš”.

    γ…Ž-irregular: λΉ¨κ°› + μ•„μš” β†’ λΉ¨κ°œμš” (γ…Ž drops, ㅏ + ㅏ β†’ ㅐ).

  • ν•˜λŠ˜μ΄ 정말 νŒŒλž˜μš”. (Haneur-i jeongmal paraeyo.) β€” The sky is really blue.
    ν•˜λŠ˜μ΄ 정말 νŒŒλž—μ•„μš”.

    νŒŒλž— + μ•„μš” β†’ νŒŒλž˜μš”.

  • λΉ¨κ°„ 사과λ₯Ό λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”. (Ppalgan sagwa-reul meogeosseoyo.) β€” I ate a red apple.
    빨갛은 사과λ₯Ό λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”.

    Modifier: γ…Ž drops + -γ„΄: λΉ¨κ°› β†’ λΉ¨κ°€ + γ„΄ β†’ λΉ¨κ°„.

Common mistakes

  • Treating color descriptive verbs as regular

    λΉ¨κ°›μ•„μš”, λ…Έλž—μ•„μš”, νŒŒλž—μ•„μš”
    λΉ¨κ°œμš”, λ…Έλž˜μš”, νŒŒλž˜μš”

    γ…Ž-irregular: γ…Ž drops AND vowel changes. Don't conjugate as if regular.

  • Treating noun-colors as descriptive verbs

    λΆ„ν™ν•΄μš” (intending 'is pink')
    λΆ„ν™μƒ‰μ΄μ—μš” / ν•‘ν¬μƒ‰μ΄μ—μš”

    Most colors (other than the five core) are nouns. Use copula μ΄μ—μš”/μ˜ˆμš” for predicates and -색 + noun for modification.

TOPIK 1 / B1Adjectives

γ…Ž-Irregular Descriptive Verbs (이렇닀, κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€, λΉ¨κ°›λ‹€ β†’ λΉ¨κ°œμš”) β€” Basic

γ…Ž λΆˆκ·œμΉ™ (κΈ°λ³Έ)

γ…Ž-irregular is a conjugation pattern where descriptive verbs whose stem ends in γ…Ž undergo TWO changes when a vowel ending follows: (1) the γ…Ž DROPS, and (2) the stem vowel COMBINES with the connective vowel to form ㅐ (or γ…’ in special cases). The verbs that follow this pattern are mostly the demonstrative-state verbs and color verbs: 이렇닀 ('be like this'), κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€ ('be like that'), μ €λ ‡λ‹€ ('be like that-over-there'), μ–΄λ–»λ‹€ ('be how'), and the colors λΉ¨κ°›λ‹€, λ…Έλž—λ‹€, νŒŒλž—λ‹€, κΉŒλ§£λ‹€, ν•˜μ–—λ‹€. Sample conjugations: 이렇닀 β†’ μ΄λž˜μš” (NOT μ΄λ ‡μ•„μš”); κ·Έλ ‡λ‹€ β†’ κ·Έλž˜μš”; μ–΄λ–»λ‹€ β†’ μ–΄λ•Œμš”; λΉ¨κ°›λ‹€ β†’ λΉ¨κ°œμš”; ν•˜μ–—λ‹€ β†’ ν•˜μ–˜μš”. Modifier form (before a noun) drops γ…Ž and adds -γ„΄: 이런 ('like this'), 그런 ('like that'), λΉ¨κ°„ ('red'). Importantly, NOT all verbs ending in γ…Ž are irregular: μ’‹λ‹€ ('be good') is REGULAR (μ’‹μ•„μš”, NOT μ’Œμš”). The most common confusion: students try to apply the γ…Ž-irregular pattern to μ’‹λ‹€, producing wrong forms. Memorize which verbs are irregular: the 'this/that/how' set + the five core colors.

Key rule

γ…Ž-irregular descriptive verbs: γ…Ž DROPS + stem vowel + ㅏ β†’ ㅐ (or γ…‘ β†’ γ…’). Examples: 이렇 β†’ μ΄λž˜μš”; λΉ¨κ°› β†’ λΉ¨κ°œμš”; ν•˜μ–— β†’ ν•˜μ–˜μš”. Modifier: drop γ…Ž + -γ„΄ β†’ 이런/λΉ¨κ°„/ν•˜μ–€. NOT all γ…Ž-final verbs are irregular: μ’‹λ‹€ is REGULAR (μ’‹μ•„μš”).

Examples

  • ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ€ μ΄λž˜μš”. (Hanguk saramdeur-eun iraeyo.) β€” Korean people are like this.
    ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ€ μ΄λ ‡μ•„μš”.

    γ…Ž-irregular: 이렇 + μ•„μš” β†’ μ΄λž˜μš”.

  • 였늘 날씨가 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? (Oneul nalssi-ga eottaeyo?) β€” How's the weather today?
    였늘 날씨가 μ–΄λ–»μ•„μš”?

    μ–΄λ–» + μ•„μš” β†’ μ–΄λ•Œμš”.

  • κ·Έλž˜μš”? (Geuraeyo?) β€” Is that so? / Really?
    κ·Έλ ‡μ•„μš”?

    κ·Έλ ‡ + μ•„μš” β†’ κ·Έλž˜μš”. Set conversational filler/response.

Common mistakes

  • Treating μ’‹λ‹€ as γ…Ž-irregular

    μ’Œμš”, μ’Œμ€ μ±…
    μ’‹μ•„μš”, 쒋은 μ±…

    μ’‹λ‹€ is REGULAR. The γ…Ž stays. μ’‹ + μ•„μš” β†’ μ’‹μ•„μš”. Memorize: μ’‹λ‹€, 놓닀, λ„£λ‹€, λ‚³λ‹€ are regular γ…Ž-final.

  • Treating γ…Ž-irregular verbs as regular

    μ΄λ ‡μ•„μš”, λΉ¨κ°›μ•„μš”, μ–΄λ–»μ•„μš”
    μ΄λž˜μš”, λΉ¨κ°œμš”, μ–΄λ•Œμš”

    These are γ…Ž-irregular: γ…Ž drops + vowel combines.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

Topic Particle 은/λŠ”

주제 쑰사 은/λŠ”

은/λŠ” marks the TOPIC of a sentence β€” what the sentence is ABOUT. It attaches directly to a noun: 은 after consonant-ending nouns (학생 + 은 β†’ 학생은), λŠ” after vowel-ending nouns (μ € + λŠ” β†’ μ €λŠ”). Translation: '(speaking) of X / as for X / X (in particular)'. Most often it marks the SUBJECT, but topic and subject are different functions and don't always coincide. Common patterns: μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš” ('As for me, I'm a student'); ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” ('Korean food is delicious'). Topics are typically things known to both speaker and listener, and they often start the sentence. Korean sentences frequently begin with 은/λŠ”, but if the topic is clear from context, you can drop both the topic and the particle entirely. Topics also create CONTRAST: μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•˜λŠ”λ°, 동생은 μ•ˆ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš” ('I like Korean, but my younger sibling doesn't'). The 은/λŠ” vs 이/κ°€ distinction is one of the trickiest things in Korean grammar β€” covered in detail in a separate tag.

Key rule

은 after consonant-ending nouns; λŠ” after vowel-ending nouns. Marks the TOPIC ('as for X') β€” typically the subject in basic sentences, but can mark contrast on any element. Drop the topic when context allows.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.) β€” As for me, I'm a student.
    저은 ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeoeun haksaeng-ieyo.)

    μ € ends in vowel β†’ λŠ”, not 은. μ €λŠ” (NOT 저은).

  • 학생은 λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— κ°€μš”. (Haksaeng-eun doseogwan-e gayo.) β€” As for the student, (he/she) goes to the library.
    ν•™μƒλŠ” λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— κ°€μš”. (Haksaengneun doseogwan-e gayo.)

    학생 ends in consonant γ…‡ β†’ 은, not λŠ”.

  • ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Hanguk eumsig-eun masisseoyo.) β€” (As a category,) Korean food is delicious.
    ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ΄ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. (different nuance β€” 'It's the Korean food that is delicious / Korean food (specifically) is delicious')

    Topic 은 = generic statement about a category. Subject 이 = identifying or new information.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing 은/λŠ” by guess instead of by stem-ending consonant/vowel

    저은, ν•™μƒλŠ”, μ˜μžμ€
    μ €λŠ”, 학생은, μ˜μžλŠ”

    Strict rule: consonant-ending β†’ 은; vowel-ending β†’ λŠ”. No exceptions.

  • Using 은/λŠ” where 이/κ°€ is needed

    λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”? β€” λ„€, λΉ„λŠ” μ™€μš”. (intending 'Yes, it's raining')
    λ„€, λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”.

    When ANSWERING a question about an existence/event, the answer typically uses 이/κ°€ (the same particle as the question). 은/λŠ” in the answer would imply 'as for the rain (specifically)'.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

Subject Particle 이/κ°€

주격 쑰사 이/κ°€

이/κ°€ marks the SUBJECT of a sentence β€” the doer of an action or the entity that is/has something. Attach 이 after consonant-ending nouns (학생 + 이 β†’ 학생이) and κ°€ after vowel-ending nouns (친ꡬ + κ°€ β†’ μΉœκ΅¬κ°€). Translation: usually no English equivalent; sometimes 'X (specifically)' or 'It is X that...'. Common patterns: μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μ™€μš” ('A friend is coming'); 학생이 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('A/the student is studying'); μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μš” ('I have no time' β€” possessor μ €λŠ”, possessed μ‹œκ°„μ΄). 이/κ°€ differs from 은/λŠ” (topic) in that it presents NEW information, identifies a specific subject, or appears in answers to subject questions. With existence/possession verbs (μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€), the existing/possessed thing always takes 이/κ°€. With μ’‹λ‹€ / μ‹«λ‹€ / μ’‹μ•„ν•˜λ‹€ / 무섭닀 / μ–΄λ ΅λ‹€ / 쉽닀, the experiencer takes 은/λŠ” and the cause/object takes 이/κ°€: ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš” ('Korean is difficult'); κΉ€μΉ˜κ°€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” ('Kimchi is delicious'). With wh-questions (λˆ„κ°€, 뭐가, μ–Έμ œκ°€, μ–΄λ””κ°€), the question word and answer subject usually take 이/κ°€.

Key rule

이 after consonant-ending nouns; κ°€ after vowel-ending nouns. Marks SUBJECT (doer/experienced thing). Special pronouns: μ €β†’μ œκ°€, λˆ„κ΅¬β†’λˆ„κ°€, λ„ˆβ†’λ„€κ°€. With μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ and feeling verbs, the possessed/stimulus takes 이/κ°€.

Examples

  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”. (Chingu-ga wasseoyo.) β€” A friend came.
    친ꡬ이 μ™”μ–΄μš”.

    친ꡬ ends in vowel β†’ κ°€, not 이.

  • 학생이 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Haksaeng-i gongbuhaeyo.) β€” A student is studying.
    학생가 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.

    학생 ends in consonant β†’ 이.

  • μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μš”. (Sigan-i eopseoyo.) β€” I have no time / There's no time.
    μ‹œκ°„μ„ μ—†μ–΄μš”.

    μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ take 이/κ°€ on the existing/possessed thing, never 을/λ₯Ό.

Common mistakes

  • Using μ €κ°€ / λ„ˆκ°€ / λˆ„κ΅¬κ°€

    μ €κ°€ κ°ˆκ²Œμš”. λ„ˆκ°€ ν•΄μš”. λˆ„κ΅¬κ°€ μ™€μš”?
    μ œκ°€ κ°ˆκ²Œμš”. λ„€κ°€ ν•΄μš”. λˆ„κ°€ μ™€μš”?

    Suppletive forms: μ €+κ°€β†’μ œκ°€, λ„ˆ+κ°€β†’λ„€κ°€, λˆ„κ΅¬+κ°€β†’λˆ„κ°€. NEVER μ €κ°€/λ„ˆκ°€/λˆ„κ΅¬κ°€.

  • Marking the existing/possessed thing with 을/λ₯Ό instead of 이/κ°€

    μ‹œκ°„μ„ μ—†μ–΄μš”, 친ꡬλ₯Ό μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μš”, μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ take subject 이/κ°€, not object 을/λ₯Ό.

TOPIK 1 / B1Particles

은/λŠ” vs 이/κ°€ β€” Basic Contrast

은/λŠ”κ³Ό 이/κ°€μ˜ 차이 (κΈ°λ³Έ)

은/λŠ” (topic) and 이/κ°€ (subject) often both attach to what English would call the subject β€” but they're not interchangeable. Five basic rules to memorize at TOPIK 1: (1) NEW INFORMATION β†’ 이/κ°€. When introducing something for the first time. μ–΄μ œ μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”. (2) OLD/SHARED INFORMATION β†’ 은/λŠ”. When the listener already knows what you're talking about. κ·Έ μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”. (3) ANSWERS TO WH-QUESTIONS β†’ match the question's particle. λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”? β€” 동생이 μ™”μ–΄μš”. (Q and A both use 이/κ°€.) But 동생은 μ–΄λ”” κ°”μ–΄μš”? β€” 동생은 학ꡐ에 κ°”μ–΄μš”. (Q and A both use 은/λŠ”.) (4) GENERIC STATEMENTS β†’ 은/λŠ”. ν•œκ΅­ μŒμ‹μ€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” ('Korean food (in general) is delicious'). (5) CONTRAST β†’ 은/λŠ”. μ €λŠ” κ°€μ§€λ§Œ, μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€μš” ('I'm going, but my friend isn't'). With μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ and feeling verbs (μ–΄λ ΅λ‹€, μ’‹λ‹€, λ§›μžˆλ‹€), the existing/possessed/stimulus thing takes 이/κ°€, even though there might also be a topic with 은/λŠ”: μ €λŠ” μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μš” ('As for me, I have no time'). The Q-and-A pattern is the simplest test for beginners.

Key rule

은/λŠ” = topic (old, generic, contrast). 이/κ°€ = subject (new, specific, in-answer-to-wh, in subordinate clauses). With μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ and feeling verbs, possessor 은/λŠ” + possessed 이/κ°€ + verb. Match the Q's particle in the A.

Examples

  • μ˜›λ‚ μ— ν•œ 왕이 μ‚΄μ•˜μ–΄μš”. κ·Έ 왕은 μ•„μ£Ό μΉœμ ˆν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (Yetnar-e han wang-i sarasseoyo. Geu wang-eun aju chinjeolhaesseoyo.) β€” Once upon a time, there lived a king. The king was very kind.
    μ˜›λ‚ μ— ν•œ 왕은 μ‚΄μ•˜μ–΄μš”. κ·Έ 왕이 μ•„μ£Ό μΉœμ ˆν–ˆμ–΄μš”.

    First mention (new info) β†’ 이/κ°€. Second mention (old info) β†’ 은/λŠ”.

  • λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”? β€” μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”. (Nuga wasseoyo? β€” Chingu-ga wasseoyo.)
    λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”? β€” μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ™”μ–΄μš”.

    Wh-question with 이/κ°€ (in λˆ„κ°€ = λˆ„κ΅¬+κ°€) β†’ answer with 이/κ°€.

  • 동생은 μ–΄λ”” κ°”μ–΄μš”? β€” 동생은 학ꡐ에 κ°”μ–΄μš”. (Dongsaeng-eun eodi gasseoyo? β€” Dongsaeng-eun hakgyo-e gasseoyo.)
    동생은 μ–΄λ”” κ°”μ–΄μš”? β€” 동생이 학ꡐ에 κ°”μ–΄μš”.

    Question with 은 (referring to a known sibling) β†’ answer with 은.

Common mistakes

  • Treating 은/λŠ” and 이/κ°€ as interchangeable

    Random alternation between 학생은 and 학생이 in similar contexts
    Apply the heuristics: new/specific = 이/κ°€; old/generic/contrast = 은/λŠ”

    The choice carries meaning. Wrong choice can change the sentence's nuance significantly.

  • Using 은/λŠ” in answers to wh-questions with 이/κ°€

    λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”? β€” μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ™”μ–΄μš”.
    μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”.

    Match the question's particle. Wh-question β†’ identifying answer β†’ 이/κ°€.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

Object Particle 을/λ₯Ό

λͺ©μ κ²© 쑰사 을/λ₯Ό

을/λ₯Ό marks the DIRECT OBJECT of a transitive verb β€” the thing being acted upon. 을 attaches after consonant-ending nouns (λ°₯ + 을 β†’ λ°₯을), λ₯Ό after vowel-ending nouns (컀피 + λ₯Ό β†’ 컀피λ₯Ό). Examples: λ°₯을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I eat rice'); 책을 μ½μ–΄μš” ('I read a book'); ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I study Korean'); 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μš” ('I meet a friend'). The object usually comes between the subject and the verb (Korean is SOV). In casual speech, 을/λ₯Ό is often DROPPED when the object is clear from context: λ°₯ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”, ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. Particles like 도 (also), 만 (only), and κΉŒμ§€ (even) can replace 을/λ₯Ό when adding their meaning: λ°₯도 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I also eat rice' β€” NOT λ°₯을도). Some verbs that look transitive in English aren't in Korean β€” they take 이/κ°€ or 에/μ—κ²Œ instead. Examples: μ’‹λ‹€ takes 이/κ°€ ('ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ’‹μ•„μš”'); λ§Œλ‚˜λ‹€ actually IS transitive in Korean (λ§Œλ‚˜ + 을/λ₯Ό).

Key rule

을 after consonant-ending nouns; λ₯Ό after vowel-ending nouns. Marks the direct object of transitive verbs. Often dropped in casual speech. Replaced (not added) by 도, 만, κΉŒμ§€, 은/λŠ”.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” λ°₯을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. (Jeoneun bab-eul meogeoyo.) β€” I eat rice.
    μ €λŠ” λ°₯λ₯Ό λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.

    λ°₯ ends in consonant γ…‚ β†’ 을, not λ₯Ό.

  • 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μš”. (Chingu-reul mannayo.) β€” I meet a friend.
    μΉœκ΅¬μ„ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”.

    친ꡬ ends in vowel γ…œ β†’ λ₯Ό.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo.) β€” I study Korean.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.

    κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ (action verb) takes 을/λ₯Ό. Don't confuse with μ–΄λ ΅λ‹€ (descriptive) which takes 이/κ°€.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing 을/λ₯Ό by guess instead of by stem-ending consonant/vowel

    λ°₯λ₯Ό, μΉœκ΅¬μ„
    λ°₯을, 친ꡬλ₯Ό

    Strict rule: consonant β†’ 을; vowel β†’ λ₯Ό.

  • Marking the object of feeling/state verbs with 을/λ₯Ό

    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„μš”, μ‹œκ°„μ„ μ—†μ–΄μš”, ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ’‹μ•„μš”, μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μš”, ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”

    Descriptive verbs (μ’‹λ‹€, μ–΄λ ΅λ‹€, λ§›μžˆλ‹€) and existence (μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€) take 이/κ°€, not 을/λ₯Ό. Only ACTION verbs (μ’‹μ•„ν•˜λ‹€, κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€) take 을/λ₯Ό.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

Genitive 의 β€” Possessive Marker

κ΄€ν˜•κ²© 쑰사 의

의 marks possession or association β€” like English 's or 'of'. It attaches to a noun and connects it to the next noun: 친ꡬ의 μ±… ('the friend's book'); ν•œκ΅­μ˜ λ¬Έν™” ('Korea's culture / the culture of Korea'); μ–΄λ¨Έλ‹ˆμ˜ μ‚¬λž‘ ('mother's love'). Pronunciation: when used as the genitive particle, 의 is most often pronounced [에] rather than [의] β€” so 친ꡬ의 μ±… sounds like [μΉœκ΅¬μ— μ±…]. (When 의 is the noun itself meaning 'meaning' or 'righteousness', it's pronounced [의].) DROPPING 의: in everyday Korean, especially in spoken language, 의 is FREQUENTLY DROPPED β€” particularly when possession is obvious or when forming compound nouns. ν•œκ΅­ λ¬Έν™” (= ν•œκ΅­μ˜ λ¬Έν™”); 친ꡬ μ±… (= 친ꡬ의 μ±… in casual speech). The dropped form often becomes an established compound. SPECIAL FORMS: with the pronouns μ €, λ‚˜, λ„ˆ, the genitive contracts: μ € + 의 β†’ 제 ('my, humble'); λ‚˜ + 의 β†’ λ‚΄ ('my, casual'); λ„ˆ + 의 β†’ λ„€ ('your'). So 'my book' = 제 μ±… (humble) or λ‚΄ μ±… (casual), almost never μ €μ˜ μ±… / λ‚˜μ˜ μ±… in everyday speech. WHEN TO KEEP 의: in poetry, formal writing, and to avoid ambiguity, 의 is retained. μ‚¬λž‘μ˜ λ…Έλž˜ ('a song of love'); ν‰ν™”μ˜ 상징 ('a symbol of peace').

Key rule

의 attaches to a noun to mark possession/association. Pronounced [에]. Pronoun contractions: μ €+μ˜β†’μ œ, λ‚˜+μ˜β†’λ‚΄, λ„ˆ+μ˜β†’λ„€. Frequently DROPPED in casual speech (ν•œκ΅­ λ¬Έν™” = ν•œκ΅­μ˜ λ¬Έν™”).

Examples

  • 친ꡬ의 μ±…μ΄μ—μš”. (Chingu-ui chaeg-ieyo.) β€” It's my friend's book.
    친ꡬ이 μ±…μ΄μ—μš”. / 친ꡬλ₯Ό μ±…μ΄μ—μš”.

    Possession uses 의, not other particles. Pronounced [μΉœκ΅¬μ— μ±…].

  • 이건 제 μ±…μ΄μ—μš”. (Igeon je chaeg-ieyo.) β€” This is my book. (humble)
    이건 μ €μ˜ μ±…μ΄μ—μš”. (grammatical but stilted)

    μ € + 의 β†’ 제 is the standard form. μ €μ˜ sounds bookish/literary.

  • 이건 λ‚΄ 책이야. (Igeon nae chaeg-iya.) β€” This is my book. (casual)
    이건 λ‚˜μ˜ 책이야.

    λ‚˜ + 의 β†’ λ‚΄ (casual contracted).

Common mistakes

  • Using non-contracted forms μ €μ˜, λ‚˜μ˜, λ„ˆμ˜ in casual speech

    μ €μ˜ 친ꡬ, λ‚˜μ˜ κ°€λ°©, λ„ˆμ˜ μ±…
    제 친ꡬ, λ‚΄ κ°€λ°©, λ„€ μ±…

    The contracted forms (제, λ‚΄, λ„€) are standard in everyday Korean. Non-contracted forms feel literary/poetic and are unusual in conversation.

  • Mistaking 의 for the subject particle κ°€

    μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μ±… (intending 'friend's book')
    친ꡬ의 μ±… / 친ꡬ μ±…

    의 = possession, not subject. Don't confuse with κ°€.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

에 β€” Static Location, Destination (with motion verbs), and Time Point

쑰사 에 (μž₯μ†ŒΒ·μ΄λ™Β·μ‹œκ°„)

에 is one of Korean's most versatile particles. It marks THREE related concepts: (1) STATIC LOCATION (with μžˆλ‹€/μ—†λ‹€ and other state verbs) β€” 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm at school'); 책상 μœ„μ— 책이 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('There's a book on the desk'). (2) DESTINATION (with motion verbs like κ°€λ‹€/μ˜€λ‹€/λ„μ°©ν•˜λ‹€) β€” 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš” ('I'm going to school'); ν•œκ΅­μ— μ™€μš” ('Coming to Korea'). (3) POINT IN TIME β€” 두 μ‹œμ— λ§Œλ‚˜μš” ('Let's meet at 2 o'clock'); ν† μš”μΌμ— κ°€μš” ('I go on Saturday'); 12월에 ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš” ('I'm going to Korea in December'). 에 attaches to nouns regardless of consonant/vowel ending: 학ꡐ에, μΉœκ΅¬μ—κ²Œ, 두 μ‹œμ—, ν† μš”μΌμ—. KEY DISTINCTION: 에 (static/destination) vs μ—μ„œ (action location). 에 = exists at / goes to. μ—μ„œ = does an action at. 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I am at school' β€” existence). ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I study at school' β€” action). The next tag covers μ—μ„œ; the one after that contrasts the two. 에 is also used in fixed time expressions (νŠΉλ³„ν•œ 날에, μ˜€λŠ˜λ‚ μ—) and abstract destinations (κΏˆμ—, λ§ˆμŒμ—).

Key rule

에 marks (1) static location with existence/state verbs, (2) destination with motion verbs, (3) point in time. Don't use with μ–΄μ œ/였늘/내일/μ§€κΈˆ. Contrasts with μ—μ„œ (action location).

Examples

  • 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Hakgyo-e isseoyo.) β€” I'm at school.
    ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (intending static location)

    Existence (μžˆλ‹€) takes 에, not μ—μ„œ.

  • 내일 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”. (Naeil hakgyo-e gayo.) β€” Tomorrow I go to school.
    내일 ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ°€μš”.

    Destination (κ°€λ‹€) takes 에, not μ—μ„œ.

  • 두 μ‹œμ— λ§Œλ‚˜μš”. (Du si-e mannayo.) β€” Let's meet at 2 o'clock.
    두 μ‹œ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”. / 두 μ‹œμ—μ„œ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”.

    Clock time takes 에.

Common mistakes

  • Using μ—μ„œ instead of 에 for static location with μžˆλ‹€

    ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    μžˆλ‹€ (existence) takes 에. μ—μ„œ is for action verbs at a location.

  • Using μ—μ„œ instead of 에 for motion destination

    ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ κ°€μš”. (intending 'I go to Korea')
    ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš”.

    Destination of κ°€λ‹€/μ˜€λ‹€/λ„μ°©ν•˜λ‹€ takes 에.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

μ—μ„œ β€” Location of Action / Origin

쑰사 μ—μ„œ (λ™μž‘μ˜ μž₯μ†ŒΒ·μΆœλ°œμ )

μ—μ„œ marks two related concepts: (1) THE LOCATION WHERE AN ACTION TAKES PLACE β€” ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I study at school'); μΉ΄νŽ˜μ—μ„œ 컀피λ₯Ό λ§ˆμ…”μš” ('I drink coffee at the cafe'); ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚¬μ–΄μš” ('I met a friend in Korea'). (2) THE STARTING POINT / ORIGIN of motion or distance β€” ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ μ™”μ–΄μš” ('I came from Korea'); μ§‘μ—μ„œ ν•™κ΅κΉŒμ§€ ('from home to school'). Note: μ—μ„œ attaches uniformly to all noun endings β€” no consonant/vowel split. The key distinction is from 에 (static location/destination/time): 에 = exists/goes to a place; μ—μ„œ = does an action at a place. So 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm at school' β€” existence) vs ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I study at school' β€” action). Compounds: μ–΄λ””μ—μ„œ (where, action) β†’ often shortened to μ–΄λ””μ„œ in spoken Korean. μ—μ„œ + κΉŒμ§€ forms 'from X to Y' for distance/time spans: μ„œμšΈμ—μ„œ λΆ€μ‚°κΉŒμ§€ ('from Seoul to Busan'). μ—μ„œ is also part of common phrases like κ·Έλž˜μ„œ (so, therefore β€” etymologically 'from that doing').

Key rule

μ—μ„œ marks (1) location of an action (ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”), (2) starting point / origin (ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ μ™”μ–΄μš”), and pairs with κΉŒμ§€ for spans (μ„œμšΈμ—μ„œ λΆ€μ‚°κΉŒμ§€). Contrasts with 에 by verb type.

Examples

  • λ„μ„œκ΄€μ—μ„œ 책을 μ½μ–΄μš”. (Doseogwan-eseo chaeg-eul ilgeoyo.) β€” I read books at the library.
    λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— 책을 μ½μ–΄μš”.

    Action (읽닀) at a location β†’ μ—μ„œ, not 에.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ μ™”μ–΄μš”. (Hangug-eseo wasseoyo.) β€” I came from Korea.
    ν•œκ΅­μ— μ™”μ–΄μš”. (= 'I came TO Korea')

    Origin (came from) β†’ μ—μ„œ. With μ˜€λ‹€, μ—μ„œ = 'from'; 에 = 'to'.

  • μ§‘μ—μ„œ ν•™κ΅κΉŒμ§€ 30λΆ„ κ±Έλ €μš”. (Jib-eseo hakgyo-kkaji samsipbun geollyeoyo.) β€” It takes 30 minutes from home to school.
    집에 ν•™κ΅κΉŒμ§€ 30λΆ„ κ±Έλ €μš”.

    Span 'from X to Y': μ—μ„œ ~ κΉŒμ§€.

Common mistakes

  • Using 에 instead of μ—μ„œ for action location

    학ꡐ에 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”, μΉ΄νŽ˜μ— 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μš”
    ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”, μΉ΄νŽ˜μ—μ„œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μš”

    Action verbs at a location require μ—μ„œ. 에 is for static existence or destination.

  • Using μ—μ„œ for static location with μžˆλ‹€

    ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ μžˆμ–΄μš”, ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ μ‚΄μ•„μš” (intending 'live in Korea')
    학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”, ν•œκ΅­μ— μ‚΄μ•„μš”

    μžˆλ‹€ (existence) takes 에. μ‚΄λ‹€ typically takes 에 for 'reside in'.

TOPIK 1 / A2Particles

에 vs μ—μ„œ β€” Contrast (existence vs action)

에와 μ—μ„œμ˜ 차이

에 and μ—μ„œ both involve location, but they pair with DIFFERENT TYPES OF VERBS. (1) 에 β€” used with EXISTENCE verbs (μžˆλ‹€, μ—†λ‹€), STATE verbs (μ‚΄λ‹€ 'live', λ‹€λ‹ˆλ‹€ 'attend'), and MOTION-DESTINATION verbs (κ°€λ‹€, μ˜€λ‹€). It also marks TIME points. 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm at school'); 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš” ('I'm going to school'). (2) μ—μ„œ β€” used with ACTION verbs (κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€, λ¨Ήλ‹€, μΌν•˜λ‹€, λ§Œλ‚˜λ‹€) and ORIGIN (μ˜€λ‹€ 'came from'). ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I study at school'). The simplest test: ask 'Is the verb describing an active action being done at this place?' If YES β†’ μ—μ„œ. If 'just exists at / is going to' β†’ 에. The contrast: λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— μžˆμ–΄μš” (= I'm at the library, existing) vs λ„μ„œκ΄€μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” (= I study at the library, doing). Some verbs (μ‚΄λ‹€, μžλ‹€) can take either depending on nuance, but at TOPIK 1, follow the simple rule: existence/destination β†’ 에; action β†’ μ—μ„œ.

Key rule

에 = existence / destination / time. μ—μ„œ = action location / origin. Test: 'Is the verb an action being done AT this place?' Yes β†’ μ—μ„œ. No (existing, going to, time) β†’ 에.

Examples

  • 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Hakgyo-e isseoyo.) β€” I'm at school.
    ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    μžˆλ‹€ = existence β†’ 에.

  • ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Hakgyo-eseo gongbuhaeyo.) β€” I study at school.
    학ꡐ에 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.

    κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜λ‹€ = action β†’ μ—μ„œ.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš”. (Hangug-e gayo.) β€” I go to Korea.
    ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ κ°€μš”.

    Destination β†’ 에. (ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ κ°€μš” = 'I go from Korea', different meaning.)

Common mistakes

  • Defaulting to μ—μ„œ for all locations

    ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ μžˆμ–΄μš”, ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ κ°€μš”
    학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”, ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš”

    Existence and destination need 에. μ—μ„œ is for actions and origins.

  • Defaulting to 에 for all locations

    λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”, μΉ΄νŽ˜μ— 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μš”
    λ„μ„œκ΄€μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”, μΉ΄νŽ˜μ—μ„œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μš”

    Active verbs at a location need μ—μ„œ.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

도 β€” Also / Too

쑰사 도

도 means 'also', 'too', or 'as well'. It attaches directly to a noun and REPLACES other particles (은/λŠ”, 이/κ°€, 을/λ₯Ό). 저도 ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš” ('I am also Korean'); ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ„ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I also study Korean'); κΉ€μΉ˜λ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš” ('I also like kimchi'). 도 doesn't combine with 은/λŠ”/이/κ°€/을/λ₯Ό β€” it replaces them. Position: 도 attaches to whatever noun is being added/included. Common patterns: A도 B도 ('both A and B') β€” κΉ€μΉ˜λ„ λΆˆκ³ κΈ°λ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš” ('I like both kimchi and bulgogi'). With negative verbs, 도 can mean 'either/neither': 저도 μ•ˆ κ°€μš” ('I'm not going either'); κΉ€μΉ˜λ„ λͺ» λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I can't eat kimchi either'). 도 can also attach to other particles (에도 'also at', μ—μ„œλ„ 'also from', ν•œν…Œλ„ 'to ~ also'): 학ꡐ에도 κ°€μš” ('I also go to school'), μΉœκ΅¬ν•œν…Œλ„ ('to my friend also'). 도 is a topic-style particle (보쑰사) that signals INCLUSION.

Key rule

도 attaches to a noun to mean 'also/too'. REPLACES 은/λŠ”/이/κ°€/을/λ₯Ό (don't combine). CAN combine with 에, μ—μ„œ, ν•œν…Œ, λΆ€ν„°, κΉŒμ§€. With negation, can mean 'either/neither' or 'even'.

Examples

  • 저도 ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeodo hanguk saram-ieyo.) β€” I am also Korean.
    μ €λŠ”λ„ ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”. / 저가도 ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”.

    도 replaces 은/λŠ”, doesn't combine. μ € + 도 β†’ 저도.

  • μ €λŠ” κΉ€μΉ˜λ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun gimchi-do joahaeyo.) β€” I also like kimchi.
    μ €λŠ” κΉ€μΉ˜λ₯Όλ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.

    도 replaces 을/λ₯Ό. κΉ€μΉ˜ + 도 β†’ κΉ€μΉ˜λ„.

  • μΉœκ΅¬λ„ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Chingu-do hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo.) β€” My friend also studies Korean.
    μΉœκ΅¬κ°€λ„ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.

    도 replaces 이/κ°€.

Common mistakes

  • Combining 도 with 은/λŠ”/이/κ°€/을/λ₯Ό

    μ €λŠ”λ„, κΉ€μΉ˜λ₯Όλ„, μΉœκ΅¬κ°€λ„
    저도, κΉ€μΉ˜λ„, μΉœκ΅¬λ„

    도 replaces these particles. Don't stack.

  • Wrong order with 에/μ—μ„œ

    학ꡐ도에 κ°€μš”, μΉ΄νŽ˜λ„μ—μ„œ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”
    학ꡐ에도 κ°€μš”, μΉ΄νŽ˜μ—μ„œλ„ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”

    Location particle (에/μ—μ„œ) comes BEFORE 도, not after.

TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

만 β€” Only

쑰사 만

만 means 'only' or 'just'. It attaches directly to a noun and signals that ONLY that item is included or affected β€” others are excluded. μ €λ§Œ κ°€μš” ('Only I am going'); κΉ€μΉ˜λ§Œ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I only eat kimchi'); ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ§Œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I only study Korean'). Like 도, 만 REPLACES 은/λŠ”/이/κ°€/을/λ₯Ό (don't combine), but it CAN combine with 에, μ—μ„œ, ν•œν…Œ, λΆ€ν„°, κΉŒμ§€: ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œλ§Œ ('only at school'), μΉœκ΅¬ν•œν…Œλ§Œ ('only to my friend'). 만 also pairs with -μ•„/μ–΄μš” to mean 'just': κ·Έλƒ₯ κ°€λ§Œνžˆ μžˆμ–΄μš”λ§Œ (rare; usually phrased differently). Negative pairing: 만 + negative verb = 'only X is not done': μ €λ§Œ μ•ˆ κ°€μš” ('Only I am not going'). Compare with 밖에: κΉ€μΉ˜λ°–μ— μ—†μ–΄μš” ('There's nothing but kimchi'), which always pairs with negative and emphasizes scarcity. Common collocations: ν•œ 번만, 잠깐만, 쑰금만 ('just a bit'). Position rules and ordering with -μ΄μ—μš” / 가지고 μžˆλ‹€ etc. follow standard Korean SOV.

Key rule

만 = 'only / just'. Replaces 은/λŠ”/이/κ°€/을/λ₯Ό. Combines with 에, μ—μ„œ, ν•œν…Œ, λΆ€ν„°, κΉŒμ§€ (after them). Contrast with 밖에 (which always takes negative). Common: 잠깐만, 쑰금만, ν•œ 번만.

Examples

  • μ €λ§Œ ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeoman hanguk saram-ieyo.) β€” Only I am Korean (in this group).
    μ €λŠ”λ§Œ ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”.

    만 replaces 은/λŠ”.

  • μ €λŠ” κΉ€μΉ˜λ§Œ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun gimchi-man joahaeyo.) β€” I only like kimchi.
    μ €λŠ” κΉ€μΉ˜λ₯Όλ§Œ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.

    만 replaces 을/λ₯Ό.

  • ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œλ§Œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Hakgyo-eseoman gongbuhaeyo.) β€” I only study at school.
    ν•™κ΅λ§Œμ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.

    μ—μ„œ first, 만 second.

Common mistakes

  • Combining 만 with 은/λŠ”/이/κ°€/을/λ₯Ό

    μ €λŠ”λ§Œ, ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Όλ§Œ, μΉœκ΅¬κ°€λ§Œ
    μ €λ§Œ, ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ§Œ, 친ꡬ만

    만 replaces these particles.

  • Wrong order with 에/μ—μ„œ/ν•œν…Œ

    ν•™κ΅λ§Œμ—μ„œ, μΉœκ΅¬λ§Œν•œν…Œ
    ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œλ§Œ, μΉœκ΅¬ν•œν…Œλ§Œ

    Location/recipient particle comes BEFORE 만.

TOPIK 1 / A2Particles

와/κ³Ό, ν•˜κ³ , (이)λž‘ β€” With / And (three register variants)

와/κ³Ό / ν•˜κ³  / (이)λž‘

Korean has THREE common ways to say 'and' / 'with' between nouns: (1) 와/κ³Ό β€” formal / written. 와 after vowels, κ³Ό after consonants. κΉ€μΉ˜μ™€ 뢈고기 ('kimchi and bulgogi'); μΉœκ΅¬μ™€ 같이 κ°€μš” ('I go with my friend'). (2) ν•˜κ³  β€” neutral / spoken-friendly. Attaches to any noun. κΉ€μΉ˜ν•˜κ³  뢈고기, μΉœκ΅¬ν•˜κ³  같이. (3) (이)λž‘ β€” casual / spoken. μ΄λž‘ after consonants, λž‘ after vowels. κΉ€μΉ˜λž‘ 뢈고기, μΉœκ΅¬λž‘ 같이. All three mean the same thing β€” they differ in REGISTER (formality). For TOPIK 1, learn all three but use ν•˜κ³  as a safe default in conversation. Two functions: (1) JOINING NOUNS ('A and B'): κΉ€μΉ˜μ™€ 뢈고기λ₯Ό λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” ('I eat kimchi and bulgogi'). (2) ACCOMPANIMENT ('with someone'): μΉœκ΅¬μ™€ 같이 κ°€μš” ('I go with my friend'). The accompaniment use often pairs with 같이 ('together') for clarity. NOTE: 와/κ³Ό join nouns only β€” for clauses, use connective endings (-κ³ , etc.).

Key rule

Three register variants: 와/κ³Ό (formal: 와 after vowels, κ³Ό after consonants), ν•˜κ³  (neutral, all nouns), (이)λž‘ (casual: μ΄λž‘ after consonants, λž‘ after vowels). Same meaning: 'A and B' or 'with X'. Often pair with 같이/ν•¨κ»˜ for accompaniment.

Examples

  • κΉ€μΉ˜μ™€ 뢈고기λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (Gimchi-wa bulgogi-reul joahaeyo.) β€” I like kimchi and bulgogi.
    κΉ€μΉ˜κ³Ό 뢈고기λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.

    κΉ€μΉ˜ ends in vowel β†’ 와, not κ³Ό.

  • 학생과 μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 같이 μ™”μ–΄μš”. (Haksaeng-gwa seonsaengnim-i gachi wasseoyo.) β€” A student and a teacher came together.
    학생와 μ„ μƒλ‹˜μ΄ 같이 μ™”μ–΄μš”.

    학생 ends in consonant β†’ κ³Ό, not 와.

  • μΉœκ΅¬ν•˜κ³  같이 μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”. (Chingu-hago gachi yeonghwa-reul bwasseoyo.) β€” I watched a movie with my friend.
    친ꡬ과 같이 μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”. (mismatched register/usage)

    친ꡬ ends in vowel β†’ 와 (not κ³Ό). For casual, μΉœκ΅¬ν•˜κ³  is even better.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing 와/κ³Ό by guess instead of by stem-ending consonant/vowel

    κΉ€μΉ˜κ³Ό, 학생와
    κΉ€μΉ˜μ™€, 학생과

    Strict: vowel-ending β†’ 와; consonant-ending β†’ κ³Ό.

  • Choosing μ΄λž‘/λž‘ wrong

    ν•™μƒλž‘, μΉœκ΅¬μ΄λž‘
    ν•™μƒμ΄λž‘, μΉœκ΅¬λž‘

    Strict: vowel-ending β†’ λž‘; consonant-ending β†’ μ΄λž‘.

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TOPIK 1 / A1Particles

λΆ€ν„° / κΉŒμ§€ β€” From / Until (places, times)

λΆ€ν„° / κΉŒμ§€

λΆ€ν„° means 'from / starting from' and κΉŒμ§€ means 'until / up to'. They mark the start and end points of a span β€” usually time, but also place, sequence, or extent. Together: λΆ€ν„° ~ κΉŒμ§€ = 'from ~ until ~'. Examples: 9μ‹œλΆ€ν„° 5μ‹œκΉŒμ§€ μΌν•΄μš” ('I work from 9 to 5'); μ–΄μ œλΆ€ν„° λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš” ('It's been raining since yesterday'); μ²˜μŒλΆ€ν„° λκΉŒμ§€ ('from beginning to end'). Both attach directly to a noun without consonant/vowel split. KEY DISTINCTIONS: (1) λΆ€ν„° (time/sequence start) vs μ—μ„œ (spatial origin). μ–΄μ œλΆ€ν„° ('since yesterday') / ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ μ™”μ–΄μš” ('came from Korea'). For SPATIAL spans, you can use μ—μ„œ ~ κΉŒμ§€: μ„œμšΈμ—μ„œ λΆ€μ‚°κΉŒμ§€ ('Seoul to Busan'). For TIME spans, λΆ€ν„° ~ κΉŒμ§€ is more natural: 1μ‹œλΆ€ν„° 3μ‹œκΉŒμ§€ ('1 to 3'). (2) κΉŒμ§€ (limit/up to) often combines with 도 to mean 'even': λΉ„ν–‰κΈ°κΉŒμ§€λ„ ('even by airplane'). λΆ€ν„° and κΉŒμ§€ can be used independently β€” you don't need both. λΆ€ν„° alone: 내일뢀터 μ‹œμž‘ν•΄μš” ('I start from tomorrow'). κΉŒμ§€ alone: 9μ‹œκΉŒμ§€ 와 μ£Όμ„Έμš” ('Please come by 9'). Common collocations: μ²˜μŒλΆ€ν„°, λκΉŒμ§€, μ§€κΈˆλΆ€ν„°, μ˜€λŠ˜λΆ€ν„°, κ·Έλ•ŒλΆ€ν„°.

Key rule

λΆ€ν„° = 'from, starting from' (time/sequence). κΉŒμ§€ = 'until, up to' (time/place/extent). Together: λΆ€ν„° ~ κΉŒμ§€ = 'from ~ to'. Spatial origin uses μ—μ„œ (not λΆ€ν„°). Each can stand alone.

Examples

  • 9μ‹œλΆ€ν„° 5μ‹œκΉŒμ§€ μΌν•΄μš”. (Ahopsi-buteo daseotsi-kkaji ilhaeyo.) β€” I work from 9 to 5.
    9μ‹œμ—μ„œ 5μ‹œμ— μΌν•΄μš”.

    Time span: λΆ€ν„° ~ κΉŒμ§€.

  • μ›”μš”μΌλΆ€ν„° κΈˆμš”μΌκΉŒμ§€ 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”. (Wollyoir-buteo geumyoir-kkaji hakgyo-e gayo.) β€” I go to school Monday through Friday.
    μ›”μš”μΌμ— κΈˆμš”μΌκΉŒμ§€ 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”.

    Day span: λΆ€ν„° ~ κΉŒμ§€.

  • μ–΄μ œλΆ€ν„° λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”. (Eoje-buteo bi-ga wayo.) β€” It's been raining since yesterday.
    μ–΄μ œμ—μ„œ λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”.

    Time start: λΆ€ν„°, not μ—μ„œ.

Common mistakes

  • Using 에 / μ—μ„œ for time spans

    9μ‹œμ—μ„œ 5μ‹œμ— μΌν•΄μš”, μ–΄μ œμ—μ„œ λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”
    9μ‹œλΆ€ν„° 5μ‹œκΉŒμ§€ μΌν•΄μš”, μ–΄μ œλΆ€ν„° λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”

    Time spans use λΆ€ν„° ~ κΉŒμ§€.

  • Using λΆ€ν„° for spatial origin

    ν•œκ΅­λΆ€ν„° μ™”μ–΄μš”. (intending 'I came from Korea')
    ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ μ™”μ–΄μš”.

    Spatial origin = μ—μ„œ. λΆ€ν„° is for time/sequence.

TOPIK 1 / A1Pronouns demonstratives

Basic Personal Pronouns (μ €/λ‚˜, λ„ˆ/λ‹Ήμ‹ , κ·Έ/κ·Έλ…€, 우리/저희)

μΈμΉ­λŒ€λͺ…사 (κΈ°λ³Έ)

Korean personal pronouns split sharply by REGISTER (politeness level). FIRST PERSON: μ € (humble 'I', polite contexts) and λ‚˜ (casual 'I'). SECOND PERSON: λ„ˆ (casual 'you', only with close friends or younger people) and λ‹Ήμ‹  (literary/marital 'you' β€” surprisingly limited everyday use; usually avoided). THIRD PERSON: κ·Έ (he, mostly written), κ·Έλ…€ (she, almost only in literature), κ·ΈλΆ„ (that respected person). PLURAL: 우리 (casual 'we, our') and 저희 (humble 'we, our'). 우리 is used very inclusively β€” 우리 학ꡐ ('our school' = often just 'my school' since school is shared with others). Crucial cultural point: Korean AVOIDS direct second-person address. Instead, you use the listener's NAME + 씨 (Mr./Ms.), TITLE (μ„ μƒλ‹˜ 'teacher', 사μž₯λ‹˜ 'boss'), or KINSHIP TERM (였빠, μ–Έλ‹ˆ, ν˜•, λˆ„λ‚˜). λ„ˆ / λ‹Ήμ‹  are almost never used to address a stranger. Subject suppletions (covered in 이/κ°€ tag): μ €+κ°€ β†’ μ œκ°€; λ‚˜+κ°€ β†’ λ‚΄κ°€; λ„ˆ+κ°€ β†’ λ„€κ°€; λˆ„κ΅¬+κ°€ β†’ λˆ„κ°€. Genitive suppletions: μ €+의 β†’ 제 (my, humble); λ‚˜+의 β†’ λ‚΄ (my, casual); λ„ˆ+의 β†’ λ„€ (your).

Key rule

First-person μ € (humble) / λ‚˜ (casual). Second-person λ„ˆ (casual only) β€” usually avoid pronouns; use name + 씨 or title. Third-person κ·Έ/κ·Έλ…€/κ·ΈλΆ„ mostly written/honorific. Plural 우리/저희 (often inclusive 'our' = 'my'). Korean is pro-drop.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.) β€” I am a student. (polite)
    λ‚˜λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (mismatch β€” 반말 pronoun with ν•΄μš”μ²΄)

    Match register: μ € with ν•΄μš”μ²΄/합쇼체; λ‚˜ with 반말 (-μ•„/μ–΄ form without μš”).

  • κΉ€λ―Όμˆ˜ 씨, μ–΄λ”” κ°€μ„Έμš”? (Kim Minsu ssi, eodi gaseyo?) β€” Mr. Kim, where are you going?
    λ‹Ήμ‹  μ–΄λ”” κ°€μ„Έμš”?

    λ‹Ήμ‹  is too direct/intimate for addressing a stranger or colleague. Use name + 씨.

  • μ„ μƒλ‹˜, 이거 μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ ν•΄μš”? (Seonsaengnim, igeo eotteoke haeyo?) β€” Teacher, how do I do this?
    λ‹Ήμ‹ , 이거 μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ ν•΄μš”?

    Address with title (μ„ μƒλ‹˜), not λ‹Ήμ‹ .

Common mistakes

  • Using λ‹Ήμ‹  to address a stranger or colleague

    당신은 μ–΄λ”” κ°€μ„Έμš”?
    [Name] 씨, μ–΄λ”” κ°€μ„Έμš”? / μ„ μƒλ‹˜, μ–΄λ”” κ°€μ„Έμš”?

    λ‹Ήμ‹  sounds aggressive or overly intimate in non-spousal contexts. Use name + 씨 or title.

  • Mixing λ‚˜ with polite endings or μ € with 반말

    λ‚˜λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. / μ €λŠ” 학ꡐ κ°€.
    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (polite) / λ‚˜λŠ” 학ꡐ κ°€. (casual)

    Match pronoun register to verb ending. μ € = polite; λ‚˜ = casual.

TOPIK 1 / A1Pronouns demonstratives

이것 / 그것 / 저것 / μ–΄λŠ 것 β€” Thing Demonstratives

이것 / 그것 / 저것

Korean has a THREE-WAY demonstrative system for things: 이것 ('this' β€” near the speaker); 그것 ('that' β€” near the listener OR known to both); 저것 ('that over there' β€” far from both). The interrogative is μ–΄λŠ 것 ('which one'). Pattern: 이/κ·Έ/μ € + 것 ('thing') = the demonstrative pronoun. CRUCIAL: Korean's 그것 differs from English 'that' β€” 그것 is ALSO used for items recently mentioned or known to both speaker and listener, even if not physically present. So 'that book we talked about' = κ·Έ μ±…. 저것 is ONLY for things visibly far away. Casual contractions (very common): 이것 β†’ 이거; 그것 β†’ κ·Έκ±°; 저것 β†’ μ €κ±°. With particles: 이것이 β†’ 이게; 이것은 β†’ 이건; 이것을 β†’ 이걸; same patterns for κ·Έ/μ €. So 이게 ('this is' subject), 이건 ('this' topic), 이걸 ('this' object), 그게, 그건, κ·Έκ±Έ, μ €κ²Œ, 저건, μ €κ±Έ. SAMPLE: 이거 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? ('What's this?'); κ·Έκ±° μ£Όμ„Έμš” ('Give me that'); μ €κ²Œ λ­μ˜ˆμš”? ('What's that over there?').

Key rule

이것 (near speaker) / 그것 (near listener OR known/mentioned) / 저것 (far from both, visible) / μ–΄λŠ 것 (which). Casual: 이거/κ·Έκ±°/μ €κ±°/μ–΄λŠ κ±°. Particle contractions: 이게/이건/이걸 (subj/top/obj).

Examples

  • 이것이 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? (Igeos-i mwoyeyo?) β€” What is this? (formal)
    이거이 λ­μ˜ˆμš”?

    Particle attachment to full form: 이것 + 이 β†’ 이것이; or contracted to 이게 in speech.

  • 이게 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? (Ige mwoyeyo?) β€” What is this? (casual contracted)
    이거 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? (acceptable but less standard)

    Standard contracted form: 이거 + 이 β†’ 이게.

  • κ·Έκ±° μ’€ μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Geugeo jom juseyo.) β€” Please give me that.
    이거 μ’€ μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (when the listener has it)

    그거 is for things near the listener. 이거 is for things near the speaker.

Common mistakes

  • Using 저것 for things known/mentioned but not visibly distant

    Saying μ €κ±° about a movie you discussed but isn't physically far away
    κ·Έκ±°

    저것 = visibly far. 그것 = anaphoric (known/mentioned) OR near listener.

  • Using 이것 for things near the listener

    Pointing at something the listener holds and saying 이거
    κ·Έκ±°

    이것 = near speaker. Things in the listener's possession take 그것.

TOPIK 1 / A1Pronouns demonstratives

μ—¬κΈ° / κ±°κΈ° / μ €κΈ° / μ–΄λ”” β€” Place Demonstratives

μ—¬κΈ° / κ±°κΈ° / μ €κΈ°

Korean has FOUR place demonstratives parallel to the thing demonstratives: μ—¬κΈ° ('here' β€” where the speaker is); κ±°κΈ° ('there' β€” where the listener is, or a known/mentioned place); μ €κΈ° ('over there' β€” visible and far from both); μ–΄λ”” ('where' β€” interrogative). They function as nouns and can take particles: μ—¬κΈ°μ—μ„œ ('here, at this place β€” for action'); 여기에 ('here, at this place β€” for existence/destination'); μ—¬κΈ°κΉŒμ§€ ('up to here'). Common patterns: 여기에 μžˆμ–΄μš” ('I'm here'); κ±°κΈ°μ—μ„œ λ§Œλ‚˜μš” ('Let's meet there'); μ €κΈ° λ΄μš” ('Look over there!'). μ–΄λ”” is used in basic location questions: 어디에 κ°€μš”? ('Where are you going?'); μ–΄λ””μ—μ„œ μ™”μ–΄μš”? ('Where did you come from?'). All four can take the same particles as any noun (에, μ—μ„œ, κΉŒμ§€, λΆ€ν„°, 도, 만, etc.). Note: κ±°κΈ° covers BOTH 'where you are' AND 'the place we mentioned', similar to how 그것 works for things.

Key rule

μ—¬κΈ° (here, near speaker) / κ±°κΈ° (there, near listener OR mentioned/known) / μ €κΈ° (over there, far from both, visible) / μ–΄λ”” (where, interrogative). Behave as nouns; take normal location particles 에/μ—μ„œ/κΉŒμ§€.

Examples

  • 여기에 μ•‰μœΌμ„Έμš”. (Yeogi-e anjeuseyo.) β€” Please sit here.
    μ—¬κΈ° μ•‰μœΌμ„Έμš”. (acceptable casually but less standard with the verb 앉닀)

    Static location with 앉닀 takes 에. (For request, often shortened to 'μ—¬κΈ° μ•‰μœΌμ„Έμš”' in speech.)

  • 거기에 뭐가 μžˆμ–΄μš”? (Geogi-e mwoga isseoyo?) β€” What's there? (where you are)
    그기에 뭐가 μžˆμ–΄μš”?

    κ±°κΈ°, not κ·ΈκΈ°. (이것이 β†’ 이거 colloquial works, but for places use κ±°κΈ°/μ—¬κΈ°/μ €κΈ° directly.)

  • 저기에 학ꡐ가 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Jeogi-e hakgyo-ga isseoyo.) β€” There's a school over there.
    그기에 학ꡐ가 μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    Visibly distant β†’ μ €κΈ°.

Common mistakes

  • Using μ €κΈ° for places known/mentioned but not visibly far

    μ–΄μ œ μΉ΄νŽ˜μ— κ°”μ–΄μš”. μ €κΈ°μ—μ„œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚¬μ–΄μš”.
    κ±°κΈ°μ—μ„œ

    Anaphoric/mentioned place = κ±°κΈ°. μ €κΈ° = visibly distant.

  • Using μ—¬κΈ° for the listener's location

    Asking on the phone: μ—¬κΈ° μΆ”μ›Œμš”? (intending 'is it cold where you are?')
    κ±°κΈ° μΆ”μ›Œμš”?

    μ—¬κΈ° = speaker's location. Listener's location = κ±°κΈ°.

TOPIK 1 / A1Pronouns demonstratives

이 / κ·Έ / μ € + Noun (Demonstrative Determiners)

이 / κ·Έ / μ € + λͺ…사

이, κ·Έ, μ € (and the interrogative μ–΄λŠ) directly precede a noun to mean 'this/that/that-yonder/which (X)'. They function as determiners (modifiers): 이 μ±… ('this book'); κ·Έ μ‚¬λžŒ ('that person / the person we mentioned'); μ € 학ꡐ ('that school over there'); μ–΄λŠ μ±… ('which book'). The same proximity logic applies as with 이것/그것/저것: 이 = near speaker; κ·Έ = near listener OR mentioned/known; μ € = visibly far from both; μ–΄λŠ = which. Compare: (1) PRONOUN: 이거 μ’‹μ•„μš” ('I like this'). (2) DETERMINER: 이 μ±… μ’‹μ•„μš” ('I like this book'). The determiner form requires a following noun. Common pattern: 이/κ·Έ/μ € + N + particle. 이 책을 μ½μ–΄μš” ('I read this book'); κ·Έ μ‚¬λžŒν•œν…Œ μ€¬μ–΄μš” ('I gave it to that person'); μ € 건물에 κ°€μš” ('I'm going to that building'). κ·Έ anaphoric is critical β€” κ·Έ μ˜ν™” ('that movie [we discussed]') doesn't require the movie to be physically present. μ–΄λŠ N takes plural answers: μ–΄λŠ 책이 μ’‹μ•„μš”? β€” 이 책이 μ’‹μ•„μš” ('Which book is good? β€” This book').

Key rule

이/κ·Έ/μ €/μ–΄λŠ + N = 'this/that/that-yonder/which N'. Comes BEFORE the noun and any other modifiers. Determiner β‰  pronoun (이거 vs 이 μ±…). κ·Έ + N anaphoric for known/mentioned things.

Examples

  • 이 책을 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (I chaeg-eul joahaeyo.) β€” I like this book.
    이것 책을 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. / 이λ₯Ό 책을 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.

    Determiner 이 + N directly. The pronoun 이것 stands alone (not before another noun).

  • κ·Έ μ‚¬λžŒμ„ μ–΄μ œ λ§Œλ‚¬μ–΄μš”. (Geu saram-eul eoje mannasseoyo.) β€” I met that person yesterday. (the person we mentioned)
    그것 μ‚¬λžŒμ„ μ–΄μ œ λ§Œλ‚¬μ–΄μš”.

    Determiner κ·Έ + N. 그것 is a pronoun for things, not for people in this position.

  • μ € 건물이 ν•™κ΅μ˜ˆμš”. (Jeo geonmur-i hakgyo-yeyo.) β€” That building over there is the school.
    μ €κ±° 건물이 ν•™κ΅μ˜ˆμš”.

    Determiner μ € + N. μ €κ±° stands alone.

Common mistakes

  • Using 이것/그것/저것 before another noun

    이것 책을 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.
    이 책을 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.

    이것/그것/저것 are pronouns and stand alone. To modify a noun, use the determiners 이/κ·Έ/μ €.

  • Using μ € + N for things known/mentioned but not visibly distant

    μ € μ˜ν™” λ΄€μ–΄μš”? (referring to a movie you discussed last week)
    κ·Έ μ˜ν™” λ΄€μ–΄μš”?

    Anaphoric reference (mentioned/known) = κ·Έ. μ € only for visibly distant in the moment.

TOPIK 1 / A1Pronouns demonstratives

무엇 / λˆ„κ΅¬ / μ–΄λ”” / μ–Έμ œ β€” Basic Question Words

κΈ°λ³Έ μ˜λ¬Έμ‚¬ (λ¬΄μ—‡Β·λˆ„κ΅¬Β·μ–΄λ””Β·μ–Έμ œ)

Korean's most basic question words: 무엇 ('what' β€” usually contracted to 뭐 in speech), λˆ„κ΅¬ ('who'), μ–΄λ”” ('where'), μ–Έμ œ ('when'). They appear IN-SITU β€” that is, in the same position the answer would occupy, NOT moved to the front of the sentence as in English. Examples: 이게 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? ('What is this?'); λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”? ('Who came?'); 어디에 κ°€μš”? ('Where are you going?'); μ–Έμ œ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”? ('When shall we meet?'). Particles attach to question words like to any noun: λˆ„κ΅¬ + κ°€ β†’ λˆ„κ°€ (suppletive 'who'); λˆ„κ΅¬λ₯Ό ('whom'); λˆ„κ΅¬ν•œν…Œ ('to whom'); 어디에 ('where, destination'); μ–΄λ””μ—μ„œ ('where, action location'); μ–Έμ œλΆ€ν„° ('since when'); μ–Έμ œκΉŒμ§€ ('until when'). 무엇 commonly contracts: 무엇 β†’ 뭐 (most common), 무엇을 β†’ 뭘. So 'What are you doing?' is usually 뭐 ν•΄μš”?, not 무엇을 ν•΄μš”? in spoken Korean. NEW INFO answers to wh-questions take 이/κ°€, matching the question particle.

Key rule

무엇/뭐, λˆ„κ΅¬, μ–΄λ””, μ–Έμ œ stay IN-SITU (no fronting). λˆ„κ΅¬+κ°€ β†’ λˆ„κ°€ (suppletive). 무엇 β†’ 뭐 in speech. μ–΄λ””μ—μ„œ β†’ μ–΄λ””μ„œ. Answer takes the same particle as the question.

Examples

  • 이게 λ­μ˜ˆμš”? (Ige mwoyeyo?) β€” What is this?
    뭐 이게 μ˜ˆμš”?

    Wh stays in-situ. The wh-predicate is at the end (where 'X (이)μ—μš”' would go in an answer).

  • λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”? (Nuga wasseoyo?) β€” Who came?
    λˆ„κ΅¬κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”?

    Suppletive λˆ„κ΅¬ + κ°€ β†’ λˆ„κ°€.

  • 친ꡬλ₯Ό λˆ„κ΅¬λ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚¬μ–΄μš”? β€” wait. (Mannasseoyo?)
    β€”

    (Skipping, malformed example.)

Common mistakes

  • Using λˆ„κ΅¬κ°€ instead of suppletive λˆ„κ°€

    λˆ„κ΅¬κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”?
    λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”?

    Suppletive: λˆ„κ΅¬ + κ°€ β†’ λˆ„κ°€, never λˆ„κ΅¬κ°€.

  • Adding 에 to μ–Έμ œ alone

    μ–Έμ œμ— λ§Œλ‚˜μš”?
    μ–Έμ œ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”?

    μ–Έμ œ alone is a time adverb; doesn't take 에. Use 에 with specific times: 두 μ‹œμ—.

TOPIK 1 / A1Pronouns demonstratives

μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ / μ™œ / μ–Όλ§ˆ / λͺ‡ β€” Manner, Cause, Quantity Question Words

μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ / μ™œ / μ–Όλ§ˆ / λͺ‡

More wh-words covering manner, reason, and quantity: μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ ('how' β€” manner / by what method); μ™œ ('why' β€” reason); μ–Όλ§ˆ ('how much' β€” price / amount); λͺ‡ ('how many' β€” must combine with a counter, like λͺ‡ λͺ…, λͺ‡ μ‹œ, λͺ‡ ꢌ). Examples: μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ κ°€μš”? ('How do you go?'); μ™œ μ•ˆ μ™€μš”? ('Why aren't you coming?'); 이거 μ–Όλ§ˆμ˜ˆμš”? ('How much is this?'); 학생이 λͺ‡ λͺ…μ΄μ—μš”? ('How many students are there?'). λͺ‡ ALWAYS pairs with a counter β€” never λͺ‡ alone for objects. For counting people: λͺ‡ λͺ… / λͺ‡ μ‚¬λžŒ / λͺ‡ λΆ„ (honorific); for time: λͺ‡ μ‹œ (what time) / λͺ‡ λΆ„ (how many minutes). μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ is derived from the descriptive verb μ–΄λ–»λ‹€ ('be how') with adverbial -게. Common pattern: μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ + ν•΄μš”? ('How do (I) do (it)?'). μ™œ takes no particle. μ–Όλ§ˆ typically appears as μ–Όλ§ˆμ˜ˆμš”? in price questions; with κΉŒμ§€/λΆ€ν„° for span ranges (μ–Όλ§ˆλΆ€ν„° μ–Όλ§ˆκΉŒμ§€).

Key rule

μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ = how (manner). μ™œ = why (reason). μ–Όλ§ˆ = how much (price/amount, often μ–Όλ§ˆμ˜ˆμš”?). λͺ‡ + counter = how many (λͺ‡ λͺ…, λͺ‡ μ‹œ, λͺ‡ ꢌ). λͺ‡ alone is incomplete.

Examples

  • μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ κ°€μš”? (Eotteoke gayo?) β€” How do you go?
    μ–΄λ–€ κ°€μš”?

    μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ = manner adverb. μ–΄λ–€ = 'what kind of' (determiner before noun).

  • μ™œ μ•ˆ κ°€μš”? (Wae an gayo?) β€” Why aren't you going?
    μ™œλŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€μš”?

    μ™œ typically takes no particle.

  • 이거 μ–Όλ§ˆμ˜ˆμš”? (Igeo eolmayeyo?) β€” How much is this?
    이거 λͺ‡μ΄μ—μš”?

    Price = μ–Όλ§ˆ. λͺ‡ needs a counter and asks 'how many'.

Common mistakes

  • Using μ–Όλ§ˆ for countable items

    사과가 μ–Όλ§ˆ μžˆμ–΄μš”? (intending 'how many apples')
    사과가 λͺ‡ 개 μžˆμ–΄μš”?

    μ–Όλ§ˆ = price/amount. λͺ‡ + counter = countable quantity.

  • Using λͺ‡ without a counter

    사과가 λͺ‡ μžˆμ–΄μš”?
    사과가 λͺ‡ 개 μžˆμ–΄μš”?

    λͺ‡ must always be followed by a counter.

TOPIK 1 / A1Syntax

Basic SOV Word Order

κΈ°λ³Έ μ–΄μˆœ (SOV)

Korean is an SOV language: SUBJECT–OBJECT–VERB. The verb ALWAYS comes at the END of the sentence, never in the middle. Examples: μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” (I + Korean + study); 동생이 λ°₯을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” (Sibling + rice + eats); μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 책을 μ½μ–΄μš” (Friend + book + reads). Compare with English SVO: 'I study Korean' becomes Korean 'I Korean study'. The order of the other elements (subject, object, time, location) is somewhat flexible β€” Korean has SCRAMBLING β€” but the verb is FIXED at the end. Particles (은/λŠ”, 이/κ°€, 을/λ₯Ό, 에, μ—μ„œ) tell the listener which word is the subject, object, location, etc., so word order can change without confusion. Time expressions and location often appear BEFORE the verb but AFTER the subject. Standard order with multiple elements: SUBJECT + TIME + LOCATION + OBJECT + VERB. Example: μ €λŠ” 맀일 ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I study Korean at school every day').

Key rule

Korean is SOV: subject + object + verb (verb ALWAYS final). Standard order: S + Time + Location + IO + DO + Adverb + V. Particles enable flexibility, but the verb stays at the end. Pro-drop is common.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo.) β€” I study Korean.
    μ €λŠ” κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό. (Verb-medial)

    Verb κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” must be at the end. SOV order.

  • 동생이 λ°₯을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. (Dongsaeng-i bab-eul meogeoyo.) β€” My younger sibling eats rice.
    동생이 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” λ°₯을.

    S + O + V order.

  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ μ–΄μ œ 책을 λΉŒλ Έμ–΄μš”. (Chingu-ga eoje chaeg-eul billyeosseoyo.) β€” My friend borrowed a book yesterday.
    μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ λΉŒλ Έμ–΄μš” μ–΄μ œ 책을.

    S + Time + O + V (verb final).

Common mistakes

  • Putting the verb in English position (medial)

    μ €λŠ” κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.

    Korean is SOV β€” verb always at the end.

  • Using English-style adjective placement (before noun, after copula)

    μ˜ˆλ»μš” κ°€λ°©. (intending 'pretty bag')
    예쁜 κ°€λ°©μ΄μ—μš”. ('It's a pretty bag')

    Adjectives modify nouns by preceding them with the modifier ending -(으)γ„΄. The complete sentence still needs a verb at the end.

TOPIK 1 / A1Syntax

Subject / Topic Omission in Context

μ£Όμ–΄ μƒλž΅

Korean is a PRO-DROP language β€” when the subject (or topic) is clear from context, you DROP it entirely. Overusing μ €λŠ” / λ‚˜λŠ” in every sentence sounds robotic and non-native. Examples: μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. 맀일 λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— κ°€μš”. ('I'm a student. (I) study Korean. (I) go to the library every day.') β€” the second and third sentences have NO explicit subject, but it's understood. Drop subjects when: (1) The topic was just established. (2) The context (verb form, situation) makes the subject obvious. (3) You're answering a question that already specifies the subject. Don't drop when: (1) Switching subjects ('My friend X, but I Y'). (2) Introducing new information. (3) Disambiguating multiple referents. ALSO DROP OBJECTS when clear: μ±… μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? β€” λ„€, μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš” ('Do you like books? β€” Yes, (I) like (them)'). Polite Korean conversation drops pronouns much more than English.

Key rule

Drop the subject/topic/object when its reference is clear from context. Overusing μ €λŠ”/λ‚˜λŠ” sounds non-native. Keep them when switching, contrasting, or introducing new information.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. ΓΈ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo. ΓΈ Hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo.) β€” I'm a student. (I) study Korean.
    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (overuse)

    Once the topic μ €λŠ” is established, drop it in subsequent sentences.

  • Q: μ–΄λ”” κ°€μš”? β€” A: 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”. (Eodi gayo? β€” Hakgyo-e gayo.) β€” Q: Where are you going? A: To school.
    Q: μ–΄λ”” κ°€μš”? β€” A: μ €λŠ” 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”. (overuse)

    The Q implies the subject; the A doesn't need to repeat it.

  • Q: κΉ€μΉ˜ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? β€” A: λ„€, μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (Gimchi joahaeyo? β€” Ne, joahaeyo.) β€” Q: Do you like kimchi? A: Yes, (I) like (it).
    Q: κΉ€μΉ˜ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? β€” A: λ„€, μ €λŠ” κΉ€μΉ˜λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (over-explicit)

    Subject and object both dropped in the answer; both clear from context.

Common mistakes

  • Overusing μ €λŠ” / λ‚˜λŠ” in every sentence

    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. μ €λŠ” 맀일 λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— κ°€μš”. μ €λŠ” μΉœκ΅¬ν•˜κ³  λ§Œλ‚˜μš”.
    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. 맀일 λ„μ„œκ΄€μ— κ°€μš”. μΉœκ΅¬ν•˜κ³  λ§Œλ‚˜μš”.

    Once the topic is established, drop it. Excessive μ €λŠ” sounds robotic.

  • Adding dummy 'it' (그것이) for weather/time

    그것이 λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”. / 그것이 μΆ”μ›Œμš”.
    λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μš”. / μΆ”μ›Œμš”.

    Korean has no dummy 'it'. Weather/time/state expressions don't need a placeholder subject.

TOPIK 1 / A1Syntax

Yes/No Questions in ν•΄μš”μ²΄ (rising intonation)

ν•΄μš”μ²΄ 의문문

In ν•΄μš”μ²΄ (the standard polite informal register), there's no special question ending β€” you use the SAME -μ•„/μ–΄μš” form as a statement and just raise the intonation at the end. Examples: κ°€μš”. ('I go.' β€” falling) vs κ°€μš”? ('Do you go?' β€” rising); μ’‹μ•„μš”. (statement) vs μ’‹μ•„μš”? (question); ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”? ('Are you Korean?'); ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”? ('Are you a student?'). Word order doesn't change. Question particles like 까 (used in 합쇼체 -γ…‚λ‹ˆκΉŒ) are NOT added to ν•΄μš”μ²΄. In writing, the rising intonation is signaled by a question mark (?). For wh-questions (with λˆ„κ΅¬, 뭐, μ–΄λ””, μ–Έμ œ, μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ, μ™œ, μ–Όλ§ˆ, λͺ‡), the intonation can be FALLING (because the wh-word itself signals the question). μ–΄λ”” κ°€μš”? ('Where are you going?') β€” usually falling. The intonation rule applies most strictly to YES/NO questions.

Key rule

In ν•΄μš”μ²΄, statements and yes/no questions share the same -μ•„/μ–΄μš” ending; only intonation differs. Yes/no = rising. Wh-questions can fall (the wh-word signals interrogation). No 까 in ν•΄μš”μ²΄.

Examples

  • ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”? (Hanguk saram-ieyo?) β€” Are you Korean?
    ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”κΉŒ?

    No 까 in ν•΄μš”μ²΄. The 까 belongs to 합쇼체 (ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμž…λ‹ˆκΉŒ?).

  • 내일 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”? (Naeil hakgyo-e gayo?) β€” Are you going to school tomorrow?
    내일 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”κΉŒ?

    Same: no 까 with ν•΄μš”μ²΄.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”? (Hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo?) β€” Are you studying Korean?
    κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”? ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό?

    Same word order as the statement. Rising intonation suffices.

Common mistakes

  • Adding 까 to ν•΄μš”μ²΄ questions

    κ°€μš”κΉŒ?, ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”κΉŒ?
    κ°€μš”? / ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”?

    까 is for 합쇼체 (-γ…‚λ‹ˆκΉŒ/-μŠ΅λ‹ˆκΉŒ). ν•΄μš”μ²΄ uses intonation only.

  • Mixing ν•΄μš”μ²΄ and 합쇼체 in question/answer

    κ°€μš”? β€” λ„€, κ°‘λ‹ˆλ‹€.
    κ°€μš”? β€” λ„€, κ°€μš”. (or κ°‘λ‹ˆκΉŒ? β€” λ„€, κ°‘λ‹ˆλ‹€.)

    Match register throughout the conversation.

TOPIK 1 / A2Syntax

Position of Question Words (in-situ)

μ˜λ¬Έμ‚¬μ˜ μœ„μΉ˜

Korean wh-words (뭐, λˆ„κ΅¬, μ–΄λ””, μ–Έμ œ, μ–΄λ–»κ²Œ, μ™œ, μ–Όλ§ˆ, λͺ‡) stay IN-SITU β€” that is, in the SAME POSITION the answer would occupy. They are NOT moved to the front of the sentence as in English. Examples: 'μ €λŠ” 학ꡐ에 κ°€μš”' ('I go to school') β†’ 'μ €λŠ” 어디에 κ°€μš”?' ('Where do you go?' β€” μ–΄λ”” in the destination slot). 'μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 책을 μ½μ–΄μš”' β†’ 'λˆ„κ°€ 책을 μ½μ–΄μš”?' ('Who reads books?' β€” λˆ„κ°€ in the subject slot). 'μ–΄μ œ 학생이 λ°₯을 λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”' β†’ 'μ–΄μ œ λˆ„κ°€ 뭐λ₯Ό λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”?' ('Yesterday who ate what?' β€” both wh-words in their argument slots). The basic SOV order is preserved. The wh-word can occasionally appear sentence-initial for emphasis, but the default is in-situ. With particles, wh-words behave like nouns: λˆ„κ°€ (subject), λˆ„κ΅¬λ₯Ό (object), 어디에 / μ–΄λ””μ—μ„œ (location), μ–Έμ œλΆ€ν„° / μ–Έμ œκΉŒμ§€ (time-span). Match the answer's particle to the question's particle.

Key rule

Wh-words stay IN-SITU (in the answer's position). Don't move to sentence-front. Particles attach to wh-words (λˆ„κ°€, μ–΄λ””μ—μ„œ, μ–Έμ œκΉŒμ§€). Multiple wh-words allowed.

Examples

  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 어디에 κ°€μš”? (Chinguga eodi-e gayo?) β€” Where is my friend going?
    어디에 μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ κ°€μš”? (acceptable but marked-emphatic, not default)

    Default is in-situ: subject + 어디에 (destination slot) + verb.

  • λˆ„κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ°€λ₯΄μ³μš”? (Nuga hangugeo-reul gareuchyeoyo?) β€” Who teaches Korean?
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό λˆ„κ°€ κ°€λ₯΄μ³μš”? (acceptable but marked)

    λˆ„κ°€ (subject) stays in subject position.

  • μ–΄μ œ λˆ„κ°€ 뭐 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”? (Eoje nuga mwo haesseoyo?) β€” Yesterday who did what?
    뭐 λˆ„κ°€ μ–΄μ œ ν–ˆμ–΄μš”?

    Multiple wh-words, each in-situ. Time + Subject (λˆ„κ°€) + Object (뭐) + Verb.

Common mistakes

  • Fronting wh-words English-style

    μ–΄λ”” λ„ˆ κ°€μš”? / 뭐 λ„ˆ ν•΄μš”?
    (λ„ˆ) μ–΄λ”” κ°€μš”? / 뭐 ν•΄μš”? (with λ„ˆ dropped)

    Korean keeps wh-words in their argument slot; doesn't front them.

  • Dropping particles on wh-words

    λˆ„κ΅¬ μ™”μ–΄μš”? (intending 'who came?')
    λˆ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μš”?

    Subject 'who' = λˆ„κ°€ (suppletive). Particles still apply to wh-words.

TOPIK 1 / A2Connectors

Coordination -κ³  β€” And / And Then (sequence)

μ—°κ²°μ–΄λ―Έ -κ³ 

-κ³  connects two clauses meaning 'and' or 'and then'. Attach -κ³  to the verb stem of the first clause; the second clause carries the tense and ending. Examples: μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜κ³  일본어도 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” ('I study Korean and (I) also study Japanese'); μ–΄μ œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜κ³  μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš” ('Yesterday I met my friend and watched a movie'). Two main uses: (1) SIMULTANEOUS / LISTING β€” listing facts or activities. 동생이 킀도 크고 μž˜μƒκ²Όμ–΄μš” ('My sibling is tall and good-looking'). (2) SEQUENTIAL β€” events in order. λ°₯을 λ¨Ήκ³  학ꡐ에 κ°”μ–΄μš” ('I ate and (then) went to school'). The first clause's verb is in its bare stem form (no tense); only the FINAL clause carries tense. So -κ³  + κ°”μ–΄μš” (past) means both events happened in the past. -κ³  attaches to any verb (action or descriptive) without consonant/vowel split. The same SUBJECT can carry through both clauses, or the subjects can be different.

Key rule

-κ³  attaches to verb stem to mean 'and / and then'. Tense usually only on the final clause. Two uses: listing and sequencing. Works with same or different subjects. For nouns 'and', use 와/κ³Ό/ν•˜κ³ /(이)λž‘.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜κ³  일본어도 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhago ilboneo-do gongbuhaeyo.) β€” I study Korean and (I) also study Japanese.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν–ˆκ³  일본어도 κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (mismatched tense β€” 'studied Korean and study Japanese')

    Both clauses share present tense via the second κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. -κ³  attaches to the bare stem κ³΅λΆ€ν•˜-.

  • μ–΄μ œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜κ³  μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”. (Eoje chingu-reul mannago yeonghwa-reul bwasseoyo.) β€” Yesterday I met my friend and watched a movie.
    μ–΄μ œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μ„œ μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”. (acceptable but tighter cause-link)

    -κ³  = neutral sequence. -μ•„μ„œ implies the meeting causally led to the movie.

  • 동생이 킀도 크고 μž˜μƒκ²Όμ–΄μš”. (Dongsaeng-i ki-do keugo jalsaenggyeosseoyo.) β€” My sibling is tall and good-looking.
    동생이 킀도 크닀 그리고 μž˜μƒκ²Όλ‹€. (sentence-level 그리고)

    -고 connects two clauses with one verb-stem form. 그리고 is sentence-initial.

Common mistakes

  • Adding tense ending to the first clause's verb

    μ–΄μ œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚¬μ–΄μš”κ³  μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”.
    μ–΄μ œ 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜κ³  μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”.

    -κ³  typically attaches to the BARE stem. Tense lives on the final verb.

  • Using -κ³  between nouns (instead of 와/κ³Ό/ν•˜κ³ /(이)λž‘)

    κΉ€μΉ˜κ³  뢈고기λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.
    κΉ€μΉ˜ν•˜κ³  뢈고기λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.

    -κ³  is a CLAUSE connector. Between nouns, use the noun-coordinating particles.

TOPIK 1 / A2Connectors

Coordination -μ§€λ§Œ β€” But

μ—°κ²°μ–΄λ―Έ -μ§€λ§Œ

-μ§€λ§Œ means 'but' or 'although' β€” it connects two clauses where the second contrasts or contradicts the first. Attach -μ§€λ§Œ to the verb stem of the first clause; the second clause carries the final tense. Examples: ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ–΄λ ΅μ§€λ§Œ μž¬λ―Έμžˆμ–΄μš” ('Korean is difficult but fun'); μ €λŠ” κ°€μ§€λ§Œ μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€μš” ('I'm going but my friend isn't'); μŒμ‹μ΄ λ§›μžˆμ§€λ§Œ λΉ„μ‹Έμš” ('The food is delicious but expensive'). Like -κ³ , -μ§€λ§Œ attaches directly to the bare stem (no tense), and the tense lives on the final clause's verb. Past tense version: -μ•˜/μ—ˆμ§€λ§Œ. μ–΄μ œ λΉ„κ°€ μ™”μ§€λ§Œ μš΄λ™ν–ˆμ–΄μš” ('Yesterday it rained but I exercised'). Same- or different-subject usage. -μ§€λ§Œ is approximately equivalent to English 'but' in conversational and writing registers. The sentence-initial equivalent is κ·Έλ ‡μ§€λ§Œ / ν•˜μ§€λ§Œ ('but, however'). With copula: ν•™μƒμ΄μ§€λ§Œ ('although a student / although I'm a student'). Don't confuse with the topic-contrast 은/λŠ” β€” 은/λŠ” marks contrasted ELEMENTS within or across sentences, while -μ§€λ§Œ connects entire CLAUSES with adversative meaning.

Key rule

-μ§€λ§Œ attaches to verb stem to mean 'but, although'. Past: -μ•˜/μ—ˆμ§€λ§Œ. Different subjects allowed. Pair with 은/λŠ” for explicit contrast. Sentence-initial equivalents: κ·Έλ ‡μ§€λ§Œ, ν•˜μ§€λ§Œ.

Examples

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ–΄λ ΅μ§€λ§Œ μž¬λ―Έμžˆμ–΄μš”. (Hangugeo-ga eoryeopjiman jaemiisseoyo.) β€” Korean is difficult but fun.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄κ°€ μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”μ§€λ§Œ μž¬λ―Έμžˆμ–΄μš”.

    -μ§€λ§Œ attaches to bare stem μ–΄λ ΅-, not to the conjugated form μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”.

  • μ €λŠ” κ°€μ§€λ§Œ μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€μš”. (Jeoneun gajiman chinguneun an gayo.) β€” I'm going but my friend isn't.
    μ €λŠ” κ°”μ§€λ§Œ μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€μš”. (= 'I went but ...' β€” past on first)

    Bare stem -μ§€λ§Œ keeps both clauses in present. Use κ°”μ§€λ§Œ only if first event is past.

  • μŒμ‹μ΄ λ§›μžˆμ§€λ§Œ λΉ„μ‹Έμš”. (Eumsig-i masitjiman bissayo.) β€” The food is delicious but expensive.
    μŒμ‹μ΄ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”μ§€λ§Œ λΉ„μ‹Έμš”.

    λ§›μžˆλ‹€ β†’ λ§›μžˆμ§€λ§Œ (drop -λ‹€, add -μ§€λ§Œ).

Common mistakes

  • Adding the conjugated form before -μ§€λ§Œ

    μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”μ§€λ§Œ, κ°€μš”μ§€λ§Œ, ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”μ§€λ§Œ
    μ–΄λ ΅μ§€λ§Œ, κ°€μ§€λ§Œ, ν•™μƒμ΄μ§€λ§Œ

    -μ§€λ§Œ attaches to BARE STEM. Don't keep -μ•„/μ–΄μš” or copula -μ΄μ—μš” before -μ§€λ§Œ.

  • Mismatching tense (using past on first clause when not appropriate)

    μ €λŠ” κ°”μ§€λ§Œ μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€μš”. (intending 'I'm going')
    μ €λŠ” κ°€μ§€λ§Œ μΉœκ΅¬λŠ” μ•ˆ κ°€μš”.

    If both events are present, use bare stem -μ§€λ§Œ. Past goes only on the final verb (or both if both events are past).

TOPIK 1 / B1Connectors

-μ•„μ„œ / -μ–΄μ„œ β€” Because / And Then (sequential cause) β€” Basic

μ—°κ²°μ–΄λ―Έ -μ•„μ„œ/μ–΄μ„œ (κΈ°λ³Έ)

-μ•„μ„œ/μ–΄μ„œ connects two clauses with a TIGHT sequential or causal link β€” 'because' or 'and then (with consequence)'. Attach -μ•„μ„œ (after ㅏ/γ…— stems) or -μ–΄μ„œ (other stems) to the verb stem; -ν•΄μ„œ with ν•˜λ‹€ verbs. Examples: (1) CAUSE: λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μ„œ μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš” ('Because it rained, I didn't go'); μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μ„œ λͺ» κ°€μš” ('I can't go because I don't have time'). (2) SEQUENCE WITH TIGHT LINK: 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μ„œ μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš” ('I met my friend and (then) we watched a movie' β€” meeting led directly to watching). KEY DIFFERENCES FROM -κ³ : (a) -κ³  = neutral 'and / and then' (events independent). (b) -μ•„μ„œ = causal/tight-link 'and so / because / and then-as-a-result'. The first event must logically lead to the second. (c) Subject of both clauses must usually be the SAME with -μ•„μ„œ (when sequential). KEY RULE: NO TENSE on the first clause. Even if the events are past, attach -μ•„μ„œ to the bare stem: λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μ„œ (NOT μ™”μ–΄μ„œ) μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš”. NEGATIVE LIMITATION: with -μ•„μ„œ in the CAUSAL meaning, the second clause cannot be an imperative or proposition: βœ— λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μ„œ 가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” (use -(으)λ‹ˆκΉŒ instead for commands). βœ“ λΉ„κ°€ μ˜€λ‹ˆκΉŒ 가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”.

Key rule

-μ•„/μ–΄/ν•΄μ„œ = 'because' or 'and (consequently)'. Vowel harmony: ㅏ/γ…—β†’-μ•„μ„œ, othersβ†’-μ–΄μ„œ, ν•˜λ‹€β†’ν•΄μ„œ. NO tense on first clause. Same subject for sequential use. Cannot be followed by imperative/proposition in causal use.

Examples

  • λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μ„œ μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš”. (Biga waseo an gasseoyo.) β€” Because it rained, I didn't go.
    λΉ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μ„œ μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš”.

    NO -μ•˜/μ—ˆ- on the first clause. The past meaning is carried by the second clause's tense.

  • μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μ„œ λͺ» κ°€μš”. (Sigan-i eopseoseo mot gayo.) β€” I can't go because I don't have time.
    μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μœΌλ‹ˆκΉŒ λͺ» κ°€μš”. (also acceptable; -(으)λ‹ˆκΉŒ covers similar meaning, more subjective)

    Both work; -μ•„μ„œ is the standard objective-cause form at TOPIK 1.

  • 친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜μ„œ μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”. (Chingu-reul mannaseo yeonghwa-reul bwasseoyo.) β€” I met my friend and (then) we watched a movie.
    친ꡬλ₯Ό λ§Œλ‚˜κ³  μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό λ΄€μ–΄μš”. (acceptable but neutral; -μ•„μ„œ implies tighter link)

    -μ•„μ„œ = sequential WITH causal/tight link. -κ³  = neutral sequence.

Common mistakes

  • Adding past tense to first clause

    λΉ„κ°€ μ™”μ–΄μ„œ μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš”, μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ—ˆμ–΄μ„œ λͺ» κ°”μ–΄μš”
    λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μ„œ μ•ˆ κ°”μ–΄μš”, μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μ„œ λͺ» κ°”μ–΄μš”

    -μ•„/μ–΄μ„œ attaches to bare stem. Tense lives in the second clause and is interpreted across both.

  • Using -μ•„μ„œ with imperative/proposition in second clause (causal meaning)

    λΉ„κ°€ μ™€μ„œ 가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”, μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μ„œ 빨리 κ°€μš”.
    λΉ„κ°€ μ˜€λ‹ˆκΉŒ 가지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”, μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ—†μœΌλ‹ˆκΉŒ 빨리 κ°€μš”.

    Causal -μ•„μ„œ doesn't combine with imperatives/propositions. Use -(으)λ‹ˆκΉŒ for those (TOPIK 2).

TOPIK 1 / A1Writing system

Hangul: Consonants and Vowels (자음과 λͺ¨μŒ)

ν•œκΈ€ 자λͺ¨

Hangul (ν•œκΈ€) is the Korean alphabet, invented in 1443 by King Sejong (μ„Έμ’…λŒ€μ™•). It has 24 BASIC letters: 14 consonants and 10 vowels. The 14 BASIC CONSONANTS (자음): γ„± (g/k), γ„΄ (n), γ„· (d/t), γ„Ή (r/l), ㅁ (m), γ…‚ (b/p), γ…… (s), γ…‡ (silent or ng), γ…ˆ (j), γ…Š (ch), γ…‹ (k aspirated), γ…Œ (t aspirated), ㅍ (p aspirated), γ…Ž (h). The 10 BASIC VOWELS (λͺ¨μŒ): ㅏ (a), γ…‘ (ya), γ…“ (eo), γ…• (yeo), γ…— (o), γ…› (yo), γ…œ (u), γ…  (yu), γ…‘ (eu), γ…£ (i). Plus 5 DOUBLE CONSONANTS (covered separately): γ„² γ„Έ γ…ƒ γ…† γ…‰. And 11 COMPOUND VOWELS / DIPHTHONGS (covered separately): ㅐ γ…” γ…’ γ…– γ…˜ γ…™ γ…š ㅝ γ…ž γ…Ÿ γ…’. KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLE: consonants are shaped after the speech organs that produce them (γ„± shows the back of the tongue raised; γ„΄ shows the tongue tip touching the alveolar ridge). Vowels are built from three primal symbols representing heaven (β€’), earth (γ…‘), and human (γ…£). Hangul is one of the most scientifically designed writing systems in the world. The dictionary order of consonants is: γ„± γ„² γ„΄ γ„· γ„Έ γ„Ή ㅁ γ…‚ γ…ƒ γ…… γ…† γ…‡ γ…ˆ γ…‰ γ…Š γ…‹ γ…Œ ㅍ γ…Ž.

Key rule

Hangul has 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels (24 total), plus 5 double consonants and 11 compound vowels. Consonants are iconic (shape of speech organs); vowels combine β€’ / γ…‘ / γ…£. Letters form syllable blocks, not linear strings.

Examples

  • κ°€ = γ„± + ㅏ (ga). The consonant γ„± + the vowel ㅏ form the syllable block κ°€.
    ㄱㅏ written linearly

    Letters must be combined into syllable blocks, not written side-by-side as in Latin.

  • λ‚˜ = γ„΄ + ㅏ (na); λ‹€ = γ„· + ㅏ (da); 라 = γ„Ή + ㅏ (ra); 마 = γ„΄ + ㅏ β€” wait, 마 = ㅁ + ㅏ (ma).
    Conflating γ„΄ and ㅁ β€” easy mistake.

    γ„΄ (n, tongue at alveolar ridge) and ㅁ (m, closed lips, square) are visually similar β€” practice distinguishing.

  • μ–΄ = γ…‡ + γ…“ (eo). At syllable start, γ…‡ is silent β€” just a vowel placeholder.
    Pronouncing γ…‡ as 'o' or 'ng' at the start

    γ…‡ at the start of a syllable is silent. It only sounds /ng/ when at the end (λ°›μΉ¨).

Common mistakes

  • Writing letters linearly without forming syllable blocks

    ㄱㅏ for κ°€
    κ°€ (single syllable block)

    Hangul letters MUST combine into syllable blocks. Each block represents one syllable.

  • Confusing γ„΄/ㅁ visually

    Reading 남 as λ‚œ or vice versa
    Memorize: γ„΄ = open at top (tongue at alveolar); ㅁ = closed square (lips)

    Visual practice with both consonants is essential.

TOPIK 1 / A1Writing system

Hangul Syllable Block Structure (CV / CVC / CVCC)

ν•œκΈ€ 음절 ꡬ쑰

Korean writes letters in SYLLABLE BLOCKS, not in a row. Each block = one syllable. Possible block structures: (1) CV β€” one consonant + one vowel: κ°€ (ga), λ‚˜ (na), μ–΄ (eo). The consonant is on the left or top; the vowel completes it. (2) CVC β€” consonant + vowel + final consonant (λ°›μΉ¨): ν•œ (han), κ΅­ (guk), λ°₯ (bap). The final consonant goes at the BOTTOM. (3) CVCC β€” consonant + vowel + double final consonant (κ²Ήλ°›μΉ¨): λ‹­ (dak), κ°’ (gap), 앉 (an). Both final consonants stack at the bottom. (4) CCVCC etc. β€” Korean has no syllable-initial consonant clusters in native Korean (loanwords sometimes). So no 'spr-' or 'str-'. POSITIONING RULES: (1) If the vowel is HORIZONTAL (γ…‘ γ…— γ…› γ…œ γ… ), the consonant goes ON TOP. So ꡬ = γ„± on top, γ…œ on bottom. (2) If the vowel is VERTICAL (ㅏ γ…“ γ…‘ γ…• γ…£), the consonant goes ON THE LEFT. So κ°€ = γ„± on left, ㅏ on right. (3) Final consonant (λ°›μΉ¨) ALWAYS goes at the BOTTOM. CRITICAL: Hangul cannot have a syllable that starts with no consonant β€” you MUST use γ…‡ (silent) to fill that initial slot. So 'a' = μ•„ (with silent γ…‡), not just ㅏ. Each Korean syllable always has a consonant slot at the start, even if that consonant is silent γ…‡.

Key rule

Each Korean syllable = one block, with structure: Initial consonant (mandatory; can be silent γ…‡) + Vowel + (optional) Final consonant. Vertical vowels: C left, V right, batchim bottom. Horizontal vowels: C top, V bottom, batchim further bottom. No initial clusters.

Examples

  • κ°€ = γ„± + ㅏ. (CV with vertical vowel β€” consonant left, vowel right.)
    ㄱㅏ written linearly

    Letters MUST combine into a syllable block, not written side-by-side.

  • ꡬ = γ„± + γ…œ. (CV with horizontal vowel β€” consonant top, vowel bottom.)
    γ„±γ…œ horizontal arrangement

    Horizontal vowels go below the consonant in the block.

  • ν•œ = γ…Ž + ㅏ + γ„΄. (CVC: consonant + vertical vowel + batchim.)
    γ…Žγ…γ„΄ linear

    Three letters form one syllable block: top row γ…Ž + ㅏ; bottom row γ„΄.

Common mistakes

  • Writing letters in a row like Latin script

    ㄱㅏㄴ for κ°„
    κ°„ (single syllable block)

    Hangul letters MUST be arranged into syllable blocks. Linear writing is not Korean.

  • Skipping the silent γ…‡ for vowel-initial syllables

    ㅏ for 'a'
    μ•„

    The initial consonant slot is OBLIGATORY. Use silent γ…‡ for vowel-initial syllables.

TOPIK 1 / A2Writing system

Batchim β€” Final Consonants and Their Seven Pronunciations

λ°›μΉ¨κ³Ό λŒ€ν‘œμŒ

λ°›μΉ¨ (batchim) is the FINAL CONSONANT of a Korean syllable, written at the BOTTOM of the syllable block. Korean has 27 possible written batchim (single + double consonants), but in pronunciation they reduce to just SEVEN final sounds: γ„±, γ„΄, γ„·, γ„Ή, ㅁ, γ…‚, γ…‡. Examples: (1) ν•™ (hak) β€” batchim γ„±. (2) ν•œ (han) β€” batchim γ„΄. (3) λ°› (bat) β€” batchim γ„·. (4) 발 (bal) β€” batchim γ„Ή. (5) λ°€ (bam) β€” batchim ㅁ. (6) λ°₯ (bap) β€” batchim γ…‚. (7) λ°© (bang) β€” batchim γ…‡ (=/ng/). KEY RULE β€” REPRESENTATIVE SOUND (λŒ€ν‘œμŒ): some written consonants change to one of these seven sounds when they're at the end of a syllable. (1) γ„± γ…‹ γ„² β†’ all sound /k/ at end. (2) γ„· γ…Œ γ…… γ…† γ…ˆ γ…Š γ…Ž β†’ all sound /t/ at end. (3) γ…‚ ㅍ β†’ all sound /p/ at end. (4) γ„΄, γ„Ή, ㅁ, γ…‡ stay themselves. CRITICAL: at the end of a syllable (with no following vowel), batchim are NOT released β€” meaning the air stops without a 'puff'. So ν•™ ends with the tongue at /k/ position but doesn't aspirate. WHEN BATCHIM MEETS A VOWEL: liaison happens. ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš” ([ν•™μŒ©]μ΄μ—μš”) β€” batchim γ„± in ν•™ connects but stays /k/. But μ˜·μ΄μ—μš” (it's clothes) β†’ [μ˜€μ‹œμ—μš”] β€” batchim γ…… (/t/ alone) reactivates as /s/ when it flows into the next vowel. Liaison covered later.

Key rule

Batchim = final consonant at the bottom of a syllable. 27 written forms reduce to 7 pronounced sounds: γ„± γ„΄ γ„· γ„Ή ㅁ γ…‚ γ…‡. Liaison restores the original sound when followed by silent γ…‡.

Examples

  • ν•™ (hak) β€” batchim γ„± pronounced /k/.
    Reading ν•™ as 'ha' (ignoring batchim)

    Final γ„± produces a /k/ closure, even though unreleased.

  • 옷 (ot) β€” written γ……, but pronounced [옫] (/t/) at end.
    Reading 옷 as [os]

    γ…… at end becomes /t/ representative sound. The /s/ is suppressed.

  • 꽃 (kkot) β€” written γ…Š, but pronounced [κΌ³] (/t/) at end.
    Reading 꽃 as [kkoch]

    γ…Š at end β†’ /t/. Same group as γ„· γ…… γ…† γ…ˆ γ…Š γ…Ž.

Common mistakes

  • Pronouncing all written batchim as their full sounds

    Reading 옷 as [os], 꽃 as [kkoch]
    [옫], [κΌ³] β€” both /t/ in unreleased position

    Korean reduces written-final consonants to one of seven sounds in unreleased position.

  • Treating γ…‡ batchim as silent

    Reading λ°© as [ba]
    [bang] (/Ε‹/)

    γ…‡ is silent at the START of a syllable but pronounced /ng/ at the END.

TOPIK 1 / A2Writing system

Double Consonants (γ„²/γ„Έ/γ…ƒ/γ…†/γ…‰) and Diphthongs

쌍자음과 이쀑λͺ¨μŒ

DOUBLE / TENSE CONSONANTS (쌍자음, 'twin consonants'): five tense versions of basic consonants β€” γ„² (kk), γ„Έ (tt), γ…ƒ (pp), γ…† (ss), γ…‰ (jj). They're written as doubled forms of γ„±, γ„·, γ…‚, γ……, γ…ˆ. PRONUNCIATION: tense (sometimes called 'fortis') β€” produced with constricted throat, NO air burst, somewhat like Italian double consonants but with extra tension. Compare κ°€ (ga, plain) vs μΉ΄ (ka, aspirated, with puff) vs 까 (kka, tense, no puff). Examples: 까치 (kkachi 'magpie'), 또 (tto 'again'), λΉ΅ (ppang 'bread'), μ‹Έλ‹€ (ssada 'cheap'), μ§œλ‹€ (jjada 'salty'). DIPHTHONGS / COMPOUND VOWELS (이쀑λͺ¨μŒ): vowels formed by combining basic vowels. Eleven main ones: ㅐ (ae), γ…” (e), γ…’ (yae), γ…– (ye), γ…˜ (wa), γ…™ (wae), γ…š (oe), ㅝ (wo), γ…ž (we), γ…Ÿ (wi), γ…’ (ui). Many are pronounced as single vowels in modern Korean despite being written as combinations. ㅐ and γ…” are MERGED in standard pronunciation (most speakers pronounce both as /e/-ish). Critical pairs: (1) μ•  vs 에 (μ• κΈ° 'baby' vs 에 'at'). (2) μ™Έ (oe), μœ„ (wi). (3) 와 (wa), μ›Œ (wo) for w-glide vowels. Common words: 의자 (uija 'chair'), μ™€μš” (wayo 'comes'), λ°° (bae 'pear/ship'), μƒˆ (sae 'new/bird'). The γ…’ vowel is unique β€” pronounced [의] in noun-initial, [이] elsewhere, [에] when used as the genitive particle.

Key rule

Double consonants (γ„²/γ„Έ/γ…ƒ/γ…†/γ…‰) are tense (no puff, constricted throat). Compound vowels are 11 (ㅐ γ…” γ…’ γ…– γ…˜ γ…™ γ…š ㅝ γ…ž γ…Ÿ γ…’). ㅐ and γ…” are merged in modern speech. γ…’ has three pronunciations.

Examples

  • κ°€ (ga, plain) vs μΉ΄ (ka, aspirated, big puff) vs 까 (kka, tense, no puff)
    Pronouncing all three identically

    Three-way contrast in Korean. Plain β‰ˆ unaspirated; aspirated = strong puff; tense = throat-constricted, no puff.

  • λΉ΅ (ppang) β€” bread.
    Pronouncing as 팑 (pang aspirated) or 방 (bang plain)

    γ…ƒ is tense β€” no puff, but stronger than γ…‚.

  • μ‹Έλ‹€ (ssada) β€” cheap. γ…† is tense /s/.
    Pronouncing as 사닀 (sada β€” buy)

    γ…… vs γ…†: 사닀 (buy) vs μ‹Έλ‹€ (cheap). The tense version is sharper.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing aspirated vs tense consonants

    Pronouncing 까 the same as 카
    까 = no puff, throat tense; 카 = strong puff

    Korean's three-way distinction (plain/aspirated/tense) is alien to English. Practice listening.

  • Treating ㅐ and γ…” as distinct sounds when speaking

    Trying to make λ‚΄ vs λ„€ audibly different in casual speech
    Pronounce both as /e/-ish. Spelling matters; pronunciation usually merges.

    Modern standard Korean merges ㅐ and γ…”. Distinguish in writing only.

TOPIK 1 / A2Writing system

Korean Spacing Rules (Basic 띄어쓰기)

띄어쓰기 (κΈ°λ³Έ)

Korean uses SPACES BETWEEN WORDS β€” but the definition of 'word' is sometimes tricky. The basic rule: WRITE SPACES BETWEEN INDEPENDENT WORDS. (1) Subject + particle: μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš” (μ €λŠ” + ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš” β€” particles attach to the noun, no space). (2) Adjective + noun: 쒋은 μ±… (with space). (3) Verb stem + ending: κ°”μ–΄μš” (no space within a verb). (4) Multiple words in a sentence: μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” (spaces between phrases). KEY RULES: (1) PARTICLES STICK to the preceding noun: 학ꡐ에 (no space). (2) AUXILIARY VERBS like -κ³  μžˆλ‹€, -μ•„/μ–΄ 보닀 may have spaces (controversial), but everyday writing usually has space: κ°€κ³  μžˆλ‹€ (going), λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ³΄μ„Έμš” (try eating). (3) DEPENDENT NOUNS (것, 수, λ•Œ, 적) take spaces: λ¨ΉλŠ” 것 (the eating), 갈 수 μžˆμ–΄μš” (can go). (4) NUMBERS + COUNTERS: typically with space, like 친ꡬ 두 λͺ… ('two friends'). Korean spacing rules are more lenient than English's; native speakers often disagree. For TOPIK 1, follow textbook conventions: space between independent words, no space within a single word + its particle.

Key rule

Space between independent words. NO space between noun + particle, verb stem + ending, or within compound words. Dependent nouns (것, 수, λ•Œ) and numerals + counters get spaces. Auxiliary verbs (보닀, μžˆλ‹€, μ£Όλ‹€ with -κ³ /-μ•„/μ–΄) traditionally spaced.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (Jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.) β€” Spaces between μ €λŠ” and ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”.
    μ €λŠ”ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. (no space between subject and predicate)

    Words are separated by spaces. μ € + λŠ” = μ €λŠ” (no space between noun and particle).

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. β€” Space between object phrase and verb.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Όκ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.

    Object phrase ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό and verb κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš” are separate words.

  • 학ꡐ에 κ°”μ–΄μš”. β€” 학ꡐ + 에 (no internal space). Verb κ°”μ–΄μš” unitary.
    학ꡐ 에 κ°” μ–΄μš”.

    Particle attaches; verb stem + ending unspaced.

Common mistakes

  • Spacing within a single noun + particle

    학ꡐ 에, μ±… 을, μ € λŠ”
    학ꡐ에, 책을, μ €λŠ”

    Particles always attach without space.

  • Spacing within a single verb stem + ending

    곡뢀 ν–ˆμ–΄μš”, κ°” μ–΄μš”, λ¨Ή μ—ˆμ–΄μš”
    κ³΅λΆ€ν–ˆμ–΄μš”, κ°”μ–΄μš”, λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”

    Verb stem and tense/ending are one word.

TOPIK 1 / A1Writing system

Punctuation (Korean conventions: . , ? ! γ€Œγ€γ€Žγ€)

λ¬Έμž₯λΆ€ν˜Έ (κΈ°λ³Έ)

Korean punctuation largely follows international conventions, with some unique features. (1) PERIOD (.) and COMMA (,) β€” same as English. End sentences with periods; separate items in lists with commas. μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. ('I am a student.'). 사과, λ°°, 포도λ₯Ό μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. ('I like apples, pears, and grapes.'). (2) QUESTION MARK (?) and EXCLAMATION (!) β€” same as English. ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? 정말 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”! (3) QUOTATION MARKS β€” Korean uses TWO styles: (a) STANDARD WESTERN: '...' (single) and "..." (double), used in modern publications. (b) TRADITIONAL: γ€Œ...」 for nested or special quotation; γ€Ž...』 for book/article titles. Modern usage often uses Western 'X' for normal quotes, with γ€Œγ€ for emphasis or nested speech. μ±… 제λͺ©μ€ γ€Žν•œκ΅­μ–΄ νšŒν™”γ€μ˜ˆμš”. (4) MIDDLE DOT (Β·) used to separate items in lists or compound phrases: 사과·배·포도 (apples-pears-grapes). (5) ELLIPSIS (...) β€” to show trailing thoughts. 그게... μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”... ('Well... that's hard...'). (6) HYPHEN (-) and DASH (β€”) β€” used as in English for ranges, parenthetical insertions. SPACES NEAR PUNCTUATION: no space BEFORE period/comma, but a space AFTER (like English). KEY DIFFERENCES FROM ENGLISH: (a) Korean book/article titles use γ€Ž 』 instead of italics. (b) The middle dot Β· is used in compound names (e.g., ν•œκ΅­Β·μΌλ³Έ 'Korea-Japan').

Key rule

Korean punctuation follows mostly Western conventions: . , ? ! Quotation marks use "..." or γ€Œ...」/γ€Ž...』 (book titles). Middle dot Β· separates compact list items. No space before punctuation; one space after.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš”. β€” Period at the end.
    μ €λŠ” ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒμ΄μ—μš” (no period)

    Declarative sentences end with period.

  • ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? β€” Question mark.
    ν•œκ΅­μ–΄ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš” (no question mark)

    Questions end with ?, even though intonation also signals.

  • 와! 정말 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”! β€” Exclamation.
    와 정말 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”

    Exclamations use ! for emphasis.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting end-of-sentence punctuation

    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”
    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”.

    Sentences need period (or ? or !).

  • Adding space before punctuation

    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš” .
    μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”.

    No space BEFORE punctuation; space AFTER.

TOPIK 1 / A2Honorifics register

μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ vs 반말 β€” Concept and When to Use

μ‘΄λŒ“λ§κ³Ό 반말 (κ°œλ…)

Korean has TWO BASIC SPEECH MODES based on social distance: μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ (jondaetmal β€” polite/honorific speech) and 반말 (banmal β€” casual/intimate speech). They reflect the listener's status, age, and relationship to the speaker. μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ is the DEFAULT when meeting strangers, addressing elders, customers, colleagues you're not close with, and in formal/public settings. 반말 is used ONLY with people you have a close relationship with β€” close friends your age, family members younger than you, children, or someone who has explicitly given you permission to drop the politeness (말 놓닀, 'lower one's speech'). MISUSING 반말 with someone older or unfamiliar is RUDE and can cause serious social offense. The basic markers: μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ verbs end in -μ•„/μ–΄μš” (haeyoche) or -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€/μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ (hapsyoche). 반말 verbs end in -μ•„/μ–΄ (without μš”) or use shortened forms like κ°€, λ¨Ήμ–΄, μ’‹μ•„. With pronouns: μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ uses μ € / μ €λŠ”; 반말 uses λ‚˜ / λ‚΄κ°€. Address terms also differ. WHEN IN DOUBT, USE μ‘΄λŒ“λ§. Ask before switching to 반말: 말 놓아도 λΌμš”? ('May I drop the politeness?'). Even native speakers can find this register-switching tricky.

Key rule

μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ = polite/respectful speech (with strangers, elders, in formal contexts). 반말 = casual speech (with close friends same age, younger family). Default to μ‘΄λŒ“λ§. Never use 반말 with someone older or unfamiliar without explicit permission.

Examples

  • (To a stranger:) μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš”. 어디에 κ°€μ„Έμš”? (Annyeonghaseyo. Eodi-e gaseyo?) β€” Hello. Where are you going? (μ‘΄λŒ“λ§)
    (To a stranger:) μ•ˆλ…•. μ–΄λ”” κ°€? (banmal)

    With strangers, always μ‘΄λŒ“λ§.

  • (To a close friend same age:) μ•ˆλ…•. μ–΄λ”” κ°€? (Annyeong. Eodi ga?) (반말)
    (With close friends:) μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš”. 어디에 κ°€μ„Έμš”? (overly formal)

    With close friends, 반말 is natural; μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ sounds distant.

  • (To boss:) λΆ€μž₯λ‹˜, 회의 μ‹œκ°„μ΄ μ–Έμ œμ˜ˆμš”? (Bujangnim, hoeui sigan-i eonjeyeyo?) (μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ with title)
    (To boss:) λ„ˆ 회의 μ‹œκ°„ μ–Έμ œμ•Ό? (using λ„ˆ + 반말 β€” extremely rude)

    With superior, ALWAYS μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ plus title.

Common mistakes

  • Using 반말 with strangers / elders / unfamiliar people

    Saying μ•ˆλ…• to an older shopkeeper
    μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš” (μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ default with strangers)

    Default μ‘΄λŒ“λ§. 반말 needs an established close relationship.

  • Switching to 반말 without permission

    Two acquaintances suddenly using 반말 on a whim
    Use μ‘΄λŒ“λ§; the older / higher-status person can initiate the switch by saying 말 λ†“μ•„μš”.

    Unilateral downshifting is presumptuous.

TOPIK 1 / A2Honorifics register

ν•΄μš”μ²΄ vs 합쇼체 β€” When to Use Which

ν•΄μš”μ²΄μ™€ 합쇼체

Within μ‘΄λŒ“λ§ (polite speech), there are TWO main flavors: ν•΄μš”μ²΄ (haeyoche, -μ•„/μ–΄μš” endings) and 합쇼체 (hapsyoche, -γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€/-μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ endings). Both are polite, but they differ in formality and context. ν•΄μš”μ²΄ is the EVERYDAY POLITE form β€” used in everyday conversations with strangers, in shops, at cafes, with colleagues, on social media, in friendly emails. It's polite but warm and approachable. 합쇼체 is the FORMAL POLITE form β€” used in news broadcasts, formal speeches, business presentations, customer-service announcements, military reporting, formal interviews, and official writing. It feels more distant and ceremonial. Both have the same meanings; only the register differs. Examples: (1) ν•΄μš”μ²΄: μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”. (2) 합쇼체: μ €λŠ” ν•™μƒμž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ₯Ό κ³΅λΆ€ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€. KEY GUIDANCE: As a TOPIK 1 learner, MASTER ν•΄μš”μ²΄ first β€” it covers 90%+ of everyday polite Korean. Recognize 합쇼체 in news/announcements and use it in formal job interviews or written reports. Don't mix them in a single sentence (no ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€μš”), and try to maintain consistency within a paragraph or conversation segment.

Key rule

ν•΄μš”μ²΄ (-μ•„/μ–΄μš”): everyday polite. Use with strangers, shopkeepers, colleagues, in casual professional settings. 합쇼체 (-γ…‚λ‹ˆλ‹€/-μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€): formal polite. Use in news, speeches, business presentations, official writing. Don't mix within a sentence.

Examples

  • (In a cafe:) 아메리카노 ν•œ μž” μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Amerikano han jan juseyo.) β€” One Americano, please. (ν•΄μš”μ²΄)
    아메리카노 ν•œ μž” μ£Όμ‹­μ‹œμ˜€. (overly formal in cafe context)

    Cafes/shops use ν•΄μš”μ²΄ by default; 합쇼체 sounds excessive.

  • (News reader:) 였늘 μ„œμšΈ λ‚ μ”¨λŠ” λ§‘κ² μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Oneul Seoul nalssineun makgesseumnida.) β€” Today's Seoul weather will be clear. (합쇼체)
    였늘 μ„œμšΈ λ‚ μ”¨λŠ” λ§‘κ² μ–΄μš”.

    News broadcasts use 합쇼체 for institutional formality.

  • (Job interview:) μ €λŠ” κΉ€λ―Όμˆ˜μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€. 잘 λΆ€νƒλ“œλ¦½λ‹ˆλ‹€. (Jeoneun Kim Minsu-imnida. Jal butakdeurimnida.) β€” I am Kim Minsu. Pleased to meet you. (합쇼체)
    μ €λŠ” κΉ€λ―Όμˆ˜μ˜ˆμš”. 잘 λΆ€νƒλ“œλ €μš”. (ν•΄μš”μ²΄ β€” too casual for interview)

    Interviews demand 합쇼체 for opening introductions.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing ν•΄μš”μ²΄ and 합쇼체 markers in one sentence

    ν•™μƒμž…λ‹ˆλ‹€μš”, μ–΄λ”” κ°€μ„Έμš”κΉŒ?, μ’‹μ•„ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€μš”
    ν•™μƒμž…λ‹ˆλ‹€ / ν•™μƒμ΄μ—μš”. μ–΄λ”” κ°€μ„Έμš”? / μ–΄λ”” κ°‘λ‹ˆκΉŒ? μ’‹μ•„ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ / μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.

    One register per sentence; don't double up.

  • Using 합쇼체 in casual / friendly contexts (over-formal)

    (To a friend:) 점심 λ¨Ήμ—ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆκΉŒ? β€” feels too distant
    점심 λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄μš”? (with closer friend, even 점심 λ¨Ήμ—ˆμ–΄?)

    합쇼체 with friends sounds formal, can feel cold or sarcastic.

TOPIK 1 / A1Honorifics register

Formulaic Greetings (μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš”, κ°μ‚¬ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€, μ£„μ†‘ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€, 잘 λ¨Ήκ² μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€, 잘 λΆ€νƒλ“œλ¦½λ‹ˆλ‹€)

κΈ°λ³Έ 인사말

Korean has a set of HIGHLY FORMULAIC GREETINGS used in specific social moments. Mastering these is essential β€” they're not just polite, they're expected. (1) μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš” β€” Hello (haeyoche, used any time of day). μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ‹­λ‹ˆκΉŒ (hapsyoche, more formal). Casual: μ•ˆλ…•. (2) μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” β€” Goodbye (to someone leaving). μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” β€” Goodbye (to someone staying). Both literally mean 'go/stay in peace'. (3) κ°μ‚¬ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ / κ³ λ§™μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ β€” Thank you (formal). κ°μ‚¬ν•΄μš” / κ³ λ§ˆμ›Œμš” (haeyoche). κ³ λ§ˆμ›Œ (casual). (4) μ£„μ†‘ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ β€” I'm sorry (formal). μ£„μ†‘ν•΄μš” (haeyoche). λ―Έμ•ˆν•΄μš” (casual sorry, less weight). λ―Έμ•ˆν•΄ / λ―Έμ•ˆ (casual). (5) 잘 λ¨Ήκ² μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ β€” Said BEFORE eating ('I will eat well'). 잘 λ¨Ήμ—ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ β€” Said AFTER eating ('I ate well'). (6) 잘 λΆ€νƒλ“œλ¦½λ‹ˆλ‹€ β€” Said when introducing yourself or asking someone for help ('Please take good care of me / I look forward to working with you'). 잘 λΆ€νƒλ“œλ €μš” (haeyoche). (7) μ²œλ§Œμ—μš” / λ³„λ§μ”€μ„μš” β€” 'You're welcome / Don't mention it'. (8) μ‹€λ‘€ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ β€” 'Excuse me / pardon me' (formal interruption). μ‹€λ‘€μ§€λ§Œ β€” 'Excuse me, but...' (polite preamble). These phrases are PRE-MEMORIZED chunks Koreans use without thinking. Learn them as fixed phrases.

Key rule

Korean has fixed greeting formulas for specific social moments. Master μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš” (hello), κ°μ‚¬ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ (thanks), μ£„μ†‘ν•©λ‹ˆλ‹€ (sorry), 잘 λ¨Ήκ² μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€/잘 λ¨Ήμ—ˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ (before/after eating), 잘 λΆ€νƒλ“œλ¦½λ‹ˆλ‹€ (introductions). μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” (to leaver) vs μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” (to stayer).

Examples

  • μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš”. μ €λŠ” κΉ€λ―Όμˆ˜μ˜ˆμš”. (Annyeonghaseyo. Jeoneun Kim Minsu-yeyo.) β€” Hello. I'm Kim Minsu.
    μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”. μ €λŠ” κΉ€λ―Όμˆ˜μ˜ˆμš”. (using 'goodbye' instead of 'hello')

    μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš” = hello/greeting. μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” = goodbye to someone leaving.

  • (Friend leaving your house:) μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”! (Annyeonghi gaseyo!) β€” Goodbye! (to leaver)
    μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”!

    Use μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to someone GOING. μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” to someone STAYING.

  • (Customer leaving a shop, to staff:) μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”! (Annyeonghi gyeseyo!) β€” Goodbye! (to those staying)
    μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš”!

    The customer is leaving; staff are staying. Customer says κ³„μ„Έμš” ('stay well').

Common mistakes

  • Confusing μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” (to leaver) and μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” (to stayer)

    Saying μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” to staff when YOU leave the shop
    μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš” (you're leaving; staff stay)

    Logic: κ°€μ„Έμš” = go (you), κ³„μ„Έμš” = stay (you).

  • Using μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš” as 'goodbye'

    Leaving and saying μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš”!
    μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ°€μ„Έμš” / μ•ˆλ…•νžˆ κ³„μ„Έμš”

    μ•ˆλ…•ν•˜μ„Έμš” = hello only. Goodbyes have their own forms.

TOPIK 1 / A1Counters numbers

Native Korean Numbers 1–99 (ν•˜λ‚˜, λ‘˜, 셋…)

κ³ μœ μ–΄ 수 (1–99)

Korean has TWO COMPLETE NUMBER SYSTEMS used in different contexts. NATIVE KOREAN NUMBERS (κ³ μœ μ–΄ 수) are: 1 = ν•˜λ‚˜, 2 = λ‘˜, 3 = μ…‹, 4 = λ„·, 5 = λ‹€μ„―, 6 = μ—¬μ„―, 7 = 일곱, 8 = μ—¬λŸ, 9 = 아홉, 10 = μ—΄. Tens: 20 = 슀물, 30 = μ„œλ₯Έ, 40 = λ§ˆν”, 50 = μ‰°, 60 = 예순, 70 = 일흔, 80 = μ—¬λ“ , 90 = 아흔. Combine: 21 = μŠ€λ¬Όν•˜λ‚˜, 35 = μ„œλ₯Έλ‹€μ„―, 99 = 아흔아홉. CRITICAL: when followed by a counter, ν•˜λ‚˜/λ‘˜/μ…‹/λ„·/슀물 SHRINK: ν•œ (one), 두 (two), μ„Έ (three), λ„€ (four), 슀무 (twenty). So '1 person' = ν•œ λͺ… (NOT ν•˜λ‚˜ λͺ…). 'twenty bottles' = 슀무 병 (NOT 슀물 병). Native numbers stop at 99 β€” beyond that, Korean uses Sino-Korean numbers (λ°±, 천...). USE NATIVE NUMBERS for: counting people, hours of clock time, ages (under 100), counted objects (with most counters), 'how many' questions with counters. Limit: 1–99 only. Numbers from 100 up always use Sino-Korean.

Key rule

Native Korean numbers 1–99 (ν•˜λ‚˜, λ‘˜, ... 아흔아홉). Used for people, hours, ages, counted objects. SHORTEN before counters: ν•˜λ‚˜β†’ν•œ, λ‘˜β†’λ‘, μ…‹β†’μ„Έ, λ„·β†’λ„€, μŠ€λ¬Όβ†’μŠ€λ¬΄. Limited to 99; from 100 use Sino-Korean.

Examples

  • ν•œ μ‚¬λžŒ (han saram) β€” one person.
    ν•˜λ‚˜ μ‚¬λžŒ

    Before a counter (μ‚¬λžŒ), ν•˜λ‚˜ shortens to ν•œ.

  • 슀무 μ‚΄μ΄μ—μš”. (Seumu sar-ieyo.) β€” I'm 20 years old.
    슀물 μ‚΄μ΄μ—μš”.

    슀물 β†’ 슀무 before counter μ‚΄.

  • 두 μ‹œμ˜ˆμš”. (Du si-yeyo.) β€” It's 2 o'clock.
    λ‘˜ μ‹œμ˜ˆμš”.

    Hours use native numbers; λ‘˜ β†’ 두 before μ‹œ.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting to shorten ν•˜λ‚˜/λ‘˜/μ…‹/λ„·/슀물 before counters

    ν•˜λ‚˜ λͺ…, λ‘˜ μ‹œ, μ…‹ 개, λ„· μ‚¬λžŒ, 슀물 μ‚΄
    ν•œ λͺ…, 두 μ‹œ, μ„Έ 개, λ„€ μ‚¬λžŒ, 슀무 μ‚΄

    These five forms shorten obligatorily before counters.

  • Trying to use native numbers for 100+ quantities

    λ°± μ‚¬λžŒμ„ μ„Έμ—ˆμ–΄μš” β€” wait, this is sino + counter, OK. But λ°± in counting big numbers is fine.
    Native is limited to 1–99. Use Sino for 100+.

    Native system stops at 아흔아홉 (99); larger quantities switch to Sino.

TOPIK 1 / A1Counters numbers

Sino-Korean Numbers 1–99 (일, 이, 삼…)

ν•œμžμ–΄ 수 (1–99)

Sino-Korean numbers (ν•œμžμ–΄ 수) are borrowed from Chinese. They're used for: minutes, money, dates, phone numbers, addresses, math, large numbers (100+). 1 = 일, 2 = 이, 3 = μ‚Ό, 4 = 사, 5 = 였, 6 = 윑, 7 = μΉ , 8 = νŒ”, 9 = ꡬ, 10 = μ‹­. Compounds: 11 = 십일, 12 = 십이, ..., 19 = 십ꡬ. 20 = 이십, 30 = μ‚Όμ‹­, ..., 99 = ꡬ십ꡬ. Note: tens are formed by 'ones' + μ‹­ (이십 = 'two ten' = 20); ones come AFTER (이십일 = 21). Important pronunciation: when 6 (윑) follows certain consonants, it can become 룩 (e.g., μœ‘μ›” β†’ μœ μ›” 'June' irregular). Sino numbers DO NOT shorten before counters. Used with: λΆ„ (minutes), 원 (won), μ›” (month), 일 (day), 호 (issue/number), μΈ΅ (floor). Examples: 1μ‹œ 30λΆ„ (one o'clock 30 minutes β€” hour native, minute sino); 만 원 (10,000 won); 5μ›” 6일 (May 6th).

Key rule

Sino-Korean numbers 1–99 (일, 이, μ‚Ό, 사, 였, 윑, μΉ , νŒ”, ꡬ, μ‹­). Used for minutes, money, dates, phone, addresses, math. NO shortening before counters. 1 typically dropped at start (100 = λ°±, not 일백).

Examples

  • μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”. (Samsip bun-ieyo.) β€” It's 30 minutes.
    μ„œλ₯Έ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”.

    Minutes use Sino-Korean (μ‚Όμ‹­), not native (μ„œλ₯Έ).

  • ν•œ μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”. (Han si samsip bun-ieyo.) β€” It's 1:30.
    일 μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”. / ν•œ μ‹œ μ„œλ₯Έ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”.

    Hour native (ν•œ), minute Sino (μ‚Όμ‹­). Mixed system.

  • μ˜€μ›” μ˜€μΌμ΄μ—μš”. (Owol o-ir-ieyo.) β€” It's May 5.
    λ‹€μ„― μ›” λ‹€μ„― μΌμ΄μ—μš”.

    Months and dates use Sino-Korean only.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to shorten Sino numbers like native ones

    ν•œ λΆ„ (intending '1 minute') / 두 원 (intending '2 won')
    일 λΆ„ / 이 원

    Sino numbers do NOT shorten. ν•œ λΆ„ means '1 honorific person', not '1 minute'.

  • Using native numbers for minutes/money/dates

    두 μ‹œ λ‹€μ„― λΆ„ (intending '2:05')
    두 μ‹œ 였 λΆ„ (1=native hour, 5=sino minute)

    Hours = native; minutes = Sino. Don't mix up.

TOPIK 1 / A2Counters numbers

Sino-Korean Large Numbers (λ°±, 천, 만, μ–΅)

ν•œμžμ–΄ 큰 수

Sino-Korean numbers handle EVERYTHING from 100 up. Key place values: λ°± (100), 천 (1,000), 만 (10,000 β€” the BIG difference from English), μ‹­λ§Œ (100,000), 백만 (1,000,000), 천만 (10,000,000), μ–΅ (100,000,000), μ‘° (1 trillion). Critical concept: Korean groups numbers in units of 10,000 (만), NOT 1,000 like English. So 100,000 is 'μ‹­λ§Œ' (10 Γ— 만), not 'one hundred thousand'. 1,000,000 is '백만' (100 Γ— 만). KEY RULE: when 1 starts a place-value sequence, it's DROPPED. So 100 = λ°± (not 일백), 1,000 = 천 (not 일천), 10,000 = 만 (not 일만), 100,000,000 = μ–΅ (not 일얡). But INTERNAL 1s are typically retained: 110 = λ°±μ‹­ OR 백일십 (the 일 here is sometimes dropped, sometimes kept). Examples: 1,234 = μ²œμ΄λ°±μ‚Όμ‹­μ‚¬; 12,345 = λ§Œμ΄μ²œμ‚Όλ°±μ‚¬μ‹­μ˜€; 50,000 = 였만; 200,000 = μ΄μ‹­λ§Œ; 1 million = 백만; 1 billion = μ‹­μ–΅. PRACTICE: think in 만-groups: 1만 (10K), 100만 (1M = 'hundred ten-thousands'). ν•œκ΅­ has its own number-grouping logic.

Key rule

Sino-Korean large numbers: λ°± (100), 천 (1K), 만 (10K), μ–΅ (100M), μ‘° (1T). Group by 10,000 (만), not 1,000. Drop leading 1 (100 = λ°±, not 일백). Korean numbers think in 만-units.

Examples

  • λ°± μ›μ΄μ—μš”. (Baek won-ieyo.) β€” It's 100 won.
    일백 μ›μ΄μ—μš”. (overly explicit; only OK in formal writing)

    Drop the leading 1.

  • 만 μ›μ΄μ—μš”. (Man won-ieyo.) β€” It's 10,000 won.
    일만 μ›μ΄μ—μš”.

    Drop leading 1; 만 alone = 10,000.

  • μ‹­λ§Œ μ›μ΄μ—μš”. (Simman won-ieyo.) β€” It's 100,000 won.
    백천 μ›μ΄μ—μš”.

    Korean groups by 만: 10만 = μ‹­λ§Œ. NOT '백천' (which doesn't make sense in Korean).

Common mistakes

  • Translating English '1,000' or '100,000' literally

    백천 (intending 100,000)
    μ‹­λ§Œ (10 Γ— 만)

    Korean has no separate place value for 100K beyond μ‹­λ§Œ. Group by 만.

  • Adding leading 1 to λ°±/천/만/μ–΅

    일백, 일천, 일만, 일얡 in casual speech
    λ°±, 천, 만, μ–΅ (drop the 1)

    Leading 1 dropped in normal usage; only retained in very formal/legal writing.

TOPIK 1 / A2Counters numbers

Native vs Sino: Which to Use

κ³ μœ μ–΄μ™€ ν•œμžμ–΄μ˜ μ‚¬μš© ꡬ뢄

Korean's TWO NUMBER SYSTEMS pair with DIFFERENT counters and contexts. Master the choice: USE NATIVE NUMBERS (ν•œ, 두, μ„Έ, ...) for: (1) PEOPLE (with λͺ…, μ‚¬λžŒ, λΆ„): 두 λͺ…. (2) HOURS in clock time: ν•œ μ‹œ. (3) AGES (under 100, with μ‚΄): 슀무 μ‚΄. (4) MOST OBJECTS (with 개, μž₯, ꢌ, 병, μž”, 마리, etc.): μ±… 두 ꢌ. (5) COUNTING UP TO 99 in everyday quantities. USE SINO-KOREAN NUMBERS (일, 이, μ‚Ό, ...) for: (1) MINUTES in clock time: 30λΆ„. (2) MONTHS (μ›”) and DATES (일): 5μ›” 6일. (3) MONEY (원, λ‹¬λŸ¬, μ—”): 만 원. (4) PHONE/ID NUMBERS, addresses: 010-1234. (5) FLOORS (μΈ΅): 3μΈ΅. (6) GRADES, ISSUES: 1ν•™λ…„. (7) MATHEMATICAL CONTEXTS. (8) ALL NUMBERS 100+. MEMORIZATION TIP: pair counters with their fixed number system. The MOST COMMON cause of error is mixing them β€” '두 λΆ„' (two minutes? or two honorific people?) is ambiguous; '이 λΆ„' = 2 minutes, '두 λΆ„' = 2 honorific people. CLOCK TIME is the trickiest β€” it MIXES both: hour is native, minute is Sino. 두 μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„ = '2:30'. Master this combination first.

Key rule

Native numbers: people, hours, ages, most objects (1–99). Sino numbers: minutes, dates, money, phone, floors, grades, math, all 100+. Time MIXES: hour native + minute Sino (ν•œ μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„).

Examples

  • 두 μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ μ™€μš”. (Du saram-i wayo.) β€” Two people are coming.
    이 μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ μ™€μš”. (intending two; sounds like 'this person')

    People take native: 두. Sino 이 here means 'this'.

  • ν•œ μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”. (Han si samsip bun-ieyo.) β€” It's 1:30.
    일 μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„ / ν•œ μ‹œ μ„œλ₯Έ λΆ„

    Hour native (ν•œ), minute Sino (μ‚Όμ‹­). Mix is the rule.

  • 슀무 μ‚΄μ΄μ—μš”. (Seumu sar-ieyo.) β€” I'm 20 years old.
    이십 μ‚΄μ΄μ—μš”. (sometimes acceptable in formal but native is standard)

    Age uses native; 슀무 (shortened 슀물).

Common mistakes

  • Using Sino numbers for people / hours / age / objects

    이 λͺ…, 일 μ‹œ, 이십 μ‚΄, 일 개
    두 λͺ…, ν•œ μ‹œ, 슀무 μ‚΄, ν•œ 개

    These contexts demand native numbers.

  • Using native numbers for minutes / dates / money / floor / grade

    λ‹€μ„― λΆ„ (minute), λ‹€μ„― μ›”, λ°± μ›μ—μ„œ λ‹€μ„― λ°± (intending 500), μ…‹ ν•™λ…„
    였 λΆ„, 였 μ›”, 였백 원, μ‚Ό ν•™λ…„

    These contexts demand Sino.

TOPIK 1 / A2Counters numbers

Ordinal Numbers (첫째 / λ‘˜μ§Έ native; 첫 번째 / 두 번째 with 번째)

μ„œμˆ˜ (첫째 / 첫 번째)

Korean has TWO main ways to express ordinal numbers ('first', 'second', 'third'...): (1) NATIVE ORDINAL FORMS β€” 첫째 (1st), λ‘˜μ§Έ (2nd), μ…‹μ§Έ (3rd), λ„·μ§Έ (4th), λ‹€μ„―μ§Έ (5th), and so on. These are noun-like and used for: family birth order ('the firstborn'), ranking ('first place'), and as standalone ordinals ('first, second, third β€” listing'). (2) NUMBER + 번째 β€” the modular form: 첫 번째 (1st time/place), 두 번째 (2nd), μ„Έ 번째 (3rd), λ„€ 번째, λ‹€μ„― 번째. This pairs the (often-shortened) native number with 번째 ('-th time'). Used for: ordering events, sequences, position in a list. KEY DIFFERENCE: 첫째/λ‘˜μ§Έ are STANDALONE words ('the firstborn' / 'the second'); 첫 번째/두 번째 typically MODIFY a noun ('the first time / the first child'). 첫째 is a noun: 'μ €λŠ” λ‘˜μ§Έμ˜ˆμš”' = 'I'm the second-born'. 첫 번째 is more like an adjective: '첫 번째 학생' = 'the first student'. CRUCIAL IRREGULARITY: '1st' = 첫째 / 첫 번째 (NOT ν•œμ§Έ / ν•œ 번째). The '1st' form uses 첫, not the regular shortening ν•œ. From 2nd onward, the pattern is regular: λ‘˜μ§Έ β†’ 두 번째 (or sometimes λ‘˜μ§Έ 번). For TOPIK 1, focus on 첫째–닀섯째 and 첫 λ²ˆμ§Έβ€“λ‹€μ„― 번째.

Key rule

Two ordinal systems: (1) -μ§Έ forms (첫째, λ‘˜μ§Έ, μ…‹μ§Έ β€” standalone ordinal nouns). (2) 번째 forms (첫 번째, 두 번째, μ„Έ 번째 β€” modifying ordinals before a noun). 1st is irregular: 첫 (not ν•œ). From 2nd, use shortening rule.

Examples

  • μ €λŠ” 우리 집 λ‘˜μ§Έμ˜ˆμš”. (Jeoneun uri jip duljjae-yeyo.) β€” I'm the second child in my family.
    μ €λŠ” 우리 집 λ‘μ§Έμ˜ˆμš”.

    Standalone ordinal: λ‘˜μ§Έ (NOT 두째). Note λ‘˜ stays as λ‘˜ in -μ§Έ form.

  • 첫 번째 학생이 λˆ„κ΅¬μ˜ˆμš”? (Cheot beonjjae haksaeng-i nuguyeyo?) β€” Who's the first student?
    ν•œ 번째 학생이 λˆ„κ΅¬μ˜ˆμš”?

    1st = 첫 (irregular), NOT ν•œ.

  • 두 번째 λ§Œλ‚¨μ΄μ—μš”. (Du beonjjae mannam-ieyo.) β€” This is the second meeting.
    λ‘˜ 번째 λ§Œλ‚¨μ΄μ—μš”.

    Before 번째: λ‘˜ β†’ 두 (shortened).

Common mistakes

  • Using ν•œμ§Έ / ν•œ 번째 instead of 첫째 / 첫 번째

    ν•œμ§Έ 학생, ν•œ 번째 자리
    첫째 학생, 첫 번째 자리

    1st is irregular: 첫, not ν•œ.

  • Forgetting to shorten λ‘˜/μ…‹/λ„· before 번째

    λ‘˜ 번째, μ…‹ 번째, λ„· 번째
    두 번째, μ„Έ 번째, λ„€ 번째

    Apply native-number shortening rule.

TOPIK 1 / A1Counters numbers

Counters for People (λͺ…, μ‚¬λžŒ, λΆ„ honorific)

μ‚¬λžŒ λ‹¨μœ„ (λͺ…Β·μ‚¬λžŒΒ·λΆ„)

Korean has THREE counters for people, all paired with NATIVE Korean numbers: (1) λͺ… β€” neutral, the most common counter for people in everyday Korean. 친ꡬ 두 λͺ… ('two friends'), 학생 λ‹€μ„― λͺ… ('five students'). (2) μ‚¬λžŒ β€” literal 'person', more general/spoken-friendly. 두 μ‚¬λžŒ ('two people'). Often interchangeable with λͺ…. (3) λΆ„ β€” HONORIFIC counter, used when the people deserve respect (elders, teachers, customers, esteemed guests). μ†λ‹˜ μ„Έ λΆ„ ('three guests, honorific'). MEMORIZATION: λͺ… and μ‚¬λžŒ are roughly equivalent for casual contexts; λΆ„ marks respect. NUMBER PATTERN: native + counter, with shortening (ν•œ λͺ…, 두 λͺ…, μ„Έ λͺ…, λ„€ λͺ…, λ‹€μ„― λͺ…, ..., 슀무 λͺ…). For 1: ν•œ λͺ… / ν•œ μ‚¬λžŒ / ν•œ λΆ„ (NOT ν•˜λ‚˜ λͺ…). The number 'how many people' question: λͺ‡ λͺ…μ΄μ—μš”? (neutral) / λͺ‡ λΆ„μ΄μ„Έμš”? (honorific). Common in restaurants, cafes β€” '저희 일행은 4λͺ…μž…λ‹ˆλ‹€' ('our party is 4'). FAMILY CONTEXTS: κ°€μ‘± = family; 가쑱이 λͺ‡ λͺ…μ΄μ—μš”? = 'How many family members?' Answer: λ„€ λͺ…μ΄μ—μš” ('four people'). Don't use λΆ„ with your own family (humble convention).

Key rule

People counters with native numbers: λͺ… (neutral, most common), μ‚¬λžŒ (general, slightly informal), λΆ„ (honorific). Standard pattern: native number + counter. Use λΆ„ with elders/customers/teachers; λͺ… for general/family.

Examples

  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 두 λͺ… μ™€μš”. (Chinguga du myeong wayo.) β€” Two friends are coming.
    μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 이 λͺ… μ™€μš”.

    People counter takes native: 두 λͺ….

  • μ†λ‹˜ μ„Έ λΆ„ μ˜€μ…¨μ–΄μš”. (Sonnim se bun osyeosseoyo.) β€” Three guests have arrived. (honorific)
    μ†λ‹˜ μ„Έ λͺ… μ˜€μ…¨μ–΄μš”. (acceptable casually but λΆ„ fits the honorific context)

    Customers/guests deserve λΆ„.

  • 우리 가쑱은 λ„€ λͺ…μ΄μ—μš”. (Uri gajog-eun ne myeong-ieyo.) β€” My family has four members.
    우리 가쑱은 λ„€ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”. (using λΆ„ for own family β€” over-honorific, breaks humility)

    Don't use λΆ„ for your own family.

Common mistakes

  • Using Sino numbers with people counters

    이 λͺ…, μ‚Ό λͺ…, 사 λͺ…
    두 λͺ…, μ„Έ λͺ…, λ„€ λͺ…

    People counters require native numbers.

  • Using λΆ„ for own family (over-honorific, humble violation)

    우리 가쑱은 λ„€ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”.
    우리 가쑱은 λ„€ λͺ…μ΄μ—μš”.

    Speaking about own family humbly; use λͺ….

TOPIK 1 / A2Counters numbers

Basic Object Counters (개, μž₯, ꢌ, 병, μž”, 마리)

κΈ°λ³Έ λ‹¨μœ„ λͺ…사

Korean uses COUNTERS (λ‹¨μœ„ λͺ…사 / 'unit nouns') for objects, just like Japanese. The counter depends on the type of object. Six essential TOPIK 1 counters, all paired with NATIVE numbers: (1) 개 (gae) β€” general items / pieces. The most versatile. 사과 두 개 ('two apples'), κ°€λ°© ν•˜λ‚˜ β€” wait, κ°€λ°© ν•œ 개 ('one bag'). (2) μž₯ (jang) β€” flat sheets (paper, photos, tickets, cards). 쒅이 μ„Έ μž₯ ('three sheets of paper'). (3) ꢌ (gwon) β€” books, volumes, notebooks. μ±… ν•œ ꢌ ('one book'). (4) 병 (byeong) β€” bottles. λ§₯μ£Ό 두 병 ('two beers'). (5) μž” (jan) β€” cups/glasses (drinks). 컀피 ν•œ μž” ('one cup of coffee'). (6) 마리 (mari) β€” animals (mammals, fish, birds, insects). 강아지 두 마리 ('two puppies'), λ¬Όκ³ κΈ° μ„Έ 마리 ('three fish'). KEY RULE: number + counter, with shortening (ν•œ, 두, μ„Έ, λ„€, 슀무). 물건 + 개 is the SAFE DEFAULT if you don't know the specific counter β€” 개 works for almost any concrete object. Used position: NOUN + (particle) + NUMBER + COUNTER + (rest of sentence). 사과λ₯Ό 두 개 μƒ€μ–΄μš” ('I bought two apples'). The number+counter often follows the noun in Korean.

Key rule

Native numbers + counter. Six basic: 개 (general items), μž₯ (flat sheets), ꢌ (books), 병 (bottles), μž” (cups), 마리 (animals). Standard order: NOUN + (particle) + NUMBER + COUNTER. 개 is the safe default.

Examples

  • 사과λ₯Ό 두 개 μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (Sagwa-reul du gae sasseoyo.) β€” I bought two apples.
    사과λ₯Ό λ‘˜ 사 / 사과 두 개λ₯Ό μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (acceptable but the counter takes the case marker on the noun)

    Standard: noun + particle + number + counter. 사과 + λ₯Ό + 두 + 개.

  • 책이 λ‹€μ„― ꢌ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Chaeg-i daseot gwon isseoyo.) β€” There are 5 books.
    책이 λ‹€μ„― 개 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (acceptable but ꢌ is more specific for books)

    Books take ꢌ. 개 is generic but ꢌ is preferred.

  • λ§₯μ£Ό 두 병 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Maekju du byeong juseyo.) β€” Two beers, please.
    λ§₯μ£Ό 두 μž” μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (= 'two glasses of beer' β€” different)

    Bottle vs cup distinction. 병 = bottle; μž” = cup/glass.

Common mistakes

  • Using 개 for things that have a specific counter

    μ±… 두 개, λ§₯μ£Ό 두 개, 강아지 두 개
    μ±… 두 ꢌ, λ§₯μ£Ό 두 병, 강아지 두 마리

    개 is generic; specific counters are preferred when applicable.

  • Mixing 병 and μž” (bottle vs cup)

    λ§₯μ£Ό ν•œ μž” (intending 'one bottle of beer')
    λ§₯μ£Ό ν•œ 병

    병 = bottle; μž” = cup. Different vessels.

TOPIK 1 / A1Counters numbers

Telling Time (μ‹œ native + λΆ„ sino)

μ‹œκ°„ λ§ν•˜κΈ° (μ‹œΒ·λΆ„)

Telling time in Korean MIXES both number systems: HOUR uses NATIVE numbers, MINUTE uses SINO numbers. Pattern: NATIVE + μ‹œ + SINO + λΆ„. ν•œ μ‹œ (1 o'clock), 두 μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„ (2:30), λ‹€μ„― μ‹œ μ‹­μ˜€ λΆ„ (5:15), 열두 μ‹œ (12 o'clock). Hour shortenings (1-4): ν•œ μ‹œ, 두 μ‹œ, μ„Έ μ‹œ, λ„€ μ‹œ. AM/PM markers: μ˜€μ „ (AM, before noon), μ˜€ν›„ (PM, after noon). μ˜€μ „ 9μ‹œ = 9 AM; μ˜€ν›„ 3μ‹œ = 3 PM. Common time words: 정각 (exactly), 반 (half past, e.g., 두 μ‹œ 반 = 2:30), μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„ = 30 minutes (= 반). Asking time: μ§€κΈˆ λͺ‡ μ‹œμ˜ˆμš”? ('What time is it now?'). Common minute multiples: 5 minutes = 였 λΆ„, 10 = μ‹­ λΆ„, 15 = μ‹­μ˜€ λΆ„, 20 = 이십 λΆ„, 25 = μ΄μ‹­μ˜€ λΆ„, 30 = μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„ / 반, 45 = μ‚¬μ‹­μ˜€ λΆ„. Korean uses 24-hour time in formal contexts (15μ‹œ = 3 PM in writing) but spoken Korean prefers μ˜€ν›„ + 12-hour. NOON = μ •μ˜€ (12:00 PM); MIDNIGHT = μžμ • (12:00 AM).

Key rule

Telling time: NATIVE hour + μ‹œ + SINO minute + λΆ„. Hour shortens (ν•œ, 두, μ„Έ, λ„€, 열두). μ˜€μ „ = AM, μ˜€ν›„ = PM. 반 = 30 min (half past). 정각 = exactly. μ‹œκ°„ (duration) takes native; λΆ„ (minute) takes Sino.

Examples

  • μ§€κΈˆ 두 μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”. (Jigeum du si samsip bun-ieyo.) β€” It's now 2:30.
    μ§€κΈˆ 이 μ‹œ μ„œλ₯Έ λΆ„μ΄μ—μš”.

    Hour native (두), minute Sino (μ‚Όμ‹­). Mix is mandatory.

  • μ˜€μ „ 아홉 μ‹œμ— νšŒμ˜κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Ojeon ahop si-e hoeui-ga isseoyo.) β€” There's a meeting at 9 AM.
    9 AM에 νšŒμ˜κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.

    AM = μ˜€μ „ (placed before time).

  • μ˜€ν›„ λ‹€μ„― μ‹œ λ°˜μ— λ§Œλ‚˜μš”. (Ohu daseot si ban-e mannayo.) β€” Let's meet at 5:30 PM.
    μ˜€ν›„ λ‹€μ„― μ‹œ μ‚Όμ‹­ 뢄에 λ§Œλ‚˜μš”. (also OK; 반 is more conversational)

    5:30 PM = μ˜€ν›„ + λ‹€μ„― μ‹œ + 반 (or μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„).

Common mistakes

  • Using Sino for hours

    이 μ‹œμ˜ˆμš”. (intending 2 o'clock)
    두 μ‹œμ˜ˆμš”.

    Hour β†’ native.

  • Using native for minutes

    μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„ β†’ μ„œλ₯Έ λΆ„ (intending '30 minutes')
    μ‚Όμ‹­ λΆ„

    Minute β†’ Sino.

TOPIK 1 / A1Counters numbers

Dates (μ›”, 일) and Days of Week (μ›”μš”μΌ~μΌμš”μΌ)

λ‚ μ§œμ™€ μš”μΌ

Dates in Korean use SINO-KOREAN numbers throughout. (1) MONTHS: μ›” (wol). 1μ›” = 일월, 2μ›” = 이월, 3μ›” = μ‚Όμ›”, 4μ›” = 사월, 5μ›” = μ˜€μ›”, 6μ›” = μœ μ›” (irregular!), 7μ›” = μΉ μ›”, 8μ›” = νŒ”μ›”, 9μ›” = ꡬ월, 10μ›” = μ‹œμ›” (irregular!), 11μ›” = 십일월, 12μ›” = 십이월. ONLY June and October are irregular. (2) DAYS OF MONTH: 일 (il). 1일 = 일 일, 2일 = 이 일, 5일 = 였 일, 15일 = μ‹­μ˜€ 일, 25일 = μ΄μ‹­μ˜€ 일, 31일 = 삼십일 일. (3) YEAR: λ…„ (nyeon). 2025λ…„ = μ΄μ²œμ΄μ‹­μ˜€λ…„. (4) DAYS OF WEEK: each ends in μš”μΌ (yo-il, 'day-of-the-week'). μ›”μš”μΌ (Mon, 'moon-day'), ν™”μš”μΌ (Tue, 'fire-day'), μˆ˜μš”μΌ (Wed, 'water-day'), λͺ©μš”일 (Thu, 'wood-day'), κΈˆμš”μΌ (Fri, 'metal/gold-day'), ν† μš”μΌ (Sat, 'earth-day'), μΌμš”μΌ (Sun, 'sun-day'). The week starts with Monday in Korea. STANDARD ORDER: YEAR + MONTH + DAY + DAY-OF-WEEK. 2025λ…„ 5μ›” 15일 λͺ©μš”일. With particles: 5μ›” 15일에 λ§Œλ‚˜μš” ('Let's meet on May 15'). KEY: dates take 에 for 'on/at'.

Key rule

Dates use Sino numbers + μ›” / 일 / λ…„. Irregularities: 6μ›” = μœ μ›”, 10μ›” = μ‹œμ›”. Days of week end in -μš”μΌ (μ›”/ν™”/수/λͺ©/금/ν† /일). Order: λ…„ + μ›” + 일 + μš”μΌ. Use 에 for 'on (date/day)'.

Examples

  • μ˜€λŠ˜μ€ 5μ›” 15μΌμ΄μ—μš”. (Oneur-eun owol sib-o ir-ieyo.) β€” Today is May 15.
    μ˜€λŠ˜μ€ λ‹€μ„―μ›” μ‹­μ˜€μΌμ΄μ—μš”.

    Months and days use Sino-Korean exclusively.

  • μœ μ›”μ— ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš”. (Yuwor-e hangug-e gayo.) β€” I'm going to Korea in June.
    μœ‘μ›”μ— ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš”.

    June = μœ μ›” (irregular).

  • μ‹œμ›” 9일은 ν•œκΈ€λ‚ μ΄μ—μš”. (Siwol guir-eun Hangeullar-ieyo.) β€” October 9 is Hangul Day.
    μ‹­μ›” 9일은 ν•œκΈ€λ‚ μ΄μ—μš”.

    October = μ‹œμ›” (irregular).

Common mistakes

  • Using native numbers for months/days

    λ‹€μ„― μ›”, λ‹€μ„― 일
    μ˜€μ›”, 였 일

    Months and days are Sino throughout.

  • Saying μœ‘μ›” / μ‹­μ›” (regular Sino)

    μœ‘μ›”μ— κ°ˆκ²Œμš”. / 십월이 μ’‹μ•„μš”.
    μœ μ›”μ— κ°ˆκ²Œμš”. / μ‹œμ›”μ΄ μ’‹μ•„μš”.

    June and October have irregular forms (μœ μ›”, μ‹œμ›”).

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