Forming the present tense in Korean is a simple two-step process, but how the word is conjugated depends on the form of the word's stem and the formality of the sentence. Although the present tense is fairly simple, this process is one of the most important fundamentals for forming Korean sentences.
In this post, we will first discuss the conjugation process and then talk about the unique features of the present tense in Korean. Did you know that the present tense in Korean has more functions than the present tense in English? Let’s dive right in and see how to conjugate into the present tense in Korean!
What is the dictionary form of a Korean verb or adjective?
Dictionary form is exactly what it sounds like — it’s the form of a verb or adjective that one may find in the dictionary (yes, adjectives conjugate like verbs in Korean!). Understanding the dictionary form of a verb or adjective helps determine how the word will be conjugated in a sentence later on.
When referring to the dictionary (or most basic) form of a word, English usually puts the words “to” or “to be” in front of a verb. The Korean language’s version of “to” or “to be” is to use 다 at the end of a verb or adjective stem. Here are some examples:
- 먹다Translation: to eat
- 슬프다Translation: to be sad
- 이다Translation: to be
- 숙제하다Translation: to do homework
Let’s take a look at how to go from the dictionary form to the present tense of a verb or adjective.
How to form the present tense in Korean?
As mentioned previously, conjugating Korean verbs and adjectives into present tense is a simple two-step process:
Drop the 다 ending in the dictionary form to make what’s called the “stem”:
좋다 meaning to be good → 좋 (= stem)
가다 meaning to go → 가 (= stem)
Add the ending appropriate to the level of formality. Except for the high form, which uses the deferential ending -ㅂ/습니다, follow the rules below.
If the last vowel of the stem is ㅗ or ㅏ
stem + -아(요)
AIl other vowels
stem + -어(요)
하다 meaning to do
stem + -해(요)
이다 meaning to be
stem + -이에요/예요
OR
stem + -이야/야
Let’s see how this applies to some examples:
| Base Form | Stem | Present Tense | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
앉다 Translation: to sit | 앉 has ㅏ vowel | 앉아 | 앉아요 | 앉습니다 |
먹다 Translation: to eat | 먹 has ㅓ vowel | 먹어 | 먹어요 | 먹습니다 |
일하다 Translation: to work | 일해 | 일해요 | 일합니다 | |
사람이다 Translation: to be a person | 사람 ends in a consonant + 이다 ending | 사람이야 | 사람이에요 | 사람입니다 |
의사다 Translation: to be a doctor | 의사 ends in a vowel + (이)다 ending | 의사야 | 의사예요 | 의사입니다 |
Exceptions to the conjugation rule
There are several exceptions to the conjugation rules that you need to pay attention to.
If the verb or adjective ends in a vowel, the -아/어(요) will combine with the previous syllable.
Vowel Add -아/어(요) Example ㅏ
ㅏ + 아(요) = 아(요)
가다 meaning to go + 아요 = 가(요)
ㅗ
ㅗ + 아(요) = 와(요)
보다 meaning to see + 아요 = 봐(요)
ㅓ
ㅓ + 어(요) = 어(요)
서다 meaning to stand + 어요 = 서(요)
ㅐ
ㅐ + 어(요) = 애(요)
보내다 meaning to send + 아요 = 보내요
ㅕ
ㅕ + 어(요) = 여(요)
켜다 meaning to turn on + 아요 = 켜요
ㅣ
ㅣ + 아(요) = 여(요)
마시다 meaning to drink + 어요 = 마셔(요)
ㅜ
ㅜ + 아(요) = 워(요)
배우다 meaning to learn + 아요 = 배워(요)
ㅂ: In most circumstances, the ㅂ is omitted from the word stem and is replaced with either 우 or 오. Then, the new word stem will follow the same rules as ㅜ and ㅗ in the table above, depending on the last vowel used.
춥다 meaning to be cold
추우 + 어요 = 추워요
돕다 meaning to help
도오 + 아요 = 도와요
ㄷ: In some circumstances, if a word stem ends with a ㄷ, the ㄷ will change into a ㄹ, then follow the same rules as the table above.
듣다 meaning to listen
들 + 어요 = 들어요
르: If a word stem ends with 르, drop ㅡ of 르, add additional ㄹ, and follow the conjugation rules.
빠르다 meaning to be fast
빨ㄹ + 어요 = 빨라요
기르다 meaning to grow
길ㄹ + 아요 = 길러요
ㅡ: If a word stem ends with ㅡ, drop ㅡ. Then, refer to the vowel that precedes ㅡ to determine whether 아 or 어 is used in the ending. In the case of single-syllable stems where ㅡ is the only vowel, add 어.
바쁘다 meaning to be busy
바ㅃ + 어요 = 바빠요 (바 has the ㅏ vowel)
예쁘다 meaning to be pretty
예ㅃ + 아요 = 예뻐요 (예 has the ㅖ vowel)
크다 meaning to be big
ㅋ + 아요 = 커요 (single-syllable stem)
ㅅ: If the word stem ends with ㅅ, drop ㅅ and conjugate:
잇다 meaning to connect
이 + 어요 = 이어요
낫다 meaning to get better
나 + 아요 = 나아요
Points to consider
To form a question, simply use the same present tense ending with a rising intonation at the end.
마이클이 요즘 바빠요 → 마이클이 요즘 바빠요? ↗Translation: Michael is busy these days. → Is Michael busy these days?Forming the negative in the present tense is more complicated, because it often requires us to add a word or part of a word. Check our post about forming negative statements.
When to use the present tense in Korean?
The Korean present tense is used in a similar fashion as the English present tense is. However, there are some notable differences as well.
Just like the English present tense, the Korean present tense is used to describe general truths, repeated actions, habits, current emotions, and current state.
지구는 둥글어요.Translation: The earth is round.저는 아침마다 수영해요.Translation: I swim every morning.사랑해요, 영미 씨.Translation: I love you, Youngmi.지금 김치가 없습니다.Translation: I don’t have kimchi now.영미는 선생님이에요.Translation: Youngmi is a teacher.One difference is that the Korean present tense can be used to indicate an action in progress, just like the present progressive tense does. For such use, time indicating words such as 지금 meaning now, 현재 meaning currently, and 요즘 meaning these days are often used along with the form.
지금 뭐 해요?Translation: What are you doing right now?저는 이번 학기에 한국어를 공부해요.Translation: I am studying Korean this semester.리사는 현재 한국을 여행해요.Translation: Lisa is currently traveling Korea.The other difference is that the Korean present tense can be used to indicate a near future event that will definitely occur. There is no hint of uncertainty. For such use, words that indicate future time such as 내일 meaning tomorrow, 이따가 meaning later, 다음 meaning next and 올해 meaning this year are used with the expression.
마이클은 내일 한국에 가요.Translation: Michael will go to Korea tomorrow.올해 대학교에 갑니다.Translation: I am going to college this year.우리 이따가 통화해요.Translation: Let’s talk on the phone later.다음 주에 어머니가 미국에 오세요.Translation: My mother is coming to the U.S. next week.
Conclusion
To conjugate the base form to present tense, drop the 다 to find the word stem and add the appropriate ending for the listener and/or subject.
Low form (informal) 아/어
Middle form (polite) 아/어요
High form (deferential) 습/ㅂ니다
Use 해(요) or 합니다 for words ending with 하다.
There are several irregular conjugation rules to pay attention to.
Use the present tense form to describe general truth, repeated actions, habits, emotions, and current state.
The Korean present tense can be used to describe an action in progress.
Used with terms expressing future time, the present tense in Korean can be used to indicate a future event that will definitely happen without uncertainty.
Now, let’s practice with some exercises on the present tense in Korean!
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