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Basic Grammar

(ㄱ)

같아요

"it seems that", "it seems like"

영진 씨는 노래를 아주 잘해요. 가수 같아요.

Yongjin sings very well.Just like a singer.

수미 씨는 마음이 착해서 천사 같아요.

Sumi is so kind that she's like an angel.

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거나

거나 means "or" and we use this expression between verbs and adjectives.

아프거나 힘들 때 가족 생각이 나요.

When I'm sick or have a hard time, I think of my family.

조금 흐르거나 비가 많이 오는 날씨를 좋아해요.

I like cloudy or very rainy weather.

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거든요

거든요 is a sentence ending which expresses a reason

내일 왜 대사관에 가요? - 비자 연장을 해야 하거든요.

Why are you going to the embassy tomorrow?

도서관에 가세요? - 예, 내일 시험이 있거든요.

Are you going to the library? - Yes, I am because I have a test tomorrow.

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게

This ending attaches to verb stems to form adverbial phrases.

옷을 싸게 샀습니다.

I bought these clothes cheaply.

주말을 즐겁게 지내셨습니까?

Did you have a nice weekend?(Did you spend the weekend nicely?)

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게 되다

게 되다 comes after a verb stem and expresses a change in a situation or result which was not caused by the speaker's will.

팔을 다쳐서 농구를 못하게 되었어요.

I couldn't play basketball because I hurt my arm.

지금 출발하면 3시쯤 도착하게 될 거예요.

If we leave now, we will arrive at about 3 o'clock.

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겠

This is a future tense ending which usually expresses the speaker's guess, assumption ar presumption.

하늘을 보니까 비가 오겠군요.

Judging by the sky, it will probably rain.

저는 그 회의에 가지 못하겠습니다.

I won't be able to go to that conference.

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고 있다

This pattern attaches to action verb stems to indicate that the action is currently in progress.

이 방은 언니가 쓰고 있어요.

My older sister is using this room.

친구가 지금 밖에 기다리고 있어요.

My friend is now waiting for me outside.

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고 있었다

This attaches to action verb stems and expresses a past progress.

지금까지 뭘 하고 있었어요?

What were you doing until now?

문을 여니까 두 사람이 무슨 이야기를 하고 있었어요.

When I opened the door, the two of them were talking about something.

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구나 / -는구나

This exclamatory final ending attaches to verb stems and is used to persons of lower position or to intimate friends. The exclamatory meaning of this ending is "first realization".

차가 많이 밀렸구나.

The traffic is all backed up , I see!

소나기가 곧 쏟아지겠구나.

Uh-oh, it's going to pour any minute now!

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군요 / -는군요

This final ending expresses exclamation. -군요 attaches to quality verbs and -는군요 attaches to action verbs.

물건값이 비싸군요.

Wow, things are really expensive.

한국말을 참 잘하시는군요.

My, you sure speak Korean well!

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그렇지만, 그런데, 그러면...

These are sentential adverbs based on the 구러하다 "do so", "do thus", which link two sentences together.We can name the following:

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기 때문에

"because" , "because of"

Imperatives and suggestions cannot be used in the second clause.

오늘은 수업이 없기 때문에 집에서 쉽니다.

I'm having a rest at home because we don't have classes today.

비 때문에 소풍을 못 갔어요.

We couldn't go to picnic because of the rain.

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기 위해서

"in order to"

한국을 알기 위해서 책을 읽었습니다.

I read a book in order to learn about Korea.

대학에 들어가기 위해서 밤을 새워요.

I stayed up all night in order to get into university.

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기 전에

"before"

시험 보기 전에 복습을 합니다.

I review before sitting an exam.

오 년 전에 이 사진을 찍었어요.

I took this picture 5 years ago.

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기는요

This final ending comes after a verb or an adjective and expresses the speaker's confutation of something.

어제 어디 갔었어요? - 가기는요. 하루종일 집에서 텔레비전 봤어요.

Where did you go yesterday? - Where did I go? I didn't go anywhere.I watched television all day long.

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기도 하다

This pattern attaches to any verb base to give the idea "does and is indeed".Depending on the context, it expresses either emphasis or exclamation.This pattern can also have the literal meaning we would expect from its constituent parts, namely "also does it".In this meaning -기도 하다 is opposed to another verb which may or may not be in the -기도 하다 pattern.

가끔 밥을 해 먹기도 합니다.

Sometimes I cook my meals ,too.

음식이 맵기도 하지만 짜요.

Not only is this food spicy, but it is also salty.

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기로 하다

This attaches to action verbs stems and means "decide to do something".

언제 다시 만나기로 할까요?

When shall we meet again?

우리 회사는 토요일에 쉬기로 했습니다.

Our company decided to take a break on Saturday.

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(ㄴ)

나 / (이)나

1. (이)나 means "or" and we use it between nouns

가족이나 친구가 보고 싶지 않아요?

Don't you miss your family or friends?

2.We use this expression in an imperative or a proposition and it means that the thing which is ordered, proposed or intended by the speaker is trivial and not important.

다방에 가서 차나 한 잔 할까요?

Why don't we go to the coffee shop and have some tea?

3. It can mean "as much as" with a sense of incredulity.

커피를 다섯 잔 마셨어요. - 다섯 잔이나요?

I drank five cups of coffee. - Five cups?(As many as five cups?)

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나 / -ㄴ가 보다

-나 보다 / ㄴ가 보다 is followed by a verb ,an adjective or a noun and expresses one's speculation.

a) verb: stem + -나(는가) 보다

방 안이 조용해요. 아이들이 자나 봐요.

It is quiet in the room. It seems like the children are sleeping.

b) adjective: stem + -ㄴ가 보다

영진 씨는 요즘 기분이 좋은가 봐요. 항상 싱글벙을 해요.

Yong-jin seems to be in a good mood lately. He's smiling all the time.

c) noun: noun + (이)ㄴ가 보다

모두 스미 씨를 조아해요. 수미 씨는 아주 좋은 사람인가 봐요.

Everybody likes Sumi.She seems to be a very nice person.

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나요?

This attaches to verb stems and expresses either: 1)a question to one's interlocutor ,or 2) a question addressed to oneself, often with the nuance " I wonder...". In either case this form is somewhat soft, polite one.

그 영화가 어땠나요?

How was that film( I wonder)?

전화가 안 되는데 고장이 났나요?

I can't get through. I wonder if maybe the phone is out of order?

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네요?

This is an exclamatory ending which attaches to all verb stems. Compared to the exclamatory ending -군요 which expresses "first realization", this ending is more of a light exclamation similar to "My,...!", "Gosh, ....!"

한국말 실력이 대단하네요.

My, your ability in Korean is tremendous!

이제는 나뭇잎이 떨어지네요.

Say, the tree leaves are falling now!

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느라고

"because of (do) ing"

왜 이렇게 늦게 왔어요? - 미안해요. 총소 좀 하고 오느라고 늦었어요.

Why are you so late? Sorry. It's because of cleaning the room.

어제 텔레비전에서 농구 봤어요? - 아니오. 자느라고 못 봤어요.

Did you watch basketball on TV yesterday? - No, I couldn't watch because I fell asleep.

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는가요 / (으)ㄴ가요?

When these are attached to verb stems, they produce a meaning just like the form in -나요? -는가요? is used with action verbs, and -(으)ㄴ가요? with quality verbs.

하루에 돈을 얼마나 받는가요?

How much money does he get daily( I wonder)?

사무실이 여기서 멀지 않은가요?

Isn't the office far from here( I wonder)?

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는 것

This pattern with the "bound" noun 것 is used in sentences as a noun phrase.

걷는 것이 건강에 좋습니다.

Walking is good for your health.

이 물건을 어디에 쓰는 겁니까?

What is this thing used for?

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는 길이다

This attaches to verbs of motion like 가다 and 오다 and expresses the idea of an action in progress."One is just in the course of... -ing" , "one is in the process of ... -ing".

지금 은행에 가는 길입니다.

I'm on my way to the bank.

일을 끝내고 돌아오는 길입니다.

I'm just on my way back from work.

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는 대로

This attaches to action verb stems and means: 1) "in accordance with the action of the verb", 2)"as soon as the action of the verb happens"

수업이 끝나는 대로 나한테 와.

Come to me as soon as classes are over.

생각나는 대로 말을 했을 뿐입니다.

I said only what I was thinking.

대로 can attach to nouns to mean "just as/like", "in accordance with":

부모님 말씀대로 하겠어요.

I'll do just as my parents say.

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는데다가 / (으)ㄴ데다가

This is a connective ending which attaches to verb stems to convey the idea of "on top of...", "and what's more...", "in addition to...", "besides...-ing"

그 사람은 책을 많이 읽는데다가 생각도 깊이 해요.

Besides reading many books, he also reflects deeply.

열이 많은데다가 기침도 해요.

In addition to having a high fever, he's coughing.

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는 동안

This attaches to action verb stems and means "while", "during(the period of activity expressed by the verb)".

내가 이것은 하는 동안 그 일을 끝내십시오.

Finish that job while I'm doing this.

남들이 노는 동안 우리는 쉬지 않고 일했습니다.

While the others were playing, we worked without rest.

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는요 / 은요?

This pattern attaches to nouns and adverbs and is used by the speaker to simultaneously query, challenge and dispute something which has just been said.

차비 여기 있어요. - 차비는요?

Here is my contribution for travel expenses. - Travel expenses?

장학생이에요? - 장학생은요?

Are you a scholarship student? - Scholarship student?

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는지 알다 / (으)ㄴ지 알다

This is attached to action verb stems to express cognizance of a fact.

지금 몇 시인지 아세요?

Do you know what time it is?

이 일이 언제 끝날지 모르겠군요.

I have no idea when this thing will be over.

This pattern can also be used to express a guess or presumption about a currently pregressing or past events.

지금 집에 아무도 없을지 몰라요.

Maybe there isn't anybody at home now.

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니?

This is an impolite interrogative sentence ending and it is used in a friendly atmosphere.

그 책 재미있니?

Is this book interesting?

이거 누구 우산이니?

Whose umbrella is this?

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(으)ㄴ 일이 있다 / 없다

This pattern expresses past experience. "one has done something" , "one has had the experience of doing something"

전에 외국어를 배운 일이 있습니까?

Have you ever learned a foreign language before?

은행에서 돈을 찾은 일이 없습니다.

I've never taken out money from the bank.

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(으)ㄴ 후에

“after"

학교를 졸업한 후에 뭘 하시겠어요?

What will you do after you graduate from school?

식사한 후에 차를 마십시다.

Let's drink tea after eating.

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(으)니까

This conjunctive verb ending attaches to a verb base to express that the preceding clause is either the cause or the temporal prerequisite for the following clause. When this ending is used to express a temporal prerequisite, the subject of the preceding clause is usually the speaker, i.e. first person.

오늘은 바쁘니까 내일 만날까요?

I'm busy today , so shall we meet tomorrow?

값이 싸니까 사람들이 많이 삽니다.

Since the price is low, people are buying a lot.

교실에 들어가니까 학생들이 있었어요.

When I entered the classroom, the students were there.

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(으)니까요

The sentence structure in this pattern is changed so that the originally preceding phrase swaps places with the old final phrase.This is in order to add emphasis.

오늘은 일찍 가겠습니다. 손님이 오시니까요.

Today I shall leave early, (because) a guest is coming.

조심하십시오. 길이 미끄러우니까요.

Be careful,(because)the road is slippery.

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(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다

"seems like", "looks like"

집에 아무도 없는 모영이에요.

It seems there is nobody at home.

학생들이 시험을 잘 본 모양이죠?

It seems students did well on the test, doesn't it?

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(으)ㄴ지

This attaches to action verb stems and is followed by a noun expressing time elapsed. It means:"the time since VERBing ... has been X", "it has been TIME since one did...".

선생님을 뵌 지 오래 되었습니다.

It has been a long time since I last saw you.

나간 지 삼십 분쯤 된 것 같습니다.

It seems it has been about 30 minutes since he went out.

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(ㄷ)

다 / ㄴ다 / 는다

This declarative final ending attaches to verb stems and is used to people of lower status. In the case of an action verb ending in consonant, use 는다. Action verbs ending in a vowel take -ㄴ다, and quality verbs take -다.

나는 매일 일기를 쓴다.

I write in my diary every day

오늘은 날씨가 흐렸다.

The weather was cloudy today.

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다가

This attaches to a verb stem and expresses the idea that the action of the first clause is somehow interrupted or not completed, and a new action, the action expresses in the following clause, comes about. In such cases, the subject of both clauses must be identical.

학교에 가다가 친구를 만났어요.

I met a friend on my way to school.

비가 오다가 그쳤습니다.

It was raining but then it stopped.

텔레비전을 보다가 잤어요.

I fell asleep watching television.

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더군요

This ending is used when the speaker recalls some past event with surprise.

그 부인은 음식을 맛있게 만들더군요

She sure did prepare food deliciously.

전화하니까 집에 아무도 없더군요.

When I called, there was nobody at home(I recall)!

사무실로 만나러 가니까 퇴근했더군요.

When I went to his office to meet him , he had already gone home!

그 역사 책은 다른 사람이 빌려 갔더군요.

Somebody else had borrowed that history book!

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더라

This is an impolite sentence ending which expresses that the fact became known to the speaker by listening or seeing i.e. the speaker witnessed the event.

내가 갔을 때 수미는 밥을 먹더라.

When I went there Sumi was having a meal.

어제 영진이 여자 친구 봤더라.

Yesterday I saw Yong-jin' s girlfriend.

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던, -었던

This is a tense-aspect marker, which indicates that the speaker has witnessed , seen or somehow observed or had sensory evidence of the past action or state indicated by the verb.

늘 다니던 길로 갑시다.

Let's go by the road we used to go by.

이거 누가 마시던 차야?

Whose tea is this?

내가 앉았던 자리에 딴 사람이 앉았습니다.

Somebody else has sat down in the place where I was sitting.

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들

This suffix expresses plurality and can attach to nouns, adverbs and adverbial verb forms like -지, -어, -고.

여러분들, 안녕하십니까?

How do you do , ladies and gentlemen?

어서들 오십시오.

Welcome!

모두들 그 선생님을 좋아합니다.

Everybody likes that teacher.

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(이)든지

This comes after a 조-word (what,where,when,who) or how and means "every( thing,where, time,one,way).

하고 싶은 말이 있으면 무엇이든지 말하세요.

Please say whatever you want to.

수미씨는 아직도 안 왔지요? - 언제든지 늦게 와요.

Hasn't Sumi come yet? - She's always late.

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(ㄹ)

를 위해서

This attaches to nouns nad means "for the sake of". The 서 of 위해서 can be omitted.

군인은 나라를 위해서 싸웁니다.

The soldiers fight for the sake of their country.

건강을 위해서 날마다 운동을 합니다.

I exercise every day for(the sake of) my health.

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(으)ㄹ 것 같다

This ending attaches to a verb stem to indicate one's supposition about a likely or probable future fact, action or occurrence.

내일은 비가 올 것 같아요.

It looks like it will probably rain tomorrow.

오늘은 좋은 일이 있을 것 같아요.

I think something good will happen today.

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(으)ㄹ 것 같아서

This is a combination of the pattern -ㄹ 것 같아요 meaning "looks like it will do/be" with the pattern in -아서 meaning "since;because".

이 구두가 편할 것 같아서 샀어요.

It seemed these shoes would be comfortable, so I bought them.

그 길이 복잡할 것 같아서 다른 길로 갑니다.

It looks like this road is backed up , so I'm going by a different way.

(으)ㄹ 것이다

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When attached to a verb stem with a first- or second-person subject, this ending expresses a simple future tense, and when attached to a verb stem with a third-person subject, it expresses the speaker's presumption or supposition about the action of the subject.

나는 내일 집에 있을 것입니다.

I will be at home tomorrow.

그 친구는 약속을 잘 지킬 거예요.

That friend will probably keep his promise.

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(으)ㄹ 때

This ending attaches to a verb stem and indicates the time when the action occurs.

저녁을 먹을 때 손님이 오셨어요.

When we were eating supper, a visitor came.

공항에 도착할 때는 밤이었어요.

When we arrived at the airport it was night.

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(으)ㄹ 테니까

“Since one intends to do...", "Since one is going to..."

값이 내릴 테니까 다음에 삽시다.

The price will probably go down , so let's buy it next time.

그 일은 내가 할 태니까 그냥 두세요.

I'm going to do that , so please just leave it.

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(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다

This form indicates ability or possibility/ lack of ability.

나도 한국말을 할 수 있습니다.

I can speak Korean , too.

여기서 좌회전을 할 수 있습니까?

Can one turn left here?

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(으)ㄹ 정도

This expression marks a rough estimate of something compared with another thing.

머리가 많이 아프세요? - 네, 잠을 못 잘 정도로 아파요.

Does your head ache a lot? - Yes, it aches so much that I couldn't sleep.

어느 정도로 짧게 자릴까요? - 귀가 나올 정도로 짧게 잘라 주세요.

How short do you want it cut? - To the point where my ears show.

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(으)ㄹ 줄 알다 / 모르다

This pattern attaches to action verb stems and expresses the idea of "knowing how to do something".

밥을 지을 줄 알아요?

Do you know how to cook rice?

그럼 뭘 할 줄 알아요?

Then what do you know how to do?

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(으)ㄹ까 하다

This pattern expresses a plan or a supposition of an action which will occur.

어디 놀러 가세요? - 해운대 갈까 해요.

Where are you going on your trip? - I'm planning to go to Haeundae.

뭐 타고 갈 거예요? - 기차를 탈까 해요.

What are you going to travel by? - I'm going to travel by train.

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(이)라고 그러다

This is the indirect quotation pattern -(으)라고 하다 with 그러다 “do so;say so" instead of 하다. You can think of 그러다 as an abbreviation for 그렇게 말하다 ”says so".

Depending on the type of sentence being quoted, there are the following patterns:

그 사람은 취미가 뭐라고 그래요?

What does that person say his hobbies are?

서울에 친척이 있다고 그랬어요.

He said he had relatives in Seoul.

몇 시 집에 들어오냐고 그랬어요

He asked what time I get home.

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(이)라고요?

This is used to query or double-check something that has just been said. You can also use this pattern in other sentence types as a final ending to show emphasis or to query previous utterances:

세종문화회관에 좀 가 보세요. - 어디라고요?

You should go to see Sejong Cultural Center. - Where did you say?

이거 어디서 났어요? - 내가 만든 거라고요.

Where did this come from? - I'm telling you, it's something I've made.

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(이)라면

Expresses a supposition.

저 사람 정희씨 동생 아니에요? - 정희씨 동생이라면 가서 이야기 합시다.

Isn't this Chong-hee's brother? - If it is Chong-hee's brother, let's go and speak to him.

어떤 꽃 좋아하세요? - 꽃이라면 다 좋아해요.

What kind of flowers do you like? - As to flowers, I like all of them.

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(이)라서

Expresses the reason of something.

뭐 사러 왔어요? - 내일이 친구 생일이라서 선물 좀 살까 해서요.

Are you here to buy something? - Tomorrow is my friend's birthday, so I came here to buy a gift.

저 아이 정말 개구쟁이예요. - 남자아이라서 그래요.

This child is a really naughty. - That is because it is a boy.

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(으)러 가다 / 오다

This pattern attaches to an action verb stem to indicate a goal or purpose.

영화를 보러 갈까요?

Shall we go to see a movie?

밥 먹으러 식당에 갔다 왔어요.

I went out to get something to eat.

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(으)려고 하다

This pattern attaches to action verb stems and expresses a plan or intention.

내일 대사관에 가려고 합니다.

I intend to go to the embassy tomorrow.

우리 아들은 의사가 되려고 합니다.

Our son intends to become a doctor.

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(으)려면

“if one intends to do something"

물건을 싸게 사려면 큰 시장에 가야 합니다.

If you want to buy things cheaply you have to go to big markets.

살을 빼려면 운동을 하십시오.

If you want to lose weight, do exercise.

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(으)로 해서

This attaches to nouns denoting places and means:"via, by way of"

일본으로 해서 한국에 왔어요.

I came to Korea by way of Japan.

어디로 해서 가는 것이 빠릅니까?

Which way would be best to go?

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(ㅁ)

마다

“each", "every"

날마다 버스로 출근해요.

I go to work every day by bus.

나라마다 풍습이 달라요.

Each country has different customs.

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만에

This attaches to nouns expressing time and gives the idea of "after an interval of time", "for the first time in TIME one does..."

오랜만에 여행을 떠나요.

I'm leaving on a trip for the first time in ages.

일주일 만에 퇴원했습니다

He was released from hospital after a week.

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만큼

“as much as; to the extent of"

어머니 사랑은 바다만큼 넓어요.

A mother's love is as wide as the ocean.

네가 하는 만큼 나도 할 수 있어요.

I can do as much as you do.

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말고

This is followed by a noun and means "not(the noun)"

이고 드릴까요? - 아니오, 그거 말고 그 옆에 있는 거 주세요.

Is this what you want? - No, not that, the one next to it.

커피 마실래요? - 아니오, 커피 말고 쥬스 주세요.

Are you going to drink coffee? - No, not coffee, bring me juice, please.

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말이다

It attaches to nouns and phrases and is used to ascertain the other speaker's meaning in questions, or else to emphasize one's own words in statements.

그 사람 참 멋있어요. - 누구 말입니까? - 영철 씨 말입니다.

That person is really classy. - Who do you mean? - I mean Young-chol.

In colloquial Korean 말이다 is often put after words or phrases without adding any particular meaning."you know" "uh.." "I mean"

저 말이지요, 제가 말이에요, 시골로 여행을 가는데 말이에요...

I, uh, I mean, I went down , uh, to the countryside...

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(으)면

It expresses the meaning of the condition "if".

값이 싸면 삽시다.

If the price is cheap, let's buy it.

돈이 있으면 좀 빌려 주십시오.

If you have any money, please lend me some.

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(으)면 안 되다

This pattern literally means "if you do X, it won't do".It is used to deny permission or to express "one should not do X".

거짓말 하면 안 됩니다.

One mustn't tell lies.

술 마시고 운전하면 안 됩니다.

One mustn't drive after drinking.

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(으)면 좋겠다

This expression is followed by the basic form or the past form of the verbs, adjectives or nouns and it implies the subject's wish.

어떤 구두를 찾으세요? - 이 옷에 자 어울리는 구두면 좋겠어요.

What kind of shoes are you looking for? - Any kind as long as they're suitable for these clothes.

내일 날씨 어떨까요? - 글쎄요. 따뜻하면 좋겠어요.

What will the weather be like tomorrow? - Well, it would be nice if it is warm.

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(으)면서

This attaches to verb stems and expresses the idea of the subject doing two actions at the same time. "while"

웃으면서 인사했어요.

He greeted me with a smile.

그녀를 생각하면서 길을 걷습니다.

He walks along the street thinking about her.

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(ㅂ)

밖에

This occurs in negative sentences and means "only".

지갑에는 동전밖에 없어요.

All I have in my purse are coins.

저 사람은 자기밖에 모릅니다.

This person thinks only of himself.

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보다

“than"

택시가 버스보다 편해요.

Taxis are more convenient than buses.

돈보다 건강이 중요해요.

Health is more important than money.

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부터

“from", "starting from", "starting with"

손부터 씻고 먹어.

Wash your hands first and then eat.

이 많아서 무엇부터 해야 할지 모르겠어요.

I have so much work, I don't know where to start from.

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뿐(만) 아니라

This attaches to nouns to express the idea "not only...but also"

대문뿐만 아니라 지붕도 고쳐야 되요.

We have to fix not only the front door, but the roof, too.

자기 일뿐만 아니라 남의 일도 잘 합니다.

He does not only his own work, but others' as well.

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(으)ㅂ니다만

It has the same meaning as 지만, i.e."but".

방학입니다만 바쁩니다.

It is vacation, but I'm busy.

실례지만 성함이 어떻게 되십니까?

Excuse me, but what is your name?

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(ㅅ)

서

This is a conjunctive which indicates that the action expressed in the first clausearose first before being followed by the action of the second clause, the relationship between the two actions is very close one.

편지를 써서 부치겠습니다.

I'll write a letter and then mail it.

책을 사서 읽습니다.

Let's buy a book and read it.

It can also indicate that the action of the first clause is the reason for the action of the second clause.In this case, the second clause cannot contain an imperative or a suggestion.

배가 아파서 약을 먹었습니다.

My stomach hurt so I took some medicine.

비가 와서 우산을 샀습니다.

It was raining so I bought an umbrella.

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씩

씩 comes after an expression of quantity and means "each" or "every".

하루에 몇 시간씩 수영을 해요? - 1시간씩 해요.

How many hours do you swim every day? - One hour a day.

책을 많이 읽으세요? - 네, 일주일에 한 권씩 읽어요.

Do you read a lot? - Yes, I read one book every week.

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(아)

아무

This prefixes to nouns like 것, 때 and 데 and expresses the idea "any...at all","any...whatsoever". Often, the prefixed noun is followed either by 도 (in negative contexts) or 나.

아무거나 주세요.

Please give me anything at all.

주말에 아무 때나 들르세요.

Please drop by anytime over the weekend.

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아무 - (이)나

“아무 + -(이)나” expresses "all of the (noun)"

아기가 뭘 잘 먹어요? - 아무 것이나 잘 먹어요.

What does your baby like to eat? - My baby eats anything well.

언제 만날까요? - 아무 때나 괜찮아요.

When shall we meet? - Anytime.

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아 / 어 드리다

아 / 어 드리다 is an honorific expression of -아/어 주다.

어떤 모양으로 해 드릴까요?

How do you want your hair done?

어제 집에서 뭐 했어요? - 어머니를 도와 드렸어요.

What did you do at home yesterday? - I helped my mother.

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아 / 어/ 여 보다

This auxiliary verb attaches to action verbs to indicate an attempt or a try.

한식을 먹어 봤어요?

Have you ever eaten/tried eating Korean food?

한국말로 말해 볼까요?

Shall I try saying it in Korean?

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아/어도 되다

This expression is used to ask for permission.

지금 집에 가도 되요? - 네, 가세요.

Can I go home now? - Yes, you can go home.

전화 좀 써도 되요?

Can I use your phone?

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아/어라

This is an impolite form of the imperative sentence ending (으)세요.

빨리 와/와라.

Hurry up.

거짓말하지 마/마라.

Don't tell lies.

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으면 하다 / 었으면 하다 / 였으면 하다

This pattern expresses a wish or a desire. Note that 하다 here is an action verb.

한국말을 잘 했으면 합니다.

I wish I could speak Korean well.

돈이 많았으면 합니다.

I wish I had a lot of money.

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아/어야지요

This is a combination of the pattern -어야 하다“one must do" nad the ending -지요 ”isn't it the case", "isn't it?".

뭘 사려면 수표를 바꿔야지요.

If you want to buy something, you'd better change a check, huh?

아는 길도 물어 가야지요.

We should ask the way along a road we know, too, you know?

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아/어/여 지다

This pattern helps form a kind of passive."becomes a certain way", "gets to be a certain way".

칼이 나빠서 고기가 잘 안 썰어집니다.

The knife is bad so it doesn't slice well.

우산이 저절로 퍼져요.The umbrella is automatic.

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(이)

(이)야

(이)야 is an impolite form of the expression -입니다 . -이에요. -야 comes after a noun ending in a vowel, and -이야 comes after a noun ending in a consonant.

아버지, 아까 그 분 누구예요? - 전에 같이 일하던 사람이야.

Father, who was that person a while ago? - It is someone I worked with before.

수미야, 생일이 언제야?

Sumi, when is your birthday?

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(어)

어(아,여) 가지고

This pattern expresses the idea that after the action of the first clause was or has been completed, it is followed or carried on by the action of the second clause.

돈을 벌어 가지고 장가 갈 거예요.

I'm going to earn some money and then get married.

불어를 배워 가지고 취직하려고 합니다.

I intend to learn French and then get a job.

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어/아/여 달라고 하다

This pattern is used to turn the original utterance "어/아/여 주십시오“ into indirect quotation.

손님이 차를 세워 달라고 합니다.

The customer asks (the driver) to stop the car.

아주머니한테 깨워 달라고 하세요.

Please tell my aunt to wake me up (in the morning).

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어/아/여 볼까요?

This is a combination of the patterns -어 보다 “tries out doing" and -ㄹ까요? ”shall I/we"

모두 모여서 의논해 볼까요?

Shall we all get together and discuss it?

주소는 전화번호부에서 찾아 볼까요?

Shall I look up the address in the phone book?

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어/아/여 있다

This pattern attaches to certain action verbs to express the idea that a completed action or state continues to be in effect.

책상이 방 한가운데 놓여 있어요.

The table is located in the middle of the room.

앞 자리에 앉아 있는 사람이 누구입니까?

Who is the person who is seated beside you?

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어(아/여)야 하다

“must", "have to", "should"

교통 규칙을 꼭 지켜야 합니다.

One must observe strictly traffic regulations.

어른에게는 존대말을 써야 합니다.

One must use the polite style of speech to one's elders.

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어다가

This attaches to action verb stems and indicates that the action of the preceding clause is continued or logically followed by the action of the following clause. In this case, the ultimate goal of both actions is identical, but the places where the two actions occur are different.

The -가 of -어다가 can be omitted.

약을 사다가 먹었어요.

I bought some medicine and took some.

비디오를 빌려다 봤어요.

I borrowed a video and (then) watched it.

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어도

“even though / if one is or does.."

그 사람은 아무 것이나 입어도 잘 어울립니다.

No matter what he wears, it looks good on him.

대학을 졸업하게도 취직이 안 돼요.

Even if you graduate from university, it is difficult to get a job.

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어지는 것 같다

This is a combination of the pattern -어지다 “gets to be", "becomes" and -는 것 같다 ”seems to be doing".

도시 생활이 복잡해지는 것 같아요.

City life seems to be getting more complicated.

오늘은 글이 잘 써지는 것 같아요.

Today the words seem to be flowing from my pen.

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어치

어치 means a price of something in the sense of quantity or degree.

어느 걸 드릴까요? - 저쪽에 있는 걸로 2000원어치만 주세요.

What would you like? - Please, give me from those over there for 2000 won only.

딸기 3000 원어치 주세요.

Please, give me 3000 won's worth of strawberries.

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얼마나 (으)ㄴ지 모르다

This attaches to quality verb stems and expresses the meaning "My, how... !".If it is used with an action verb, the verb must be preceded by an adverb.

봄이 되어서 얼마나 피곤한지 모르겠어요.

Now that it has become spring, I'm so tired!

그 영화가 얼마나 재미있는지 몰라요.

That movie was incredibly interesting.

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었다가

This attaches to verb stems and indicates that the action of the second clause is added or appended to the action of the first clause, after the action of the first clause was completed. There are many cases in which the action of the second clause is returning or reverting to that of the first clause.

우체국에 갔다가 왔어요.

I went to the post office (and now I'm back).

지갑을 잃어버렸다가 찾았어요.

I lost my wallet, but then I found it.

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었(았,였) 었

This is the "double" past tense suffix.It attaches to verb stems to express the idea that an action or a state occurred in the past, but that action or state has not continued up to the present.

아까 안경이 여기 있었는데 어디 갔지?

My glasses were here just a moment ago, where have they gone?

조금 전까지 대문이 열렸었어요.

The door was open until a little while ago (but it isn't anymore).

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(에)

에 비해서

“compared to", "in comparison with"

지하철이 버스에 비해서 빠릅니다.

The subway is faster compared to the bus.

아파트가 단독주택에 비해서 편해요.

Apartments are more convenient compared to houses.

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에다가

This attaches to nouns and expresses 1) a transfer of location or position, 2)the idea of addition "on top of", "what's more".Both -가 and -다가 can be omitted. 벽에다가 달력을 거세요.

Please, hang the calendar on the wall.

서랍에다 돈을 두고 왔어요.

I left the money in the drawer.

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에서-까지

These particles attach to nouns denoting time in order to express the starting and finishing point of something.

서울(에)서 부산까지 기차로 5시간 걸립니다.

From Seoul to Pusan it takes 5 hours by train.

12시에서 1시까지 점심시간입니다.

Lunch time is from 12 until 1 o'clock.

In general, the pattern -에서-까지 is used for places and the pattern -부터-까지 for time.

9시부터 1시까지 수업을 합니다.

We have classes from 9 until 1 o'clock.

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요-ending

This is a polite final ending which indicates the and of an utterance.

아직도 주무십니까? - 늦었는데요.

Are you still sleeping? - It's late, you know.

잡지를 하나 샀습니다. 심심해서요.

I bought a magazine, (because) I was so bored.

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(ㅈ)

자

자 is an impolite expression of a proposition ending such as -(으)ㅂ시다 or -아/어요.

몇 시에 만날까? - 3시에 만나자.

What time shall we meet? - Let's meet at 3 o'clock.

밖에 나갈까? - 나가지 말고 집에서 음악이나 듣자.

Shall we go out? - Let's not go out, but listen to some music at home.

;

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지

This attaches to verb stems and is used by the speaker to ascertain the other person's agreement or attitude toward what is being said. It makes a kind of tag question.

버스 타고 다니기가 힘들지?

It's tiring to travel around by bus, isn't it?

방 좀 지우지.

Clean up your room , will you?

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지 말다

This attaches to action verb stems to form negative commands and negative suggestions.

  Affirmative Negative
Imperative -(으)십시오 -지 마십시오
Suggestion -(으)ㅂ시다; -지 맙시다

창문을 닫지 마십시오.

Don't shut the window.

내일 모일까요? - 아니오, 내일 모이지 맙시다.

Shall we meet tomorrow? - No, let's not meet tomorrow.

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지 못하다

This is a negative expression which attaches to verbs and expresses the impossibility of the action due either to the lack of ability or to external forces.

바빠서 쉬지 못해요.

I'm busy, so I can't rest.

입이 아파서 말을 하지 못합니다.

My mouth hurts, so I can't talk.

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지 않다

This form attaches to the verb stem to form a negation. It is not used for imperatives or suggestions.

내일은 학교에 가지 않습니다.

I'm not going to school tomorrow.

기분이 좋지 않습니다.

I'm not in a good mood.

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지 않으면 안 되다

“if you don't do it, it won't do => you must do it"

내일은 모두 일작 일어나지 않으면 안 돼요.

We must all get up early tomorrow.

넥타이를 매지 않으면 안 됩니까?

Do I have to wear a tie?

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지만

“but"

값은 비싸지만 물건이 좋아요.

It is expensive, but good.

약을 먹었지만 낫지 않아요.

I took the medicine, but I'm not getting better.

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지요

This is a sentence ending which comes after a verb and expresses a polite request.

늦었는데 빨리 가시지요.

It's late, hurry up, please.

내일 부인과 함께 오시지오.

Please come together with your wife tomorrow.

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짜리

This expression comes after a countable noun and means the price or value of that noun.

저 사과 얼마예요? - 저건 천원짜리고, 옆의 것은 700원짜리예요.

How much are these apples? - These are a thousand-won apples, and the ones beside them- 700-won apples.

그 가방 얼마짜리예요? - 30 000 원짜리예요.

How much is that bag? - It is a 30 000-won bag.

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(ㅎ)

한 번도 못하다 / 안 하다 / 없다

한 번(개,명, 장...)도 is always preceded by the negative meaning (못하다 “cannot", 안하다 ”do not", 없다 “there is not") and means "not at all", when we want to emphasize something.

어제 친구들 많이 만났어요? - 아니오, 한 명도 못 만났어요.

Did you meet many of your friends yesterday? - No, I didn't meet any.

사진 많이 찍었어요? - 아니오, 한 장도 안 찍었어요.

Did you take a lot of pictures? - No, I didn't take any.

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한테 / 에게

This is a case particle which attaches to animate nouns.-에게 and -한테 have the same meaning and are interchangeable.

동생에게 영어를 가르칩니다.

I teach English to my younger sibling.

누구한테 카드를 보냅니까?

To whom are you sending the card?

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한테서 / 에게서

“from"

김 선생님에게서 전화가 자주 옵니다.

We often get phone calls from Mr.Kim.

친구한테서 생일 선물을 받았습니다.

I received a birthday present from my friend.

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Quotations:

  Nouns Action verbs Quality verbs
Declarative -(이)라고 하다 -는(ㄴ)다고 하다 -다고 하다
Interrogative -(이)냐고 하다 -(느)냐고 하다 -(으)냐고 하다
Imperative; - -(으)라고 하다 -
Propositive - -자고 하다 -

그 분은 아직 미혼이라고 합니다.

He says that he is not married yet.

그 남자는 나에게 취미가 뭐냐고 물었어요.

He asked me what my hobbies were.

너무 서두르지 말자고 합니다.

He suggests we don't rush too much.

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