---
title: Korean grammar
---

<status>Status: 🌿 </status>
<details>
<summary>Table of contents</summary>
<ul>
	<li><a href="#formal" class="internal-link">Formal vs Casual</a></li>
	<li><a href="#what" class="internal-link">What</a></li>
	<li><a href="#time" class="internal-link">Time</a></li>
	<li><a href="#counting" class="internal-link">Counting</a></li>
	<li><a href="#subject" class="internal-link">Subject markers</a></li>
	<li><a href="#object" class="internal-link">Object markers</a></li>
	<li><a href="#present" class="internal-link">Present tense</a></li>
	<li><a href="#past" class="internal-link">Past tense</a></li>
	<li><a href="#future" class="internal-link">Future tense</a></li>
	<li><a href="#ing" class="internal-link">Present progressive</a></li>
	<li><a href="#want" class="internal-link">Want</a></li>
	<li><a href="#negation" class="internal-link">Negation</a></li>
	<li><a href="#verbintonoun" class="internal-link">Verb into noun</a></li>
	<li><a href="#cancannot" class="internal-link">Can/cannot do</a></li>
	<li><a href="#itcantbe" class="internal-link">It can't be</a></li>
	<li><a href="#descriptiveverbs" class="internal-link">Descriptive verbs</a></li>
	<li><a href="#place" class="internal-link">Place</a></li>
	<li><a href="#fromto" class="internal-link">From/to</a></li>
	<li><a href="#andbut" class="internal-link">And/but/therefore/so</a></li>
	<li><a href="#also" class="internal-link">Also/too</a></li>
	<li><a href="#only" class="internal-link">Only</a></li>
	<li><a href="#irregulars" class="internal-link">Irregulars</a></li>
	<li><a href="#morethan" class="internal-link">More than</a></li>
	<li><a href="#if" class="internal-link">If/in case</a></li>
	<li><a href="#stillalready" class="internal-link">Still/already</a></li>
	<li><a href="#somex" class="internal-link">Someone/Something/Somewhere/Someday</a></li>
	<li><a href="#imperative" class="internal-link">Imperative</a></li>
	<li><a href="#haveshouldmust" class="internal-link">Have to/Should/Must</a></li>
	<li><a href="#method/way" class="internal-link">Method/way</a></li>
	<li><a href="#allmore" class="internal-link">All/more/less</a></li>
	<li><a href="#dontdoit" class="internal-link">Don't do it</a></li>
	<li><a href="#vnounsreq" class="internal-link">Verbs that require nouns</a></li>
	<li><a href="#toomuchvery" class="internal-link">Too much/very</a></li>
	<li><a href="#linkingverbs" class="internal-link">Linking verbs</a></li>
	<li><a href="#shallweiwonder" class="internal-link">Shall we?/I wonder</a></li>
	<li><a href="#approxabout" class="internal-link">Approximately, About</a></li>
	<li><a href="#beforenoun" class="internal-link">Before noun</a></li>
	<li><a href="#beforeing" class="internal-link">Before verb</a></li>
	<li><a href="#after" class="internal-link">After</a></li>
	<li><a href="#pluralmarker" class="internal-link">Plural marker</a></li>
	<li><a href="#butstillnevertheless" class="internal-link">But still, nevertheless</a></li>
	<li><a href="#looklikeseemlike" class="internal-link">To look like/To seem like</a></li>
	<li><a href="#adjectives" class="internal-link">Making Adjectives</a></li>
	<li><a href="#wellthenifso" class="internal-link">Well then, In that case, if so</a></li>
	<li><a href="#lets" class="internal-link">Let's</a></li>
	<li><a href="#inorderto" class="internal-link">In order to, For the sake of</a></li>
	<li><a href="#maybeimight" class="internal-link">Maybe I might</a></li>
	<li><a href="#neyo" class="internal-link">-네요 verb ending</a></li>
	<li><a href="#themorethemore" class="internal-link">The more..., the more ... </a></li>
	<li><a href="#ji" class="internal-link">-지(요)</a></li>
	<li><a href="#itsokay" class="internal-link">It's okay to / You don't have to</a>
	</li>
	<li><a href="#shouldnot" class="internal-link">You shouldn't / You're not supposed to</a>
	</li>
	<li><a href="#amongbetween" class="internal-link">Among, Between</a></li>
	<li><a href="#any" class="internal-link">Any</a></li>
	<li><a href="#try" class="internal-link">Try</a></li>
	<li><a href="#spacing" class="internal-link">Spacing in Korean</a></li>
	<li><a href="#most" class="internal-link">The most</a></li>
</ul>
</details>

### Formal vs Casual {#formal}

There are two ways of communicating in Korean

존댓말 - formal one. More polite, good `default` mode.
반말 - informal one - to be used with friends

Usually the difference is adding -요 to the end. Also, if there are many ways of saying/writing something, the longer one is more polite one.

| 존댓말                      | 반말                |
| ------------------------ | ----------------- |
| 안녕하세요                    | 안녕                |
| 안녕히 가세요/잘 가요             | 안녕 / 잘 가!         |
| 안녕히 계세요 / 잘 지내요! / 잘 있어요 | 안녕 / 잘 지내 / 잘 있어! |
| 저                        | 나                 |
| -씨, -님                   | 너, -야/-아          |
| 네 / 예                    | 응 / 어 >> 웅 / 엉    |
| 아니요 / 아니에요               | 아니 / 아니야          |
| 이거 뭐예요?                  | 이거 뭐야?            |
| 이거 뭐였어요?                 | 이거 뭐였어?           |
| 내일 일 할 거예요               | 내일 일 할 거야         |

Politeness levels are determined by the verb ending. There are three basic verb endings used to express different politeness levels
1. -ㅂ니다 = the most polite and most formal ending
2. -(아/어/여)요 = the polite, natural and slightly formal ending
3. 아/어/여 = the casual, informal and intimate ending

반말 can be only used:
1. with someone who is younger
2. someone of the same age
3. someone with whom you agreed to mutually use 반말
If other person's age or social status is not known, do not use 반말. Once you know other's person's age and find out they are younger than you, you can use 반말, however it's safer, as well as a nice gesture, to ask the person whether you can use 반말.

Common cases for using 반말
1. You are much older
2. You are older than the other person and you got their permission to use 반말
3. You are the same age and you got their permission to use 반말
4. Students in same age group
5. Talking to yourself or writing in a diary/journal

Common cases to **NOT** use 반말
1. You know the other person only through work and not personally
2. You are older than the other person, but they are your business client or customer
3. You are older than the other person, but you are talking in an official environment (like business meeting, seminars, lessons)
4. You just met the other person.
5. You are younger and never got permission from the other person to use 반말 with them
6. You are the same age, but you are both adults and you do not know each other that well
7. You are older, but the other person is your boss
8. You are older than the other person, but they are the spouse of your sibling
9. You are talking to a large group of people or filming a video blog

How to ask for 반말?

If you are the older one
```
말 놔도 돼요? = May I speak 반말 with you?
말 = language, word
놓다 = put down
말을 놓다 literally means "put down the language" or "lower the language"

말 편하게 해도 돼요? = May I speak comfortably with you?
편하다 comfortable
편하게 comfortably
```

If you are the younger one
```
말 놓으셔도 돼요 = You can speak casually with me
놓다 >> 놓으시다

말 편하게 하셔도 돼요 = You can speak comfortably with me
하다 >> 하시다
```

If you are of the same age
```
우리 말 놓을까요? = Shall we speak 반말 to each other?
말 편하게 해도 되죠? (-지요=--죠) = I can talk in 반말 with you, right?
```


### What {#what}

###### What + verb -> 뭐 + verb
example: 뭐 했어요? -> What did you do?

###### What + noun = what kind of -> 무슨 + noun
example: 무슨 책 좋아해요? - what kind of books do you like?

### Time {#time}

AM = 오전
PM = 오후
hour = 시
minutes = 분

time format: 오전/오후 + NK number + 시 + SK number + 분

year = 년 
month = 월
day = 일

date format: SK + 년 + SK + 월 + SK + 일

### Counting {#counting}

what + NK number + counting word

example: 책 다섯 권 = five books

|word|what it counts|comments|
|---|---|---|
|살|age (years old)|can't use 개|
|명|people|can't use 개|
|마리|animal|can't use 개|
|병|bottle||
|벌|clothes||
|개|"thing"|can be used for other words unless specified otherwise|
|그루|tree||
|켤레|a pair||
|장|paper, page, ticket|also works for e-tickets|
|권|book||
|대|car, phone, tv|from what I understand "expensive" things|
|조각|piece||
|송이|flower||
|컵|cup|for cheap/take-away coffee etc|
|잔|glass|for expensive/proper coffee cup etc|

### Subject markers {#subject}

**-은/-는**

"unlike other things"

"different from other things"

**example**

이거는 사과예요.

(The other things are not apples, but) this is an apple.

-이/-가

**example**

이 책이 좋아요.

This book is good

(there are no other books as good as this one)

1. Once mentioned, a subject is given `은/는`. The subject is turned into a topic.
	- 그 강아지는 예뻐요 = The dog is pretty
	- 공원에 강아지가 있어요 = There is a dog at the park
2. `은/는` can be also used for things that are not subjects. Use `은/는` when it means _this topic is a little_ **different** _from other topics_
	- 여기에 한국인이 많아요. 근데 저는 미국인이에요. = There are a lot of Koreans here. But I am American
	- 저는 강아지를 좋아하는데 고양이는 안 좋아해요 = I like dogs, but I don't like cats
3. If **the subject** is important, use `이/가`. If anything other than the subject is more imporant, use the `은/는`.
	- 누가 드랫이에요? 제가 드랫이에요. (Who is Dreat? I am Dreat => **I(저)** is more important than the name)
	- 이름이 뭐예요? 제 이름은 드랫이에요 (저**는** **드랫**이에요 / 드랫이 제 이름이에요) = What is your name? My name is Dreat (I am Dreat) (name is more important than `I(저)`)

### Object markers {#object}

-을/-를

### Present tense {#present}

1. Ends with ㅏ or ㅗ = add 아요
2. Doesn't end with ㅏ or ㅗ  = add 어요
3. Ends with 하 = add 여요

### Past tense {#past}

1. Ends with ㅏ or ㅗ = add 았어요
2. Doesn't end with ㅏ or ㅗ  = add 었어요
3. Ends with 하 = add 였어요

### Future tense {#future}

Add -(으)ㄹ 거예요.

or

Add -(으)ㄹ 게요 to focus more on actions or decisions as a reaction/result of what the other person says or thinks


### Present progressive (-ing) {#ing}

Add -고 있어요

### Want {#want}

Add -고 싶어요

#### Do you want to...? -(으)ㄹ래요?
It is built based on the future tense. It is used when expressing the intent of the will to do something. With question mark it changes to "do you want to...?". When used as a statement it can mean "I want to..." or "I am going to...".

1. 집에 가고 싶어요 = I want to go home (most general and vague way)
2. 집에 갈게요 = (if so) I will go home (looking for feedback / reacting to the situation)
3. 집에 갈 거예요 = I am going to go home (most direct)
4. 집에 갈래요 = something between "I want to go home" and "I am going to go home"

혼자 할래요 vs 혼자 할게요 -> second sounds much nicer, but both mean "I will do it alone"

저는 안 가래요 (I do not want to go/I am not going to go) vs 저는 안 가고 싶어요 (If you really insist, I might go)

### Negation {#negation}

1. 안 before verb
2. negative verb ending -지 않다 

### Verb into noun {#verbintonoun}

1. Drop 다
2. Add 기

**example**

보다 - to see

부기 - seeing

or add `-(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 것 `

**for action verbs**
1. present tense: verb stem + -는 것
2. past tense: verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 것
3. future tense: verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 것

**for descriptive verbs**
1. present tense: verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 것
2. future tense: verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 것
### Can/cannot do {#cancannot}

1. Drop 다
2. Add (으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다

### It can't be -(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요 {#itcantbe}

`리` means "reason" or "logic" and can be found in `이유(reason)` and `논리(logic)`

given that, the structure -(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요 literally means "there is no reason that..." -> it's used as "it cannot be..." or "it is impossible...".

`그렇다` is a very common expression thatmeans "to be so". (ㅎ is usually dropped with verb endings)

그러 + ㄹ리가 없어요 = 그럴 리가 없어요! = It cannot be/That is impossible!

을 리가 없어요 can be places after tense suffix -았/었/였. In that case, it always starts with -을. (ex: 갔을 리가 없어요 -> There is no way that he/she went)

For future tense use present verb form + add words that indicate future (ex: 내일 -> 내일 일요일일 리가 없어요 -> there is no way that tomorrow is Sunday)

### Descriptive verbs {#descriptiveverbs}

verb stem + 아/어/여 + 하다

**example**
슬퍼요 - I am sad

슬퍼해요 - "to feel sad"/"express such emotions"

(for feelings only descriptive form can be used for other people)

### Place {#place}

-에 = at, to, in

**example**

학교에 갔어요 - I went to school

-에서 = at, in, from

used to

1. Describe where action is taking place (도서관에서 궁부했어요 = I studied in the library)
2. Describe "from place" (서울에서 왔어요 = I came from Seoul)

### From/to {#fromto}

##### From
1. -에서 -> for location
2. -부터 -> for time

##### To

까지 (for both location and time)

##### From/to someone

1. -한테 = to/from someone
2. -한테서 = from someone

### And/But/Therefore/So {#andbut}

##### And

1. 그리고 = and, and then.
2. -하고 = and (used for nouns)
3. -(이)랑 = and (for nouns), also "with"

2 and 3 can be combined with "같이", which means "together"

##### But

1. 그렇지만 - gives "disappointment" vibes
2. 그런데 - can be used as "and"
3. 근데 - shorter form, used in speaking

##### Therefore/so

그래서

### Also/too {#also}

-도

저도 좋아해요 - I like it too

*도 can emphasise different things in a sentence*

-기도 하다

먹기도 해요 - I also eat

### Only {#only}

-만

아침에는 커피만 마셔요 (I only drink coffee in the morning)

아침에만 커피 마셔요 (I drink coffee only in the morning)

Only + verb
1. verb in noun form
2. add -만 하다

- 밖에 = literally outside something, _other than something_, out of range of something

`Noun + -밖에 + negative conjugations`

아침에는 커피밖에 안 마셔요 (I drink nothing but coffee in the morning)

in general -만 and -밖에 are interchangeable, but
1. You need negative form with -밖에
2. -밖에 is used more
3. -밖에 cannot be used with imperative sentences
4. When verb has a negative meaning, -만 is more commonly used (저는 닭고기만 싫어해요 = I only hate chicken)

### Irregulars {#irregulars}

| ends with                              | change           |
| -------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| ㅅ                                      | remove ㅅ         |
| ㄷ                                      | ㄷ => ㄹ           |
| last vowel ㅗ + ㅂ                       | remove ㅂ, add 오아 |
| last vowel not ㅗ + ㅂ                   | remove ㅂ, add 우어 |
| vowel in 2nd last syllable ㅏ/ㅗ + ㅡ     | ㅡ => ㅏ           |
| vowel in 2nd last syllable not ㅏ/ㅗ + ㅡ | ㅡ => ㅓ           |
| last vowel ㅏ/ㅗ + 르                     | 르 => ㄹ + 라       |
| last vowel not ㅏ/ㅗ + 르                 | 르 => ㄹ + 러       |

but!
- 입다 -> 입어요 -> 임을 거예요 (to wear)
- 잡다 -> 잡아요 -> 잡을 거예요 (to catch)
- 씹다 -> 씹어요 -> 씹을 거예요 (to chew)
- 좁다 -> 좁아요 -> 좁을 거예요 (to be narrow)
- 넓다 -> 넓어요 -> 넓을 거예요 (to be wide)

### More than {#morethan}

A보다 더 = more than A

수박은 사과보다 더 커요 = A watermelon is bigger than an apple

### If/in case {#if}

- 만약 - (optional) in case/if
- -(으)면 = verb ending for "if"
	- ends with no 받침 or ㄹ -> add -면
	- ends with 받침 other than ㄹ -> add -으면

_examples_:
1. 만약 지금 자면, 일찍 일어 날 수 있어요 - If I sleep now, I can wake up early
2. 지금 자면, 일찍 일어 날 수 있어요 - I can wake up early, if I sleep now


### Still/already {#stillalready}

- 아직 - still, not yet
- 아직도 - still + even/also -> "still (not) happening". Sound critical/being a little mad or angry
- 이미 - already, when you know about something
- 벌써 - when you are just finding out about somthing

### Someone/Something/Somewhere/Someday {#somex}

1. 누구 (who) + -ㄴ가 = 누군가 (someone)
2. 뭐 (what) + -ㄴ가 = 뭔가/무언가 (something)
3. 어디 (where) + -ㄴ가 = 어딘가 (somewhere)
4. 언제 (when) + -ㄴ가 = 언젠가 (someday)

Even when intended meaning is "someday", 언제 can be used instead of 언젠가. Same goes for 뭐/어디/누구.

*examples:*
1. 누구 만날 거예요? - whom will you meet?
2. 누군가 만날 거예요? - will you meet somebody?
3. 뭐 찾았어요? - what did you find?
4. 뭔가 찾았어요? - did you find something?


### Imperative {#imperative}

Fixed expressions using '-세요'
- 어서오세요 - Welcome
- 안녕히 가세요 - goodbye
- 안녕히 계세요 - goodbye
- 안녕히 주무세요 - goodnight

1. If you want to tell somebody to do something
	- Verb ending with vowel or ㄹ - add -세요
	- Verb ending with consonant other than ㄹ - add -으세요
2. Please do it for me.
	- It has much *nicer tone*
	- Has nuance of asking someone for a favour or asking someone to do sth "for you"
	- 아/어/여 주세요

*examples*:
1. 아이스크림 사세요 - please buy yourself some icecream
2. 아이스크림 사 주세요 - please buy **me** some ice cream

줘요 is less formal 주세요, but more polite than just -세요.

### Have to/Should/Must {#haveshouldmust}

-아야/어야/여야 + 되다/하다

### Method/way {#methodway}

-(으)로

1. Made with x - 뭐로 이거 만들었어요? - what did you make this with?
2. Come by x - 오늘 택시로 왔어요? - did you come by taxi today?
3. Do x using y - 카드로 낼 거예요 - I will pay by card
4. Get hurt/sick - 사구로 다치다 - to get hurt in an accident
5. To be famous for x - 프랑스는 치즈로 유명해요 - France is famous for its cheese
6. Path - 이 길로 가다 - to go this path

### All/more/less {#allmore}

- 다 - all
- 더 - more
- 덜 - less, not completely (opposite of 다)

1. 다 먹었어요 (we ate all/we finished eating)
2. 덜 먹었어요 (we ate not completely everything/we didn't finish eating)[^14]

### Don't do it {#dontdoit}

add -지 마세요


### Verbs that require nouns {#vnounsreq}

Some verbs require nouns to make sense. "To sing"/"To dance"/"To draw" makes no sense if it's not specified **what**

examples with most *generic* nouns:

1. To eat - (밥을) 먹다
	- 밥(을) 먹어요 - I eat 
	- 뭔가 먹어요 - I eat something
2. To draw - (그림을) 그리다
	- 그림 그려료 - I draw
	- 강아지 그려요 - I draw a dog
3. To dance - (춤을) 추다
	- 춤을 춰요 - I dance
	- 힙합을 춰요 - I dance hip-hop
4. To sing - (노래를) 부르다/하다
	- 노래 불러요 - I sing
	- 케이팝 불러요 - I sing K-pop

### Too much/very {#toomuchvery}

너무 - too much, excessively; Can be also used as very/quite/really.

In past it was used only in negative sentences, but nowadays it's possible to use in positive contexts as well. Most people use it both ways.

example:
너무 더워요: 
1. It is too hot
2. It is very hot

### Linking verbs {#linkingverbs}

#### -고
-고 can be used to link verbs. Only last one needs to specify tense, others - just replace `다` with `고` 
It's used to connect **independent** clauses or actions together to form once sentence.

example: 공원에 가고 책을 읽었어요 -> I went to the park and I read a book. (listing things done in a day)

#### -아/어/여 서
-아/어/여 서 is translated as "therefore/so" and is used to connect two or more verbs in a sentence to show logical relationship between the verbs.

1. Reason + 아/어/여 서 + result (비가 와서 못 갔어요 -> It rained, so I cannot go)
2. An action + 아/어/여 서 + another action that takes place after first action (공원에 가서 책을 읽었어요 -> I went to the park and read a book. Reading a book was after park)
3. An action + 아/어/여 서 + the purpose of or the plan after the action (케이크를 사서 친구한테 줄 거예요. -> I'm going to buy a cake and give it to a friend)
4. fixed expressions 
	1. according to -> -에 따라(서) (뉴스에 따라서 오늘 비가 올 거예요 -> According to the news, it will rain today.)
	2. for example -> 예를 들어서 (예를 들어서 이렇게 할 수 있어요 -> For example, you can do like this)

#### -아/어/여도 
same meaning as "그래도" (but still, nevertheless)

#### -는/은/ㄴ데
1. -는데 is used after action verbs (ㄹ is dropped), after 있다/없다, and after -았 or -겠
2. -은데 is used after descriptive verbs with have a final consonant in the verb stem, exepct for the consonant ㄹ
3. -ㄴ데 is used after descriptive verbs with end in a vowel or ㄹ (ㄹ is dropped) and after 이다 and 아니다

This ending has a diverse meaning
1. Explaining the background or the situation before making a suggestions/request/question -> 내일 일요일인데, 뭐 할 거예요? (It is Sunday tomorrow, what are you going to do?)
2. Explaining the situation first before explaining what has happened -> 어제 자고 있었는데, 한국에서 전화가 왔어요 (I was sleeping + 는데 + I got phone call from Korea)
3. Showing a result or situation which is contrasting to the previous action or situation -> 아직 9시인데 벌써 졸려요 (it is still 9 o'clock, but I am already sleepy)
4. As 3, but second part can be omitted for implied meaning (bit sassy) -> 준비 많이 했는데(요)...
5. Showing surprise or exclamation -> 멋있는데(요)! (Oh, that is cool!)
6. Asking a question (expecting some explanation about a situation or behaviour) -> 지금 어디에 있는데(요)? (So where are you now?)
7. Expecting an answer or a response -> 지금(요)? 지금 바쁜데(요)... (Now? I am busy now, so...)

### Shall we?/I wonder... {#shallweiwonder}

-(으)ㄹ 까요?

It is used to:
1. Asking oneself a question of showing doubt about something
2. Raising a question and attracting attention of others
3. Suggesting doing something together

### Approximately, About {#approxabout}

1. -쯤 (no space)
2. 정도 (after word, with space)
3. 약 (before word, with space)

`약` can be used as `ummm` to buy time when answering a question. 1+3 and 2+3 are valid options.

### Before noun {#beforenoun}
(noun +) 전에 = before (+ noun)
- before class = 수업 전에
- before Sunday = 일요일 전에
﻿﻿- before 1o'clock = 1시 전에
- an hour ago = 한 시간 전에

with verb = change a verb into a noun (-기)
- 가기 전에 = before going
- ﻿﻿사기 전에 = before buying  
- 먹기 전에 = before eating

**examples**
- ﻿﻿Finish your work before you go home = 집에 가기 전에 일 끝내세요
- Eat before you study = 공부 하기 전에 밥 먹으세요
- Don't use it before you pay. = 돈을 내기 전에 쓰지 마세요.

### Before verb {#beforeing}
change verb into noun (-기 form) + 전에
가다 -> 가기 -> 가기 전에 (before going)
사다 -> 사기 -> 사기 전에 (before buying)
먹다 -> 먹기 -> 먹기 전에 (before eating)

집에 가기 전에 (before going home)
집에 가기 전에 일 끝내세요 - finish your work before going home

공부 하기 전에 먹으세요 - eat before you study

### After {#after}

다음에, 후에, 뒤에

after -ing
- -(으)ㄴ + 다음에
- -(으)ㄴ + 후에
- -(으)ㄴ + 뒤에

to go home = 집에 가다

after going home:
1. 집에 간 다음에
2. 집에 간 후에
3. 집에 간 뒤에

### Plural marker {#pluralmarker}

noun + 들

커피들이 있어요 (more than 1)

커피가 있어요 (1 or more than 1)

_do not use with counting verbs_
incorrect: '커피 4잔'들 (sounds like 1 or more sets of 4 coffee cups)

### But still, nevertheless {#butstillnevertheless}

#### 그래도
it means "but still"/"however"/"nonetheless"/"nevertheless"
 
example: It is raining! Are you still going? = 비가 와요! 그래도 갈 거예요?

그래 + 도 = "even if you do that"/"even if that happens"/"if you do that, too" + the meaning of "still"

### To look like/to seem like {#looklikeseemlike}

**비슷하다** = to be similar
A is similar to B
A은/는 B(이)랑/B하고 (use with) 비슷하다
Lemon is similar to kiwi
키위랑 레몬은 비슷해요 / 레몬은 키위랑 비슷해요.

**같다** = to be the same
A is the same as B
A은/는 B(이)랑/B하고 (use with) 같다

A**랑** 같아요 - it is the same as A
B는 A**랑** 같아요 - B is the same as A
A**하고** B는 같아요 - A and B are the same

##### with verbs
-(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ 것 같다

- present tense: verb stem + 는 것
	- present tense for action verbs
- past tense: verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 것
	- present tense for descriptive verbs
	- past tense for action verbs
- future tense: verb stem + -(으)ㄹ 것
	- future tense for action and descriptive


### Making Adjectives {#adjectives}
 `+ -(으)ㄴ + 명사 (noun)`

In English "pretty" is an adjective and can be found in a dictionary.
In Korean "pretty" is "예쁜", but it cannot be found dictionaries. The "descriptive verb" or "the adjective in infinite form" is "예쁘다" and can be found in the dictionary.

- 싸다 is not "cheap". It means "to be cheap"
- 바쁘다 is not "busy". It mean "to be busy"
- 맛있다 is not "delicious". It mean "to be delicious"

In Korean adjectives can be conjugated to different tenses, for example

- 재미있다 (to be fun)
- 재미있어요 (present tense)
- 재미있었어요 (past tense)
- 재미있을 거예요 (future tense)
(vs English It is fun/ It was fun/ It will be fun; `fun` is always the same)

**Exceptions:**
- 하얗다 -> 하얀 (white; 하얀 가방 - white bag) 
- 그렇다 -> 그런 (such; 그런 가방 - that kind of bag)
- 달다 -> 단 (sweet)
- 있다 -> 있는
- 없다 -> 없는

**Common mistake**
- 예쁜 + 이에요 𐄂 -> 예뻐요 ✓
- 비싼 + 이에요 𐄂 -> 비싸요 ✓
- 라떼 한 잔 주세요. 따뜻한 - 𐄂 (can't be without noun)
- 라떼 한 잔 주세요. 따뜻한 라떼. ✓

**Action verbs can be also used as adjectives**

action verb -는 + noun (for verbs ending with ㄹ, drop ㄹ)

- This is **a bag I like**
- 이 가방은 제가 **좋아하는 가방**이에요.
- This bag is **a bag I liked**
- 이 가방은 제가 **좋아한 가방**이에요.
- This bag is **a bag I will like**
- 이 가방은 제가 **좋아할 가방**이에요.

- Someone who Yeji likes -> 예지씨가 좋아하는 사람
- Someone who likes Yeji -> 예지씨를 좋아하는 사람

- Is there a Korean food that you eat often? -> 자주 먹는 한국 음식 있어요?
- Is there a cafe that you go to often? -> 자주 가는 카페 있어요?


### Well then, In that case, If so {#wellthenifso}

그러면, 그럼 

```
if, in case = 만약 -(으)면, or -(으)면
to be so = 그렇다
```


그러면 is `그렇다 + (으)면` and literaly means ("then" or "in that case")

if you say **그럼!/그럼요** it mean "of course!" or "naturally!"

### Let's {#lets}

A few different ways to say `let's` in Korean

1. - 아/어/여요 (polite/plain)
2. -(으)시죠 (honorific)
3. -자 (informal)
4. -(으)ㄹ래요? (polite/casual)
5. -(으)실래요? (polite/formal)


### In order to, For the sake of {#inorderto}

위해, 위해서 = in order, for

위하다 => 위해 (위하여) / 위해서 (위하여서)

noun + -을/를 위해서
- 건강을 위해(서) = for health/for the sake of health/in order to be healthy
- 회사를 위해(서) = for the company/for the good of the company

"위해(서)" in a sentence sounds very formal. In casual, spoken conversation -(으)려고 or 위한 is used

### Maybe I might {#maybeimight}

-(으)ㄹ 수도 있어요 = 
- it could...
- it is possible that...
- it might

1. -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 -> can, to be able to
2. -도 -> also, too

The word 수 is a noun which means "way", "method" or "idea". Therefore -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 means "there is a way to do...", "there is an idea for doing..." or "there is a possibility for doing..."

Adding -도 (too/also) changes the meaning to "to also be able to do something".

It usually means "it might", "it could" or "perhaps".

- to meet = 만나다
- might meet = 만날 수도 있다
- we might meet again tomorrow = 내일 다시 만날 수도 있어요

**important**:
1. I might not come here tomorrow => 저는 내일 다시 안 올 수도 있어요
2. I might not be able to come here tomorrow
	- 저는 내일 다시 올 수 없을 수도 있어요
	- 저는 내일 다시 몾 올 수도 있어요


### -네요 verb ending {#neyo}
It is used in case of being impressed, surprised, or one's own personal thought. This is used quite frequently

Verb stem + -네요

- 크네요! = (I see that) it is big! / (I did not know it was but, but) is it big. (expressing surprise)
- 잘 어울리네요! = Oh, I think that it looks good on you (expressing impression)
- 맞네요 = I see that it is correct! (Finding out a fact for the first time)
- 여기 있네요! = oh, here it is!
- 벌써 11원이네요 = wow, it is already November

### The more ..., the more... {#themorethemore}

-(으)면 -(으)ㄹ수록

the more A(verb), the more B(verb) = A-(으)ㄹ수록 B

examples:
- The more delicious it is, the better is sells = 맛있을수록 잘 팔려요
- The more busy you are, the more important your health is = 바쁠수록 건강 더 중요해요
- The more people, the better = 사람이 많을수록 더 좋아요

-(으)ㄹ수록 can also mean (depending on context of conversation)
- "Even more so, especially when..." - 학생일수록 책을 많이  읽어야 돼요 = You need to read a lot of books, even more so if you are a student
- "Especially if..." or "Even more..." 
- "Particularly when..." - 바쁠수록 더 자야 돼요 = You need to sleep more, particularly when you are busy

If you want to emphasise a bit more, you can use -(으)면 before -(으)ㄹ수록

- The busier you are... = 바쁠수록 = 바쁘면 바쁠수록
- The better is it... = 좋을수록 = 좋으면 좋을수록

**갈수록** comes from 가다 + -(으)ㄹ수록. It literally means "the more you go", but it's used as "more and more so in time" or "as time goes by"
- It keeps getting colder = 갈수록 추워요
- Dreat keeps getting better at Korean - 드랫은 갈수록 한국어를 잘해요


### -지(요) {#ji}

it's a verb ending that subtly changes meaning. Use it when

1. talking about something, supposing that** the other person also already knows** about it
2. both you and the other person know about something or have a common opinion about something, and you are **just mentioning the fact again**
3. (as interrogative/question ending) both you and the other person know about something, but you are just **reassuring yourself** by asking a question
4. (as interrogative/question ending) you know about something, and you are **asking yourself to confirm** the fact. In this case, do not use 존댓말
5. (as interrogative/question ending) you do not know something, so you are asking yourself a question. **Usually you are thinking out loud and asking the other people around you at the same time**. 반말 is used in this case as well.

When speaking in 존댓말, the verb ending -지요 often changes to -죠 for simplicity and ease of pronunciation. 


### It's okay to / You don't have to {#itsokay} 

`-아/어/여도 되다`

`되다` means "to function", "to be possible" or "can do"

1. to turn on, to switch on -> 켜다
2. it is okay to turn... on, it is okay even if you switch...on -> 켜도 되다
3. it is okay. you can turn it on -> 켜도 돼요
4. you can turn the light on -> 불을 켜도 돼요
5. you can turn the computer on -> 컴퓨터를 켜도 돼요

  
1. to do -> 하다
2. it is okay to do / it is okay even if you do -> 해도 되다
3. it is okay if you do it tomorrow / you can just do it tomorrow -> 내일 해도 돼요
4. is it okay if I do it tomorrow? -> 내일 해도 돼요?

To say "do not have to" or "it is not necessary to" add `안` before whole verb[^1]

### You shouldn't / You're not supposed to {#shouldnot}

`-(으)면 안 돼요`

되다 means "to function", "to be possible" or "can do", so `-(으)면 안 되요` literally means "it is not okay if"/"it is not acceptable if"; it is used as "you should not..."/"you are not supposed to..."

examples:

1. 열면 안 돼요 - You should not open it / You are not supposed to open it 
2. 열면 안 돼요? - Should I not open it? / Am I not supposed to open it?
3. 열면 안 돼! - (to a child) You should not open it
4. 열어도 돼요 - Is it okay to open it / You can go ahead and open it
5. 열어도 돼요? - Can I open it?


### Among, between {#amongbetween}

**중에서, 사이에서, 사이에**

#### 중에서

it means "among" or "between", but it can only be used when listing **a few options** to choose from.

It **cannot** be used to describe location (ex: "the house is located between the bank and the park").

examples:

1. A하고 B 중에서 = between A and B
2. 이 책하고 저 책 중에서 = between this book and that book
3. 이 세 개 중에서 = among these three things
4. 열 명 중에서 = among ten people
5. 이 중에서 걸라 주세요 = please choose among these
6. 이 세 개 중에서 하나 사져가세요 = please take one of these three

#### 사이에서

It is used to explain relationship or the theoretical space between certain objects or people

examples:

1. 친구들 사이에서 인기가 많아요 = he is popular among friends
2. 이 가수는 한국사람들 사이에서 인기가 많아요 = this singer is popular among Koreans

#### 사이에

It is used to refer to the physical space between object or people

examples:

1. 은행하고 공원 사이에 있어요 = I am between the bank and the park
2. 약국은 학교하고 경찰서 사이에 있어요 = the pharmacy is between the school and the police station


### Any (#any)

`아무`

It is used to say "anyone", "anything", or "anywhere". It basically means "any" _in a positive context_ and it **HAS TO** be used along with other nouns - no exceptions. When used in a negative context it means "no + \<noun\>"

For positive sentences, add -나 at the end of the word

- 아무나 = anybody, anyone
	- 아무나 올 수 있어요 = anyone can come
- 아무거나 = anything[^2]
	- 아무거나 주세요 = just give me anything
- 아무 데나 = anywhere, any place[^3]
	- 아무 데나 좋아요 = any place is good

For negative sentences, add -도 at the end of the word

- 아무도 = nobody
	- 아무도 안 왔어요? / 아무도 없어요? = Nobody is here?
- 아무것도 = nothing
	- 아무것도 만지지 마세요 = do not touch anything
	- 아무것도 몰라요 = I don't know anything
- 아무 데도 = nowhere
	- 아무 데도 안 갈 거예요 = I am not going anywhere

If you want someone to be careful making a choice, you can use positive sentence in negative context

examples:

- 아무나 올 수 없어요 = not everyone can come
- 아무도 올 수 없어요 = nobody can come
- 아무거나 먹으면 안 돼요 = you should not eat just anything
- 아무것도 먹으면 안 돼요 = you should not eat anything at all
- 아무 데나 가고 싶지 않아요 = I do not want to go just anywhere
- 아무 데도 가고 싶지 않아요 = I do not want to go anywhere

More 아무 phrases

- 아무 때나 = anytime
- 아무 말도[^4] / 아무 이야기도 = no word, no mention
- 아무렇지도 않다[^5] = to be okay, to be alright, to be unaffected by
- 아무한테도 = to nobody[^6]
- 아무렇게나[^7] = just in any way, however you like it
- 아무(런) + noun + -도 + (없어요) = there is no + noun (of any kind)
	- 아무(런) 소식도 없어요 = there is no news[^8]



### Try {#try}

`-아/어/여 보다`

literal translation is "to do something and see (what happens)". It is used:

1. Tell someone to try or attempt something
2. Ask if someone has ever done or tried something
3. make a command sound less demanding

##### Fixed expressions and verbs containing -아/어/여 보다

_important_ in those expressions space is not necessary

1. 물어보다 vs 물어 보다 (묻다 = to ask)
	1. 물어보다 = to ask, to try asking
	2. 물어 보다 (x) - makes no sense in writing, do not use
2. 알아보다 vs 알아 보다 (알다 = to know)
	1. 알아보다 = to look into something, to recognize
	2. 알아 보다 = (x) - makes no sense in writing, do not use
3. 지켜보다 vs 지켜 보다 (지키다 = keep)
	1. 지켜보다 = to keep a watchful eye on something/someone
	2. 지켜 보다 = (x) - makes no sense in writing, do not use

##### examples
1. 김치찌개를 먹어 봤어요? = Have you tried kimchi stew?
2. 이 옷을 입어 봐도 돼요? = May I try these clothes?
3. 날씨 많이 더워졌는데[^9], 이번 주말에 제주도에 가 불까요? = It's gotten a lot hotter, so would you like to go to Jeju this weekend?
4. 일 너무 많아서 고향에 갈 수 없는데, 전화해 봐도 돼요? / 불 수 일을 까요? = I can't go to my hometown, because I have too much work to do, can I try calling?



[^1]: 해도 돼요 <-> 안 해도 돼요

[^2]: it comes from 아무 + 것이나; 것 means thing

[^3]: 데 means "place" or "spot". While 곳 also means place, it cannot be used here

[^4]: 아무 말이나 = any word

[^5]: 아무 + 그렇다 (to be so) + 지 않다 (to be not); it works only in a negative format

[^6]: <=> 아무한테나 = to anybody

[^7]: 아무렇게 works only here in this case, cannot be used independently

[^8]: 뉴스 is used for TV/newspaper news, for gossip/news from friends/family 소식 is used

[^9]: 더워지다 = to get hot


### Spacing in Korean {#spacing}

`띄어쓰기`

When writing in Korean, in order to avoid unclear and confusing sentences, spacing is important.

#### Space between words

1. an adjective and a noun
	1. a pretty puppy = 예쁜    강아지
	2. an early bird[^10] = 부지런한    사람
2. an adverb and a verb
	1. to walk quietly = 조용히    걷다
	2. to speak fast  = 빨리    말하다 /   말   빨리   하다
3. noun (+marker) and a verb
	1. I bought this = 이거(를)   샀어요
	2. I made the one = 그거(를)   만들었어요
4. a noun and another noun
	1. trip to Korea = 한국    여헹
	2. the cost of a wallet = 지갑   가격

#### No space between words

1. a noun/pronoun and a marker
	1.  I + subject marker = 저 + 는 = 저는
	2.  I + object marker = 저 + 를 = 저를
2. noun in a proper name
	1. Korea Tourism Organisation = 한국-관광-공사
	2. Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation = 서울-도시-철도-공사
	3. Samsung card = 삼성-카드
3. words which form fixed expression can be written together without space[^11]
	1. Family photo - 가족 + 사진 = 가족사진
	2. this thing - 이것
4. noun + 하다[^12][^13]
	1. 공부(를) 하다 = 공부 하다 = 공부하다
	2. 운동(을) 하다 = 운동 하다 = 운동하다
	3. 청소(를) 하다 = 청소 하다 = 청소하다


### The most {#most}
`제일, 가장`

제일 and 가장 are almost the same thing and can be used interchangeably. 

- 제일 = Sino-Korean word 
- 가장 = native Korean word

examples:

- to be pretty = 예쁘다
- the most beautiful = 제일 예쁘다
- the prettiest girl = 제일 예쁜 여자

- to be good = 좋다
- (x) is the best = 제일 좋아요
- the best thing = 제일 좋은 것


[^10]: in Korean - a hardworking person

[^11]: commonly found in sino-Korean words

[^12]: does not work for descriptive verbs, for example 이상 하다

[^13]: also works work noun + 있다 (맛있다); when split, marker is needed (맛**이**   있다 / 재미**가**   있다)

[^14]: `덜` is basically the same as `다 안`
