The Present Tense in Korean: A Clear Guide
The present tense in Korean is used to describe actions that are currently happening or general truths. It is formed by conjugating the verb stem according to the subject and the level of politeness. Understanding this tense is essential for effective communication in everyday situations.
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The rule
To form the present tense in Korean, you typically take the verb stem and add specific endings based on the subject's politeness level. For regular verbs, if the verb stem ends in a vowel, you add -아요 or -어요. If it ends in a consonant, you add -습니다 or -ㅂ니다 for formal speech. The choice between -아요 and -어요 depends on the last vowel of the verb stem.
The Present Tense at a glance
| Formality Level | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Informal | 가 |
| Polite | 가요 |
| Formal | 갑니다 |
Conjugation of the verb '가다' (to go) in present tense
Examples you can say out loud
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know which ending to use for present tense?
Look at the last vowel of the verb stem; use -아요 if it is ㅏ or ㅗ, and -어요 for other vowels.