Why do you learn Korean Grammar？

Have been learning Korean for a while? You might have already mastered all of Hangul, knowing how to read everything, and studied a ton of vocabulary words online and offline. However, you may still struggle to form sentences or doubt whether you are using the correct grammar when you speak or write Korean.

Mastering grammar is the most important foundation when learning the Korean language. So, let’s start from here, the fundamental concepts that all beginners should focus on:

Fundamental Feature of Korean Grammar

Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure

The Subject-Object-Verb structure is the most fundamental feature when it comes to forming a sentence in Korean. In an SOV language, the structure always starts with the subject, followed by the object, and lastly, the verb acting on the object. In contrast, English uses SVO structure in its grammar.

Particles (은/는, 이/가, 을/를)

은/는

은/는 (Topic/Subject Particle) identifies the topic/subject of a sentence.

consonant + 은 (eun)
vowel + 는 (neun)

Example:

저는 선생님이에요 – I’m a teacher
joneun sonsaengnim ieyo
(emphasizing me being a teacher)

정국은 사과를 좋아해요 – Jongguk likes apple
jonggugeun sagwareul joahaeyo
(emphasizing apple is the favorite)

이/가

이/가 (Subject Particle) marks the subject of the sentence, indicating who or what is performing the action.

consonant + 이 (i)
vowel + 가 (ga)

Example:

친구가 좋아해요 – My friend likes it
chinguga joahaeyo
(emphasizing my friend is the one liking it)

라면이 맛있어요 – Ramen is delicious
ramyoni matissoyo
(emphasizing the taste of the ramen)

은/는 vs 이/가

은/는 emphasizes the back part (topic) of a sentence; 이/가 emphasizes the first part (who/what) of the sentence.

Example:

친구는 빵을 샀어요
My friend bought a bread
(chinguneun ppangeul sassoyo)
vs
친구가 빵을 샀어요
It’s my friend who bought a bread
(chinguga ppangeul sassoyo)

For clearer explanation and more examples, learn the most important Korean grammar rules with Mario School’s beginner-friendly e-book or video course!

을/를

을/를 (Object Particle) indicates the direct object of a sentence, showing what is being affected by the action. Another, 을/를 is always followed by an action or a verb.

Example:

문을 열어요 – Open the door
muneul yoroyo
(door as the object, open as the action)

우유를 마셔요 – I drink milk
uyureul masyoyo
(milk as the object, drink as the action)

Numbers and Days

일	one	월요일	monday
이	two	화요일	tuesday
삼	three	수요일	wednesday
사	four	목요일	thursday
오	five	금요일	friday
육	six	토요일	saturday
칠	seven	일요일	sunday
팔	eight	주말	weekend
구	nine	평일	weekday
십	ten

Native and Sino Numbers 1-100

Sino Numbers

Date

1991 – 11 – 07	천구백구십일년 십일월 칠일
1996 – 03 – 31	천구백구십육년 삼월 삼십일일
2023 – 12 – 22	이천이십삼년 십이월 이십이일
4월 2일	사월 이일
5월 19일	오월 십구일
7월 28일	칠월 이십팔일
6월 30일	유월 삼십일

V-(으)세요

V ending with Vowel + 세요	V ending with Batchim + 으세요
어서 오세요 [oso oseyo] – Welcome 공부하세요 [gongbuhaseyo] – Please study	여기 앉으세요 [yogi anjeuseyo] – Please sit here 책을 읽으세요 [chaegeul ilgeuseyo] – Please read a book

N 개 [병, 잔, 그릇]

병 bottle	물 한 병 주세요 Please give me a bottle of water
잔 cup	차 한 잔 주세요 Please give me a cup of tea
그릇 bowl	밥 한 그릇 주세요 Please give me a bowl of rice
개 one	버거 한 개 주세요 Please give me one burger

예요/이에요 Sentence-Ending Particles

입니다/입니까 Sentence-Ending Particles (Formal Version)

“입니다/입니까?” is the formal version of “예요/이에요.”
In fact, “입니다/입니까?” are usually used in formal situations such as the office, presentations, or news. It is the same form regardless of vowels and consonants.

Example:

statement: 입니다.

저는 정국입니다 (joneun jonggugimnida) – I’m Jung Kook
선물입이다 (sonmulribida) – It’s a gift
사과입니다 (sagwaimnida) – It’s an apple
민수입니다 (minsuimnida) – I’m Minsu

question: 입니까?
학생입니까? (hakssaengimnikka) – Are you a student?
마리오입니까? (marioimnikka) – Are you Mario?

이/가 아니에요 To Be Not

“예요/이에요” means “to be” and is used to make sentences like “It’s a gift.“, “I am a student.“, etc. On the contrary, “이/가 아니에요” is the negative form of “예요/이에요” and so it is used to make sentences like “It’s not a gift.“, “I am not a student.“, etc.

Example:

V/A + 아요/어요/해요 Ending

~아요/어요/해요 is an informal-polite sentence ending used to make statements or ask questions in present tense.

There are only 3 rules to remember:

vowel = ㅏ, ㅗ	vowel = other than ㅏ, ㅗ	하다 (to do)
V/A + 아요	V/A + 어요	V/A + 해요
가다 -가요 to go 보다 – 봐요 to watch	먹다 – 먹어요 to eat 만들다 – 만들어요 to make	공부하다 – 공부해요 study 좋아하다 – 좋아해요 like

Example:
1. 마시다 [ma si da] – 마셔요 [ma syeo yo] drink
2. 주다 [ju da]- 줘요 [jwo yo] give
3. 알다 [al da]- 알아요 [al a ya] know
4. 오다 [o da]- 와요 [wa yo] come
5. 만나다 [man na da]- 만나요 [man na yo] meet
6. 사다 [sa da]- 사요 [sa yo] buy
7. 쉬다 [swi da] – 쉬어요 [swi o yo] rest
8. 배우다 [bae woo da]- 배워요 [bae wo yo] learn

안 V/A + 아요/어요/해요 (Don’t / Isn’t)

안 is used to express unwillingness and the meaning of ‘does not’ or ‘is not’.

안 + Verb:
1. 가다 [ga da] > 안 가다 [an ga da] > 안 가요 [an ga yo] – to not go
2. 먹다 [mok da] > 안 먹다 [an mok da] > 안 먹어요 [an mok o yo] – to not eat
3. 마시다 [ma si da] > 안 마시다 [an ma si da] > 안 마셔요 [an ma syeo yo] – to not drink

안 + Adjective:
1. 유명하다 [yoo myeong ha da] > 안 유명하다 [an yoo myeong ha da] > 안 유명해요 [an yoo myeong hae yo] – to not be famous
2. 착하다 [chak ha da] > 안 착하다 [an chak ha da] > 안 착해요 [an chak hae yo] – to not be kind
3. 친절하다 [chin jeol ha da] > 안 친절하다 [an chin jeol ha da] > 안 친절해요 [an chin jeol hae yo] – to not be friendly

*하다 action verbs which consists of nouns and 하다:
1. 공부하다 [gong bu ha da] > 공부 안 해요 [hong bu an hae yo] – do not study
2. 요리하다 [yo ri ha da] > 요리 안 해요 [yo ri an hae yo] – do not cook
3. 운동하다 [un dong ha da > 운동 안 해요 [un dong an hae yo] – do not exercise

V/A + 지 않아요 (Don’t / Isn’t)

V/A+지 않아요 is a more formal way to express unwillingness and the meaning of ‘does not’ or ‘is not’.

1. 가다 > 안 가요 > 가지 않아요 [ga ji ana yo] – do not go
2. 먹다 > 안 먹어요 > 먹지 않아요 [mok ji ana yo] – do not eat
3. 마시다 > 안 마셔요 > 마시지 않아요 [ma si ji ana yo] – do not drink
4. 유명하다 > 안 유명해요 > 유명하지 않아요 [yoo myeong ha ji ana yo] – not famous
5. 착하다 > 안 착해요 > 착하지 않아요 [chak ha ji ana yo] – not kind
6. 친절하다 > 안 친절해요 > 친절하지 않아요 [chin jeol ha ji ana yo] – not friendly
7. 공부하다 > 공부 안 해요 > 공부하지 않아요 [gong bu ha ji ana yo] – do not study
8. 요리하다 > 요리 안 해요 > 요리하지 않아요 [yo ri ha ji ana yo] – do not cook
9. 운동하다 > 운동 안 해요 > 운동하지 않아요 [un dong ha ji ana yo] – do not exercise

있어요/없어요 Presence or Absence of Something

The phrases “있어요” (isseoyo) and “없어요” (eobseoyo) are both used in Korean to indicate the presence or absence of something. “있어요” (isseoyo) – This phrase means “there is” or “to have” in English. It is used to indicate the presence of something. “없어요” (eobseoyo) – This phrase means “there isn’t” or “to not have” in English. It is used to indicate the absence of something.

batchim + 이 있어요/없어요

돈이 있어요 [doni issoyo] vs 돈이 없어요 [doni opssoyo]
I have money vs I don’t have money
선물이 있어요 [sonmuri issoyo] vs 선물이 없어요 [sonmuri opssoyo]
There’s a gift vs There’s no gift
술이 있어요 [suri issoyo] vs 술이 없어요 [suri opssoyo]
There’s alcohol vs There’s no alcohol

vowel + 가 있어요/없어요

여자 친구가 있어요 [yoja chinguga issoyo] vs 여자 친구가 없어요 [yoja chinguga opssoyo]
I have a girlfriend vs I don’t have a girlfriend
차가 있어요 [chaga issoyo] vs 차가 없어요 [chaga opssoyo]
There’s a car vs There’s no car
사과가 있어요 [사과가 있어요] vs 사과가 없어요 [sagwaga opssoyo]
There’s an apple vs. There’s no apple

였어요/이었어요 Past Tense Endings Used in Nouns

“였어요” and “이었어요” are both past tense noun endings in Korean.

Noun ending with Vowel + 였어요	Noun ending with Batchim + 이었어요
어제 [eo jei]+ 였어요 아빠 [ab bba]+ 였어요 자전거 [ja jeo] + 였어요	학생 [hag saeng]+ 이였어요 선생님 [seon saeng nim] + 이였어요 생일 [saeng il] + 이였어요

저는 선생님이었어요 [joneun sonsaengnimiossoyo] I was a teacher
그것은 제 자전거였어요 [geugoseun je jajongoyossoyo] It was my bike
어제였어요 [ojeyossoyo] It was yesterday

-(으)ㄹ 거예요 vs -(으)ㄹ게요 Future Tense

ㄹ 거예요 is a future tense marker in Korean. It is used to indicate that something will happen in the future.

There are only 3 rules when it comes to “-(으)ㄹ 거예요 / -(으)ㄹ게요”

V/A ending with vowel + ㄹ 거예요/ㄹ게요	V/A ending with Batchim + 을 거예요/을게요	V/A ending with ㄹ + 거예요/게요
공부하다 [gong bu ha da] – to study 공부할 거예요 / 공부할게요	먹다 [mog da] – to eat 먹을 거예요 / 먹을게요	만들다 [man deur da] – to make 만들 거예요/만들게요

Difference between ‘-(으)ㄹ 거예요’ and ‘-(으)ㄹ게요’

“-(으)ㄹ 거예요”:

• This construction is used to express a prediction about the future.
• It is often used when the speaker is making a statement or prediction about what they or someone else will do in the future (future plan).
• It’s a more neutral and objective way of expressing future events or intentions.

샤워하다 – to shower
샤워할 거예요? [syawohal kkoeyo] Are you going to take a shower?

만나다 – to meet
저는 친구를 만날 거예요 [joneun chingureul mannal kkoeyo] I’m going to meet my friend

“-(으)ㄹ게요”:

• This construction is used to make a promise or offer.
• It carries a sense of determination or willingness on the part of the speaker.
• when you’ve just decided to do something by other’s words
• ONLY if the subject of a sentence is ‘I’

A: 너무 힘들어요 – It’s so hard
B: 제가 해줄게요 – I‘ll do it for you
힘들다 [himdeulda] – hard/difficult
해주다 [haejuda] – to do it for someone

A: 너무 비싸요 – It’s too expensive
B: 제가 낼게요 – I‘ll pay for this.
비싸다 [bissada] – expensive
내다 [naeda] – to pay for

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‘ㅂ’ 불규칙 Irregular verb

‘ㅂ’ 불규칙 (ㅂ irregular) refers to an irregular verb conjugation pattern in Korean verbs that end in ‘ㅂ’. In this pattern, the ‘ㅂ’ sound changes to ‘워요’.

ㅂ	아요/어요 – 워요	았어요/었어요 – 웠어요	울 거예요
춥다	추워요	추웠어요	추울 거예요
덥다	더워요	더웠어요	더울 거예요
맵다	매워요	매웠어요	매울 거예요

춥다 – to be cold
굽다 – to bake/grill
맵다 – to be spicy

For clearer explanation and more examples, learn the most important Korean grammar rules with Mario School’s beginner-friendly e-book or video course!

A/V -지만 But

The phrase “A/V -지만” in Korean is used to mean “but” or “however” in English. It’s used to introduce a contrasting statement or situation.

Adjective + 지만
한국어는 어렵지만 재미있어요
[hangugoneun oryopjjiman jaemiissoyo]
Korean is hard, but it’s fun.

Verb + 지만
저는 토마토를 먹지만 토마토 소스는 먹지 않아요
[joneun tomatoreul mokjjiman tomato ssosseuneun mokjji anayo]
I eat tomatoes, but I don’t eat tomato sauce.

고 (go) Connector

고 (go) is similar to the English conjunction “and” when connecting two actions or events, also being used to express a sequence of actions happen one after the other.

with Verb :
Original Sentences:
저는 샤워해요. (joneun syawohaeyo) – I take a shower
저는 밥을 먹어요. (joneun babeul meogeoyo) – I eat rice

Connected Sentences using “고”:
저는 샤워하고 밥을 먹어요. (joneun syawohago babeul mogoyo) – I take a shower and eat rice.

In this example, “고” is used to connect the two actions: showering and eating rice. It implies a sequence of events or activities happening one after the other.

with Adjective:
Original Sentences:
케이크는 싸요 (keikeuneun ssayo) – The cake is cheap
케이크는 맛있어요 (keikeuneun matissoyo) – The cake is delicious

Connected Sentences using “고”:
케이크는 싸고 맛있어요 (keikeuneun ssago matissoyo) – The cake is cheap and delicious

에 (e) Location/Time Particle

“에” has 16 usages in Korean grammar, but for beginners, focusing on these 3 primary uses related to static location, destination, and time is enough.
(Click Intermediate/Advanced Korean Grammar for more about ~서)

1. Location (있다/없다):

When indicating a location, 에 is often followed by verbs like ‘있다 to exist‘ or ‘없다 to not exist.’
Example:

• 저는 집에 있어요 (joneun jibe issoyo) – I’m at home
• 가방에 책이 없어요 (gabange chaegi opssoyo) – I don’t have a book in my bag

2. Destination (가다/오다) :

When indicating a destination, 에 is often followed by verbs like ‘가다 to go’ or ‘오다 to come’.
Example:

1. 저는 학교에 가요 (joneun hakkkyoe gayo) – I go to school
2. 친구는 우리 집에 와요 (chinguneun uri jibe wayo) – My friend comes to my house

3. Time:

1. 저는 7시에 영화를 봐요 (joneun ilgopssie yonghwareul bwayo) – I watch a movie at 7 o’clock
2. 언니는 저녁에 공부해요 (onnineun jonyoge gongbuhaeyo) – My sister studies in the evening
3. 내년에 한국에 가요 (naenyone hanguge gayo) – I’m going to Korea next year
4. 월요일에 시험이 있어요 (woryoire sihomi issoyo) – I have an exam on Monday

에서 (eseo) Location Particle with Action

에서 indicates the point where an action or movement occurs. So, 에서 is always followed by an action or verb.

에서 actually has more usages other than indicating the location, but for beginners, focusing on this is enough for now.
(Click Intermediate/Advanced Korean Grammar for more about ~에서)

Example:

• 저는 화장실에서 샤워해요 (joneun hwajangsireso syawohaeyo) – I shower in the bathroom
• 친구랑 공원에서 만나요 (chingurang gongwoneso mannayo) – I see my friend at the park
• 한국에서 한국어를 배워요 (hangugeso hangugoreul baewoyo) – I learn Korean in Korea

BUT
This does not mean the location that he/she places something on
This does not mean the location that he/she places something in

All of the locations from those examples above would require the particle “~에” to denote the location.

Example:

1. 저는 제 노트북에 스티커를 붙였어요
   (joneun je noteubuge seutikoreul buchossoyo)
   I put stickers on my laptop
2. 엄마는 제 책상에 물병을 놓았어요
   (ommaneun je bang/chaekssange mulppyongeul noassoyo)
   Mom put a water bottle on my desk

~에 vs ~에서

Only a few tips to remember!

~에 is always followed used with – 있어요/없어요 – 가요/와요/갔어요/왔어요 – time/date

vs

~에서 is always used with other verbs

V-(으)ㄹ까요? Shall we…?

“V-(으)ㄹ까요?” is a grammatical structure in Korean used to express a suggestion or an invitation, similar to asking “Shall we…?” or “Do you want to…?” in English.

도서관에 갈까요? [dosogwane galkkayo]
Shall we go to the library?

커피를 마실까요? [kopireul masilkkayo]
Shall we drink coffee?

내일은 운동을 할까요? [naeireun kkapee galkkayo]
Shall we go to the cafe tomorrow?

뭘 먹을까요? [mwol mogeulkkayo]
What shall we eat?

‘ㄷ’ 불규칙 Irregular verb

‘ㄷ’ 불규칙 (ㄷ irregular) refers to an irregular verb conjugation pattern in Korean verbs that end in ‘ㄷ’. In this pattern, the ‘ㄷ’ sound changes to ‘ㄹ’ before the verb ending ‘-어요’ or ‘-아요’ when it’s conjugated.

ㄷ	아요/어요 – ㄹ어요	았어요/었어요 – ㄹ었어요	ㄹ으세요	ㄹ(으)면
걷다	걸어요	걸었어요	걸으세요	걸으면
묻다	물어요	물었어요	물으세요	물으면
듣다	들어요	들었어요	들으세요	들으면
깨닫다	깨달아요	깨달았어요	–	깨달으면

이 (그, 저) N – This and That

The words “이,” “그,” and “저” are demonstrative pronouns in Korean, used to indicate specific objects or people in relation to the speaker, the listener, or a context.

이	그	저
This	That	That
Person/Object	Object	Person
이 모자 얼마예요? How much is this hat?	그 모자는 2만원이에요. That hat costs 20,000 won.	저 사람은 제 아버지예요. That‘s my father.

A/V-네요 Ending Grammar

The ending ‘-네요’ in Korean is often used to express the speaker’s observation, realization, or surprise regarding a situation or information. It adds a sense of discovery or new information to the statement.

When added to an adjective (A) or a verb (V), it forms a sentence-ending expression that conveys this sense of realization or surprise.

VERB	ADJECTIVE
눈이 오네요 – It’s snowing 고양이가 텔레비전을 보네요 – The cat is watching TV 그 사람이 벌레를 먹네요 – He’s eating worms	정말 맛있네요 – It’s really delicious 날씨가 춥네요 – It’s cold 어렵네요 – It’s hard

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V-(으)ㅂ시다 / 읍시다: ‘Let’s’ or ‘Shall we’

Korean grammar -ㅂ시다 / 읍시다 is used to suggest or propose doing something with the listeners who are usually not your close friends or family. It is corresponds to ‘Let’s’ or ‘Shall we’ in English.

It’s commonly heard in office settings, such as when a boss addresses employees or when coworkers talk to each other. While it’s important to show respect to listeners in these situations, it’s generally acceptable to use “~ㅂ/읍시다”. However, it’s not recommended to use this form when speaking to someone who commands a high level of respect, such as your boss or teacher.

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Formal Polite V-(으)ㅂ시다 / 읍시다

Verb Ending in Vowel	Verb Ending in Consonant
가다 + ㅂ시다 → 갑시다	먹다 + 읍시다 → 먹읍시다

오다 → 옵시다 (Let’s come)	앉다 → 앉읍시다 (Let’s sit)
자다 → 잡시다 (Let’s sleep)	입다 → 입읍시다 (Let’s wear)
여행하다 → 여행합시다 (Let’s travel)	받다 → 받읍시다 (Let’s receive)
공부하다 → 공부합시다 (Let’s study)	찾다 → 찾읍시다 (Let’s find)
만나다 → 만납시다 (Let’s meet up)	씻다 → 씻읍시다 (Let’s wash)
보다 → 봅시다 (Let’s see)	벗다 → 벗읍시다 (Let’s take it off)

Casual Informal V-자

By attaching “~자” to the stem of a verb at the end of a sentence, you can propose doing that action together. In English, this usually corresponds to “Let’s…”

This ending is very straightforward because it’s always applied to present tense verbs, and it doesn’t affect any irregular forms due to its meaning. Furthermore, “~자” can be attached to stems ending in both consonants and vowels. For instance:

옵시다 (Let’s come) → 오자	앉읍시다 (Let’s sit) → 앉자
잡시다 (Let’s sleep) → 자자	입읍시다 (Let’s wear) → 입자
여행합시다 (Let’s travel) → 여행하자	받읍시다 (Let’s receive) → 받자
공부합시다 (Let’s study) → 공부하자	찾읍시다 (Let’s find) → 찾자
만납시다 (Let’s meet up) → 만나자	씻읍시다 (Let’s wash) → 씻자
봅시다 (Let’s see) → 보자	벗읍시다 (Let’s take it off) → 벗자

같이 갑시다! → 같이 가자!
Let’s play together!

밥을 먹읍시다!→ 밥을 먹자!
Let’s eat!

공부합시다! → 공부하자!
Let’s study!

However, ‘요’ cannot be added to -자 to form a casual polite form.
Therefore, the grammar V-자 can only be used to friends or anyone younger than the speaker.

V-지 맙시다 or V-지 마요: Let’s not to -V

Formal Polite V-지 맙시다

옵시다 → 오지 맙시다 (Let’s not come)	앉읍시다 → 앉지 맙시다 (Let’s not sit)
잡시다 → 자지 맙시다 (Let’s not sleep)	입읍시다 → 입지 맙시다 (Let’s not wear)
여행합시다 → 여행하지 맙시다 (Let’s not travel)	받읍시다 → 받지 맙시다 (Let’s not receive)
공부합시다 → 공부하지 맙시다 (Let’s not study)	찾읍시다 → 찾지 맙시다 (Let’s not find)
만납시다 → 만나지 맙시다 (Let’s not meet)	씻읍시다 → 씻지 맙시다 (Let’s not wash)
봅시다 → 보지 맙시다 (Let’s not see)	벗읍시다 → 벗지 맙시다 (Let’s not take it off)

Casual Polite V-지 마요

옵시다 → 오지 마요 (Let’s not come)	앉읍시다 → 앉지 마요 (Let’s not sit)
잡시다 → 자지 마요 (Let’s not sleep)	입읍시다 → 입지 마요 (Let’s not wear)
여행합시다 → 여행하지 마요 (Let’s not travel)	받읍시다 → 받지 마요 (Let’s not receive)
공부합시다 → 공부하지 마요 (Let’s not study)	찾읍시다 → 찾지 마요 (Let’s not find)
만납시다 → 만나지 마요 (Let’s not meet)	씻읍시다 → 씻지 마요 (Let’s not wash)
봅시다 → 보지 마요 (Let’s not see)	벗읍시다 → 벗지 마요 (Let’s not take it off)

Casual Informal V-지 마

옵시다 → 오지 마 (Let’s not come)	앉읍시다 → 앉지 마 (Let’s not sit)
잡시다 → 자지 마 (Let’s not sleep)	입읍시다 → 입지 마 (Let’s not wear)
여행합시다 → 여행하지 마 (Let’s not travel)	받읍시다 → 받지 마 (Let’s not receive)
공부합시다 → 공부하지 마 (Let’s not study)	찾읍시다 → 찾지 마 (Let’s not find)
만납시다 → 만나지 마 (Let’s not meet)	씻읍시다 → 씻지 마 (Let’s not wash)
봅시다 → 보지 마 (Let’s not see)	벗읍시다 → 벗지 마 (Let’s not take it off)

하다 vs 되다 Active vs Passive

Active vs Passive

In Korean, active and passive voice are grammatical constructs used to indicate the relationship between the subject, verb, and object in a sentence.

Active Voice

In active voice sentences, the subject performs the action denoted by the verb. The structure typically follows the subject-object-verb (SOV) order in Korean.

Example:

• Subject – 주어
• Verb – 동사
• Object – 목적어

Active Voice Sentence Structure: [주어 (Subject)] + [목적어 (Object)] + [동사 (Verb)]

Example:

• 후회했어요 I regret.
  
  “저는” (jeoneun) is the subject marker. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is “I” or “me.”
  
  “후회했어요” (huhwehaesseoyo) is the verb, which means “regretted” or “regret” in English. It is in the past tense form, conjugated to match the subject “I.”
  
  “어요” (eoyo) is the sentence-ending marker, indicating politeness. It makes the sentence more polite.
  
  So, altogether, the sentence “저는 후회했어요” translates to “I regretted” or “I regret” in English, depending on the context.

Passive Voice

In passive voice sentences, the subject receives the action performed by the verb. The structure typically follows the object-subject-verb (OSV) order in Korean.

Passive Voice Sentence Structure: [목적어 (Object)] + [주어 (Subject)] + [동사 (Verb)]

Example:

• 후회됐어요
  
  “저는” (jeoneun) still serves as the subject marker, indicating “I” or “me.”
  
  “후회됐어요” (huhwedoess-eoyo) is a passive verb form. It comes from the verb “후회하다” (huhwehada), meaning “to regret,” but in this form, it indicates that the action is being done to the subject rather than being actively performed by the subject. The verb is conjugated to match the subject “저” and is in the past tense.
  
  “어요” (eoyo) is the sentence-ending marker, adding politeness.

Differences:

• Active Voice: The subject actively performs the action.
• Passive Voice: The subject undergoes the action.

하다 vs 되다

하다 = To Do (ACTIVE)	되다 = To Become (PASSIVE)
Subject 이/가 Object 을/를 하다 [subject does object]	Subject 이/가 되다 [subject gets/becomes…]
준비(를) 해요	준비(가) 되다
저는 외출 준비하고 있어요. I’m getting ready to go out.	외출 준비 다 됐어요. I’m ready to go out. (The preparation is done.)

More 하다 vs 되다 Examples

VERBS	하다 (to)	되다 (to be)
사용	많은 학생들이 이 책을 사용해요. Many students use this book.	이 책은 수업에서 사용돼요. This book is used in class.
예약	우리는 내일 저녁에 레스토랑을 예약했어요. We made a reservation for tomorrow evening at the restaurant.	내일 저녁에 레스토랑은 이미 예약됐어요. The restaurant is already reserved for tomorrow evening.
시작	저는 새로운 프로젝트를 시작했어요. I started a new project.	새로운 프로젝트가 시작됐어요 A new project has begun.
개발	우리 회사는 새로운 소프트웨어를 개발하기 시작했어요. Our company started developing new software.	새로운 소프트웨어 개발이 시작됐어요. The development of new software has begun.
계속	그는 운동을 계속해서 건강을 유지했다. He continued exercising to maintain his health.	운동이 계속되면 건강 상태가 개선될 것이다. If the exercise continues, health conditions will improve.

Emotion Expression Using 하다, 되다

When expressing feelings using 되다, one is not actively doing the action. Rather, one is made to feel that way.

The verb “되다” can be used to express feelings or states from the perspectives of both the first person (speaker 나, 저, 우리, 저희) and the second person (listener 너).

1. 후회되다 (To be regretful):
   • 그 결정을 내리고 나서 후회되었다. (I regretted it after making the decision.)
2. 기대되다 (To look forward to / To be excited):
   • 내일의 파티를 기대되어요. (I’m excited for tomorrow’s party.)
3. 걱정되다 (To be worried):
   • 시험 결과에 대해 걱정되요. (I’m worried about the exam results.)
4. 고민되다 (To be contemplated):
   • 새로운 직장 제안에 대해 고민되고 있어요. (I’m contemplating the new job offer.)
5. 긴장되다 (To be nervous):
   • 발표하기 전에 항상 긴장됩니다. (I always get nervous before giving a presentation.)

Dialogue:

A: 너 이번 주말에 뭘 할까?
B: 아, 나는 여행을 갈 거야. 기대돼.

A: Hey, what are you going to do this weekend?
B: Oh, I’m going on a trip. I’m excited.

3rd Person Feelings Expression

In Korean, verbs like “하다” (to do) are often used to describe the actions or behaviors associated with certain emotions or states rather than directly expressing the emotions themselves. This is because it’s generally more common to describe observable actions rather than directly stating someone’s internal feelings.

1. To regret: 후회하다
   • 그녀는 나중에 자신의 선택을 후회했어요.
     She regretted her decision later.
2. To worry: 걱정하다
   • 부모님은 자녀들의 안전을 걱정해요.
     Parents worry about the safety of their children.
3. To contemplate: 고민하다
   • 그는 자신의 미래에 대해 많이 고민해요.
     He contemplates a lot about his future.
4. To get nervous: 긴장하다
   • 시험을 보기 전에 학생들은 항상 긴장해요.
     Students always get nervous before taking exams.

N 때, A/V-(으)ㄹ 때: When One Does

때 expresses the time when an action or state occurs or its duration.
1. When following a noun, 때 is used.
2. When following a verb or adjective, -ㄹ 때 or -을 때 is used.

Noun + 때	V/A + (으)ㄹ 때
생일 때 birthday	보다  → 볼 때 to see
점심 때 lunch time	먹다  → 먹을때 to eat
크리스마스 때 christmas	있다 → 있을 때 to have
7살 때 7 years old	나쁘다 → 나쁠 때 to be bad

-ㄹ 때 vs -을 때

When following a verb or adjective, -ㄹ 때 is used when the stem ends in a vowel, -을 때 is used when the stem ends in a consonant.

stem ends in vowel -ㄹ 때	stem ends in consonant -을 때
만나다 → 만날 때	좋다 → 좋을 때
예쁘다 → 예쁠 때	읽다 → 읽을 때

A/V-(으)ㄹ 때 Irregular Form

살다 (to live)	살 때
만들다 (to make)	만들 때
붓다 (to be swollen)	부을 때
덥다 (to be hot)	더울 때

Example

A: 몇 살 때 결혼을 했어요? How old were you married?
B: 30살 때 결혼을 했어요. I got married when I was 30.

A: 이 시계를 언제 샀어요? When did you buy this watch?
B: 크리스마스 때 선물로 받았어요. I got it as a gift on Christmas.

A: 케익이 너무 달아요. This cake is too sweet.
B: 만들 때 설탕을 너무 많이 넣었어요. I put too much sugar when I made it.

Quick Tip

때 cannot be used together with a few exceptions: 오전, 오후, 아침, or the days of the week 요일.

오전 때 비빔방을 먹었어요. (X)
오전에 비빔방을 먹었어요. (O)
I had bibimbap in the morning.

오후 때 공부해요. (X)
오후에 공부해요. (O)
I study in the afternoon.

일요일 때 고향에 가요. (X)
일요일에 고향에 가요. (O)
I’m going to my hometown on Sunday.

More Examples

Adjectives:

1. 기쁠 때 (happiness)
2. 슬플 때 (sadness)
3. 화날 때 (anger)
4. 행복할 때 (joy)
5. 지루할 때 (boredom)
6. 무서울 때 (fear)
7. 답답할 때 (frustration)
8. 추울 때 (coldness)
9. 덥을 때 (heat)
10. 재미있을 때 (fun)
11. 아플 때 (pain)
12. 건강할 때 (health)
13. 더러울 때 (dirtiness)
14. 신날 때 (excitement)
15. 졸릴 때 (sleepiness)
16. 불안할 때 (anxiety)
17. 부끄러울 때 (embarrassment)
18. 고마울 때 (gratitude)
19. 설렐 때 (fluttering)
20. 귀여울 때 (cuteness)
21. 흥분할 때 (exhilaration)
22. 조용할 때 (quietness)

Verbs:

1. 먹을 때 (eating)
2. 잘 때 (sleeping)
3. 일어날 때 (waking up)
4. 공부할 때 (studying)
5. 운동할 때 (exercising)
6. 읽을 때 (reading)
7. 쓸 때 (writing)
8. 들을 때 (listening)
9. 말할 때 (speaking)
10. 찾을 때 (searching)
11. 볼 때 (watching)
12. 놀 때 (playing)
13. 걸을 때 (walking)
14. 달릴 때 (running)
15. 쓸 때 (using)
16. 사랑할 때 (loving)
17. 울 때 (crying)
18. 웃을 때 (laughing)
19. 기다릴 때 (waiting)
20. 탈출할 때 (escaping)
21. 생각할 때 (thinking)
22. 기다릴 때 (waiting)
23. 미안할 때 (apologizing)

These examples cover a range of adjectives and verbs using “-ㄹ 때” and “-을 때” to express various conditions, actions, and emotions in Korean.