Korean Grammar - Essential expressions
Korean Grammar - Essential expressions
1a. …ㄹ(을) 까요? Should we…? or Should I…?
- Use ㄹ variations from the “ㄹ 수 있어요” expression in chapter 6 of I Can Speak Korean book for beginners
- We use this expression when we make a suggestion to others or
Ex)
공부할까요? Shall we study?
Exercise 1) Translate the following sentences into English and vice versa.
1) 뭐를 할까요?
2) 춤출까요?
3) 어떤 음식을 먹을까요?
4) 어떤 영화를 볼까요?
5) Where should we go?
6) Should we meet?
7) Where should l we meet?
8) When should we meet?
9) 뭐를 드릴까요? (드리다 is more respectful than 주다, which means “to give”)
10) 제가 갈까요?
Exercise 2) Complete the B sentence using the “… ㅂ시다” expression, which means “let’s…”, while combining “…ㅂ시다” with the word in the parenthese, like the given example below.
Ex)
A무슨 영화를 볼까요? What movie shall we watch?
B (이 영화) 이 영화를 봅시다. Let’s watch this movie.
1) A 어떤 음식점에 갈까요? What kind of restaurant shall we go?
B (한국 음식점) .
Let’s go to a Korean restaurant.
2) A 어떤 차를 마실까요? What kind of tea shall we drink?
B (녹차) .
Let’s drink green tea.
3) A 누구와 갈까요? With who shall we go?
B (사장님) .
Let’s go with my boss.
4) A 언제, 어디에서 만날까요? When and where shall we meet?
B (일요일 아침 9시, 병원 앞) .
Let’s meet on Sunday at 9AM in front of the hospital.
5) A 도서관에 어떻게 갈까요? How shall we go to the library?
B (전철) .
Let’s go by subway.
6) A 내일 뭐를 먹을까요? What shall we eat tomorrow?
B (비빔밥) .
Let’s eat Bibimbap.
7) A 어떤 모임에 갈까요? What kind of meeting shall we go?
B (동창회) .
Let’s go to the reunion.
8) A 어느 책을 읽을까요? Which book shall we read?
B (만화책) .
Let’s read a comic book.
1b …ㄹ(을) 까요? I am wondering …, I wonder…
- Use ㄹ variations from the “ㄹ 수 있어요” expression in chapter 6 of I Can Speak Korean book for beginners
Ex)
뭘까요? I am wondering what it is.
그 나라는 눈이 올까요? I am wondering if it snows in that country.
Exercise 3) Complete the B sentences using “ㄹ 거예요” expression, which means “will”, like in the given example dialogue below.
A 내일 날씨가 좋을까요? I am wondering if the weather is good tomorrow.
B (네) 네, 좋을 거예요. Yes, it will be good.
(아니요) 아니요, 나쁠 거예요. No, it will be bad.
1) A 그 책이 재미있을까요?
B (네)
2) A 그가 집에 있을까요?
B (아니요)
3) A 데이비드 씨가 이 영화를 좋아할까요?
B (네)
4) A 그가 회사에 있을까요?
B (아니요)
5) A 그가 이 선물을 좋아할까요? (선물 gift)
B (네)
Exercise 4) Translate the B sentences into Korean using the given words in the parentheses.
1) A 언제 그녀가 올까요?
B (다음 주말) She will come next weekend.
2) A 음식이 언제 요리될까요? (요리되다 to be cooked)
B (한시간 후) The food will be cooked in an hour.
3) A 사람이 몇 명 올까요?
B (열 명쯤) Around 10 people will come.
4) A 어디에 갈까요?
B (도서관) Let’s go to the library.
5) A 그녀의 취미가 뭘까요? (취미 hobby, 독서 reading books)
B (독서) Her hobby is reading books.
2. ~ 봐요 Try ~ing
(Replace [~] with the conjugated stem of the verb)
Ex)
먹다 (infinitive form) to eat
먹어요 (conjugated form) eat
먹어 (conjugated stem) eat
먹어 + 봐요 try eating
Ex)
Q 한국 음식을 먹어 봐요.
Try eating Korean food.
A 네, 저는 한국 음식을 먹어 볼게요.
Yes, I will try eating Korean food.
Exercise 5) Fill in the blanks for the A sentences using the expression “…ㄹ게요”, which means “will”, like in the given example below.
Q 한복을 입어 봐요. (한복 Korean traditional costume)
Try wearing a Hanbok.
A 네, 한복을 입어 볼게요.
Yes, I will try wearing a Hanbok.
1) Q 그녀를 만나 봐요. (만나다 to meet) Try meeting her.
A 네, 그녀를 . Yes, I will meet her.
2) Q 찜질방에 가 봐요. (찜질방 Korean sauna) Try going to Jjimjilbang.
A 네, 찜질방에 . Yes, I will go to Jjimjilbang.
3) Q 한국어를 말해 봐요. (말하다 to speak) Try speaking Korean.
A 네, 한국어를 . Yes, I will speak Korean.
4) Q 차를 운전해 봐요. (운전하다 to drive) Try driving a car.
A 네 차를 . Yes, I will drive a car.
5) Q 막걸리를 마셔 봐요. (막걸리 Korean traditional alcohol)
Try drinking alcohol.
A 네 막걸리를 . Yes, I will drink alcohol.
6) Q 한국에서 새로운 사람을 만나 봐요. (새로운 사람 new people)
Try meeting new people in Korea.
A 네 한국에서 새로운 사람을 . .
Yes, I will meet new people in Korea.
3a. ~ 봤어요 I have ~, I tried ~
(Replace [~] with the conjugated stem of the verb)
- The expression “~봤어요” is past form of “봐요” which means “try” when the verb 봐요 is placed after another verb; therefore, “봤어요” means “tried” when another verb is followed by 봤어요. In short, the expression of “~봤어요” (Replace [~] with the conjugated stem of the verb) is present perfect tense in Korean only used for describing past EXPERIENCE.
Ex)
먹다 (infinitive form) to eat
먹어 (conjugated stem) eat
먹어 + 봤어요 (present perfect tense) have eaten
Q 냉면을 먹어 봤어요? (냉면 cold noodles)
Have you eaten cold noodles?
A 네, 저는 냉면을 먹어 봤어요.
Yes, I have eaten cold noodles.
A 네, 저는 냉면을 먹어 본 적이 있어요.
Yes, I have ever eaten cold noodles.
- Similar to the expression “~ 봤어요”, is the expression “~ 본 적이 있어요”, meaning “have ever ~” (~ is the stem of conjugated verb)
- As an exception, the word 보다 is not applicable with the expression “~봤어요” nor with the expression “~ 본 적이 있어요”.
그 영화를 봐 봤어요. (X)
그 영화를 봤어요. (O) I saw the movie.
그 영화를 봐 본 적이 있어요. (X)
그 영화를 본 적이 있어요. (O) I’ve seen the movie.
Exercise 6) Fill in the blanks with the expression “~봤어요”.
1) Q바나나 우유를 마셔 봤어요? Have you drunk banana milk?
A 네, 저는 바나나 우유를 . I have drunk banana milk.
2) Q BTS를 만나 본 적이 있어요? Have you ever met BTS?
A네, 저는 BTS를 . Yes, I have met BTS.
3) Q 한국에 가 봤어요? Have you been to Korea?
A 네, 저는 한국에 .Yes, I have been to Korea.
4) Q 그 책을 읽어 본 적이 있어요? Have you ever read the book?
A 네, 저는 그 책을 . Yes, I have read the book.
3b. 안 ~ 봤어요 = ~ 보지 않았어요 haven’t ~
(Replace [~] with the conjugated stem of the verb)
- The expressions “안 ~봤어요” or “~보지 않았어요” is present perfect tense in negative statement only used for describing past EXPERIENCE
Ex)
먹다 (infinitive form) to eat
먹어요 (conjugated form) eat
먹어 (conjugated stem) eat
먹어 봤어요 (present perfect) have eaten
안 + 먹어 봤어요 have not eaten
먹어 + 보지 않았어요 have not eaten
먹어 + 본 적이 없어요 have never eaten
Q 냉면을 먹어 봤어요? Have you eaten cold noodles?
A 아니요, 저는 냉면을 안 먹어 봤어요.
= 아니요, 저는 냉면을 먹어 보지 않았어요.
No, I haven’t eaten cold noodles.
A 아니요, 저는 냉면을 먹어 본 적이 없어요.
No, I have never eaten cold noodles.
- Similar to the expression “안 ~ 봤어요”, is the expression “~ 본 적이 없어요” , meaning “have not ever ~” (~ is the stem of conjugated verb)
- As an exception, the word 보다 is not applicable with the expressions “안 ~봤어요”, “~보지 않았어요”, or “~ 본 적이 없어요”.
Ex)
그 영화를 안 봐 봤어요. (or) 그 영화를 봐 보지 않았어요. (X)
그 영화를 안 봤어요. (or) 그 영화를 보지 않았어요. (O) I didn’t watch the movie.
그 영화를 봐 본 적이 없어요. (X)
그 영화를 본 적이 없어요. (O) I haven’t seen the movie.
Exercise 7) Fill in the blanks.
1) Q 바나나 우유를 마셔 봤어요? Have you drunk banana milk?
A 아니요, 저는 바나나 우유를 .
아니요, 저는 바나나 우유를 .
No, I haven’t drunk banana milk.
2) Q BTS를 만나 봤어요? Have you met BTS?
A 아니요, 저는 BTS를 .
아니요, 저는 BTS를 .
No, I have not met BTS.
3) Q 한국에 가 봤어요? Have you been to Korea?
A 아니요, 저는 한국에 .
아니요, 저는 한국에 .
No, I have not been to Korea.
4) Q 그 책을 읽어 봤어요? Have you read the book?
A 아니요, 저는 그 책을 .
아니요, 저는 그 책을 .
No, I have not read the book.
4. ~야 해요 (or) ~야 돼요 have to~, need to~, should~
(Replace [~] with the stem of the conjugated verb or adjective)
Ex)
일어나다 (infinitive form) to get up
일어나요 (conjugated verb) get up
일어나 (conjugated verb stem) get up
일어나 + 야 해요 need to get up
저는 아침에 일찍 일어나야 해요 (or) 돼요. I need to get up early in the morning.
Exercise 8) Translate the sentences into Korean.
1) I need to sleep early tonight. (자다 to sleep, 오늘밤 tonight)
2) I need to study Korean this weekend. (한국어 Korean, 공부하다 to study)
3) I need to work out now. (운동하다 to work out)
4) I need to finish the homework. (숙제 homework, 끝내다 to finish)
5) I need to prepare for the examination. (시험 examination, 준비하다 to prepare)
6) They should study hard. (열심히 hard <-> 대충 roughly)
7) We should be diligent. (부지런하다 to be diligent <-> 게으르다 to be lazy)
8) He should take the subway. (지하철 subway, 타다 to take a transportation)
9) She should enjoy Korea. (즐기다 to enjoy)
10) We need to follow the rules. (규칙 rules/ regulations, 지키다 to protect/to oblige/to follow)
11) You need to get along with your colleagues.
(A와/과 친하게 지내다 to get along with A, 회사 동료 colleague)
12) We need to throw away trash in a trash bin.
(쓰레기 trash, 쓰레기통 trash bin, 버리다to throw away)
13) 사람들에게 친절하게 행동해야 해요.
(사람들에게 to the people, 친절하게 kindly, 행동하다 to behave)
14) 당신은 한국에서 쓰레기 봉투를 사야 해요. (쓰레기 봉투 trash bag)
15) 저는 열심히 일해야 돼요. (열심히hard, 일하다 to work)
16) 오늘은 집을 청소해야 돼요. (청소하다 to clean)
5. …면 안 돼요 shouldn’t…
(Replace … with the stem of the infinitive verb or adjective)
- Litterally, “…면” means “if…” and “안 돼요” indicates ”No” as prohibition
Ex)
일어나다 (infinitive form) to get up
일어나 (infinitive stem) get up
일어나 + 면 안 돼요 shouldn’t get up
저는 평일에 늦게 일어나면 안 돼요. I shouldn’t get up late on weekdays. (평일에 on weekdays)
Exercise 9) Translate the sentences into Korean or vice versa.
1) I shouldn’t get up late. (늦게 late, 일어나다 to get up)
2) They shouldn’t go there. (거기에 there)
3) I shouldn’t walk around at night. (걸어다니다 to walk around, 밤에 at night)
4) You shouldn’t behave badly. (행동하다behave, 나쁘게badly)
5) I shouldn’t watch television. (보다 to watch)
6) I shouldn’t fight with a friend. (친구와 with a friend, 싸우다 to fight)
7) 저희는 늦으면 안 돼요. (늦다 to be late)
8) 저는 시간을 낭비하면 안 돼요. (시간 time, 낭비하다 to waste)
9) 그녀는 머리 염색을 하면 안 돼요. (머리 염색 하다 to dye one’s hair)
10) 도서관에서 사람들은 크게 말하면 안 돼요. (도서관 library, 크게 loudly)
11) 여러분은 도서관에서 크게 말하면 안 돼요. (여러분 everyone, 크게 loudly)
6. …지 않아도 돼요 (or) 안 ~도 돼요 don’t need to
(Replace … with the stem of the infinitive verb or adjective and replace ~ with the stem of the conjugated verb or adjective)
- The expression “~도 돼요”, meaning “can” or “may”, is used when asking for permission. The negation of “~도 돼요” however denotes a totally different expression, meaning “don’t need to”
- Negation option 1: negation marker 안 is placed before ~도 돼요
- Negation option 2: negation ending …지 않다 + 도 돼요 = …지 않아도 돼요
- Similar expression: …ㄹ 필요가 없어요 There is no need to …
(Replace …with the stem of the infinitive verb or adjective)
Ex)
뛰다 (infinitive form) to run
뛰 (infinitive stem) run
뛰 + 지 않아도 돼요 don’t need to run
뛰어 (conjugates stem) run
뛰어 + 도 돼요 may run (or) can run
안 뛰어 + 도 돼요 don’t need to run
뛰 (infinitive stem) run
뛰 + ㄹ 필요가 없어요 there is no need to run
Exercise 9) Translate the sentences into Korean or vice versa.
1) I don’t need to go to the university on the weekend.
2) She doesn’t need to lose weight. (살을 빼다 to lose weight)
3) I don’t need to cook.
4) I don’t need to drive a car. (운전하다 to drive)
5) You don’t need to write it on the paper. (종이 paper)
6) 퀴즈를 보면 시험을 안 봐도 돼요. (면 if, 퀴즈 quiz, 시험을 보다 to take a test)
7) 아홉시 수업은 선택이니까 안 들어도 돼요. (수업을 듣다 to take a lesson, 선택 selection/option)
7. …(으)려고 해요 plan to…, try to…, intend to…
(Replace […] with the stem of the infinitive verb)
- If the stem of infinitive verb ends with a consonant, 으려고 해요 is added
- If the stem of infinitive verb ends with a vowel, 려고 해요 is added
Ex)
만나다 (infinitive form) to meet
만나 (infinitive stem) meet
만나 + 려고 해요 try to meet, plan to meet, intend to meet
이번 주말에 친구를 만나려고 해요. I plan to meet a friend this weekend.
Ex)
먹다 (infinitive form) to eat
먹 (infinitive stem) eat
먹 + 으려고 해요 try to eat, plan to eat, intend to eat
피자를 먹으려고 해요. I plan to eat some pizza.
Exercise 10) Translate the sentences into English or vice versa.
1) 약국에서 약을 사려고 해요. (약국 pharmacy, 약 medication)
2) 헬스장에서 운동하려고 해요. (헬스장 gym, 운동하다 to work out)
3) 한국어를 공부하려고 해요. (한국어 Korean, 공부하다 to study)
4) I plan to cook dinner. (저녁 dinner, 요리하다 to cook)
5) I plan to become a police officer. (경찰관 police officer, 되다 to become)
6) I try to go exercise tomorrow. (…러 가다 to go in order to…)
7) He plans to go to Korea next year. (내년 next year)
8) I plan to eat Korean food with her.
9) He planned to buy the painting but he didn’t buy it because it was very expensive. (그림 painting)
10) Because I have time today, I plan to study.
8. …기로 해요 decide to…
(Replace […] with the stem of the infinitive verb or adjective)
Ex)
만나다 (infinitive form) to meet
만나 (infinitive stem) meet
만나 + 기로 해요 decide to meet
저는 친구를 여기에서 만나기로 했어요. I am supposed to meet my friend here.
Ex)
먹다 (infinitive form) to eat
먹 (infinitive stem) eat
먹 + 기로 해요 decide to eat
저는 오늘 저녁에 부대찌개를 먹기로 했어요. I decided to eat Army Stew tonight.
Exercise 11) Translate the sentences into English or vice versa.
1) They decided to go to Korea next year. (내년 next year)
2) Everyone decided to cook. (모두 everyone)
3) I decided to meet them here in an hour. (한시간 후에 in a hour)
4) I decided to study hard. (열심히 hard)
5) I decided to study Korean.
6) Everyone decided to go there. (거기 there)
7) 그들은 서로 만나기로 했어요. (서로 each other)
8) 그들과 저녁을 먹기로 했어요.
9) 영화를 보고 나서 공부하기로 했어요. (…고 나서 after, 영화를 보고 나서 after watching a movie)
10) 다음 주말까지 친구의 집에 있기로 했어요. (다음 주말까지 until next weekend)
9. …기 위해(서) in order to…
(Replace […] with the stem of the infinitive verb or adjective)
- The expression “…기 위해(서) ” is used to indicating “in order to” except when the verbs “to go”, “to come”, and “to go out”present within a sentence. In these cases, the expressions “…러 가다 (go in order to…)” , “…러 오다 (come in order to…)”, “…러 나가다 (to go out in order to…) “, and “...러 나오다 (to come out in order to…)” are used respectively instead.
Ex)
놀다 (infinitive form) to hang out
놀 (infinitive stem) hang out
놀 + 기 위해(서) in order to hang out
저는 놀기 위해 친구를 만나요. I meet a friend to hang out.
저는 노래방에 놀러 가요. I go to Karaoke to hang out.
친구가 제 집에 놀러 왔어요. My friend came to my house to hang out.
- Noun을/를 위해(서) for Noun
(If the Noun ends with a consonant 을, and if the Noun ends with a vowel 를 is added)
가족을 위해(서) 요리했어요. I cooked for my family.
친구를 위해(서) 선물을 사려고 해요. I plan to buy a gift for my friend.
Exercise 12) Translate the sentences into English or vice versa.
1) 그는 한국어를 말하기 위해 공부해요. (말하기 위해 in order to speak)
2) 그와의 약속을 지키기 위해서 노력할 거예요.
(노력하다 to make an effort, 약속을 지키다 to keep one’s promise)
3) 그는 먼저 식당에 가서 우리를 위해 자리를 맡아 줬어요.
(먼저 first, ~서 and then, A를 위해 자리를 맡아 주다 to save a seat for A)
4) I am working a part-time job to earn money.
(돈을 벌다 to earn money, 아르바이트를 하다 to work a part-time job)
5) How much do you study to speak well in Korean? (잘 well)
6) She studies hard in order to take a test well. (시험을 잘 보다 to take a test well, 열심히 hard)
7) I will drink a cup of coffee in order to concentrate.
(집중하다 to concentrate, 커피 한 잔 a cup of coffee)
8) I will go to bed early in order to get up early tomorrow.
(일찍 early, 자다 to go to bed)
10. …ㄹ 수도 있어요 (or) …ㄹ 지도 몰라요might…
(Replace […] with the stem of the infinitive verb or adjective)
- We use the expressions when we make a hypothesis that has a weak possibility of happening in reality.
- If the stem of infinitive verb or adjective ends with ㄹ as the bottom consonant, 수도 있어요 added. This is because the consonant ㄹ is already present. Refers to the ㄹ variations from the expression “…ㄹ 수 없어요” in Chapter 6 ICanSpeakKorean book for Beginners.
Ex)
놀다 (infinitive form) to hang out
놀 (infinitive stem) hang out
놀 + 수도 있어요 might hang out
그는 전여자친구하고 놀 수도 있어요. (전여자친구 ex-girlfriend)
He might hang out with his ex-girlfriend.
Exercise 13) Translate the sentences into English or vice versa.
1) She might totally forget about our appointment. (약속 appointment, 잊어버렸다 to forget completely)
2) I might be sleepy after lunch. (점심 후after lunch, 졸리다 to be sleepy)
3) I might be late. (늦다 to be late)
4) 그들이 저희를 초대할 수도 있어요. (병 disease, 커지다 to become big)
5) 크리스마스에 한국에 갈 지도 몰라요.
6) 요리책이 더 있을 지도 몰라요. (요리책 cooking books)
11. ~도 돼요 Can~ (or) May~ (Permission)
(Replace [~] with the stem of the conjugated verb or adjective)
- ~도 돼요? Can I ~?, May I ~?
Ex)
먹다 (infinitive form) to eat
먹어 (conjugated stem) eat
먹어 + 도 돼요 may eat
수업을 들으면서 저녁을 먹어도 돼요. (…면서 while, 수업을 듣다 to take a lesson)
You may eat dinner while taking a lesson.
Exercise 13) Translate the sentences into English or vice versa.
1) Can I take a picture here? (사진을 찍다 to take a photo)
2) Can I go now?
3) Can I ask for the direction for a moment?
(잠깐 for a moment, 길을 물어보다 to ask for the direction)
4) Can I eat some food there? (음식 food, 거기 there)
5) Can I go to the restroom now? (화장실 restroom)
6) 저희는 노래방에 가도 돼요? (노래방 karaoke)
7) A. 내일 공연을 보러 갈건데 너도 올래?
(공연 performance, …러 가다 to go to …, …ㄴ 데 but/by the way/and, …ㄹ래 want to…)
B. 그래도 돼?
12. ~도 괜찮아요 It is ok to~ (Permission)
(Replace [~] with the stem of the conjugated verb or adjective)
- ~도 괜찮아요? Is it ok to~?
Ex)
듣다 (infinitive form) to listen
들어 (conjugated stem) listen
들어 + 도 괜찮아요 it is ok to listen
다른 종류의 음악을 들어도 괜찮아요 . (다른 different/other, 종류 kind/sort/type, 음악 music)
It is ok to listen to different type of music.
Exercise 13) Translate the sentences into English or vice versa.
1) 일요일에 쉬고 싶지만 일요일에 일해도 괜찮아요. (일요일 Sunday,쉬다 to rest)
2) 우리 주말에 커피 한 잔 해도 괜찮아요? (커피 한 잔 a cup of coffee)
3) 제 파티에 올 수 없어도 괜찮아요. (파티 party)
4) Is it ok to go to the restroom for a moment? (잠깐 for a moment)
5) It is ok to submit just this book. (만 just/only, 제출하다 to submit)
6) Is it ok to meet you in front of the subway station? (앞에서 in front of, 지하철역 subway station)
13. ~ 줄래요? Will you~?
~ 주시겠어요? Would you please~ (or) Could you please ~?
(Replace [~] with the stem of the conjugated verb or adjective)
- These expressions are used when you ask for a favor or request something to someone.
- The expression “~주시겠어요?” is more respectful than the expression “~줄래요?”
- 줄래요? is a combination word of 주다 (“to give”) + …ㄹ래요 (“will”): the word “주다” in this case implies “to give a favor” and “ㄹ래요” is an expression of future.
- 주시겠어요? is also a combination word of 주다 (“to give”, in this case, it implies “to give a favor”) + 시 (honorific marker) + 겠어요 (future tense in formal); therefore, 주시겠어요? is more respectful than 줄래요?
Ex)
돕다 (infinitive form) to help
도와 (stem verb) help
도와 + 주시겠어요? Would you please help me?
Exercise 14) Translate the sentences into English or vice versa.
1) 쓰레기를 버려 줄래요? (쓰레기 trash, 버리다 to throw away)
2) 제가 설거지하면 당신은 거실을 청소해 줄래요?
(거실 living room, 설거지하다 to do the dishes, 청소하다 to clean)
3) 연락처를 알려 주시겠어요? (연락처 contact information, 알려주다 to inform)
4) Would you please write it on the textbook? (교과서 textbooks, 쓰다 to write)
5) Would you please read the book to your friend?
6) I lost my cellphone. Could you call my number, please?
(핸드폰 cellphone, 잃어버렸다 to be lost, 번호 number, 전화하다 to call)