Written by Dr. In Ku Kim-Marshall
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
STEP BY STEP
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Korean
1
through
15 Action Verbs
Table of Contents
Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................... 3
About this book
...............................................................................................................
How to use this book
....................................................................................................
6
8
Unit 1
The Korean Alphabet, hangeul (한글)
1. Korean Sounds and Hangeul Letters .................................................... 10
2. How to Read Korean Words .................................................................. 12
3. How to Construct Korean Words.......................................................... 21
4. How to Write Korean Words.................................................................. 23
Unit 2
Korean Sentences with 15 Action Verbs
Introduction
................................................................................................
Chapter 1. 가다 [ga－da]－ to go
.........................................................
34
38
Chapter 2. 공부하다 [gong－bu－ha－da]－ to study .................. 42
Chapter 3. 마시다 [ma－si－da]－ to drink
......................................
46
Chapter 4. 만나다 [man－na－da]－ to meet
.................................
50
Chapter 5. 말하다 [mal－ha－da]－ to speak
.................................
54
...............................................................
58
Review Exercises 01~05
Chapter 6. 먹다 [meok－da]－ to eat
.................................................
62
Chapter 7. 보다 [bo－da]－ to see ....................................................... 66
Chapter 8. 사다 [sa－da]－ to buy
.......................................................
Chapter 9. 오다 [o－da]－ to come
.....................................................
70
74
Chapter 10. 인사하다 [in－sa－ha－da]－ to greet ....................... 78
Review Exercises 06~10
4
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
...............................................................
82
Chapter 11. 일어나다 [i－reo－na－da]－ to get up
Chapter 12. 읽다 [ik－dda]－ to read
....................
86
.................................................
90
Chapter 13. 있다 [it－dda]－ to have .................................................. 94
Chapter 14. 전화하다 [jeon－hwa－ha－da]－ to call
.................
98
Chapter 15. 좋아하다 [jo－a－ha－da]－ to like ........................... 102
Review Exercises 11~15
Answer Key
.............................................................
106
.............................................................................................
110
Unit 3
Korean Culture
Introduction ............................................................................................. 117
1. 세종대왕 [se－jong－dae－wang] :
King Sejong the Great and hangeul, the Korean alphabet ..... 119
2. 태극기 [tae－geug－gi] : The Korean National Flag
.............
120
3. 단군 [dan－gun] : The Founder of Gojoseon,
“the Oldest Kingdom of Korea”(2333 B.C. ~ 108 B.C.) 121
4. 추석 [chu－seok] : Harvest Moon Festival
...............................
122
5. 돌[dol]·환갑[hwan-gap] : Korean Family Celebrations ..... 123
6. 윷 [Yut] 놀이 [nori] : Traditional Korean Game
......................
125
7. 불고기 [bulgogi]·김치 [kimchi] : Korean Food
......................
126
..........................................................
130
Appendix
A. Pronunciation Rules Continued
B. Basic Korean Grammar : Review ....................................................... 131
Vocabulary List
.............................................................................................
141
5
About this book
Starting to learn a new language can be an intimidating experience for students, especially
if they are using a self－study method. This book is a fun and easy way to help students
learn to read and speak simple Korean.
Sample sentences built with 15 commonly used verbs will introduce simple vocabulary
and basic points of Korean grammar. This way, students can make progress right from the
start. They can then build on the knowledge gained here by continuing with the rest of this
three-book series.
The characteristic elements of this textbook are:
beginning level study with the most common verbs and nouns
introduction of basic Korean grammar rules for verb usage
repetition of sentences on each page, allowing the student to learn vocabulary and
grammar at the same time
introduction of the basic sentence structure in the present tense
grammar notes on each page
vocabulary lists at the end of each page making it easy for the student to learn
important words
verbs followed by exercises to reinforce the knowledge of the verb’ s use
pictures that enable the student to relate what they’ re learning to a visual image
6
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
conversational sentences which help the student learn simple conversational language
discussion of Korean culture and customs
The author hopes that the learner can develop knowledge and interest in Korean and that
he/she will continue to deepen his/her understanding of the Korean language and culture.
7
How to use this book
Read each sentence and its meaning.
Look at each picture and associate the meaning.
Complete the various exercises and word searches including the cross word puzzles in
this book.
Study the grammar notes which can help the learner understand the important grammar
points.
8
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
Unit
1
The Korean Alphabet,
hangeul
Unit 1 : The Korean Alphabet, hangeul (한글)
When first introduced by King Sejong in 1446, hangeul had 28 letters of which
only 24 are in use today. The 10 basic vowels and 14 single consonants of
hangeul expand to 21 vowels and 19 consonants for a total of 40 letters in
combination. The following are the sound values and names of each letter.
1. Korean Sound and Hangeul Letters
a. Consonants : 19 letters
Single Consonant : 14 letters
Hangeul Letter
ㄱ
ㄴ
ㄷ
ㄹ
ㅁ
ㅂ
ㅅ
ㅇ
ㅈ
ㅊ
ㅋ
ㅌ
ㅍ
ㅎ
Sound Value
[g/k]
[n]
[d/t]
[r/l]
[m]
[b/p]
[s/sh]
[*/－ng]
[j]
[ch]
[k]
[t]
[p]
[h]
Name of letter
Example
기역
니은
디귿
리을
미음
비읍
시옷
이응
지읒
치읓
키읔
티읕
피읖
히읗
goat
nose
dog
red
moon
big
soft
*
George
cheese
kite
table
paper
hat
[gi－yeok]
[ni－eun]
[di－geut]
[ri－eul]
[mi－eum]
[bi－eup]
[si－ot]
[i－eung]
[ji－eut]
[chi－eut]
[ki－eut]
[ti－eut]
[pi－eup]
[hi－eut]
silent, when a word starts with this letter“ㅇ”
; －ng, at the end of a word.
10
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
Double Consonant : 5 letters
Hangeul letter
Sound value
ㄲ
ㄸ
ㅃ
ㅆ
ㅉ
[kk]
[tt]
[pp]
[ss]
[jj]
Name of letter
쌍기역
쌍디귿
쌍비읍
쌍시옷
쌍지읒
[ssang－gi－yeok]
[ssang－di－geut]
[ssang－bi－eup]
[ssang－si－ot]
[ssang－ji－eut]
b. Vowels : 21 letters
Single Vowel : 10 letters
Hangeul Letter
ㅏ
ㅑ
ㅓ
ㅕ
ㅗ
ㅛ
ㅜ
ㅠ
ㅡ
ㅣ
Sound Value Name of letter
[a]
[ya]
[eo]
[yeo]
[o]
[yo]
[u]
[yu]
[eu]
[i]
아
야
어
여
오
요
우
유
으
이
[a]
[ya]
[eo]
[yeo]
[o]
[yo]
[u]
[yu]
[eu]
[i]
Example
father
yacht
about
young
home
yo－yo
mood
you
put
bee
Vowels by themselves must always be preceeded by“o”(silent), because Korean
words always begin with a consonant.
Ex.
아기 [a－gi] baby
어머니 [eo－meo－ni] mother
우유 [u－yu] milk
오리 [o－ri] duck
11
Double Vowel : 11 letters
Hangeul letter
Sound value
ㅐ
ㅒ
ㅔ
ㅖ
ㅘ
ㅙ
ㅚ
ㅝ
ㅞ
ㅟ
ㅢ
[ae]
[yae]
[e]
[ye]
[wa]
[wae]
[we]
[weo]
[we]
[wi]
[eui]
Name of letter Example
애
얘
에
예
와
왜
외
워
웨
위
의
[ae]
[yae]
[e]
[ye]
[wa]
[wae]
[we]
[weo]
[we]
[wi]
[eui]
cat
yam
bet, pen
yes
wine
quack
when
wonder
when
we
－
2. How to Read Korean Words
In Korean, each letter has a unique sound associated only with that letter. The
following are examples of how to read the consonants (c) and vowels (v) that form
each word.
Ⅰ.
ㄱ + ㅏ
ㄱ
가 [ga]
[g]
Ⅱ.
[a]
ㄱ + ㅏ
[g]
[a]
+
ㄱ
[k]
고 [go]
+
ㅗ
각 [gak]
[g]
[o]
ㄱ [g]
+
ㅗ [o]
+
ㅅ[t]
곳 [got]
At the end of a word, ㄱ is pronounced as [k], ㅅ is pronounced as [t], when the word is
not followed by another word.
12
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
Ⅲ.
ㄱ +ㅏ
[g]
[a]
+
ㅂ
ㅅ
[p] [Ø]
값 [gap]
ㄱ [g]
+
ㅗ [o]
+
ㄹ ㅅ
[l] [Ø]
곬 [gol]
When the double consonants ㅂㅅ and ㄹㅅ are used as final consonants and are followed
by ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ or ㅈ, they are pronounced as single finals [p], and the ㅅ is not
pronounced.
Reading Practice : Read each word aloud.
a. Consonants : 19 letters
ㄱ [g]
ㄴ [n]
ㄷ [d]
ㄹ [r]*
고기
[go－gi]
meat
기차
[gi－cha]
train
구두
[gu－du]
shoes
고추
[go－chu]
red－pepper
나비
[na－bi]
butterfly
누나
[nu－na]
elder sister
노루
[no－ru]
deer
나무
[na－mu]
tree
다리
[da－ri]
leg, bridge 도라지 [do－ra－ji]
도토리 [do－to－ri] acorn
두부
라디오 [ra－di－o]
radio
러시아 [reo－si－a]
Russia
ruby
토요일 [to－yo－il]
Saturday
루비
[ru－bi]
[du－bu]
bellflower
tofu
* If a word starts with“ㄹ,”you pronounce it [r], but if a word ends with“ㄹ,”you pronounce
it [l].
ㅁ [m]
ㅂ [b]
ㅅ [s]
ㅇ [Ø]*
머리
모자
바다
보리
사자
수저
[meo－ri]
[mo－ja]
[ba－da]
[bo－ri]
[sa－ja]
[su－jeo]
head
hat
sea
barley
lion
spoon and
chopsticks
아버지 [a－beo－ji] father
duck
오리
[o－ri]
모기
무
바지
비누
소나무
스승
[mo－gi]
[mu]
[ba－ji]
[bi－nu]
[so－na－mu]
[seu－seung]
mosquito
radish
trousers
soap
pine tree
teacher
어머니 [eo－meo－ni] mother
우유
[u－yu]
milk
* Initial“o”is silent.
13
자유 [ja－yu]
freedom
자두 [ja－du]
plum
주사 [ju－sa]
injection
지구 [ji－gu]
globe
차 [cha]
car, tea
초 [cho]
candle
층 [cheung]
floor
치마 [chi－ma]
skirt
코 [ko]
nose
소쿠리 [so－ku－ri]
basket
키 [ki]
height
코끼리 [ko－ggi－ri]
elephant
타자기 [ta－ja－gi] typewriter
투수 [tu－su]
pitcher
토끼 [to－ggi]
rabbit
타조 [ta－jo]
ostrich
파도 [pa－do]
wave
포도 [po－do]
grape
피부 [pi－bu]
skin
파리 [pa－ri]
fly
하마 [ha－ma]
hippo
허리 [heo－ri]
waist
휴지 [hyu－ji]
tissue
호도 [ho－do]
walnut
까치 [gga－chi]
magpie
꾸러미 [ggu－reo－mi] bundle
꼬마 [ggo－ma]
kid
꿈 [ggum]
dream
따다 [dda－da]
to pick
띠 [ddi]
belt
뜨다 [ddeu－da]
to rise
또다시 [ddo－da－si]
again
ㅃ [bb]
빵 [bbang]
bread
빠르다 [bba－reu－da] to be fast
바쁘다 [ba－bbeu－da] to be busy
기쁘다 [gi－bbeu－da] to be happy
ㅆ [ss]
싸우다 [ssa－u－da] to fight
쏘다 [sso－da]
to shoot
쓰다 [sseu－da]
to write
쌀 [ssal]
rice
ㅉ [jj]
짜다 [jja－da]
to be salty
쪽 [jjok]
piece, direction
찌다 [jji－da]
to steam
찌개 [jji－gae]
stew
ㅈ [j]
ㅊ [ch]
ㅋ [k]
ㅌ [t]
ㅍ [p]
ㅎ [h]
ㄲ [gg]
ㄸ [dd]
b. Vowels : 21 letters
ㅏ [a]
ㅑ [ya]
ㅓ [eo]
ㅕ [yeo]
14
가수 [ga-su]
singer
나비 [na-bi]
butterfly
다리 [da-ri]
leg, bridge
아기 [a-gi]
baby
야구 [ya-gu]
baseball
야자수 [ya-ja-su] palm tree
야만 [ya-man]
savage
대야 [dae-ya]
washbowl
거리 [geo-ri]
street
머리 [meo-ri]
head
버스 [beo-seu]
bus
허리 [heo-ri]
waist
여자 [yeo-ja]
woman
벼 [byeo]
rice plant
여우 [yeo-u]
fox
여름 [yeo-reum]
summer
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
소 [so]
cow
오이 [o-i]
cucumber
호수 [ho-su]
lake
모자 [mo-ja]
hat
표 [pyo]
ticket
효 [hyo]
filial piety
교수 [gyo-su]
professor
요리 [yo-ri]
cooking
구두 [gu-du]
shoes
두부 [du-bu]
tofu
부모 [bu-mo]
parents
주소 [ju-so]
address
뉴스 [nyu-seu]
news
유리 [yu-ri]
glass
유자 [yu-ja]
citron
휴지 [hyu-ji]
tissue
그네 [geu-ne]
swing
스키 [seu-ki]
ski
크다 [keu-da]
to be big
흐르다 [heu-reu-da] to flow
이사 [i-sa]
moving
비누 [bi-nu]
soap
기차 [gi-cha]
train
지구 [ji-gu]
globe
배추 [bae-chu]
cabbage
배 [bae]
ship / pear
새우 [sae-u]
shrimp
해 [hae]
sun
ㅔ [e]
(ㅓ+l)
세모 [se-mo]
triangle
가게 [ga-ge]
shop
ㅖ [ye]
(ㅕ+l)
예 [ye]
yes
시계 [si-gye]
watch
세계 [se-gye]
world
차례 [cha-rye]
order
ㅘ [wa]
(ㅗ+ㅏ)
과자 [gwa-ja]
cookies
화가 [hwa-ga]
painter
와요 [wa-yo]
come
왕 [wang]
king
ㅙ [wae]
(ㅗ+ㅐ)
돼지 [dwae-ji]
pig
왜 [wae] why, old name of Japan
왜요 [wae-yo]
why
쾌차 [kwae-cha] complete recovery
ㅚ [we]
(ㅗ+l)
외교 [we-gyo]
diplomacy
외가 [we-ga] mother’
s family
회사 [hwe-sa]
company
외국 [we-guk] foreign country
ㅝ [weo]
(ㅜ+ㅓ)
추워요 [chu-weo-yo] cold
더워요 [deo-weo-yo] hot
매워요 [mae-weo-yo] spicy
원숭이 [weon-sung-i] monkey
위 [wi]
up / stomach
뒤 [dwi]
behind, rear
귀 [gwi]
ear
쥐 [jwi]
rat
의사 [eui-sa]
doctor
의자 [eui-ja]
chair
예의 [ye-eui]
politeness
의회 [eui-hwae]
congress
ㅗ [o]
ㅛ [yo]
ㅜ [u]
ㅠ [yu]
ㅡ [eu]
ㅣ [i]
ㅐ [ae]
(ㅏ+l)
ㅟ [wi]
(ㅜ+l)
ㅢ [eui]
(ㅡ+l)
나그네 [na-geu-ne] vagabond, traveler 제주도 [je-ju-do] Jeju Island
15
Reading PracticeⅡ: continued
c. Third position consonants : 8 pronunciation groups
In Korean, the 2nd and 3rd consonants in a word are referred to as 받
침. 받침 must always be 1 or 2 consonants and all fall into eight
pronunciation groups:
1
ㄱ, ㅋ and ㄲ are pronounced as [k], when the word
is not followed by another vowel.
Ex.
k]
속 [sok
inside
k] kitchen
부엌 [bu-eok
k] Korea
한국 [han-guk
k]
밖 [bak
outside
2
ㄴ is pronounced as [n
n]. This letter sound does not
change, whatever the position.
Ex.
nun
n]
눈 [n
eye, snow
n-gae] fog
안개 [an
n-ji] letter
편지 [pyeon
n] towel
수건 [su-geon
3
ㄷ, ㅅ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅌ and ㅆ are pronounced as [tt], when
the word is not followed by another vowel.
Ex.
곧 [gott]
빗 [bitt]
낮 [natt]
빛 [bitt]
밑 [mitt]
있다 [itt-dda]
soon
comb
daytime
light
bottom
to have
숟가락 [sutt-ga-rak]
옷 [ott]
잊다 [it-dda]
꽃 [ggott]
끝 [ggeutt]
spoon
clothing
to forget
flower
end
17
4
ㄹ is pronounced as [ll], when the word ends with“ㄹ.”
Ex.
달 [dall]
moon
얼굴 [eol-gull] face
가을 [ga-eull] autumn
딸기 [ddall-gi] strawberry
And if a word ends with“ㄹ”and is followed by another
“ㄹ,”you pronounce both [l].
Ex.
달라요 [dall-lla-yo] (it) is different
몰라요 [moll-lla-yo] (I) do not know
5
ㅁ is pronounced as [m
m]. This letter sound does not
change, whatever the position.
Ex.
m] spring
봄 [bom
m] night, chestnut
밤 [bam
m-sim
m] lunch
점심 [jeom
m] heart
마음 [ma-eum
6
ㅂ and ㅍ are pronounced as a short [p
p]at the end of
a final syllable
Ex.
p]
앞 [ap
front
p] class
수업 [su-eop
p]
옆 [yeop
side
p] occupation
직업 [ji-geop
7
ㅇ is pronounced as [-ng], when a word ends with
“ㅇ.”
Ex.
ng] river
강 [gan
ng] ball
공 [gon
ng]
방 [ban
room
ng-guk] England
영국 [yeon
8
ㅎ becomes silent [ø], when it is at the end of a
syllable and is followed by a vowel.
Ex.
18
ㅎ
ø(silent)
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
아 [jo
o-a] that’
좋아
s fine
으면 [jo
o-eu-myeon] If (you) like
좋으
But when ㅎ is at the end of a syllable that is followed
by the consonants ㄱ, ㄷ, or ㅈ, the pronunciation of the
consonants changes to the aspirated consonants [ㅋ, ㅌ,
ㅊ] respectively.
Ex.
ㅎ+ㄱ
k]
[k
ko] put and
놓고 [no-k
ko](it’
좋고 [jo-k
s) fine and
ㅎ+ㄷ
[tt]
놓다 [no-tta] to put
좋다 [jo-tta] to be good
ㅎ+ㅈ
ch]
[c
chi]
좋지 [jo-c
chi]
놓지 [no-c
Pronunciation Note : “Liaison” (연음법칙)
When the consonant is at the end of a syllable and is followed by a vowel, it is
pronounced at the beginning of the next syllable.
Ex.
에 [so-g
ge]
에 [han-gu-g
ge]
속에
inside
한국에
에 [bu-eo-k
ke] in the kitchen
에 [ba-g
gge]
부엌에
밖에
이 [bi-c
chi]
에 [mi-tte]
under, on the bottom 빛이
밑에
에 [na-jje]
si]
낮에
during the day
옷이 [o-s
이 [su-eo-b
bi] class
이 [ji-geo-b
bi]
수업이
직업이
으로 [a-p
peu-ro] to the front
에 [yeo-p
pe]
앞으
옆에
in Korea
outside
the light is
the clothes are
the job is
to the side
Reading PracticeⅢ:
안녕하세요? [an-nyeong-ha-se-yo] (안녕!) Hello, Hi
Used as a greeting in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the
evening.
안녕히 가세요. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo] Good-bye
Saying good-bye in a situation when one stays at a place and the
other departs.
안녕히 계세요. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo] Good-bye
This phrase is used by the person who departs from the place.
19
3. How to Construct Korean Words
There are six ways to construct Korean words using Hangeul. These 6 ways can
be sub-divided into two parts, each consisting of 3 types of word constructions, as
described below in part A and B.
Construction of a Korean word must always begin with a single or
double consonant.
Part A (1-3)
When the first vowel in a word is“ㅏ, ㅑ, ㅓ, ㅕ, or l,”
the word is constructed by having the letters arranged
horizontally. (c-consonant: v -vowel)
1. Horizontal combination of a consonant with one of these 5 vowels
Ex.
c+v
ㄱ+ㅏ
가
2. Horizontal combination of 2 consonants and a vowel.
The 1st consonant stands side by side with a vowel. The 2nd
consonant is written below the combined c+v. The 2nd consonant is
받침 [bat-chim]). 받침 can be 1 or
referred to as the third position (받
2 consonants but must always be a consonant.
Ex.
c+v
c
(받침)
ㄱ+ㅏ
ㄱ
각
3. Horizontal combination of 3 consonants and a vowel.
(c+v+2 consonants)
Ex.
c+v
c c
(받침)
ㄱ+ㅏ
ㅂ ㅅ
값
21
Part B (4-6)
When the final vowel in the word is,“ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅠ or ㄱ
ㅡ,”the word is constructed by having the letters
arranged vertically.
4. Vertical combination of a consonant with one of these 5 vowels
(ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅠ or ㅡ).
Ex.
c
+
v
ㄱ
+
ㅗ
고
5. Vertical combination of 2 consonants and a vowel.
Ex.
c
+
v
+
c
(받침)
ㄱ
+
ㅗ
+
ㅅ
곳
6. Vertical combination of 3 consonants and a vowel.
(c+v+2 consonants).
Ex.
22
c
+
v
+
c c
(받침)
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
ㄱ
+
ㅗ
+
ㄹ ㅅ
곬
4. How to Write Korean Words
The easiest way to learn to write hangeul is to follow the prescribed stroke order
below using squared paper.
a. Consonants : 19 letters
The fourteen consonants are shown below in Korean alphabetical order with
the direction and sequence of the strokes. The romanized letters are their
sound value.
ㄱ
g
ㄲ gg
ㄴ
n
ㄷ d/t
23
ㄸ dd
ㄹ r/l
ㅁ
m
ㅂ b/p
ㅃ bb
ㅅ
24
s
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
ㅆ
ss
ㅇØ
ㅈ
j
ㅉ
jj
ㅊ ch
25
26
ㅋ
k
ㅌ
t
ㅍ
p
ㅎ
h
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
b. Vowels : 21 letters
There are a total of twenty-one different vowel-syllables. In the table below, the
vowels are listed in Korean alphabetical order
ㅏ
a
ㅐ ae
ㅑ ya
ㅒ yae
ㅓ eo
27
ㅔ
e
ㅕ yeo
ㅖ ye
ㅗ
o
ㅘ wa
ㅙ wae
28
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
ㅚ oe
ㅛ yo
ㅜ
u
ㅝ weo
ㅞ we
29
ㅟ
ui
ㅠ yu
ㅡ eu
ㅢ eui
l
30
i
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
Exercises
1. Write the fourteen consonants in the
.
ㄱ- - - - - - - - - - - - 2. Fill in the boxes alphabetically.
ㄱ- -ㄷ- -ㅁ-ㅂ- 3. Write the ten vowels in the
ㅏ-
-
-
-
-ㅈ-ㅊ- -ㅌ- -ㅎ
.
-
-
-
-
-
4. Please fill in the gaps in alphabetical order.
ㅏ-
-
-ㅕ-
-ㅛ
-ㅠ-
-ㅣ
5. Write the words in alphabetical order.
ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ
가지
치마
자두
①
②
③
④
⑤
⑥
⑦
호수
파도
타다
나무
사자
크다
오이
마음
다리
라디오
불고기
⑧
⑨
⑩
⑪
⑫
⑬
⑭
31
Unit 2 : Introduction
In Korean, verbs are conjugated in 4 different forms depending on whom is being
addressed. These forms are:
Polite formal,
Polite informal,
Plain and
Intimate Speech style
(See detail in Appendix, page 135)
You will learn in Unit 2
1.
How to conjugate verbs in the present tense using the polite
informal form (Vst+-아요/어요/여요): (Vst : abbreviation of
Verb Stem)
The infinitive form of every Korean verb consists of the
stem and the -다 ending.
Ex.
가다 (to go)
공부하다 (to study)
가 다
공부하 다
stem
ending
stem
ending
When conjugating the verb, -다 is dropped and the polite informal
form is added to the stem. All verbs fall into one of three groups,
which determines the conjugation:
34
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
a.
When the Vst ends with the vowel ㅏ or ㅗ, then the ending
changes this way ⇒ Vst+-아요
Ex.
가다 (to go)
가+-아요
가요
stem
오다 (to come)
오+-아요
와요
stem
b.
When the Vst ends with any vowel except ㅏ or ㅗ, then the
ending changes this way ⇒ Vst+-어요
먹다 (to eat)
먹+-어요
먹어요
stem
입다 (to wear)
입+-어요
입어요
stem
c.
When the Vst ends with“하다”verb ending, such as 공부하다,
좋아하다, then the ending changes this way ⇒ 하+-여요 which is
contracted as Vst+-해요
공부하다 (to study)
공부하+-여요
공부해요
stem
일하다 (to work)
일하+-여요
일해요
stem
35
Note: When conjugating some verbs, certain vowel combinations occur, which
are then contracted. The following are examples of contraction rules:
Ex.
contraction
2.
Verb
Example:
polite informal conjugation
(Vst+-아/어/여요)
아＋아 = ㅏ [a]
가다 (to go)
가＋－아요
가요
오＋아 = ㅘ [wa]
오다 (to come)
오＋－아요
와요
우＋어 = ㅝ [weo]
주다 (to give)
주＋－어요
줘요
어＋어 = ㅓ [eo]
서다 (to stand)
서＋－어요
서요
이＋어 = ㅕ [yeo]
마시다 (to drink)
마시＋－어요
마셔요
아＋여 = ㅐ [ae]
일하다 (to work)
일하＋－여요
일해요
How to construct a Korean Sentence : The Korean sentence
is structured in Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order. The verb
is always at the end of the sentence. Unlike in English, the
Korean subject is followed by a subject particle (-이/가) and
the object is followed by an object particle(-을/를).
Ex.
subject
object
아기가
우유를 마셔요. (The baby drinks milk.)
subject particle
object particle
Note: The verb in the Korean language never changes regardless of whether
the subject is singular or plural, personal pronoun third person (he, she,
it), or a proper noun (Georgetown University). Also, Korean never uses
capital letters or cursive.
36
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
For the rest of this course, verbs (in the vocabulary list) will be written
with the stem in a larger font than the ending:
Ex.
가다 ⇒ 가
verb stem + 다
ending
먹다 ⇒ 먹
verb stem + 다
ending
공부하다 ⇒ 공부하
verb stem + 다
ending
37
Chapter. 01 가다 (to go)
나는 학교에 가요.
I go to school.
Vocabulary
가다
어디(에)
나(는)
학교(에)
38
to go
가요 (가+－아요)－present tense
(to) where
I (topic marker)
(to) school / 학교－school
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
가요.
가요.
어디에 가요?
학교에 가요.
나는
나는
학교에 가요.
Grammar Notes
－은/는
Topic marker. When attached to a noun, it shows the subject
of the sentence, or“contrast,” (See p.132)
Subject of the sentence
ⅰ. When the noun ends in a consonant,“－은”
Ex. 수진은 학교에 가요. (수진－Sujin)
As for Sujin, she is going to school.
ⅱ. When the noun ends in a vowel,“－는”
Ex. 나는 대학교에 가요. (대학교－university)
As for me, I am going to the university.
어디
“where”
－에
“in,”
“at,”or“to.”Used after place or time nouns to show
location or direction.
Ex. 학교에 가요. I go to school.
뉴욕에 가요. (뉴욕－New York) I go to New York.
39
Exercises 01
1. Fill in the blanks with“은”or“는”
.
ⓐ 나(
) 학교에 가요.
ⓑ 앨버트(
ⓒ 수진(
) 학교에 가요. (앨버트－Albert)
) 집에 가요. (수진－Sujin / 집－home)
가다 (to go)
ⓓ 어머니(
) 가게에 가요. (어머니－mother / 가게－store)
ⓔ 우리들(
) 학교에 가요. (우리들－we)
2. Fill in the blanks with“에”.
ⓐ 나는 학교(
) 가요.
ⓑ 앨버트는 뉴욕(
ⓒ 수진은 서울(
) 가요. (뉴욕－New York)
) 가요. (서울－Seoul)
ⓓ 우리들은 한국(
) 가요. (한국－Korea)
3. Translate into Korean.
ⓐ I go to school.
ⓑ Albert goes to New York.
ⓒ We go to Florida.
ⓓ Sujin goes to Seoul.
40
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
Ex.
Ch. 01
4. Read the sentence. Which word is the verb? Mark your
answer in each line.
나는 학교에 가요.
ⓑ 가요.
ⓒ 학교
ⓓ에
ⓐ 가요.
ⓑ 학교
ⓒ는
ⓓ나
ⓐ 학교
ⓑ나
ⓒ에
ⓓ 가요.
가다 (to go)
ⓐ나
5. Read each sentence. Choose the sentence that is written
correctly. Mark your answer.
ⓐ 학교에 가요 나는.
ⓑ 가요 나는 학교에.
ⓒ 나는 가요 학교에.
ⓓ 나는 학교에 가요.
6. Answer the following questions, using the answers given
in parentheses.
ⓐ 어디에 가요? (학교)
ⓑ 수진은 어디에 가요? (집－home)
ⓒ 친구는 어디에 가요? (뉴욕－New York / 친구－friend)
ⓓ 앨버트는 어디에 가요? (한국－Korea)
ⓔ 어머니는 어디에 가요? (가게－store)
41
Chapter. 02 공부하다 (to study)
나는 한국말을 공부해요.
I study Korean.
Vocabulary
공부하다
나(는)
한국말(을)
42
to study
공부해요 (공부하+－여요)－present
tense
I (topic marker)
Korean language (object particle)
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
공부해요.
공부해요.
나는 공부해요.
나는
나는 공부해요.
나는 한국말을 공부해요.
Grammar Notes
－을/를
Object particle. It comes after a noun and shows the“object”
of the verb.
i. When a noun ends in a consonant, “－을”
Ex. 친구가 한국말을 공부해요. (친구－friend)
ii. When a noun ends in a vowel, “－를”
Ex. 친구가 영어를 공부해요. (영어－English)
My friend studies English.
Personal Pronoun
These forms are used when the speaker talks to a
subordinate or an equal.
singular
I
you
he
she
it
*－들
plural
나
너
그
그녀
그것
we
you
they
우리(들)*
너희(들)
그들
그것들
Plural marker
Ex. 학생 (student)
학생들 (students) / 아이 (child)
아이들 (children)
43
Exercises 02
Ch. 02
1. Fill in the blanks with“을”or“를.”
ⓐ 앨버트는 한국말(
) 공부해요.
ⓑ 수진은 영어(
) 공부해요. (영어－English)
ⓒ 나는 독일어(
) 공부해요. (독일어－German)
공부하다 (to study)
ⓓ 수미는 스페인어(
ⓔ 친구는 중국어(
) 공부해요. (수미－Sumi / 스페인어－Spanish)
) 공부해요. (중국어－Chinese)
2. Translate into Korean.
ⓐ My friend studies Korean. (my－내)
ⓑ Sujin studies English. (Sujin－수진)
ⓒ We study Spanish. (we－우리들)
ⓓ My friend studies Chinese. (Chinese－중국어)
ⓔ I study Japanese. (Japanese－일본어)
ⓕ We study German. (we－우리들)
3. Read the sentences and choose the one that is written
correctly. Mark your answer.
ⓐ 한국말을 수진 공부해요.
ⓑ 공부해요 나는 영어를
ⓒ 우리들은 공부해요 영어
ⓓ 우리들 영어를 공부해요.
ⓔ 우리들은 한국말을 공부해요.
44
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs
Ch. 02
4. Form a correct sentence from each group of words given
below.
ⓐ 독일어, 수진, 공부하다
공부하다 (to study)
ⓑ 공부하다, 나, 스페인어
ⓒ 앨버트, 한국말, 공부하다
ⓓ 영어, 우리들, 공부하다
5. The following sentences are scrambled. Please write
them correctly.
ⓐ 공부해요 중국어를 나는
ⓑ 영어를 수미는 공부해요 (수미－Sumi)
ⓒ 앨버트는 공부해요 스페인어를
ⓓ 공부해요 독일어를 수진은
45
Chapter. 03 마시다
(to drink)
동생이 물을 마셔요.
My younger sibling drinks water.
Vocabulary
마시다
내
동생(이)
물(을)
운동
후에
지금
46
to drink
마셔요(마시+－어요)－present tense
my (shortened form of 나의－my)
younger sibling (subject particle)
water (object particle)
exercise
after
now
STEP BY STEP KOREAN (1) through 15 Action Verbs