Korean Grammar List

-요 is the most common way to make a sentence polite in Korean. It's attached to the end of verbs, adjectives, and 이다 to show respect to the listener in everyday situations.

An overview of how Korean adjectives change their endings to be used in sentences, expressing different meanings, tenses, and politeness levels.

An overview of how Korean verbs change their endings to convey tense, politeness, and mood. This is a fundamental concept in Korean grammar.

An introduction to Korean particles, which are markers attached to nouns to indicate their grammatical function, such as subject, object, or topic.

Korean verbs and adjectives change their form to show when an action or state occurs: in the past, present, or future.

The base form of a Korean verb or adjective, found by removing -다 from its dictionary form. It's the foundation for all conjugations.

Explains the fundamental Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure of Korean sentences, where the verb always comes last.

-세요 is a polite verb ending used to make requests, give commands, or ask questions to someone you want to show respect to, such as an elder, a superior, or a stranger.

Attaches to an adjective stem to allow it to modify a following noun. It's the equivalent of saying 'a pretty flower' or 'a tall building' in English.

A plain form declarative sentence ending used with action verbs. It's often found in written contexts like books and articles, or when talking to oneself.

A formal polite sentence ending used in formal situations like news reports, business presentations, or when addressing a large audience.

A connective particle used to link two clauses, actions, or states in sequence, similar to 'and' or 'and then'.

Expresses the speaker's desire or wish to do something, equivalent to 'want to' in English.

Expresses an ongoing action, equivalent to the English present progressive 'be + -ing'.

A verb ending that modifies a noun, indicating a present (-는) or future (-(으)ㄹ) action related to that noun.

The particle -도 is attached to a noun or pronoun to add the meaning of 'also' or 'too'. It indicates that the noun it's attached to is an addition to something previously mentioned or implied.

A particle attached to nouns to make them plural, similar to '-s' in English.

-랑 is a particle used in casual conversation to list nouns (like 'and') or to indicate doing something with someone (like 'with').

The particle -보다 is used to make comparisons, meaning 'more than' or 'compared to'.

-아/어 is the basic informal, non-polite sentence ending. It's the foundation for the common polite ending -아/어요 and is used when speaking casually to close friends, family, or people younger than the speaker.

Used to gently suggest or recommend that someone try doing something. It's a polite way to say 'try doing X' or 'why don't you do X?'.

A polite way to ask someone to do something for you, like saying "Please do [verb] for me."

Used to give a command or instruction in an informal, non-polite way (반말). It's used with children or very close friends.

The past tense marker used to talk about things that have already happened.

An informal sentence ending used to check something the speaker expects is true or to seek the listener's agreement. It's like adding '..., right?' or '..., isn't it?' in English.

-지 마 is the casual, informal way to say 'don't'. It's used with friends, family, or people younger than you to tell them not to perform an action.

A polite way to tell someone not to do something.

Used to tell someone not to do something. It is the negative command form.

A common way to make a negative sentence, meaning 'do not' or 'is not'. It is attached to the stem of a verb or adjective.

Used to confirm information or seek agreement, similar to '..., right?' or '..., isn't it?'.

A connective ending used to contrast two clauses, similar to 'but' or 'although' in English.

-하고 is a particle used to connect two or more nouns, meaning 'and'. It can also be used to mean 'with' when referring to doing an action with someone.

An introduction to common Korean verbs and adjectives that do not follow regular conjugation rules. Their stems change in specific situations.

Explains the two main ways to make a sentence negative in Korean: using '안' before a verb/adjective or using the '-지 않다' ending.

In Korean, you can often turn a statement into a question simply by changing the intonation at the end of the sentence and adding a question mark in writing. This is especially common in the polite -요 style.

A particle indicating the end point of a range in time or space. It translates to 'to', 'until', or 'by'.

A particle attached to nouns to indicate the starting point of something, like 'from' or 'starting from'. It can be used for time, place, or order.

안 and 못 are adverbs used to negate verbs and adjectives. 안 expresses a simple negation of will or fact, while 못 expresses inability or impossibility.

A particle attached to nouns to mark a location (at, in, on), a destination (to), or a point in time.

A particle meaning 'to' or 'for', attached to nouns for people or animals to show who receives an action.

A particle that marks the location where an action takes place ('at', 'in') or the starting point of a movement ('from').

A particle used to connect nouns, meaning 'and' or 'with'.

A particle that attaches to nouns to indicate the main topic of a sentence. It can also be used to show contrast.

Marks the direct object of a verb in a sentence.

A particle attached to a noun to show possession or relationship, like 's or 'of'.

A particle attached to a noun to indicate that it is the subject of the verb. Use 이 after consonants and 가 after vowels.

The Korean copula '이다' is equivalent to 'to be' in English (am, is, are). It attaches directly to nouns to identify or describe the subject.

Used to express possession ('to have' or 'not have') and existence ('there is/are' or 'there isn't/aren't').

Used to indicate that one action or event happens before another.

Used to say that something is similar to or resembles a noun. It's equivalent to 'like' or 'as' in English.

하다 is one of the most common and versatile verbs in Korean. It means 'to do' and is also combined with many nouns to form new verbs, such as 공부하다 (to study) and 요리하다 (to cook).

A particle attached to a person or animal that indicates the recipient of an action. It means 'to' or 'from' and is used in spoken Korean.

Used to indicate that one action or event takes place after another. It attaches to nouns representing time or events.

Used to talk about whether you have or have not experienced something before. It's equivalent to 'have/haven't ever...' in English.

Expresses whether an action is possible or if someone has the ability to perform it. -ㄹ 수 있다 means 'can do', and -ㄹ 수 없다 means 'cannot do'.

A verb ending with two main uses: suggesting an action ('Shall we...?') and expressing wonder or asking oneself a question ('I wonder if...').

Indicates the purpose of movement. It is used to say that someone goes or comes to a place in order to do something.

Used to express the intention or purpose of an action, translating to 'in order to' or 'so that'.

Expresses the speaker's intention or plan to do something.

A particle indicating direction (towards), means/method (by/with), or a change of state (as/into).

Expresses that an action or condition is sufficient or acceptable. It translates to 'you just have to...' or 'it's okay if...'.

-십시오 is a formal and polite way to ask someone to do something. It is often used in public announcements, by staff to customers, or when showing a high degree of respect to the listener.

These are modifier endings that attach to verb and adjective stems to allow them to describe a noun. The specific ending used (-ㄴ/은, -는, or -ㄹ/을) depends on the tense and whether the stem is an action verb or a descriptive verb.

Expresses the speaker's will or intention (I will), or a supposition about a situation (it must be/looks like).

Used to describe someone else's (a third person's) desire or wish to do something. It is the third-person equivalent of -고 싶다.

A suffix that attaches to verb and adjective stems to turn them into nouns, similar to adding '-ing' in English.

Used to express the purpose of an action, meaning 'in order to' or 'for the sake of'.

Used to form a question with action verbs. It carries a softer, more introspective nuance than a standard '-아/어요?' question, as if one is wondering or asking gently.

An informal question ending used with close friends or people younger than the speaker. It is part of the plain form (반말).

A nominalizing ending that attaches to action verbs to mean 'the act of doing something' or 'the thing that one does'.

An ending used to give a direct command in the plain style, or as a shortened form for quoting a command in casual speech.

-마다 is a particle attached to nouns to indicate that an action or state applies to every instance of that noun. It's equivalent to 'every' or 'each' in English.

A particle that attaches to nouns to mean 'only' or 'just', singling out one item from a group of possibilities.

A particle attached to a name ending in a consonant to call or address someone, typically a close friend or someone younger.

Used to express trying or experiencing an action.

Expresses an opinion or judgment about something based on its appearance, meaning 'looks like' or 'seems'.

Indicates that an action is performed for the benefit of someone else.

Expresses that a situation or action occurs regardless of the condition or action in the preceding clause. It translates to 'even if' or 'regardless of'.

A connective ending used to express a reason ('because', 'so') or to link two sequential, related actions ('and then').

Expresses a necessary condition ('only if/when') or, when combined with 하다/되다, an obligation ('must/should').

Used to express that an action is necessary or obligatory. It's equivalent to 'must' or 'have to' in English.

Expresses obligation or necessity, meaning 'must' or 'have to'.

Indicates the source of an action when the source is a person or another living being. It translates to 'from (a person)'.

Used after a noun to indicate that an action or state is in progress, meaning 'in the middle of' or 'during'.

A grammar pattern used to express inability or impossibility, meaning 'cannot' or 'be unable to'.

A particle attached to nouns, especially those related to numbers, time, or quantity, to mean 'about', 'around', or 'approximately'.

A conjunctive adverb used to connect two sentences, indicating that the first sentence is the cause or reason for the second sentence. It translates to 'so', 'therefore', or 'that's why'.

Compares '-까지', which marks the end of a range or duration (until/by), with '-에', which marks a simple destination or a specific point in time (to/at).

Indicates the duration or period of time during which an action or state continues. It translates to 'during' or 'while'.

A versatile verb with two main meanings: 'to become' (indicating a change of state) and 'to be allowed/okay' (indicating permission or possibility).

Indicates the time when an action or state occurs, equivalent to 'when' or 'at the time of'.

Indicates that something is visible (to be seen) or that something/someone appears or seems a certain way.

Particles meaning 'from'. -부터 is used for starting points in time or sequence, while -에서 is used for the starting location of an action.

These three words are used to ask 'what' or 'which'. 어떤 asks about characteristics ('what kind of'), 무슨 asks for identification from a wide range of possibilities ('what'), and 어느 asks to select from a limited set of options ('which').

A comparison of the location particles -에 (static location/destination), -에서 (action location/origin), and -로 (direction/means).

Distinguishes between the grammatical subject (이/가), which performs an action, and the topic (은/는), which is what the sentence is about.

Three particles that mean 'to (a person)' but differ in formality. 한테 is casual, 에게 is formal/written, and 께 is honorific.

A particle indicating the tool or method ('with', 'by'), the direction of movement ('to', 'towards'), or a change in state ('into').

A noun-modifying form that describes a noun with a verb in the past tense. It translates to 'the thing that (subject) did' or 'the fact that (subject) did'.

Used to express how long it's been since an action occurred (e.g., 'It's been 3 years since...'). It can also be used with descriptive verbs to mean 'whether' (e.g., 'I don't know whether it's big').

Expresses future plans, intentions, or predictions, similar to 'will' or 'going to'.

A comparison of three future tense endings: -ㄹ 거예요 for general plans and predictions, -겠어요 for strong intentions and formal guesses, and -ㄹ게요 for responsive decisions and promises made by the speaker.

A noun-modifying ending for verbs that indicates a future action or state.

Expresses a plan or intention to do something in the future.

Expresses 'only', 'just', or 'nothing but', emphasizing that a certain action or state is the only one.

Compares -ㄹ 수 있다, used for general ability and possibility, with -ㄹ 줄 알다, used specifically for learned skills and knowing how to do something.

Expresses possibility, meaning that something 'might' or 'could possibly' happen or be true.

Expresses a future plan or schedule, often with a formal or official nuance.

Expresses the necessity (or lack thereof) of performing an action.

An informal sentence ending used by the speaker (I/we) to express a promise or a decision made in the moment, often in response to the listener or situation.

Used to express hesitation or contemplation about doing a single action. It translates to 'whether to... or not' or 'should I... or not'.

Expresses performing an action out of concern or fear that a preceding event might occur. It translates to "worried that...", "afraid that...", or "for fear that...".

Expresses a vague intention or thought about doing something, like 'I'm thinking of...' or 'I'm considering...'.

Expresses the speaker's intention ('I'm going to...') or asks for the listener's intention ('Do you want to...?') in a casual, informal way.

Expresses a proportional relationship, equivalent to 'the more..., the more...' in English.

Used to express uncertainty or speculation about a future action or state, similar to 'whether' or 'if'.

Expresses a guess or possibility about a present or future situation, similar to 'might' or 'may possibly' in English. It indicates the speaker's uncertainty about an outcome.

The ending -ㅁ (or -음) is a nominalizer that transforms verbs and adjectives into nouns. It is typically used to refer to a state, fact, or concept, and is common in formal writing, titles, and official notices.

A formal verb ending used to make a polite suggestion, meaning 'Let's...'.

A connective ending used to state a reason or cause, particularly when the following clause is a command, suggestion, or proposal.

A verb ending that expresses the purpose for going to or coming from a place. It means 'in order to' and is always followed by a motion verb.

Used to express the speaker's wondering or self-questioning about a future event or possibility. It's similar to saying 'I wonder if...' and is often used in monologues.

Expresses an intention to do something that was interrupted or changed, leading to a different action.

Expresses a condition for an intended action, meaning 'if you want to' or 'in order to'.

A connective ending that expresses a condition ('if') or a general time ('when').

Used to express two actions or states happening at the same time, performed or possessed by the same subject. It translates to 'while' or 'as'.

A formal connective used to express a logical reason or cause, similar to 'because' or 'therefore'. Mainly used in written language.

An infix added to verb and adjective stems to show respect for the subject of the sentence.

An indirect quotation ending used to report what someone said, specifically when the original statement ends with a noun followed by the copula 이다.

Used to indicate that one action takes place after another action is completed.

Used to express a guess, supposition, or opinion about a situation. It translates to 'it seems like', 'it looks like', or 'I think that...'.

This pattern has two main uses: to say you don't know how to perform an action (like driving or swimming), or to say you were unaware of a fact or situation.

Used to say you know how to do something (ability), or that you think or assume something is so, often wrongly. In the past tense, it often means 'I thought that...' about something that turned out to be wrong.

A connective ending used to provide background information, show contrast ('but'), or express mild surprise.

Used to ask a question to oneself or to gently ask someone else. It conveys a sense of wondering or pondering, like thinking out loud.

Used to connect two clauses. It can provide background information for the second clause (like '...and so...' or '...but...') or show a contrast between the two clauses.

A connective ending used to express uncertainty or embed a question, translating to 'whether' or 'if'.

A connective ending used to link verbs or adjectives, meaning 'or'.

A conversational ending that means 'if/when' (when followed by a command or suggestion) or provides a reason, similar to 'because' or 'you see...'.

A suffix that attaches to adjective stems to turn them into adverbs, similar to adding '-ly' in English.

Used to express an outward appearance or impression, similar to 'looks' or 'seems' in English. It's attached to adjectives and is based on visual observation.

Used when the completion of an action leads to a new discovery, realization, or situation. It translates to 'after doing...' or 'now that I've done...'.

Expresses that a certain result or state follows after an action is completed. It means 'after doing' or 'once... is done'.

Indicates that one action is completed before another action begins. It emphasizes the sequential order of events.

Indicates that an action was finally completed, often unintentionally or after some difficulty, resulting in a definitive outcome.

These patterns express the desire to do something. The choice depends on the subject: '-고 싶다' is for the first person (I/we) and second person (you in questions), while '-고 싶어하다' is used to describe the wants of a third person (he/she/they).

Used to connect two actions in sequence, indicating that the second action occurs after the first one is fully completed. It often emphasizes the completion of the first action as a necessary step for the second.

Expresses a repeated action or habit, similar to 'often do' or 'used to do'.

Used to express a new realization, discovery, or mild surprise about a fact or situation. It's similar to saying 'Oh, I see!', 'So that's it!', or 'I didn't know that!' in English.

Used to mean 'for the sake of (a noun)' or 'in order to (do a verb)'. It indicates the goal, purpose, or person/thing that benefits from the action that follows.

Used to strongly negate or dismiss a statement, often with the nuance of 'Not at all,' 'On the contrary,' or 'Are you kidding me?' It refutes a previous idea and is typically followed by the actual situation.

Used to acknowledge that something is true, but then add a contrasting statement or reservation. It translates to 'it is true that... but...' or 'I admit that... however...'.

Indicates that an action or state sometimes occurs, or adds another quality or action to a situation, similar to 'also' or 'even'.

Expresses a decision, plan, or resolution to do something.

Used to state a reason or cause for an action, typically based on the speaker's direct observation or experience.

A particle attached to nouns to indicate an action or state is confined to that group, meaning 'among/between themselves'.

A particle used after nouns to present alternatives ('or') or to indicate an approximation or a non-specific choice ('about', 'any', 'or something like that').

An indirect speech ending used to report or quote a question.

An indirect quotation ending used to report a question.

A sentence ending used to express mild surprise or realization upon learning something new.

Used to indicate that an action is performed while on the way to a primary destination.

Used to explain the method, process, or the only available option for achieving a certain action. It literally translates to 'it is the way of doing something'.

Used to describe a place by the action that happens there. It combines the verb modifier -는 with the noun 데 (place).

Indicates the duration of time during which an action takes place. It is equivalent to 'while' or 'during' in English.

'-는 법이다' has two main meanings. The first is 'the way to' or 'how to' do something, describing a method. The second is used to state a general truth or natural law, similar to 'it is natural that...' or 'it's a rule that...'.

Used to express that an action is currently in progress, meaning 'in the middle of doing' or 'currently -ing'.

Expresses that something tends to be a certain way or is rather on a certain side, without making an absolute statement.

A sentence ending used to report a statement made by someone. It translates to "(someone) said that..." or "it is said that...".

A connective ending used to provide background information for a following clause, show contrast ('but'), or express mild surprise.

Used to indicate that an action is interrupted and followed by another action, or that an action's course changes to another.

Expresses an assumption or supposition, similar to 'let's say...', 'assuming that...', or 'suppose that...'. It's used to temporarily accept a condition as true to continue a discussion or make a point.

This pattern is used to report or quote a statement someone else made. It's the equivalent of 'said that...' or 'they say that...' in English.

A suffix attached to nouns to create an adjective meaning that the subject has the ideal qualities or characteristics of that noun, similar to '-like' or '-ly' in English.

Indicates a rate or distribution, equivalent to 'per' or 'for each' in English. It is attached to nouns that represent a unit of measurement, time, or quantity.

A suffix used to turn certain nouns into passive verbs, indicating that the subject is receiving or undergoing an action, often one that is negative or undesirable.

Indicates that an action is done 'as' or 'according to' a preceding noun or verb.

Expresses substitution ('instead of'), compensation ('in return for'), or contrast ('on the other hand').

A retrospective noun modifier used to describe an action that was repeatedly done, was in progress, or was habitual in the past.

Learn the nuances between the past noun modifiers -던, -았/었던, and -ㄴ/은 to express different types of past experiences, such as repeated, incomplete, or completed actions.

-도록 is a connective ending used to indicate the purpose or goal of the following action, similar to 'so that'. It can also be used to describe the extent or degree to which an action is performed, meaning 'to the point that' or 'until'.

Used to express that any choice among two or more options is fine, or that the outcome is the same regardless of the action or state. It often translates to 'no matter what/who/when/etc.' or 'whether... or...'.

-(으)라고 is used to indirectly quote a command, request, or order. It's equivalent to saying 'someone told/ordered/asked (me/someone) to do something'.

An indirect quotation ending used to report commands or statements with '이다'.

A particle attached to nouns to indicate choosing a second-best or less-than-ideal option. It translates to 'at least', 'even if it's just', or 'something like'.

A particle attached to nouns to introduce them for definition or explanation, meaning 'the thing called...' or 'as for...'.

Used to express surprise, admiration, or a new realization upon learning something about a noun. It's like saying 'Oh, so it's a...!' or 'I see that it's a...!'.

A particle attached to a noun to indicate the status, qualification, or capacity in which something is done. It translates to 'as' or 'in the capacity of'.

Indicates the means, tool, or method used to perform an action. It translates to 'by means of', 'with', or 'through'.

Used to express that two things are equal in quantity, degree, or extent. It translates to 'as much as', 'as...as', or 'to the extent that'.

A particle meaning 'only' or 'nothing but'. It attaches to a noun and must be followed by a negative verb or adjective (e.g., 없다, 안, 못).

A particle used after a person to mean 'to' or 'at', specifically used with verbs related to speaking or directing attention.

A particle attached to nouns meaning 'only' or 'just', emphasizing exclusivity.

A suffix attached to some nouns to turn them into adjectives, meaning 'to be like' or 'to have the quality of' that noun.

A formal ending used to connect contrasting clauses, meaning 'but' or 'however'. It also serves to politely introduce a request or question.

A suffix that attaches to some nouns to create a causative verb, meaning 'to make someone do' or 'to cause something to happen'.

Indicates that an action or state is progressing or continuing over time, moving from the present toward the future. It can also mean doing an action and then moving away from a location.

Expresses doing an action and then taking or bringing the resulting object somewhere.

Indicates that an action is completed and its resulting state is maintained, or that an action is done in preparation for the future.

Used to request an action from the listener for the speaker's own benefit. It combines a verb with 달다 ('to ask for/request'), creating the meaning 'do [verb] for me'.

A grammar pattern used to report that someone has asked the speaker to do something for them.

Indicates performing an action in advance for future use, or maintaining the state resulting from an action.

The honorific form of -아/어 주다, used to express doing an action for someone of higher social status.

Indicates the complete finishing of an action, often implying a sense of relief that a burden is gone, or regret/surprise that something has happened irrevocably.

Expresses a new discovery, realization, or judgment made after performing an action. It's a combination of '-아/어 보다' (to try doing) and '-니까' (because/so/when).

A comparison between '-아/어 보다', used for trying or experiencing an action, and '-아/어 보이다', used for describing how something or someone seems or appears.

Expresses that an action or state has been continuously happening from the past until the present. It can also mean performing an action and then coming towards the speaker or a reference point.

These patterns indicate that an action is performed as a favor for someone. The choice between -아/어 주다 and its honorific counterpart -아/어 드리다 depends on the social status of the person receiving the favor.

Used to connect two actions where the first action is completed, and its result is carried over to a new location where the second action takes place. It implies a change of location between the two actions.

Expresses permission or possibility, translating to 'may' or 'be allowed to'.

Used to express that an action or state is necessary or obligatory. Both forms mean 'must' or 'have to', but `-아/어야 되다` is more common in speech and often relates to external situations, while `-아/어야 하다` is more common in writing and can imply a stronger sense of duty.

Used to express an obligation, duty, or necessity. It's the Korean equivalent of 'must', 'should', or 'have to'.

Expresses a personal realization or determination to do something; 'I should...', 'I need to...'

Used with adjectives to mean 'become' or 'get' (e.g., get warmer), or with some verbs to form the passive voice (e.g., to be written).

A noun-modifying form used to describe a past action or state that is completely finished and disconnected from the present. It translates to 'had been' or 'used to'.

Expresses a wish or hope for a situation to be different from the present or for a future event to occur.

Expresses a strong guess or assumption about something that happened in the past. It's similar to saying 'must have' or 'would have' in English.

A suffix attached to a noun, usually a monetary value or a unit of time, to indicate an amount or quantity equivalent to that value.

Used to indicate the topic or subject that something is about or related to, similar to 'about' or 'regarding' in English.

Used to indicate that something is added to a noun, or to specify the location where an action, like placing or writing, occurs. It translates to 'on top of', 'in addition to', or 'in/at/on'.

A nominalizing ending that transforms verbs and adjectives into nouns. It is often used in formal writing, signs, and for abstract concepts, carrying a different nuance from the more common nominalizer -기.

A verb ending with two main uses: connecting two actions that happen in immediate succession ('as soon as'), or suggesting an action to be done together ('let's') in a casual context.

An indirect quotation ending used to report a suggestion.

A sentence ending used to confirm information that the speaker assumes the listener already knows.

A negative command form used to tell someone not to do something. It's part of the plain form (해라체) and is typically used by older speakers to younger people, in writing, or in specific contexts like signs or quoted speech.

Used to report or quote a negative command, meaning someone told someone else not to do something.

Used to express that there is no necessity or obligation to do something. It translates to 'don't have to' or 'it's not necessary to'.

A suffix attached to a number or amount to indicate the value, price, or denomination of something.

Used to compare something or someone to a noun, expressing similarity in appearance, behavior, or quality. It translates to 'like' or 'as'.

A system of grammar and vocabulary used to show respect to the subject of a sentence, typically someone older or of higher social status.

A formal connective adverb meaning 'but' or 'however', used to introduce a sentence that contrasts with the previous one.

A conjunctive adverb meaning 'then' or 'in that case', used to link a statement to a logical consequence or suggestion.

A connective adverb meaning 'but' or 'however' to show contrast, or 'by the way' to change the topic.

The honorific particle meaning 'to (a person)', used when the recipient is someone of higher status.

The honorific subject marker, used instead of 이/가 when the subject is someone you need to show respect to.

데 is a noun that means 'place', 'spot', or 'point'. It can refer to a physical location, a specific part of something, or a situation/case, and is usually described by a preceding clause.

-ㄹ 만하다 is used to express two main ideas: that an action is 'worth doing' due to its value or quality, or that a situation or reaction is 'reasonable' or 'understandable' given the circumstances.

Used to express that an action or event almost happened, but ultimately did not.

Expresses that an action or state is 'to the extent that...' or 'so... that...'. It's used to describe the degree of something by providing a comparable situation or consequence.

Used when the first clause, expressing the speaker's intention or strong assumption about the future, serves as the reason for the suggestion, command, or offer in the second clause. It translates to 'since I will...' or 'since it will probably be...'.

Expresses a reason or cause, often with the nuance of discovering something as a result of the action in the first clause. It can be used with statements, questions, and commands.

Used to describe an action that someone was planning or intending to do, but which was not completed. It modifies the following noun.

Used to indicate that the speaker was on the verge of doing something, often when another event happens or someone else mentions it. It translates to 'was just about to...' or 'was just going to...'

A connective particle used to mean 'and' (listing facts) or 'while' (simultaneous actions), typically in formal or written Korean.

Used to express that an action or state is not allowed or prohibited. It translates to 'must not', 'should not', or 'it is not okay if...'.

Expresses doing a second action while taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the first action.

Expresses that after considering the details of a situation, the outcome is equivalent to or can be thought of as a certain result. It translates to 'it's like...', 'it's as good as...', or 'you could say that...'.

Expresses the duration of time that has passed since an action was completed. It's commonly used with verbs like 되다 (to become), 넘다 (to exceed), and 지나다 (to pass).

Used to express the action of pretending to do something or be in a certain state, similar to 'to pretend to' or 'to act as if'.

Used to express that a single action is performed for two or more reasons or purposes, similar to 'as well as' or 'in addition to'.

Expresses that an action is worth performing, or that a state or quality is acceptable, reasonable, or tolerable.

Used to say that something 'almost' or 'nearly' happened. It describes a situation that was very close to occurring but ultimately did not.

Expresses 'not only A, but also B', adding a related piece of information.

Expresses surprise upon discovering a fact one was previously unaware of, meaning 'I didn't know that...' or 'I had no idea that...'.

Expresses a past assumption or belief, meaning 'I thought that...' or 'I assumed that...'. It can imply the assumption was wrong, or that something happened as expected.

Expresses knowing or not knowing about an uncertain piece of information, such as an embedded question (who, what, where, etc.) or a 'whether/if' clause.

A grammar pattern used to turn a quoted statement or thought into a noun phrase, meaning 'the fact that...' or 'the idea that...'.

Expresses indifference to an action or state, meaning 'whether... or not'.

A contraction of -거나, used to express that the choice between two contrasting actions or states is irrelevant to the main clause. It translates to 'whether... or...' or 'no matter...'.

An expression used to indicate that the speaker is indifferent to whether an action happens or not. The result or the following action remains unchanged regardless of the choice.

Expresses a change in state or situation, meaning 'to become', 'get to', or 'end up doing'.

A causative pattern used to express making or letting someone do something, or causing a certain state.

Expresses the speaker's strong will or determination to do something, similar to 'I will definitely do...' or 'I am determined to...'

Expresses a reason or cause, similar to 'because' or 'due to'.

A formal expression used to state a hope or wish for a certain event or state to occur.

A formal or literary grammar pattern used to express a reason or cause, similar to 'since' or 'because'.

A suffix attached to certain nouns to mean 'to the fullest extent of' or 'as much as possible'.

A formal connective ending that means 'but' or 'although', used to contrast two clauses.

Expresses that an action is pointless or futile because the result will be the same whether the action is performed or not.

Used to express a guess or assumption based on an observed fact or situation. It translates to 'it seems/looks like' or 'I guess that...'.

-나마 is used to express that although something is not the best or most desirable option, it is still accepted as a satisfactory alternative or a last resort. It conveys the meaning of 'at least' or 'even if it's only...'.

Used to compare two actions, indicating that the second option is preferable to the first, especially when both options are undesirable.

Used to express a guess or inference about a situation based on observable evidence, similar to 'it seems/appears that...'

Expresses a reason or cause for an unexpected and negative result.

Expresses contrast between two facts about the same subject, like 'on the other hand' or 'while'.

Expresses that one description is less accurate than another, meaning 'rather than X, it's more like Y'.

A conditional ending used to talk about hypothetical, unlikely, or counter-factual situations. It's a stronger, more speculative version of '-면'.

Used when the speaker discovers a new fact or situation as a result of continuing or repeating an action over a period of time. It implies that the discovery was somewhat unexpected.

Expresses a warning that if an action continues, a negative result will occur.

Expresses 'I'm telling you...' or 'I said...' to re-state a fact, often because the listener didn't seem to hear or believe it the first time. It can also provide a reason for a subsequent command or suggestion.

Expresses something the speaker heard from the listener or a third party. It's used to confirm the information or to point out a contradiction between what was said and the current situation.

Used to emphasize a statement by quoting it, often to express surprise, disbelief, or frustration. It translates to 'You mean to say...?' or 'I'm saying that...'

Used to recall and report something the speaker personally witnessed, experienced, or realized in the past. It adds a nuance of recollection or discovery based on direct observation.

A retrospective infix used to recall or report something the speaker directly experienced or observed in the past.

An archaic question ending used by an older person to someone much younger, asking about something they observed or experienced in the past. It combines the retrospective marker -더- with the question ending -냐.

Expresses a sequence or contrast based on the speaker's past observation. It can mean '...and as a result...' or '...but now...'.

Used to express a new discovery, realization, or observation based on something the speaker personally saw, heard, or felt in the past. It often carries a nuance of mild surprise.

Used to express a fact or feeling that the speaker personally saw, heard, or felt in the past. It conveys a sense of new realization or discovery from a direct experience.

Expresses concession. It's used to introduce a hypothetical or actual condition that does not change or prevent the result described in the main clause. It emphasizes that the outcome remains the same regardless of the circumstances.

A particle used to indicate the person who is the recipient of a command, request, or statement. It is similar to 에게/한테 but used in more specific contexts.

Expresses that the speaker was just about to perform an action, often when another event happens or is mentioned at that exact moment.

A retrospective question ending used when trying to recall a past event, state, or fact that the speaker has experienced or observed. It expresses uncertainty and a sense of wondering, similar to 'Was it...?' or 'I wonder if...'.

A retrospective ending used to provide background information based on the speaker's past experience, often leading to a contrasting statement, question, or suggestion.

Expresses indifference about whether an action is done or not. The standard form is -든지 말든지, while -던지 말던지 is a common colloquial variation.

Expresses that an action or state is similar to another, meaning 'as if' or 'like'.

A particle attached to nouns to list examples or suggest alternatives, similar to 'or something like' or 'such as'.

A particle attached to nouns to list examples or choices, like 'such as... or...'.

An emphatic conditional particle attached to nouns, indicating that the noun is the one and only condition that will allow the following clause to be true.

A formal expression used to indicate the cause or reason for a particular result or situation. It is equivalent to 'due to' or 'because of' and is primarily used in written language or formal speech.

A formal expression meaning 'due to' or 'because of', used to indicate the cause of a (usually negative) result.

A particle attached to a noun to indicate that the last remaining or final item is also included, typically in a negative or undesirable situation.

Used to single out one example to illustrate a larger point, often implying a contrast with the past or another situation. It translates to 'even just...', 'just looking at...', or 'take... for example'.

-부 is a Hanja-based suffix (部) that means 'department,' 'division,' or 'section.' It is attached to nouns to name specific departments within a larger organization, such as a company, government ministry, or university.

Indicates that an action is done repeatedly, excessively, or intensely, often with a negative or annoying connotation.

Expresses that an action is pointless because it won't produce the desired result.

An expression used to intensify a negative quality, showing strong disapproval or contempt.

Expresses that an action or state is forbidden or not allowed.

Used to express a supposed or guessed reason for a situation, similar to 'maybe because...' or 'perhaps it's because...'.

Used when the speaker describes a new fact, situation, or result they discovered or experienced after performing an action. It connects the speaker's past action with a subsequent finding or consequence.

A double past tense marker used to indicate an action that happened before another past event (past perfect) or a state that is no longer true.

A particle used to strongly emphasize a noun, meaning 'indeed', 'truly', or 'it is precisely... that'.

Used to express that something happens 'according to' a standard or that an outcome changes 'depending on' a certain condition or factor.

A formal expression used to indicate the source of information ('according to') or the means/cause of an action ('by means of').

A particle used to mark the agent (the doer) in a passive voice sentence, similar to 'by' in English. It can also mean 'according to' or 'through' when referring to a basis, means, or cause. It is primarily used in formal and written language.

Expresses 'despite' or 'in spite of'. It indicates that the action in the following clause occurs regardless of the condition mentioned in the preceding noun.

A particle used to strongly emphasize a noun, highlighting it as the prime example or the very thing being discussed. It translates to 'indeed', 'truly', 'the very', or 'precisely'.

Used to express that one action happens immediately after another action finishes.

A particle meaning 'even' or 'not even', used to emphasize an unexpected or extreme case within a negative situation.

Used to make a generalization about a category of things (represented by a noun). It can mean 'for a [noun]' or 'considering it's a [noun]', often followed by an exception or a universal truth about that category.

An expression attached to a noun to mean 'let alone' or 'far from'. It contrasts two situations, indicating that not only is the second (more significant) thing untrue or impossible, but the first (less significant) thing is also untrue or impossible.

A concessive ending meaning 'even if', used rhetorically to state that a condition doesn't change the outcome.

An expression used in two main ways: to show regret for something not done, similar to 'I should have...', or to make a guess or supposition about a situation, similar to 'I bet...' or 'I guess...'.

Expresses a strong will or choice to do the action in the second clause, even if it means enduring the negative or extreme situation in the first clause.

Expresses choosing a better alternative over an undesirable one, similar to 'rather than' or 'if I'm going to... I might as well...'.

An archaic verb ending used by an elder to a younger person to give a gentle and affectionate command or suggestion.

Expresses a guess or impression that something is the case, similar to 'it seems/appears that'.

A formal expression meaning 'merely' or 'only', used to emphasize that there is no other option or alternative.

Indicates that the state or action in the main clause is equivalent in degree, extent, or amount to the preceding noun, verb, or adjective.

Expresses a reason based on the speaker's intention ('Since I will...') or strong supposition ('Since it will probably...') for a following suggestion or command.

Used to express a guess or supposition, often with a nuance of correcting an assumption, or to express mild regret about a past action.

Expresses a speaker's guess or a tentative plan. It's similar to 'I guess...', 'I think I might...', or 'It seems like...'.

An archaic or literary connective ending that indicates a reason or cause, implying a natural or assumed consequence. Not used in modern conversation.

A suffix attached to nouns of time, date, or age to mean 'around' or 'about'. It is often used in more formal or written contexts.

A formal grammar pattern used to express the intention or purpose behind an action. It is equivalent to 'in order to' or 'with the intention of' and is most commonly found in written language, speeches, or formal presentations.

An emphatic particle that older speakers add after endings such as -네, -군, and -구먼, as in -네그려 and -군그래. The more standard form is 그려. It is mostly found in historical dramas and literature, or used by elderly speakers to create a rustic or traditional tone.

An archaic sentence ending for gentle exclamatory statements.

Used to express that an action happens frequently or is a common occurrence, almost like a habit. It typically carries a negative connotation, implying the action is undesirable or problematic.

-깨나 is a particle attached to a noun to indicate that the degree or quantity of that noun is considerable. It often carries a nuance of disapproval, sarcasm, or surprise.

Used to criticize an action that someone claims to be doing for a good reason, especially when the result is negative or the intention is doubtful.

An expression of surprise or disbelief about a fact, similar to 'To think that...' or 'I can't believe...'

A verb ending used to either confirm information the listener already knows (e.g., 'as you know') or to express that an action is done to such an extent that it is 'practically' or 'almost' that action.

A verb ending with two main uses: 1) To confirm information already known to the listener (like 'as you know/see'). 2) To describe an action that is done so frequently or intensely that it is 'practically' or 'almost' that action.

A grammar pattern used to create a counterfactual conditional statement about the past. It means 'If I had (seen/known/realized that)..., then...' and implies that the condition was not met and the result did not happen, often conveying a sense of regret.

Used to express that an action or event in the second clause occurred at the opportune moment while the action in the first clause was in progress or about to happen. It translates to 'just as I was -ing', 'while I was -ing', or 'at the very moment I was -ing'.

Expresses that a new situation or opportunity arose at the very moment the speaker was doing or about to do something. It highlights a coincidence or perfect timing, often translated as 'just when I was...', 'as I was...', or 'speaking of which...'.

Expresses sarcasm or criticism towards an action performed under the pretense of a certain status or role, with an unsatisfactory result.

A particle attached to nouns meaning 'like' or 'as if', used for strong, often poetic, comparisons.

A particle attached to 말 or 말씀 to quote what someone said or a common saying, meaning 'just as one says'.

-설랑 is a particle attached to nouns to mark them as the topic of the sentence with strong emphasis. It's mainly used in spoken language and can carry a nuance of warning, complaint, or singling something out. It is a variant of the standard topic marker -은/는.

Used to make a polite request to someone. It combines the 'do for me' pattern (-아/어 주다) with the honorific marker (-시-) and the softening modal (-겠-), making it a respectful yet friendly way to ask for a favor.

-오/소 is a sentence ending used in archaic or historical Korean to make formal declarative statements or commands. It is the predecessor to the modern -ㅂ/습니다 and is now mostly found in historical dramas, proverbs, or for literary effect.

A formal expression meaning 'regardless of' or 'no matter', used to state that something applies universally without exception to the preceding noun.

An archaic or dialectal particle that attaches to a noun to strongly emphasize it as the topic, often with a contrasting or selective nuance. It's a more forceful version of the standard topic marker -은/는.

A particle attached to a noun to mean 'and also' or 'as well as', indicating two simultaneous roles or qualities.

Used to attach to a noun in a rhetorical question. It concedes the status of the noun but then questions its relevance, implying that the outcome or truth remains the same regardless. It often translates to 'Even if one is a [Noun]...?' or 'No matter if it's a [Noun]...?'

마치 is an adverb that introduces a comparison, similar to 'as if' or 'just like' in English. It is almost always used together with other grammar patterns like -처럼, -같이, or -듯이 to create a vivid simile.

Expresses that there is no way or method to do something.

Expresses strong disbelief or the impossibility of a situation, meaning 'there's no way that...' or 'it can't be that...'.

Expresses the degree of an action or state by describing a situation that is comparable in its intensity. It means 'to the point that' or 'so... that...'.

Used to express regret or wish that one had done something differently in the past. It translates to 'I should have...' or 'I shouldn't have...'.

Used to express the act of considering or treating a situation as if it were true or had happened, often for convenience or to make peace with a less-than-ideal outcome.

Expresses that something is obvious or certain to happen, usually with a negative or critical nuance.

Used to state that something is certain, without a doubt, or must be true, based on strong evidence or reasoning.

An advanced set of endings used to describe a situation that looks like or feels as if a certain action is happening, has happened, or will happen. Each ending (락, 턱, 듯) carries a slightly different nuance.

Used to express strong disbelief or that something is impossible, translating to 'there's no way that...' or 'it can't be that...'.

Expresses that an unexpected action or event caused a negative result.

Used to express that a negative event or situation is the reason or cause for another negative outcome. It implies blame or fault.

Expresses a speaker's strong supposition or expectation about a situation, often used to provide context for a following contrasting statement, question, or suggestion.

A literary and somewhat archaic connective ending used to introduce a known fact or situation, followed by a clause that presents a contrasting, unexpected, or lamentable result. It often implies 'given that... how can it be that...'.

A formal and literary grammar pattern used to express the speaker's opinion, judgment, or hope based on a preceding observation or thought.

Acknowledges a fact in the first clause before presenting a contrasting fact in the second. It means 'It is true that... but...' or 'Although...'

Expresses that being occupied with the action in the first clause is the reason for a negative result or an inability to do something else in the second clause.

An archaic and literary future tense ending used to express strong will or a solemn prediction, similar to 'shall' or 'will surely'.

An archaic and literary sentence ending used to form a rhetorical question (implying a negative answer) or to make a strong, solemn declaration of what one will not do.

Used to compare two things, indicating that one is similar in size, quantity, or degree to the other. It's equivalent to saying 'as big as', 'as much as', or 'the size of'.

Expresses a new understanding, discovery, or feeling that the speaker gained after directly experiencing or trying something. It translates to 'after trying/doing X, I found that Y...'.

Expresses a strong obligation or necessity, similar to 'must' or 'have to'. It can also indicate a necessary condition that must be met.

Used to cite the source of information, similar to 'according to' in English. It's often used in formal or written contexts like news reports or research papers.

Indicates the medium, method, or process through which an action or event occurs.

The -가 question family checks a noun predicate in casual Busan speech.

The -고 question family asks for information about a noun predicate in casual Busan speech.

In casual Busan speech, -나 asks whether a verbal or adjectival predicate is true.

Use casual -노 to ask for a missing fact with a question word, rather than a yes/no answer.

Casual -데이 can give a statement a listener-directed reminder, assurance or emphasis in Busan speech.

A statement followed by 아이가 can remind someone of a shared fact or invite agreement in casual Busan speech.