Tense concepts
Korean tense is shown by adding specific endings to verb and adjective stems.
How It Works
In Korean, you can't use a verb or adjective in its dictionary form (like 먹다 - to eat) directly in a sentence. You must change its ending to show tense and politeness.
Understanding verb stems is the first step, as all tense markers attach to the stem.
There are three main tenses:
- Present Tense: Used for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths. This is the most basic form. The specific ending depends on the politeness level, such as the informal -아/어 or the formal -ㅂ/습니다.
- Past Tense: Used for actions that are already completed. This is usually formed by adding the past tense marker -았/었/였- to the verb stem.
- Future Tense: Used for actions that will happen in the future. There are several ways to express the future, but a very common one is using -ㄹ 것 (often seen as -ㄹ 거예요). Another pattern is -겠-, which often implies intention or assumption.
This system allows Korean to convey time and context efficiently within the verb itself.
Examples (3)
- 지금 공부해요.
I study now.
Word by Word: Now study.
This shows a present action. The verb 공부하다 (to study) is conjugated into its present tense form.
- 어제 공부했어요.
I studied yesterday.
Word by Word: Yesterday studied.
The past tense marker -았/었- is added to the verb stem to show the action is completed.
- 내일 공부할 거예요.
I will study tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow will study.
The future tense ending -ㄹ 거예요 is added to show an intention or plan to do something in the future.
Common Mistakes
Using the dictionary form (-다) in a sentence
Not Quite저는 지금 공부하다.Better저는 지금 공부해요.The dictionary form of a verb, like 공부하다, cannot be used directly in a sentence. It must be conjugated to show tense and politeness. 공부해요 is the present tense, polite form.
Related Patterns
- Verb stems
Tense markers are always attached to the verb or adjective stem. Understanding stems is the first step to conjugation.
- Basic verb conjugation
Tense is a fundamental part of verb conjugation. You conjugate verbs to show tense, politeness, and mood.
- -았/었/였-Past Tense
This is the specific grammar pattern used to form the past tense. It's the most common way to talk about completed actions.
- -(으)ㄹ 것Future Tense Noun Modifier
This is one of the most common grammar patterns used to form the future tense, expressing plans or predictions.
- -요Politeness Marker
Tense and politeness are often combined in the final verb ending. -요 is the standard polite ending that is attached after the tense marker.
- Word order basics
While the verb ending changes for tense, its position at the end of the sentence remains consistent in Korean word order.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.