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Korean Grammar Basics for Beginners

This document provides an overview of Korean grammar topics covered in 12 weekly lessons for beginner level students. It introduces fundamental concepts such as verb conjugation, sentence structure, honorific expressions and particles. Each week focuses on a different grammar point, such as tenses, negative expressions and time expressions. Examples are provided to illustrate how to use various grammatical structures in Korean sentences.
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83% found this document useful (6 votes)
3K views5 pages

Korean Grammar Basics for Beginners

This document provides an overview of Korean grammar topics covered in 12 weekly lessons for beginner level students. It introduces fundamental concepts such as verb conjugation, sentence structure, honorific expressions and particles. Each week focuses on a different grammar point, such as tenses, negative expressions and time expressions. Examples are provided to illustrate how to use various grammatical structures in Korean sentences.
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Korean Grammar:

Grammar Review Sheet

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

Grammar ()

Grammar ()

Intro to the Korean Language

Unit 1: Tenses

1. Korean sentence structure


Subject + (Adverb) + Object + Verb
Object + (Adverb) + Subject + Verb
/ ; / = subject particle marker;
/ = object particle marker
2. Conjugation of verbs and adjectives
Verbs: + (present)

+ + (honorific)

+ / + (past)
Adjectives: + (is ...)

+ / + (was ...)

+ (guess) + (seems to be ...)
3. Connecting sentences
// can drop all the
stuff to join together those two sentences
with just ~~/
~~/~~
4. Sentence types
Declarative, interrogative, imperative,
propositive
Formal (-()),
Informal polite (~/)
5. Honorific expressions
+ () to V/A stems ( -> )
/ -> ; / -> ; ()
->
= for spouse; = for close friends

1. Present Tense A/V-()


(used in formal/public situation: military,
news,
presentations, meetings, lectures)
+ = Declarative
+ ? = Interrogative
2. Present Tense A/V-/
(used most in daily life: with family, friends,
close acquaintences)
Declarative + Interrogative = the same
Present + Progressive + Near Future = the
same
= previous vowel (no )
= previous consonant (with )
3. Past Tense A/V-/
= + =
= previous vowel (no )
= previous consonant (with )
= NOT sent with vowel (no )
= NOT sent with consonant (with
)
4. Future Tense V-() (1)
Will or is going to
5. Progressive Tense V- (1)
~ing(dont use with past tense)
6. Past Perfect Tense A/V-/
did/had in the past
Expresses a past occurrence that doesnt
continue.

Getting Ready

Unit 2: Negative Expressions

1. (to be)
= ending when no final consonant;
= when previous word ends with a
2. (to exist/be, to have)
Typically, N/ N(place)
Can also, N(place) N/
3. Numbers
Sino-Korean (, , , ) = for counting
PureKorean (, , ) = 1st, 2nd, etc.
4. Dates and Days of the Week
= What Year?
= What Month?
= What Date?
= What day of the week?
5. Time
~ = attached to end of time noun

1. Word Negation
= (use / when written, not
spoken)
=
=
2. A/V-/ (A/V- )
Not - negates an action or state
= before verb/adjective
~ = end of verb/adjective stem
Declaractive & Interrogative sentences = OK
Imperative & Propositive sentences = NO (use ~
)
3. V-/ (V- )
Cannot - shows a lack of ability (impossible)
= before verb (no adjectives)
~ = end of verb stem (no adjectives)

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Korean Grammar:
Grammar Review Sheet

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

Grammar ()

Grammar ()

Unit 3: Particles

Unit 4: Listing and Contrast

1. N/ ( Subject marker )
Emphasizes preceding subject; introduces new info
2. N/ ( Main idea, topic, issue of discussion )
As for...; refers to a previous topic (old info)
Used when comparing & contrasting
3. N/ ( Object marker; sometimes omitted in speech)
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
;
4. N/, N(), N (And)
/ = writing, presentations, speeches
() & = conversational
Cannot be mixed ; / cant be on final noun in list
5. N (ofor ~s; pronounced [] )
6. N(1) (to)
; ; ; ; ; ;

With / = on/in
7. N(2) (at/on for time); / = also OK
Not added to ; ; ; ; ;
8. N (at/in some action/behavior occurs)
= movement, location, existance / = action
9. N N, N N (from~to...
from~until)
Place Place / Time Time
10. N/ (Noun = recipient of some action)
; ; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ; ; ; = OK
Person/animal = /; Thing/Plant/Place =
Older/honorable people = (not )
When receiving = / (but no = OK)
11. N (also/too)
Dont use: /; /; / / Use: ; ;
12. N (only/just/minimum)
No /; /; / or with first: ; ;
Other particles = after: ; ;
13. N (only/nothing but/very small)
Negative form follows
Cant be used with imperative/propositive/
= pos/neg sentences / = only negative
14. N() (to/toward or by/using)
Transport = noun = () / Verb = ~/
() = direction / = destination
15. N()(1) (choose one noun)
Omit /; // /
Nouns = (); Verbs/adjectives =
16. N()(2) (as many as/no less than)
= much less than expected
() = much greater than expected
17. N (around/about) For prices, use N
18. N, N (like/as...as)
Compare with animals/nature
19. N (more ... than/~er than)
Can be used with /
20. N (every/all/once every)
= ; = ; = /
; = / = (not )

1. A/V- (and/and then)


Lists 2 or more actions/states/facts
Expresses 1st clause happened before 2nd
N V N V = two+ facts about 1 subject
2. V- (or)
Verbs/adjectives (usually 2, sometimes 3+)
3. A/V- (but)
V/A stems - Past tense = ~/
4. A/V-()/(1) (but)
When 2nd clause is in opposition to 1st
Present Vs = ~; Present A = ~/
Past verbs/adj = ~/
Unit 5: Time Expressions
1. N , V- (before/ago) Ns
1 = Before 1:00;
1 = one hour before
2. N , V-() (after time/action)
Also ~() (After that)
3. V- (upon finishing/and then) (Vs)
Indicates 1st action is completely finished
W/motion verbs (; ; ;
; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ) use ~/ not ~

4. V-/(1) (and/in order to)


Second action cannot occur without first
~ = 2 unrelated sequential actions OR
wearing clothes
Verb tense expressed with 2nd verb, not 1st
5. N , A/V-() (during/when)
= December 25;
= around December 25
6. V-() (while) (1st/2nd simultaneous)
Subject = same; if not, use ~
Verb tense expressed with 2nd verb, not 1st
7. N , V- (in process/currently)
~ = no natural phenomena (use ~
- like .)
8. V- (as soon as/right after)
Verb tense determined with 2nd not 1st;
Subjects can be same/diff
9. N , V- (during/while)
~() = subject of clauses are same
~ = subjects can be different
10. V-() (since)
Also ~() ~; ~() ~; ~()

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Korean Grammar:
Grammar Review Sheet

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

Grammar ()

Grammar ()

Unit 6: Ability and Possibility

Unit 9: Reasons and Causes

1. V-() / (can/cant)
+ = emphatic ( .)
Also expresses if a situation is permitted.
2. V-() / (know/dont know
how)
Cant be used to express possibility.

1. A/V-/(2) (because of/so...that...)


= ; = or (in speech)
Not for imperative/propositive sents;
No tenses (/)
Used with greetings (; ; ;
)
2. A/V-()(1) (so/because)
Can be used for imperative/propositive sents
Tense markers can be used (//)
States subjective reason; basis for reason
Not for use with greetings
3. N , A/V- (because)
Clear reasons;
More literary than ~/; ~()

Unit 7: Demands, Obligations, Permission / Prohibition


1. V-() (please do) (also As)
Polite requests; directions; orders
Polite level 1: ~/
Polite level 2: ~()
Polite level 3: ~()
2. V- (please dont)
Polite level 2: ~
Polite level 3: ~
3. A/V-/ / (must/have to)
Obligatory
Present tense: ~/ / ~/
Past tense: ~/ / ~/
4. A/V-/ (may/be permitted)
Also, ~/ ; ~/ ;
()
5. A/V-() (may not/not allowed)
~() can be double negative for
emphasis:
~ ( .)
6. A/V- ( A/V-/ )
(doesnt have to do/not required)

Unit 10: Making Requests and Assisting


1. V-/ , V-/ ?
(please)
Polite level 1: ~/
Polite level 2: ~/ ?
Polite level 3: ~/ (for helping sm)
~() = for listener;
~/ = for speaker
2. V-/ , V-/ ? (Shall I?)
Polite level 2: ~/ ?
Polite level 3: ~/ ?
~/ = (Allow me)
Unit 11: Trying New Things and Experiences

Unit 8: Expressions of Hope

1. V-/ (try/experience) Not w/ V


2. V-() / (have/havent
done)
Not used for everyday/repeated occurences

1. V- (want to)
(Can be used w/particles)
First/second person: ~
Third person: ~
Add to As with ~/ ( .)
2. A/V-/ (wish/hope/want)
~/ = less emphasis on desire
~() = general want/desire
~/ = strong desire for sth unobtained

Unit 12: Asking Opinions and Making Suggestions


1. V-()?(1) (Shall we...?)
Answer with ~() / ~/
2. V-()?(2) (Shall I...?)
Answer with ~() / ~
3. V-() (Lets...)
For higher level people: ~()
4. V-()? (Would you mind...?)
More polite than: ~()? / ~()?
5. V-()?(1) (Want to...?)
Also: ~ ? ( ~()?)
Answer with ~().

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Korean Grammar:
Grammar Review Sheet

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

Grammar ()

Grammar ()

Unit 13: Intentions and Plans

Unit 16: Conditions and Suppositions

1. A/V-(1) (I will/plan to/am going to)


No third person; ~~ = less assertive
Negative form = ~ / ~
2. V-() (I will do...) (colloquial)
~() = Relates with listener
~() = Unidirectional (no relationship)
3. V-()(2) (I will/am going to)
(Colloquial)
Does not confer a feeling of politeness

1. A/V-() (if/when/once)
When supposition: use adverbs ,
Past info cant come before it
If action is only once, use ~()
If subjects of 1st/2nd different, use /
2. V-() (if you want to)
Short form of ~()
In 2nd use: ~/ /; ~() ;
~(); / ; ~
3. A/V-/ (even if/regardless of)
Emphasize with before V; =

Unit 14: Background Information and Explanations

Unit 17: Conjecture


1. A/V-()/(2) (so/therefore/and)
1st clause expresses reason/background/
content
~() = As/; ~ = Present Vs
~/ = Past verbs/adjectives
2. V-()(2) (when/...only to discover)
2nd clause = discovery after action in 1st
~~/~~ cannot precede it

1. A/V-(2) (looks/sounds/appears like)


Past tense: ~/
2. A/V-() (2) (think/will)
(Personal experience)
No questions: use ~()?
Past tense: ~/
3. A/V-()?(3) (I wonder.../Do you think...)
Past tense: ~/?
4. A/V-()//()
(looks/seems like)
Past Vs/Present A: ~() (direct/definite)
Present verbs: ~
Future verbs: ~() (indirect/vague)
~ = Intuitive/instant with no reason
~() = info known only by speaker
~()//() = intuitive/universal/
indirect

Unit 15: Purpose and Intention


1. V-() / (in order to)
Action = first, place = second
Movement Vs only after (; ; )
Not before (; ; ; ;
; ; ; )
2. V-() (so that/in order to)
Do 2nd clause in order to do the 1st clause
~() = movement Vs; ~() = all Vs
~() = Past/now/future; ~() = no future
~() = ~() / ~();
~() = NO
3. V-() (plan/intend to)
~() = the plan wasnt as expected
4. N/ (), V- () (in order to)
The speaker will do 2nd clause for sake of 1st
= ; also no is OK =
No adjectives unless + ~/
( .)
~ can use ~/ ; ~()
; ~(); ~()?
But ~() cannot
5. V- ( Making a promise )
Often past (~ made a promise)
Present when deciding
( . Lets go hiking.)

Unit 18: Changes in Parts of Speech


1. -()/-/-() N
(...that/...who)
With 2+ adjs, only final is conjugated to modifier
~() = Present A/Past Vs (~ negative)
~ = Present verbs (~ negative)
~() = Future verbs
2. A/V- (...ing)
Makes adjs/verbs/phrases into Ns
3. A- (...ly) Functions as adverb
= ; =
/; /; /
4. A-/ (seems to be) Make A -> Vs
= ~
/ = hold dear/treat with
love

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Korean Grammar:
Grammar Review Sheet

WEEK 9

WEEK 10

Grammar ()

Grammar ()

Unit 19: Expressions of State

Unit 23: Quotations

1. V- (2) (is ...ing)


Clothing Vs: ; ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ;
2. V-/ (is ...ed/...ing)
(Continued state)
Used with Vs that do NOT need direct object
Passive verbs: ; ; ; ;
; ; =
3. A-/ (become/turn) (no verbs)
Past: ~/ = change from last action
Present: ~/ = general change w/action
4. V- (became/has been decided)

1. Direct Quotations ( /+V after quotes )


Vs = (); ; ; ;
; ; ; ;
= shows original feeling, dont use w/ previous
= everyday speech
2. Indirect Quotations ( ~+V ) (more complex)
Direct request to listener = (~/)
Request for third person = (~/)
3. Indirect Quotations Contracted Forms (speech)

Declarative

Unit 20: Confirming Information

Interrogative

1. A/V-()/ (W6 questions + clause)


Clause requires additional info before verb
Used with: ; ; ; ;
; ; ; ;
Present Adj: ~();
Present verbs: ~
Past adjs/verbs: ~/;
Future Vs: ~()
2. V- / (takes/requires)
Time = ~ ; Money = ~
3. A/V-? (Isnt it? Right? Doesnt it?)
Past: ~/?;
Present: ~? (~?);
Future: ~() ?

Tense

Indirect

Contracted

~()

~()

()

()

~//

~//

~()

~()

~()

~()

~()

()

~()

~/

~()

~()

~()

~()

~//

~/

~//

~/

Suggestive
Imperative

Unit 21: Discovery and Surprise

Unit 24: Irregular Conjugations ()

1. A/V-/ (I see that!) (informal )


Written; Surprise w/ direct exp. OR heard abt
2. A/V- (Wow! Certainly!)
Direct exp. only (or agreeing with someone)
Spoken; cant express info heard abt

1.
(Drop it; vowel before tells / ending)

2.
(Drop it for ,, endings; keeps it)

3.
(Drop it; ; = ; others = )
; ; ; = regular conjugation

Unit 22: Additional Endings

4.
1. A-()?, V-? (Was...?) (gentle)
Present A: ~()?;
Present Vs: ~?
Past A/V: ~/?;
Future Vs: ~() ?
2. A/V-()/ (Well, as for me...)
Expresses disagreement w/someone else
Present A: ~();
Present V: ~;
Past A/V: ~/

(Some change to )
; ; = regular conjugation

5.
(Omit , add to make )

6.
(Omit & (if present); add to /)
; ; ; = regular conjugation

7.
(Drop for some)
; ; = regular conjugation

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