Korean Verbs
Welcome to the 10th lesson about verbs in Korean. We will first learn about the present tense, followed by the past tense, and future tense. We will also analyze some grammar rules, and finally practice how to ask for direction in Korean.
Verbs are used to express an action (I swim) or a state of being (I am). The present tense in Korean conveys a situation or event in the present time. Here are some examples:
| Present Tense - Korean - Pronunciation |
|---|
| I speak English 저는 영어를 합니다 [jeoneun yeongeoreul hamnida] |
| you speak French 당신은 프랑스어를 합니다 [tangshineun peurangseu-eoreul hamnida] |
| he speaks German 그는 독어를 합니다 [keuneun do-georeul hamnida] |
| she speaks Italian 그녀는 이탈리어를 합니다 [keunyeoneun italliyeoreul hamnida] |
| we speak Arabic 우리는 아랍어를 합니다 [urineun arabeoreul hamnida] |
| they speak Chinese 그들은 중국어를 합니다 [keudeu-reun junggugeoreul hamnida] |
The past tense in Korean conveys a situation or event in the past time. Here are some examples:
| Past Tense - Korean - Pronunciation |
|---|
| I visited France 전 프랑스를 방문했습니다 [jeon peurangseureul bangmunhaessseumnida] |
| you visited Italy 당신은 이탈리아를 방문했습니다 [tangshineun italliareul bangmunhaessseumnida] |
| he visited Morocco 그는 모로코를 방문했습니다 [keuneun morogoreul bangmunhaessseumnida] |
| she visited China 그녀는 중국을 방문했습니다 [keunyeoneun junggugeul bangmunhaessseumnida] |
| we visited Mexico 우리는 멕시코를 방문했습니다 [urineun mekshigoreul bangmunhaessseumnida] |
| they visited Kenya 그들은 케냐를 방문했습니다 [keudeu-reun genyareul bangmunhaessseumnida] |
The future tense in Korean conveys a situation or event which is anticipated to happen in the future. Here are some examples:
| Future Tense - Korean - Pronunciation |
|---|
| I will drink milk 저는 우유를 마실 것입니다 [jeoneun uyureul mashil geo-shimnida] |
| you will drink coffee 당신은 커피를 마실 것입니다 [tangshineun geopireul mashil geo-shimnida] |
| he will drink tea 그는 차를 마실 것입니다 [keuneun chareul mashil geo-shimnida] |
| she will drink water 그녀는 물을 마실 것입니다 [keunyeoneun mu-reul mashil geo-shimnida] |
| we will drink apple juice 우리는 사과주스를 마실 것입니다 [urineun sakwah-juseureul mashil geo-shimnida] |
| they will drink tea 그들은 차를 마실 것입니다 [keudeu-reun chareul mashil geo-shimnida] |
Now let's take a break and refresh our vocabulary by learning the body parts.
ear 귀 [kwii] |
eye 눈 [nun] |
mouth 입 [ib] |
nose 코 [ko] |
hair 머리카락 [meori-garak] |
face 얼굴 [eol-kul] |
head 머리 [meori] |
heart 심장 [shimjang] |
hand 손 [son] |
fingers 손가락 [sonkarak] |
leg 다리 [dari] |
feet 발 [bal] |
Travel Phrases in Korean
Imagine yourself in some Korean speaking country. The following travel phrases are highly important and can help you avoid misunderstanding. Try to memorize them and practice!
| English - Korean - Pronunciation |
|---|
| Can you help me? 저를 도와주실 수 있습니까? [jeoreul dowah-jushil su issseumnikka?] |
| Can I help you? 도움이 필요하십니까? [doumi pilyohashimnikka?] |
| Where is the airport? 공항은 어디에 있습니까? [kong-hangeun eodi-e issseumnikka?] |
| Go straight 직진 [jikjin] |
| Then 그리고 나서 [keurigo naseo] |
| Turn left 좌회전 [jwahhweh-jeon] |
| Turn right 우회전 [uhweh-jeon] |
I hope this lesson about the verbs in Korean was not hard for you. Please check out our main menu here for more lessons: homepage. To see the full menu, you can also click on the "Menu" icon on the left side.
Inspirational Quote: Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe |