Elementary - Grade 3

Lesson 4: Present Tense Conjugation

(아요 / 어요 / 해요)

From "To Do" to "Doing"

This is it! Every verb (and adjective) you learn in Korean will be in its "dictionary form," which always ends in 다 (da).

먹다 (meok-da) = "to eat"
가다 (ga-da) = "to go"

You can't use this form in a sentence! You must "conjugate" it. Today, we learn the most common form: the Standard Polite Present Tense.

Step 1: Find the "Stem"

This is the easiest part. Just drop the 다 (da) from the end.

먹다 (meokda) 먹 (meok)
가다 (gada) 가 (ga)

Step 2: Apply One of Three Rules

Now, you look at the stem and follow one of these three rules. This is the "magic" part.

Rule 1: The '하다' (hada) Rule

If the verb is 하다 (hada) or ends in 하다 (like 공부하다), it's easy!

공부하다 공부해요 (gongbuhaeyo)

Rule 2: The '아요' (ayo) Rule

If the last vowel of the stem is 아 (a) or 오 (o), you add 아요 (ayo).

가다 (gada) 가 + 아요 가요 (gayo)
오다 (oda) 오 + 아요 와요 (wayo)

Note: Vowels often merge! 가 + 아 = 가 and 오 + 아 = 와.

Rule 3: The '어요' (eoyo) Rule

If the last vowel of the stem is ANYTHING ELSE (어, 우, 이, 으, etc.), you add 어요 (eoyo).

먹다 (meokda) 먹 + 어요 먹어요 (meogeoyo)
마시다 (masida) 마시 + 어요 마셔요 (masyeoyo)

Note: More merging! 이 + 어 = 여.

Let's Build Sentences!

Now we can combine everything we've learned.

  • 저는 가요.

    "I go." (From 가다 + 아요)

  • 학생이 빵을 먹어요.

    "The student eats bread." (From 먹다 + 어요)

  • 저는 집에서 일해요.

    "I work at home." (From 일하다 -> 일해요)

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