Present actions, negatives and wanting to do something
Dictionary verbs end in . Remove it to find the stem. For the friendly polite present, stems with a last vowel or usually take , others . Vowels can merge: 자다 → 자요, 보다 → 봐요. 하다 → 해요 is very common. Learn each useful spoken form with its dictionary form.
The same verb ending serves I, you, he, she, we and they. Korean often leaves the person out when clear. Put before an action to say do not: . means cannot sleep; here it expresses inability, not a decision.
Put after the stem to say want to do: . The verb still belongs at the end of its clause. A present form describes a routine or something happening now; a time word makes the difference.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sleep | ||
| sleep | ||
| see / watch | ||
| see / watch | ||
| do | ||
| do | ||
| want to sleep | ||
| want to sleep | ||
지훈 씨는 트럼펫을 연주해요.Jihun plays the trumpet.
나비는 자요.Nabi sleeps.
저는 안 자요.I do not sleep.
저는 자고 싶어요.I want to sleep.
지금은 밤이에요.It is night now.
저는 잘 못 자요.I cannot sleep well.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful forms
Tap the highlighted form described in this unit.
.
Jihun plays the trumpet.
.
Nabi sleeps.
.
I do not sleep.
.
I want to sleep.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the friendly polite form
Choose the form that fits the English meaning and the polite sentence.
지훈 씨는 트럼펫을 .
Jihun plays the trumpet.
나비는 .
Nabi sleeps.
저는 자요.
I do not sleep.
저는 자 .
I want to sleep.
지금은 밤 .
It is night now.
저는 잘 자요.
I cannot sleep well.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete a short message
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
저는 자요.
I do not sleep.
저는 자.
I want to sleep.
지금은 밤.
It is night now.
저는 잘 자요.
I cannot sleep well.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build useful sentences
Put the words in order.
I do not sleep.
I want to sleep.
Yes. It is night now.
I cannot sleep well.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
Jihun plays the trumpet.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Jihun plays the trumpet.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Nabi sleeps.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Nabi sleeps.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
I do not sleep.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
I do not sleep.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
I want to sleep.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
I want to sleep.
You say:
Use the form and meaning explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
