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Korean grammar

The 해요 form — how a beginner speaks

해요체

A0 · Starter Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

Every Korean verb in this course ends in 다 in the dictionary and never in speech. Cut the 다 and add 아요 if the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, 어요 otherwise, and 하다 becomes 해요. 가다 → 가요, 먹다 → 먹어요, 공부하다 → 공부해요. This one ending does statements, questions, suggestions and requests; only the intonation changes.

Pattern

동사 어간 + 아요 / 어요 / 해요

Examples

  1. 학교에 가요.

    I go to school.

  2. 밥을 먹어요.

    I eat.

  3. 한국어를 공부해요.

    I study Korean.

Keep in mind

  • 가요

    가다: last vowel ㅏ → 아요, then the two merge

  • 먹어요

    먹다: last vowel ㅓ → 어요

  • 공부해요

    하다 is always 해요

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    저는 학교에 _____. (가다)

    1. 가어요
    2. 가해요
    3. 가아요
    4. 가요
    Show answer

    Answer: D 가요

    가 + 아요 merge into 가요.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    점심을 _____. (먹다)

    1. 먹해요
    2. 먹아요
    3. 먹어요
    4. 먹요
    Show answer

    Answer: C 먹어요

    The last vowel is ㅓ.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    도서관에서 _____. (공부하다)

    1. 공부하어요
    2. 공부해요
    3. 공부하요
    4. 공부하아요
    Show answer

    Answer: B 공부해요

    하다 is irregular and always 해요.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    물을 _____. (마시다)

    1. 마시어요
    2. 마시해요
    3. 마시아요
    4. 마셔요
    Show answer

    Answer: D 마셔요

    이 + 어요 contracts to 여요.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    친구를 _____. (만나다)

    1. 만나요
    2. 만나해요
    3. 만나아요
    4. 만어요
    Show answer

    Answer: A 만나요

    ㅏ + 아요 merge.

  6. 6Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    음악을 _____. (듣다)

    1. 듣해요
    2. 듣아요
    3. 듣어요
    4. 들어요
    Show answer

    Answer: D 들어요

    A ㄷ-irregular: ㄷ becomes ㄹ.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    이 음식이 _____. (맵다)

    1. 맵해요
    2. 맵어요
    3. 맵아요
    4. 매워요
    Show answer

    Answer: D 매워요

    A ㅂ-irregular.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is correct?

    —

    1. 매일 한국어를 공부하다.
    2. 매일 한국어를 공부해요.
    3. 매일 한국어를 공부하요.
    4. 매일 한국어를 공부하어요.
    Show answer

    Answer: B 매일 한국어를 공부해요.

    The dictionary form is never spoken.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is correct?

    —

    1. 저는 아침에 빵을 먹다.
    2. 저는 아침에 빵을 먹아요.
    3. 저는 아침에 빵을 먹어요.
    4. 저는 아침에 빵을 먹요.
    Show answer

    Answer: C 저는 아침에 빵을 먹어요.

    먹다 has ㅓ, so 어요.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    Which form is right?

    오늘 집에서 _____. (쉬다)

    1. 쉬어요
    2. 쉐요
    3. 쉬해요
    4. 쉬아요
    Show answer

    Answer: A 오늘 집에서 쉬어요. (쉬다)

    ㅟ takes 어요.

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