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Korean grammar

The verb goes last

어순: 주어 + 목적어 + 동사

A0 · Starter Building the sentence Questions 10

The rule

In Korean the verb is always the last word, and everything else is arranged in front of it — usually who, then when, then where, then what. Because the particles already say what each piece is doing, that order can move for emphasis and the sentence still works. What never moves is the verb. And when who is obvious, Korean simply leaves it out: 어디에 가요? has no "you" in it, and adding one sounds odd.

Pattern

주어 + 시간 + 장소 + 목적어 + 동사

Examples

  1. 저는 아침에 빵을 먹어요.

    I eat bread in the morning.

  2. 어디에 가요?

    Where are you going?

  3. 카페에서 친구를 만나요.

    I meet a friend at the café.

Keep in mind

  • 저는 빵을 먹어요

    full

  • 빵을 먹어요

    the subject is obvious, so it goes

Practice questions

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

  1. 1This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is correct?

    —

    1. 저는 빵을 먹어요.
    2. 빵을 저는 먹어요 안.
    3. 먹어요 저는 빵을.
    4. 저는 먹어요 빵을.
    Show answer

    Answer: A 저는 빵을 먹어요.

    The verb is last.

  2. 2This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is correct?

    —

    1. 친구를 만나요 카페에서.
    2. 만나요 카페에서 친구를.
    3. 카페에서 만나요 친구를.
    4. 카페에서 친구를 만나요.
    Show answer

    Answer: D 카페에서 친구를 만나요.

    Place, object, verb.

  3. 3This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is correct?

    —

    1. 일곱 시에 일어나요.
    2. 일어나요 일곱 시에.
    3. 일곱 일어나요 시에.
    4. 시에 일곱 일어나요.
    Show answer

    Answer: A 일곱 시에 일어나요.

    Time first, verb last.

  4. 4Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    (친구에게) _____ 가요?

    1. 너를 어디에
    2. 어디에
    3. 그를 어디에
    4. 당신은 어디에
    Show answer

    Answer: B 어디에

    Korean drops an obvious subject; 당신 is not a friendly "you".

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    Which form is right?

    — 뭐 해요? — _____ 공부해요.

    1. 한국어를 나를
    2. 한국어에서
    3. 공부를 한국어를
    4. 한국어를
    Show answer

    Answer: D 한국어를

    The object comes before the verb.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    Build the sentence.

    먹어요. 빵을 아침에 저는

    Show answer

    Answer: 저는 아침에 빵을 먹어요.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    Build the sentence.

    만나요. 친구를 카페에서

    Show answer

    Answer: 카페에서 친구를 만나요.

  8. 8Put the words in the right order.

    Build the sentence.

    공부해요. 도서관에서 한국어를

    Show answer

    Answer: 도서관에서 한국어를 공부해요.

  9. 9Put the words in the right order.

    Build the sentence.

    일어나요. 일곱 시에 보통

    Show answer

    Answer: 보통 일곱 시에 일어나요.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    Which form is right?

    저는 은행에서 _____.

    1. 을 일해요
    2. 일해요
    3. 일해요를
    4. 일 해요를
    Show answer

    Answer: B 저는 은행에서 일해요.

    The verb closes the sentence.

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