-아/-어/-여 present polite
Vowel harmony style rules.
Goals
Attach polite present: stem vowel ㅏ/ㅗ → -아요; else -어요; 하다 → 해요.
Steps
- Classify verb stem’s last vowel.
- Drill 크다→커요, 작다→작아요, 먹다→먹어요.
- Track irregulars on flashcards.
Common mistakes
- Wrong harmony on ㅏ stems.
Study rhythm: Skim “-아/-어/-여 present polite” for structure, then re-read aloud. Fifteen-minute sessions usually beat one long cram when you are learning Korean from scratch.
Hands-on: Write three new sentences (do not copy the examples) using this pattern. When you learn Korean, forcing fresh sentences shows gaps early.
Listening: Pair this lesson with any short clip whose Korean subtitles reuse the same grammar. Notice endings in interviews versus narrators — the same rule may sound softer or stiffer.
Particles & patience: If vocabulary is easy but sentences feel wrong, slow down on markers. Revisit the core explanation above before adding more flashcards.
Examples & practice: mini conversation
Read across: English meaning → Korean sentence → romanization (Konglish-style pronunciation guide, not official MR).
| Speaker | English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 스터디 모임 | What did you do 어제? | 어제 뭐 했어? | eoje mwo haess-eo? |
| 멤버 | 한국어 공부했어요. 드라마도 봤어요. | hangugeo gongbuhaess-eoyo. deurama-do bwasseoyo. | hangugeo gongbuhaess-eoyo. deurama-do bwasseoyo. |
| 스터디 모임 | Add -아/-어: 공부하다 → 공부해요 pattern. | ‘해요’ 패턴 외우면 절반. | haeyo paeteon oeu-myeon jeolban. |
| 멤버 | 청소하고 빨래도 했어요—chores. | cheongso-hago ppallae-do haess-eoyo. | cheongso-hago ppallae-do haess-eoyo. |
| 스터디 모임 | If stem vowel ㅏ/ㅗ → often -아요. | ㅏㅗ면 -아요 쪽. | ㅏㅗ-myeon -ayo jjok. |
| 멤버 | 쉬울 때 오해, 어려울 때 드라마. | 쉬울 땐 말하고 어려울 땐 드라마. | swiul ttaen malhago eoryeoul ttaen deurama. |