Korean - Present Tense

The Present Tense in Korean is used to describe actions happening now, habitual actions, and general truths. It is formed by conjugating the verb or adjective stem using one of the primary polite endings: 아요 (a-yo), 어요 (eo-yo), or 여요 (yeo-yo).

This form is known as the Polite Informal Style (often called the 해요 style).

1. The Core Conjugation Rule

The choice between 아요 and 어요 is determined by the last vowel in the verb/adjective stem.

A. Use 아요 (a-yo)

Attach 아요 if the last vowel of the verb/adjective stem is ㅏ (a) or ㅗ (o).

Stem Vowel	Dictionary Form	Stem	Combined	Final Form	Meaning
ㅏ	가다 (to go)	가	가 + 아요	가요	I go/am going
ㅗ	오다 (to come)	오	오 + 아요	와요	I come/am coming
ㅏ	좋아다 (to like)	좋아	좋아 + 아요	좋아요	I like/It is good

Note on Vowel Contraction: If the stem ends in ㅏ or ㅗ, it often contracts with the attached vowel. For example, 오 + 아요 $\rightarrow$ 와요 (O + A $\rightarrow$ WA).

B. Use 어요 (eo-yo)

Attach 어요 if the last vowel of the verb/adjective stem is anything other than ㅏ or ㅗ (e.g., ㅡ, ㅜ, ㅣ, ㅔ, ㅓ, etc.).

Stem Vowel	Dictionary Form	Stem	Combined	Final Form	Meaning
ㅜ	배우다 (to learn)	배우	배우 + 어요	배워요	I learn/am learning
ㅓ	먹다 (to eat)	먹	먹 + 어요	먹어요	I eat/am eating
ㅣ	마시다 (to drink)	마시	마시 + 어요	마셔요	I drink/am drinking

Note on Vowel Contraction: Similar contractions occur here. For example, 마시 + 어요 $\rightarrow$ 마셔요 (I + EO $\rightarrow$ YEO).

2. The Special Case: 하다 Verbs (여요)

Any verb or adjective that ends in 하다 (ha-da) follows a specific conjugation rule.

$$ \text{하} + \text{어요} \rightarrow \text{하여요} \rightarrow \text{해요} $$

These verbs always change the 하 (ha) stem into 해 (hae) when conjugated in the polite present tense.

• Example 1:
  • 공부하다 (to study) $\rightarrow$ 공부해요
  • *Gongbu-haeyo*. (I study/am studying.)
• Example 2:
  • 사랑하다 (to love) $\rightarrow$ 사랑해요
  • *Sarang-haeyo*. (I love you.)

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3. Usage of the Present Tense

The Korean present tense is very versatile and is used for:

Usage	Example Sentence	Meaning
Current Action	지금 밥을 먹어요.	I am eating rice now.
Habitual Action	저는 매일 커피를 마셔요.	I drink coffee every day.
Adjective Description	날씨가 참 좋아요.	The weather is very good.
Simple Truth	태양은 동쪽에서 떠요.	The sun rises in the East.