Verb Conjugation동사 활용 마스터 — 현재·과거·미래
56 essential Korean verbs — present, past & future tense in polite 해요체 form. Tap any form to hear it spoken.
How Korean Verbs Work
Verbs end in -다 (da) in dictionary form. Remove -다 to get the stem, then add tense endings. Korean verbs do not change for subject — the same form is used for I, you, he, she, and we.
Present Tense 해요체
Add -아요 / -어요 / -해요 to the stem. Stem ending in ㅏ or ㅗ → -아요; other vowels → -어요; 하다 verbs → -해요.
Example: 먹다 → 먹어요
Past Tense
Add -았어요 / -었어요 / -했어요. Same vowel harmony rule applies: ㅏ/ㅗ stems → -았어요; other → -었어요; 하다 verbs → -했어요.
Example: 먹다 → 먹었어요
Future Tense
Add -ㄹ 거예요 (stem ends in vowel) or -을 거예요 (stem ends in consonant). This expresses intention or prediction.
Example: 먹다 → 먹을 거예요
Negative Form
Add -지 않아요 (present) / -지 않았어요 (past) / -지 않을 거예요 (future) after the verb stem. This polite negative works with all verb types.
Examples: 먹지 않아요 (don't eat) · 가지 않아요 (don't go) · 하지 않아요 (don't do)