A1 Speech Levels 12 min read Easy

Korean Plain Form: Writing & Narrating (-ㄴ다)

Use -ㄴ다/는다 for verbs and keep adjectives in dictionary form to write objective facts or narrate life.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

The -ㄴ다 form is the 'neutral' style used in writing, diaries, and objective reporting where you don't address a specific listener.

  • Use -ㄴ다 for action verbs ending in a vowel (e.g., 가다 → 간다).
  • Use -는다 for action verbs ending in a consonant (e.g., 먹다 → 먹는다).
  • Use -다 for descriptive verbs/adjectives (e.g., 예쁘다 → 예쁘다).
Verb Stem + (ㄴ/는)다 = Plain Fact

Overview

The Korean Plain Form, known linguistically as 해라체 (haerache), is a foundational speech level characterized by its neutrality and objectivity. Unlike other Korean speech levels, which primarily convey the speaker's relationship to the listener through varying degrees of politeness or deference, the Plain Form functions as a default mode for stating facts, narrating events, and expressing internal thoughts. It is the language of objective information, extensively used in written materials such as news articles, academic texts, novels, and personal diaries.

When encountering Korean subtitles or literature, the frequent appearance of -ㄴ다, -는다, or their equivalents signals the use of this form.

While inherently "neutral" in written contexts, its direct use in spoken conversation with an interlocutor can be highly informal or even impolite, typically reserved for very close friends, subordinates, or children. Understanding 해라체 is crucial not only for comprehending diverse Korean media and literature but also for grasping the underlying principles of Korean speech levels, which differentiate between conveying information and managing social dynamics. Mastering this form allows you to articulate observations and thoughts without the layers of formality required in interactive speech, offering a deeper insight into the Korean linguistic system.

How This Grammar Works

The Plain Form's operational mechanism hinges on a critical grammatical distinction in Korean: the differing behaviors of action verbs (동사, dongsa) and descriptive verbs or adjectives (형용사, hyeongyongsa). While many other grammatical structures treat these two categories similarly, 해라체 applies distinct conjugation rules to each. This differentiation is not arbitrary; it reflects the inherent semantic nature of the words themselves.
Action verbs describe dynamic processes or events—things that "happen"—whereas descriptive verbs denote static qualities or states of being.
The core principle is the absence of a direct listener-oriented politeness marker. The Plain Form strips away the social dimension found in -아/어요 (polite informal) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (formal polite) forms. Consequently, 해라체 is often termed the "narrative form" because it is designed to state facts or describe actions and states as they objectively exist, without directly engaging an audience in a polite exchange.
When you use 간다 (goes) or 먹는다 (eats), you are making an objective statement about an action, rather than offering it respectfully to a listener. This objective stance is why the Plain Form dominates written communication, where the "listener" is often abstract (e.g., a reader) or non-existent (e.g., self-talk). The grammatical endings reflect this linguistic intent: -ㄴ다 or -는다 explicitly marks an action verb as a factual assertion in the present tense, distinguishing it from an adjective's inherent state.
For instance, you would say 날씨가 춥다 (The weather is cold), directly using the dictionary form of 춥다 (to be cold) because 'coldness' is a descriptive state, not an action that requires a narrative marker. This intrinsic difference guides the entire formation pattern of the Plain Form.

Formation Pattern

1
Mastering the Plain Form requires understanding its conjugation rules for various verb types and tenses. The distinctions between action verbs and descriptive verbs are paramount, especially in the present tense.
2
Present Tense
3
The present tense Plain Form is determined by the final sound of the verb stem and the verb type.
4
Action Verbs (동사, dongsa)
5
Action verbs denote an activity or process. They take a specific ending to form a factual, narrative statement in the present tense.
6
Vowel-ending stem: Attach -ㄴ다.
7
| Base Verb | Stem | Plain Form (Present) | Meaning |
8
| :-------- | :--- | :------------------- | :------ |
9
| 가다 (to go) | 가- | 간다 | (Someone) goes |
10
| 보다 (to see) | 보- | 본다 | (Someone) sees |
11
Example: 그는 매일 학교에 간다. (He goes to school every day.)
12
Example: 아이가 만화를 본다. (The child watches cartoons.)
13
Consonant-ending stem: Attach -는다.
14
| Base Verb | Stem | Plain Form (Present) | Meaning |
15
| :-------- | :--- | :------------------- | :------ |
16
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹- | 먹는다 | (Someone) eats |
17
| 읽다 (to read) | 읽- | 읽는다 | (Someone) reads |
18
Example: 나는 책을 읽는다. (I read a book.)
19
Example: 사람들은 밥을 먹는다. (People eat rice.)
20
Descriptive Verbs / Adjectives (형용사, hyeongyongsa)
21
Descriptive verbs express qualities or states. In the present tense Plain Form, they do not change from their dictionary form. They never take -ㄴ다 or -는다.
22
| Base Verb | Plain Form (Present) | Meaning |
23
| :-------- | :------------------- | :------ |
24
| 예쁘다 (to be pretty) | 예쁘다 | (It) is pretty |
25
| 춥다 (to be cold) | 춥다 | (It) is cold |
26
Example: 날씨가 정말 좋다. (The weather is really good.)
27
Example: 이 옷은 나에게 너무 크다. (These clothes are too big for me.)
28
이다 (to be) - The Copula
29
The copula 이다 (to be) behaves distinctly. When the preceding noun ends in a vowel, 이다 can shorten to 다 or retain 이다. When the noun ends in a consonant, 이다 always retains its full form.
30
| Noun + 이다 | Plain Form | Meaning |
31
| :------------- | :--------- | :------ |
32
| 의사이다 (is a doctor) | 의사다 / 의사이다 | (Someone) is a doctor |
33
| 책이다 (is a book) | 책이다 | (It) is a book |
34
Example: 그는 유명한 화가이다. (He is a famous painter.)
35
Example: 이것은 내 가방이다. (This is my bag.)
36
Past Tense
37
For both action and descriptive verbs, the past tense Plain Form is formed by attaching 다 to the past tense stem (-았/었/였다). The distinction between verb types is irrelevant for the final ending in past tense.
38
Formation: Base verb stem + 았/었/였다 + 다.
39
| Base Verb | Past Tense Stem | Plain Form (Past) | Meaning |
40
| :-------- | :-------------- | :---------------- | :------ |
41
| 가다 (to go) | 갔- | 갔다 | (Someone) went |
42
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹었- | 먹었다 | (Someone) ate |
43
| 예쁘다 (to be pretty) | 예뻤- | 예뻤다 | (It) was pretty |
44
Example: 어제 친구를 만났다. (I met a friend yesterday.)
45
Example: 그 영화는 정말 재미있었다. (That movie was really interesting.)
46
Future Tense
47
The future tense in Plain Form for both action and descriptive verbs primarily uses the structure -(으)ㄹ 것이다. 것이다 behaves grammatically like an adjective.
48
Formation: Verb stem + (으)ㄹ 것이다.
49
Vowel-ending stem: ㄹ 것이다
50
Consonant-ending stem: 을 것이다
51
| Base Verb | Future Stem | Plain Form (Future) | Meaning |
52
| :-------- | :---------- | :------------------ | :------ |
53
| 가다 (to go) | 갈 것- | 갈 것이다 | (Someone) will go |
54
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹을 것- | 먹을 것이다 | (Someone) will eat |
55
Example: 내일 비가 올 것이다. (It will rain tomorrow.)
56
Example: 다음 학기에 한국어를 공부할 것이다. (I will study Korean next semester.)
57
Irregular Verbs
58
Korean irregular verbs undergo specific sound changes. In the Plain Form, these primarily affect the present tense of ㄹ irregular action verbs and the formation of past/future tense stems for others.
59
ㄹ Irregular Verbs (Action Verbs, Present Tense)
60
When an action verb stem ending in ㄹ is followed by an ending starting with ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ, or 오, the ㄹ is dropped. Since ㄴ다 starts with ㄴ, the ㄹ drops.
61
| Base Verb | Stem | Incorrect | Correct Plain Form | Meaning |
62
| :-------- | :--- | :-------- | :----------------- | :------ |
63
| 살다 (to live) | 살- | 살는다 | 산다 | (Someone) lives |
64
| 만들다 (to make) | 만들- | 만들는다 | 만든다 | (Someone) makes |
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Example: 그는 서울에 산다. (He lives in Seoul.)
66
ㄷ Irregular Verbs (Past/Future Stems)
67
A ㄷ-ending stem changes to ㄹ when followed by a vowel-starting ending (e.g., -았/었).
68
| Base Verb | Past Tense Stem | Plain Form (Past) |
69
| :-------- | :-------------- | :---------------- |
70
| 듣다 (to listen) | 들었- | 들었다 |
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Example: 어제 음악을 들었다. (I listened to music yesterday.)
72
ㅂ Irregular Verbs (Mostly Descriptive, Past/Future Stems)
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A ㅂ-ending stem changes to 우 (or 오 for 돕다, 곱다) when followed by a vowel-starting ending.
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| Base Verb | Past Tense Stem | Plain Form (Past) |
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| :-------- | :-------------- | :---------------- |
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| 춥다 (to be cold) | 추웠- | 추웠다 |
77
Example: 날씨가 갑자기 추웠다. (The weather suddenly became cold.)

When To Use It

The Korean Plain Form's utility stems from its fundamental role in objective communication, making it appropriate across diverse contexts where explicit politeness or direct conversational engagement is secondary. Its primary function is to deliver information or state facts without social overhead.
  • Written Materials (Objective Reporting & Narration):
This is the most prevalent domain. Any writing aiming to present information objectively or narrate events employs 해라체.
  • News Articles & Reports: Journalistic writing uses -ㄴ다/는다 in headlines and body paragraphs. Example: 정부가 새로운 정책을 발표한다. (The government announces a new policy.)
  • Academic Papers & Textbooks: Scholarly works present theories, findings, and facts impartially. Example: 연구 결과는 관계가 있음을 보여준다. (The research results show a relationship.)
  • Novels & Fiction: The narrative voice in literature almost exclusively uses the Plain Form to describe events and actions. Example: 소년은 창밖을 바라본다. (The boy looks out the window.)
  • Diaries & Personal Journals: For self-reflection, it naturally reflects inner thoughts and daily occurrences. Example: 오늘은 피자를 먹었다. 정말 맛있었다. (Today I ate pizza. It was delicious.)
  • Internet Content: Official websites, encyclopedias, and informative blogs utilize this form. Example: 이 도시는 아름다운 야경으로 유명하다. (This city is famous for its beautiful night view.)
  • Self-Talk & Inner Monologue:
When thinking aloud or to yourself, the Plain Form is the natural choice as there's no external listener. This extends to expressing surprise, frustration, or realization.
  • Example: (Searching for keys) 어디에 두었지? 아, 여기 있네! (Where did I put them? Oh, here they are!)
  • Example: (Seeing something delicious) 와, 정말 맛있어 보인다! (Wow, that looks really delicious!)
  • Communication Among Close Friends (반말, banmal Context):
While 반말 typically uses -아/어 endings for direct conversation, the Plain Form can appear among peers to emphasize a statement, fact, or in exclamations, offering a more assertive tone.
  • Stating a Fact/Observation: 내일 시험이 있다. (There is a test tomorrow. - more declarative than 있어.)
  • Exclamations/Emphatic Statements: 진짜 대단하다! (That's truly amazing!) - Stronger than 대단해!.
  • Example: 밥 먹는다! (I'm eating! / Time to eat!) - Often used within a household.
  • Proverbs, Sayings, and General Truths:
Universal truths, scientific facts, and established wisdom are expressed in the Plain Form due to their objective nature. Example: 물은 100도에서 끓는다. (Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.)
  • Informal Instructions & Directions:
In certain instructional contexts, especially for a general audience or in very informal written guides, the Plain Form conveys an impersonal and direct message. Example: 밀가루를 체에 친다. 계란을 넣는다. (Sift the flour. Add eggs.)

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when using the Plain Form. Avoiding these errors is crucial for natural and effective communication in Korean.
  • Applying -ㄴ다/-는다 to Descriptive Verbs (Adjectives):
This is the most prevalent and fundamental error. Learners often overgeneralize action verb rules.
  • Incorrect: 이 영화는 재미있는다. (This movie is interesting.)
✓ 이 영화는 재미있다**.
  • Why it's wrong: Descriptive verbs denote states, not actions. The -ㄴ다/-는다 ending specifically marks a present tense action verb statement. Applying it to an adjective fundamentally misunderstands this distinction. Descriptive verbs use their dictionary form in the present tense Plain Form.
  • Incorrect Handling of ㄹ Irregular Action Verbs:
Verbs like 살다 (to live) or 만들다 (to make) often trip up learners in the present tense.
  • Incorrect: 나는 서울에 살는다. (I live in Seoul.)
✓ 나는 서울에 산다**.
  • Why it's wrong: The ㄹ drops when it encounters ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ, or 오. Since the Plain Form present tense ending for vowel stems is ㄴ다, the ㄹ must drop. This is a consistent phonetic rule.
  • Misusing the Plain Form in Polite Conversational Settings:
While neutral in writing, the Plain Form is generally inappropriate when speaking directly to someone not a close friend, subordinate, or child.
  • Scenario: Speaking to a new acquaintance or someone older/higher status.
Incorrect
✗ (To a stranger asking your destination) 학교에 간다**. (I go to school.)
✓ 학교에 가요. (Polite Informal) or 학교에 갑니다**. (Formal Polite)
  • Why it's wrong: Using 해라체 with someone requiring politeness sounds brusque, condescending, or excessively informal, disregarding Korean conversational etiquette. Reserve it for established 반말 relationships or genuine self-talk.
  • Confusion with Questions:
The Plain Form has specific question endings (-느냐, -니), but learners sometimes mistakenly use the declarative Plain Form with question intonation, which can sound ambiguous or aggressive.
  • Incorrect (as a question): 밥 먹는다? (Are you eating?) (Ambiguous, relies on intonation.)
Correct (as a question in Plain Form): 밥 먹느냐? / 밥 먹니? (Are you eating?)
  • Why it's wrong: The declarative Plain Form is for statements of fact. While intonation can convert any statement into a question in very casual speech, relying solely on it instead of proper question endings can lead to unnatural or forceful sounding speech in 해라체 contexts.
  • Over-reliance on Translation:
Directly translating English declarative sentences like "It is good" to 좋는다 instead of 좋다 due to expecting a verb conjugation marker.
  • Incorrect: 이것은 좋는다. (This is good.)
✓ 이것은 좋다**.
  • Why it's wrong: This returns to the descriptive verb rule. English often uses "to be" + adjective, while Korean adjectives are verbs themselves and don't need additional present tense markers in Plain Form.

Real Conversations

While primarily a written form, 해라체 influences various aspects of spoken and modern digital Korean, particularly in informal settings, inner speech, and certain online communications. Understanding these nuances reveals its authentic integration into daily linguistic practices.

- Informal Written Communication (Social Media, Messaging):

On platforms like KakaoTalk or Instagram, the Plain Form frequently appears in short, declarative statements for status updates, personal observations, or quick thoughts. It conveys directness and unpretentious factual reporting.

- 지금 카페에서 공부 한다... (Studying at a café now...) - A common status update.

- 드디어 금요일! 행복 하다. (Finally Friday! I’m happy.) - Personal feeling expressed objectively.

- Inner Monologue & Self-Correction:

The Plain Form is the natural voice of your internal thought process. When puzzling, realizing a mistake, or making a mental note, you're likely using 해라체.

- (Looking for something) 어디에 있더라? 아, 여기 있었네! (Where was it? Oh, it was here!)

- (After making a mistake) 아, 바보 같다. 왜 그랬지? (Ah, I'm like an idiot. Why did I do that?) - Self-criticism or reflection.

- Narration in Informal Settings:

When telling a story to close friends or explaining a sequence of events without aiming for a direct polite exchange, the Plain Form adds a narrative flow. It frames events as objective occurrences.

- 어제 지하철에서 정말 웃긴 일이 있었다. 어떤 아저씨가 춤을 춘다... (Something really funny happened on the subway yesterday. Some old man was dancing...) - The speaker shifts to Plain Form to narrate the action.

- Exclamations & Strong Declarations (Among Close Peers):

Among very close friends, the Plain Form can be used for stronger, more emphatic declarations, conveying certainty or heightened emotion beyond softer 반말 endings.

- 와, 진짜 맛있게 보인다! (Wow, that really looks delicious!) - More impactful than 맛있게 보여!.

- 이제 집에 간다! (I'm going home now!) - A definitive statement, often indicating finality.

Quick FAQ

  • Is this considered rude?
In writing (books, news), it is entirely neutral. In spoken interaction, if directed at someone who isn't a close friend or subordinate, it is generally considered very rude. It implies a lack of respect or an overly familiar relationship that doesn't exist.
  • Can I use this for my social media status?
Yes, absolutely. It's perfect for short, factual updates about your activities or feelings without formality. 공부한다... (Studying...) or 여행 간다! (Going on a trip!) are very common and natural.
  • Does the Plain Form have its own question endings?
Yes. The traditional Plain Form question endings are -느냐 for action verbs and -(으)냐 for descriptive verbs. More informally, especially in casual 반말 among friends, -니 (e.g., 가니?, 춥니?) is frequently used.
Simply using the declarative Plain Form with rising intonation can sound awkward or forceful as a question.
  • How do I express "I want to..." in this style?
The verb 싶다 (to want) is grammatically a descriptive verb. Therefore, you use its dictionary form: 하고 싶다 (I want to do). Never 하고 싶는다.
  • How do I say "I'm a student" in this style?
You use the copula 이다. If the noun ends in a vowel, you can say 학생이다 or 학생다. If it ends in a consonant, only 학생이다 is correct. The form 나는 학생이다 is objective and common in written self-introductions or diaries.

Plain Form Conjugation

Verb Type Present Past Future
Vowel Stem (가다)
간다
갔다
가겠다
Consonant Stem (먹다)
먹는다
먹었다
먹겠다
Adjective (예쁘다)
예쁘다
예뻤다
예쁘겠다
ㄹ-Stem (만들다)
만든다
만들었다
만들겠다
ㄷ-Irregular (듣다)
듣는다
들었다
듣겠다
ㅂ-Irregular (돕다)
돕는다
도왔다
돕겠다

Meanings

The plain form is a non-polite, objective speech level used for writing, narration, and self-talk.

1

Objective Statement

Stating facts in writing or news.

“오늘 날씨가 맑다.”

“그는 학교에 간다.”

2

Internal Monologue

Talking to oneself or writing a diary.

“오늘 정말 피곤하다.”

“내일은 꼭 일찍 일어나야겠다.”

3

Narrative Style

Describing a sequence of events.

“주인공이 문을 연다.”

“그는 웃으며 대답한다.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Korean Plain Form: Writing & Narrating (-ㄴ다)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Stem + (ㄴ/는)다
간다
Negative
안 + Verb
안 간다
Question
Stem + (느)냐?
가느냐?
Past
Stem + 았다/었다
갔다
Future
Stem + 겠다
가겠다
Adjective
Stem + 다
예쁘다

Formality Spectrum

Formal
식사합니다.

식사합니다. (Eating)

Neutral
먹습니다.

먹습니다. (Eating)

Informal
먹어요.

먹어요. (Eating)

Slang
먹어.

먹어. (Eating)

Plain Form Usage Map

Plain Form (-ㄴ다)

Writing

  • 일기 Diary
  • 뉴스 News

Thought

  • 독백 Monologue
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Examples by Level

1

나는 밥을 먹는다.

I eat rice.

2

오늘 날씨가 좋다.

The weather is good today.

3

그는 학교에 간다.

He goes to school.

4

책을 읽는다.

I read a book.

1

한국어 공부가 재미있다.

Studying Korean is fun.

2

내일은 비가 온다.

It rains tomorrow.

3

그녀는 노래를 부른다.

She sings a song.

4

나는 친구를 만난다.

I meet a friend.

1

정부가 새로운 정책을 발표한다.

The government announces a new policy.

2

시간이 정말 빠르게 흐른다.

Time flows really fast.

3

그는 아무 말도 하지 않는다.

He says nothing.

4

이 문제는 해결하기 어렵다.

This problem is hard to solve.

1

연구 결과는 다음과 같이 나타난다.

The research results appear as follows.

2

그는 자신의 운명을 받아들인다.

He accepts his fate.

3

모든 것이 계획대로 진행된다.

Everything proceeds as planned.

4

그녀는 창밖을 바라본다.

She looks out the window.

1

역사는 반복된다는 말이 있다.

There is a saying that history repeats itself.

2

그는 침묵 속에서 진실을 찾는다.

He finds the truth in silence.

3

데이터 분석은 유의미한 차이를 보여준다.

Data analysis shows a significant difference.

4

그의 행동은 의구심을 자아낸다.

His behavior arouses suspicion.

1

인간의 본성은 쉽게 변하지 않는다.

Human nature does not change easily.

2

그는 고독을 벗 삼아 글을 쓴다.

He writes with solitude as his companion.

3

사회적 합의는 민주주의의 근간을 이룬다.

Social consensus forms the basis of democracy.

4

그의 문체는 독특한 매력을 지닌다.

His writing style possesses a unique charm.

Easily Confused

Korean Plain Form: Writing & Narrating (-ㄴ다) vs Polite Form (-요)

Learners often use -요 in diaries.

Korean Plain Form: Writing & Narrating (-ㄴ다) vs Formal Style (-습니다)

Learners think -습니다 is the only formal style.

Korean Plain Form: Writing & Narrating (-ㄴ다) vs Adjective Conjugation

Adding -는다 to adjectives.

Common Mistakes

✗

예쁘는다

✓

예쁘다

Adjectives do not take -는다.
✗

가요다

✓

간다

Don't mix speech levels.
✗

먹다다

✓

먹는다

Double ending error.
✗

간다요

✓

간다

Polite marker is not used in plain form.
✗

좋은다

✓

좋다

Adjectives don't take -ㄴ다.
✗

가느다

✓

간다

Incorrect conjugation.
✗

먹는다요

✓

먹는다

Mixing registers.
✗

한다니?

✓

하느냐?

Question form error.
✗

먹는다.

✓

먹는다

Punctuation in formal writing.
✗

가고 있다다

✓

가고 있다

Progressive form error.
✗

하겠는다

✓

하겠다

Future tense error.
✗

먹었는다

✓

먹었다

Past tense error.
✗

아름답는다

✓

아름답다

Adjective error.

Sentence Patterns

나는 ___을/를 한다.

오늘 날씨가 ___다.

그는 ___에 간다.

나는 ___을/를 읽는다.

Real World Usage

Diary constant

오늘 일기를 쓴다.

News very common

정부가 발표한다.

Textbooks very common

한국어를 공부한다.

Social Media common

오늘 정말 행복하다.

Manuals common

버튼을 누른다.

Internal Monologue common

내일은 꼭 가야겠다.

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💡

Diary Practice

Write one sentence in your diary every night using the -ㄴ다 form.
⚠️

Social Caution

Never use this with people you don't know well.
🎯

News Reading

Read news headlines to see how this form is used.
💬

Internal Monologue

Use this form when you are thinking to yourself.

Smart Tips

Use the plain form to sound natural.

오늘 밥을 먹었어요. → 오늘 밥을 먹는다.

Look for the -ㄴ다 ending to identify the main verb.

정부가 발표해요. → 정부가 발표한다.

Use the plain form for brevity.

내일은 학교에 가요. → 내일 학교에 간다.

Use the plain form for internal monologue.

나는 행복해요. → 나는 행복하다.

Pronunciation

gan-da

Liaison

The -ㄴ다 ending is pronounced clearly as written.

Flat

간다 →

Objective statement

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'ㄴ' in -ㄴ다 as a 'Neutral' marker. It's the neutral, non-polite form.

Visual Association

Imagine a robot writing in a notebook. Robots are objective and don't care about politeness, so they always use the -ㄴ다 form.

Rhyme

Vowel ends in ㄴ다, consonant ends in 는다, adjectives just end in 다.

Story

Min-su is writing his diary. He writes 'I eat' as '먹는다'. He looks at the sky and writes 'It is blue' as '파랗다'. He is alone, so he doesn't need to be polite.

Word Web

간다먹는다예쁘다읽는다잔다본다

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about your day in a notebook using only the -ㄴ다 form.

Cultural Notes

Used in diaries and news, but never to elders.

Standard for research papers.

Standard for storytelling.

Derived from the classical Korean narrative style.

Conversation Starters

“

오늘 무엇을 하니?

“

일기를 쓰니?

“

뉴스에서 무엇을 보았니?

“

소설을 읽을 때 어떤 느낌이니?

Journal Prompts

오늘 하루를 일기로 쓰세요.
좋아하는 책의 한 장면을 묘사하세요.
최근 뉴스 기사 하나를 요약하세요.
자신의 성격에 대해 객관적으로 써보세요.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Conjugate the verb 가다.

나는 학교에 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Vowel stem + ㄴ다.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Plain form is 먹는다.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

예쁘는다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Adjectives don't take -는다.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

나는 / 책 / 읽는다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Conjugate 먹다. Conjugation Drill

먹다 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Consonant stem + 는다.
Match the verb to its plain form. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct conjugation.
Change to plain form. Sentence Transformation

가요 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Plain form of 가요 is 간다.
True or False? True False Rule

Adjectives take -는다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Adjectives end in -다.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Conjugate the verb 가다.

나는 학교에 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Vowel stem + ㄴ다.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Plain form is 먹는다.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

예쁘는다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Adjectives don't take -는다.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

나는 / 책 / 읽는다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Conjugate 먹다. Conjugation Drill

먹다 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Consonant stem + 는다.
Match the verb to its plain form. Match Pairs

가다 - ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct conjugation.
Change to plain form. Sentence Transformation

가요 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Plain form of 가요 is 간다.
True or False? True False Rule

Adjectives take -는다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Adjectives end in -다.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Change '자다' (to sleep) to the plain form. Fill in the Blank

아기가 지금 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 잔다
Fix the adjective '작다' (to be small). Error Correction

방이 작은다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 방이 작다.
Reorder the words to make a plain form sentence: 'I study Korean.' Sentence Reorder

공부한다 / 한국어를 / 나는

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 나는 한국어를 공부한다.
Translate 'I eat rice' into the Korean plain form. Translation

I eat rice (밥).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 나는 밥을 먹는다.
Which is the correct plain form of '만들다' (to make)? Multiple Choice

Identify the correct form:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 만든다
Match the dictionary form to its plain form. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 보다:본다, 덥다:덥다, 죽다:죽는다, 예쁘다:예쁘다
Complete the sentence with '배고프다' (to be hungry). Fill in the Blank

아, 진짜 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 배고프다
Correct the noun ending: 'I am a teacher (선생님)'. Error Correction

나는 선생님인다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 나는 선생님이다.
Reorder: 'The weather is cold.' Sentence Reorder

날씨가 / 춥다 / 정말

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 날씨가 정말 춥다.
Translate 'I'm watching a movie' (영화) into plain form. Translation

I'm watching a movie.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 영화를 본다.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, it is very rude.

Yes, for adjectives, but action verbs add -ㄴ다.

It is the standard for written narrative.

Only with very close friends.

Use 안 before the verb.

Yes, it is the standard for news.

Yes, add -았다/었다.

No, it is very consistent.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Japanese high

Dictionary Form

Japanese dictionary form is used more broadly in speech.

German moderate

Infinitive

German infinitive is not a speech level.

Spanish low

Infinitivo

Korean plain form does not change for person.

French low

Infinitif

Korean plain form is an actual sentence ending.

Chinese moderate

Base verb

Korean has specific endings for this style.

Arabic low

Masdar

Korean plain form is much simpler.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Polite Commands: Please do... (-(으)세요)

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