Korean Grammar Hub

Understand Korean Grammar Faster

Browse the grammar system by level and category, then open clear explanations with practical examples.

397 Total Rules
78 Chapters
6 CEFR level
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Understand Korean Grammar Faster

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Active filters: CEFR level: A1
A1 Particles

Subject Particle 이/가

이/가 marks the grammatical subject and is essential for new information, questions, and embedded clauses.

  • • Attach 이 after consonants, 가 after vowels
  • • Marks grammatical subject, especially new informat...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles

Topic Particle 은/는

은/는 marks the topic and often signals contrast — it is not simply a subject marker.

  • • Attach 은 after consonants, 는 after vowels
  • • Frames what the sentence is about (the topic)
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles

Object Particle 을/를: The Target Marker

Think of `을/를` as a target sticker you place on the thing receiving the action (pizza, movie, homework).

  • • Marks the target of an action verb.
  • • Use 을 after consonants (Batchim).
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles

The 'At' & 'To' Particle (에)

Use `에` to mark where you are or where you're going—it's your Korean 'GPS' particle.

  • • Marks a static location where someone or something...
  • • Indicates a destination when used with verbs like...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Verb Basics

The Korean Copula: Am, Is, Are (이다)

The copula `이다` identifies nouns and must be attached directly to them without spaces, varying by politeness.

  • • Used to identify nouns as 'am', 'is', or 'are' in...
  • • Always attaches directly to the noun without any s...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Descriptive Adjectives

Descriptive Verbs vs Action Verbs: The 'Be' Trap

Think of Korean adjectives as 'State Verbs' that conjugate differently from 'Action Verbs' in plain form and modifiers.

  • • Descriptive verbs are basically Adjectives.
  • • Plain form: Actions add -nunda/-neunda, Descriptio...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Verb Basics

Being & Having (있다/없다)

Use `있다` to say you have something or are somewhere, and `없다` when you don't or aren't.

  • • 있다 expresses existence (there is) and possession...
  • • 없다 is the direct opposite, meaning non-existence...
12 examples 1 exercises 20 FAQ
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A1 Speech Levels

Formal Polite Korean (-ㅂ니다/-습니다)

Attach ㅂ니다 or 습니다 to verb stems to sound highly formal, professional, and deeply respectful in Korean.

  • • If a verb stem ends in a vowel, attach ㅂ니다.
  • • If a verb stem ends in a consonant, attach 습니다.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Verb Conjugation

Past Tense: I did it! (~았/었어요)

Match the past tense marker to the verb's last vowel: Bright with ~았, Dark with ~었, and 하다 with ~했.

  • • Bright vowels (ㅏ, ㅗ) take ~았어요.
  • • Dark vowels (everything else) take ~었어요.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Verb Basics

Talking About Future Plans (ㄹ/을 거예요)

The essential Korean future tense for expressing personal plans, intentions, and likely predictions in polite daily speech.

  • • Used for future plans, intentions, and predictions...
  • • Attach `ㄹ 거예요` to stems ending in vowels.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure Verified

Asking Questions (Basic Formation)

To ask a question in Korean, simply use a rising intonation at the end of a standard sentence.

  • • Korean questions keep the same SOV word order as s...
  • • Raise your voice at the end of polite informal (`-...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Speech Levels

Formal Questions in Korean (ㅂ니까 / 습니까)

Use ㅂ니까/습니까 for formal questions to show maximum respect in professional or serious social situations.

  • • Used for formal, polite questions in professional...
  • • Add ㅂ니까 to stems without a batchim (final conso...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Sentence Structure

Short Negation with 안 (Don't/Not)

Add `안` before a verb to make it negative, but remember to sandwich it inside `하다` action verbs.

  • • Place `안` directly before verbs
  • • Means "not" or "don't"
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Numbers & Counters

Native Korean Numbers 1-99 (Hana, Dul, Set)

Use Native Korean numbers (hana, dul, set) for counting physical things, people, age, and hours.

  • • Used for counting items, people, and age.
  • • Used for hours (but not minutes).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Numbers & Counters

General Counter 개 (Counting Things)

Use Noun + Native Number + 개 (like 'Apple two pieces') for almost any small object.

  • • Counts general inanimate objects
  • • Uses Native Korean numbers
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Numbers & Counters

Counting People: Friends vs. Elders (명 / 분)

Count people using Native Korean numbers plus `명` (general) or `분` (polite) to sound natural and respectful.

  • • Use `명` for general people like friends and class...
  • • Use `분` for respected people like teachers and el...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Numbers & Counters

Counting Animals: Use 마리 (mari)

Use `마리` with Native Korean numbers to count any living creature that isn't human.

  • • Used for counting all animals, birds, fish, and in...
  • • Always pairs with Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘,...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Numbers & Counters

Korean Days of the Week (요일)

Simply add the day's nature-root to `요일` to name any day of the week in Korean.

  • • All days end in `요일` (yo-il).
  • • Days are named after nature: Moon, Fire, Water, Wo...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles

Direction & Means: To, Toward, By, With (로/으로)

Use `로/으로` to describe which way you're heading or what tool/method you're using to do something.

  • • Used for general direction ('toward') or destinati...
  • • Indicates means, method, tool, or material ('by',...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Particles

Possessive Particle 의 (pronounced 'eh')

Use `의` to show ownership, but remember to pronounce it as [e] and contract pronouns like `나의` to `내`.

  • • Marks possession like English 's
  • • Pronounced as [에] (e)
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A1 Descriptive Adjectives

Korean Adjectives: Describing Things (is/am/are)

Korean adjectives are 'descriptive verbs' that conjugate directly to describe things without needing a separate 'is' or 'are'.

  • • Korean adjectives act like verbs and include the m...
  • • Remove `-다` to find the stem, then add `-아요`, `...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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Why Learn Korean Grammar?

Grammar is the foundation of language fluency. Without understanding grammar patterns, you can memorize vocabulary but struggle to form correct sentences. Here's why structured grammar study matters:

Build Accurate Sentences

Move beyond memorized phrases. Understand the rules so you can create original, correct sentences in any situation.

Pass Language Exams

Grammar is tested in every major language exam — IELTS, DELE, DELF, JLPT, HSK, TOPIK, and more. Our CEFR-aligned curriculum maps directly to exam requirements.

Understand Native Speakers

Knowing grammar helps you parse complex sentences, understand nuance, and follow conversations even when speakers use advanced constructions.

Progress Faster

Students who study grammar systematically reach fluency faster than those who rely on immersion alone. Structure accelerates learning.

How Our Korean Grammar Course Works

1

Choose Your Level

Start with your CEFR level — from A0 Zero Point to C2 Mastery. Not sure? Begin at A0 and progress at your own pace.

2

Study Structured Chapters

Each chapter covers a grammar topic with clear explanations, pattern tables, and real-world example sentences.

3

Practice with Exercises

Test your understanding with interactive exercises — fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, sentence building, and translation practice.

4

Track & Progress

Your progress is saved automatically. Complete chapters, unlock new levels, and watch your grammar mastery grow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Grammar

SubLearn covers 397 Korean grammar rules organized across 6 CEFR proficiency levels (from A1 to C2), spanning 78 structured chapters. Each rule includes clear explanations, real-world examples, and interactive practice exercises.

Our Korean grammar curriculum covers CEFR levels from A1 to C2. Each level is designed to match your current proficiency — beginners start with basic sentence patterns at A1, while advanced learners tackle nuanced structures at C1-C2.

Yes! All Korean grammar rules, explanations, and examples are completely free to access. You can browse the full curriculum, read detailed explanations, and practice with exercises at no cost.

Grammar is organized into 78 thematic chapters following the CEFR framework. Each chapter groups related rules together — for example, verb tenses, sentence structure, or particles — so you can learn related concepts in a logical sequence.

Yes! Create a free account to track which grammar rules you've studied, see your progress across all CEFR levels, and pick up exactly where you left off. Your learning progress syncs across devices.

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