Korean Grammar Hub

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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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Active filters: CEFR level: A2
A2 Particles

The VIP Subject Particle: 께서 (kkyeseo)

Use `께서` instead of `이/가` when the subject is someone deserving high social respect.

  • • Honorific version of subject particle 이/가
  • • Used for elders, bosses, and seniors
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Particles

Topic (은/는) vs Subject (이/가) Distinction

Choose 이/가 for new info and emphasis; choose 은/는 for topics, contrast, and general statements.

  • • 은/는 = topic/contrast; 이/가 = subject/new info/e...
  • • New information always takes 이/가, not 은/는
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Basics Verified

Talking About the Past in Korean: The 았/었/였 Rules

Match `았/었/였` to the verb stem's vowel harmony to correctly talk about finished past actions and states.

  • • Use `았` if the stem vowel is `ㅏ` or `ㅗ`.
  • • Use `었` for all other stem vowels like `ㅓ`, `ㅜ`...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Sentence Structure

Formal Negation: -ji anta

Use '-지 않다' to negate verbs formally or decisively by attaching it to the verb stem.

  • • Adds '-지 않다' to verb stem
  • • More formal than '안' negation
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Sentence Structure

Korean Negation: How to use "Not" (안)

Negate Korean verbs by placing `안` right before the action, except for `-하다` action verbs.

  • • Place `안` directly before verbs or adjectives to...
  • • For `-하다` verbs, place `안` between the noun and...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Conjugation

Irregular ㄹ Verbs (Drop the L)

When a verb stem ends in `ㄹ`, drop the `ㄹ` if the next part starts with **N**, **B**, or **S** (Nu-Ba-Sa).

  • • Verbs ending in ㄹ are irregular.
  • • Drop ㄹ before ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ endings.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Conjugation

Irregular ㄷ Verbs (Sound Smoother)

When irregular ㄷ verbs meet a vowel suffix, the ㄷ transforms into a smooth ㄹ sound.

  • • Stem ends in ㄷ + Vowel = Change to ㄹ
  • • Stem ends in ㄷ + Consonant = No Change
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Conjugation

Korean 'reu' (르) Irregular Verbs

When a `르` verb meets a vowel, the `ㄹ` doubles and the `ㅡ` vanishes.

  • • 르 irregular verbs double the ㄹ and drop the ㅡ v...
  • • Triggered only when the next suffix starts with a...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Conjugation Verified

The 'Vanishing' Siot (ㅅ Irregular Verbs)

Drop the `ㅅ` before vowels, but keep vowel-separation and treat the stem as if the consonant still exists.

  • • The `ㅅ` drops when followed by a suffix starting...
  • • Do NOT contract the remaining vowels (e.g., use `...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Conjugation

The Disappearing 'S': ㅅ Irregular Verbs (ㅅ 불규칙)

The ㅅ disappears before vowels but leaves a 'ghost' presence requiring -(으) endings, except in common regular verbs.

  • • ㅅ drops when followed by a vowel suffix like -아/...
  • • The 'ghost' ㅅ still requires -으 in endings like...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Conjugation

The H-Drop Irregulars: Colors & How (ㅎ)

When `ㅎ` adjectives meet a vowel, drop the `ㅎ` and often shift the vowel to `애` or `얘`.

  • • Affects 'H' adjectives followed by vowels
  • • Drop 'ㅎ' and merge vowels
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Verb Conjugation

The 'Eu' Drop Pattern: Why 으 Disappears

When a verb stem ends in '으' and meets a vowel, drop the '으' and match the preceding vowel.

  • • Stem ends in '으'? Drop it before vowels.
  • • Check previous vowel to decide '아' or '어'.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Connective Endings

Connective Ending -고 (and then)

Use -고 to link sequential actions or list facts, adding it to the stem and saving the tense for the very end.

  • • Connects actions in chronological order (A and the...
  • • Lists two or more qualities or facts (A and B).
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Connective Endings

Connecting Sentences: And & Then (-고)

The versatile 'stapler' of Korean grammar that joins actions or descriptions without needing complex conjugation rules.

  • • Connects two sentences or clauses with the meaning...
  • • Attach -고 directly to the verb or adjective stem,...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Connective Endings

Connective Ending: `지만` (but, although)

`지만` is the essential Korean connector for linking two contrasting ideas within a single sentence.

  • • Connects two clauses with a contrasting idea.
  • • Similar to 'but' or 'although' in English.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns

Can / Cannot ((으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다)

Use (으)ㄹ 수 있다 to say you CAN do something, and (으)ㄹ 수 없다 to say you CANNOT.

  • • Expresses ability or possibility
  • • Vowel stems: + ㄹ 수 있다
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Sentence Structure

I Can't! Korean Negation with 'Mot' (못)

Use `못` when you want to do something but can't, preserving social harmony and explaining inability.

  • • Used for inability due to external factors or lack...
  • • Place '못' directly before basic verbs like '못 가...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Sentence Structure

Formal Negation: Cannot (지 못하다)

Use ~지 못하다 when you physically cannot do something or external situations prevent you from doing it.

  • • Means 'cannot' or 'unable to'
  • • Attached to action verb stems
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns

Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)

Add `~고 있다` to action verbs to describe what you are doing right this second.

  • • Used for actions happening exactly now
  • • Attach -고 있다 to verb stem
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns

Currently Doing Something (-고 있다)

Use `-고 있다` to describe ongoing actions or current life habits like an expert tutor.

  • • Used for actions happening right now (the 'ing' fo...
  • • Formed by adding -고 있다 to the verb stem.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Speech Levels

Honorific 'To Be' (계시다)

Use `계시다` to respectfully say a high-status person is present or staying in a location.

  • • Honorific version of `있다` used for respected peo...
  • • Used for location, existence, or staying (presence...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Speech Levels

Honorific Eating: 드시다 & 잡수시다

When a VIP (boss, elder, customer) eats or drinks, upgrade your verb to 드시다 to show proper respect.

  • • 드시다 replaces 먹다/마시다 for older or higher-st...
  • • 잡수시다 is an older, more traditional honorific s...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Speech Levels

Special Honorific Verb: To Sleep (주무시다)

Replace `자다` with `주무시다` to show respect to elders; never use it for yourself.

  • • Use `주무시다` instead of `자다` for elders or peo...
  • • Never use `주무시다` when talking about yourself;...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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A2 Expressions & Patterns

After doing something (~(으)ㄴ 후에)

Use `(으)ㄴ 후에` to clearly sequence events, ensuring the first action is finished before starting the next.

  • • Used to describe an action occurring after another...
  • • Attach `(으)ㄴ 후에` to verb stems; use `후에` aft...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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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.

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