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: B1
B1 Expressions & Patterns

Korean Grammar: Doing Nothing But... (-기만 하다)

Use -기만 하다 to emphasize that someone is doing absolutely nothing but one specific action.

  • • Means 'to do nothing but' or 'to only do' a specif...
  • • Built by attaching -기만 하다 directly to the bare...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

I Ought To / I Gotta (-아야지)

Use -아/어야지 to express "I gotta do this" (willpower) or "You ought to do this" (common sense advice).

  • • Expresses 'ought to' or strong intention
  • • Conjugate like present tense + 야지
12 examples 1 exercises 18 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Pretending to... (-는/ㄴ/은 척하다)

This pattern expresses faking an action or quality, like pretending to be asleep or pretending to be smart.

  • • Used to say you 'pretend' to do or be something.
  • • Attach to verb/adjective stems before the word '척...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Expressing Shock: 'I can't believe...' (~다니)

Use `~다니` to express 'I can't believe that...' when reacting to surprising or regrettable news.

  • • Expresses surprise, disbelief, or strong emotion t...
  • • Functions as an 'emotional quote' often followed b...
10 examples 1 exercises 18 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Guessing Based on Signs: It Seems Like (-나 보다)

Use `-나 보다` to make logical deductions about others based on visual or auditory evidence you've observed.

  • • Used to guess something based on external evidence...
  • • Attaches primarily to verbs; adjectives traditiona...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Surprisingly: -다니 (Wait, really?)

Use `-다니` to react with shock, disbelief, or admiration to a fact you just heard or realized.

  • • Expresses surprise or disbelief at a fact.
  • • Short for `-다고 하니` (indirect speech).
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Saying "Thanks to..." in Korean: The -덕분에 Pattern

Always use -덕분에 for positive results to say 'thanks to,' and never for negative outcomes unless you are being sarcastic.

  • • Used to express 'thanks to' or 'owing to'.
  • • Only used for positive or beneficial outcomes.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Turns Out / I Found That... (-더라)

Use -더라(고요) to share things you personally witnessed or discovered, but avoid using it for your own planned actions.

  • • Used to report personal observations or experience...
  • • Translates to 'I found that...' or 'It turns out.....
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings Verified

Doing something immediately (-자마자)

Attach `-자마자` to a verb stem to show that the second action occurs instantly after the first one ends.

  • • Expresses actions happening immediately after anot...
  • • Attach directly to the verb stem without tense.
12 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

The 'Action If' Pattern: Once you... then do (거든)

Use `거든` for 'action-oriented' conditions where the second part is a command, suggestion, or future promise.

  • • Connects a condition to a command, suggestion, or...
  • • Used for likely future events, not general facts o...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

The 'Because, You See' Explainer (거든요)

Use `거든요` to politely explain reasons or provide context that your listener doesn't already know.

  • • Used to provide reasons or background info the lis...
  • • Functions like 'Because, you see...' or 'You know,...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

-ge: So that, In order to (Result)

Use -게 to link an action to its desired result, permission, or manner (English 'so that' or '-ly').

  • • Means 'so that' or 'in a manner that'
  • • Attached to verb/adjective stems (remove 다, add...
11 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

Strong Reasons: Because/Due To (~기 때문에)

Use `~기 때문에` for logical, objective reasons ("due to"), but switch to `~(으)니까` if you're making a suggestion.

  • • Connects a strong reason to a result.
  • • Works with Verbs, Adjectives, and Nouns.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

At the Same Time: Doing Two Things (-는 동시에)

Use `-는 동시에` to emphasize that two actions, states, or identities overlap perfectly in time.

  • • Expresses two actions or states happening at the e...
  • • Combines a verb, adjective, or noun with the noun...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Before Doing... (-기 전에)

Attach 기 전에 directly to an unmodified verb stem to seamlessly sequence actions and say 'before doing'.

  • • Attaches directly to verb stems without any tense...
  • • Combines '기' (verb-to-noun) and '전에' (before).
11 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Decided to / Planned to (-기로 하다)

Use `기로 하다` when a plan is fixed, a promise is made, or a resolution is set.

  • • Means 'decided to' or 'planned to'
  • • Attach `~기로 하다` to verb stem
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

Because I Saw/Heard (-길래)

Use -길래 to justify your actions based on something you saw, heard, or perceived in the moment.

  • • Means 'Because I observed... so I...'
  • • Mostly used in spoken conversation
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

Reacting to Observations: 'Since I saw...' (-길래)

Use `길래` to explain your reaction to a specific observation, like buying something because you saw a sale.

  • • Used to explain an action taken after observing or...
  • • Commonly features 'I' as the subject of the result...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Particles

Even This?! Using 까지 for Extreme Extent

Use `까지` when an action or situation goes further than expected, adding an emotional "even" to the noun.

  • • Means "even" or "to the extent of"
  • • Used for extreme or surprising additions
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

Because of Doing (Excuse): -느라고

Use `느라고` to explain how a time-consuming action caused an unexpected problem or negative outcome.

  • • Used for action-based reasons that lead to negativ...
  • • The subject must be the same in both parts of the...
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

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

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How Our Korean Grammar Course Works

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

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Study Structured Chapters

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

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

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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.

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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