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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Active filters: CEFR level: B1
B1 Expressions & Patterns

Soon As / According To (-ㄴ/은/는 대로)

Use -는 대로 for future sequences and -ㄴ/은 대로 to describe doing something exactly as it happened.

  • • Used for 'as soon as' or 'in accordance with' acti...
  • • Attach -는 대로 to verb stems for future 'as soon...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Whether or Not (-ㄴ/은/는지)

Use -ㄴ/은/는지 to wrap a question into a clause before verbs of knowing, asking, or wondering.

  • • Expresses 'whether' or 'if' for indirect questions...
  • • Connects to verbs like 'to know', 'to ask', or 'to...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Particles

From (Starting Point): 에서부터

Use `에서부터` to highlight a specific starting location, emphasizing the origin or distance of a movement.

  • • Used to mark the physical or conceptual starting p...
  • • Combines '에서' (location) and '부터' (start) for...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Noun Modification Verified

Past Tense Noun Modifier (ㄴ/은)

Use `ㄴ/은` to describe nouns using finished actions, like 'the coffee I drank' or 'the movie I saw'.

  • • Turns a verb into a past-tense adjective describin...
  • • Use 'ㄴ' for vowel stems and '은' for consonant st...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

It is difficult to... (-기가 어렵다)

Use `-기가 어렵다` to describe actions that are complicated, tricky, or unlikely to happen.

  • • Verb Stem + 기 + (가) + 어렵다
  • • Means 'It is difficult to [verb]'
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Speech Levels

Respectful VIP Verbs (계시다, 드시다)

Use special honorific verbs to elevate high-status subjects, ensuring you never use them for your own actions.

  • • Special verbs replace common verbs to show high re...
  • • Never use these verbs when talking about yourself...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Speech Levels Verified

Speaking to Superiors: Special Verb (말씀하시다)

Use `말씀하시다` when a respected person speaks to show social awareness and polite Korean etiquette.

  • • Honorific version of 'to speak' used for superiors...
  • • Derived from '말씀', which can be either honorific...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Doing things in order: After (ㄴ/은 후에)

Use `ㄴ/은 후에` to clearly sequence actions, ensuring the first task is completed before the next begins.

  • • Connects two actions where the first must finish b...
  • • Use ㄴ 후에 for vowel stems and 은 후에 for conson...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Need to / No need to (-eul pil-yo-ga it-da)

Use this pattern to objectively state whether an action is necessary, distinct from personal wants or obligations.

  • • Means 'There is a (no) need to...'
  • • Add ~(으)ㄹ to verb stem
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Connective Endings

Doing Two Things at Once: (으)면서

Use (으)면서 to describe a single person multitasking or a state with two simultaneous qualities.

  • • Connects two actions happening at the same time by...
  • • The subject must be the same for both clauses in t...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Choosing the Best Option (-는 게 낫다)

Use -는 게 낫다 to suggest the best choice among alternatives in a natural, conversational way.

  • • Used to express that one action is 'better' or 'pr...
  • • Formed by adding -는 게 낫다 to a verb stem.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Comparing Relative Values: (-에 비해)

Use '-에 비해(서)' to express how something measures up relatively to a specific noun or standard.

  • • Used to compare a noun to a specific standard or y...
  • • Equivalent to 'compared to' or 'in comparison with...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Continuous State (-아/어 있다)

Use -아/어 있다 for 'resultant states' (standing, open, broken), distinct from actions currently happening.

  • • Describes a lasting state after an action
  • • Use with Intransitive verbs (no objects)
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

As much as... (-(으)ㄹ 만큼)

Use `만큼` to show that the intensity of something is equal to the comparison you're making.

  • • Used to express degree, extent, or comparison of a...
  • • Translates to 'as much as', 'enough to', or 'to th...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Whenever: Repeated Actions (-ㄹ/을 때마다)

Use -ㄹ/을 때마다 to link a repeating trigger to a consistent result in any tense.

  • • Used with verbs/adjectives to mean 'whenever' or '...
  • • Formed by adding -ㄹ/을 때마다 to the word stem.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Easy to do (-기 쉽다)

Attach `-기 쉽다` to verb stems to express that an action is easy to do or likely to occur.

  • • Used to describe actions that are easy or effortle...
  • • Indicates that a certain outcome or tendency is li...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Speech Levels

Honorific Noun: Home/Residence (`댁`)

`댁` elevates 'house' to 'residence' to show respect to elders or superiors.

  • • `댁` is the honorific version of `집` (house).
  • • Use `댁` for someone of higher status, like a teac...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Speech Levels

Honorific Nouns: 말씀 (Words/Speech)

Use `말씀` to honor a superior's speech or to humble your own speech when talking to them.

  • • Honorific version of 'words' or 'speech'
  • • Elevates superiors: 'Teacher's words'
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Speech Levels

Polite 'Name': Using Seongham (성함)

Use '성함' to politely ask for someone else's name; use '이름' for yourself and friends.

  • • Honorific version of '이름' (name) used for people...
  • • Never use '성함' to refer to your own name; use '...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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B1 Speech Levels

Honorific Age: 연세 vs 나이

Replace `나이` with `연세` when asking or talking about an elder's age to show proper respect.

  • • Use `연세` for elders/seniors.
  • • Use `나이` for friends/self.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Speech Levels

Honorific 'Meal': Respecting Elders (진지)

Use `진지` to show maximum respect when referring to an elder's meal, never your own.

  • • Honorific form of the noun 밥 (meal/rice).
  • • Used exclusively for elders and high-status indivi...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns

Worried That... (-(으)ㄹ까 봐)

Use -(으)ㄹ까 봐 to explain an action taken to prevent a situation you are worried might happen.

  • • Expresses worry or fear about a potential future e...
  • • Explains the reason behind a preventive action.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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B1 Expressions & Patterns Verified

Time Elapsed Since... (-(으)ㄴ 지)

Use `-ㄴ/은 지` + time + `되다` to talk about the duration since an action last happened.

  • • Used to express how much time has passed since a s...
  • • Only used with verbs, not adjectives (unless they...
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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