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: C1
C1 Verb Tenses

Almost Happened: Mastering -ㄹ/을 뻔했다

Use -ㄹ/을 뻔했다 to dramatically express a near-miss, showing relief that a disaster was avoided or regret over a missed chance.

  • • Expresses that something almost happened.
  • • Always used in the past tense (뻔했다).
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Passive & Causative

Making People Do Things: Causative -시키다

Swap `하다` with `시키다` to turn a neutral action into a command, assignment, or order.

  • • Replaces `하다` to mean 'make someone do'.
  • • Used for ordering food delivery.
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors

Formal Reasons (-gie)

Use -기에 in formal writing or literature to objectively state a reason or background context.

  • • Formal 'because' for writing
  • • Attach directly to verb stem
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Adjectives & Adverbs

Sharing Knowledge with -다시피 (As You Know)

Use `-다시피` with perception verbs to politely acknowledge shared information and transition smoothly to your main point.

  • • Used to confirm shared knowledge or perception bet...
  • • Commonly paired with verbs like 'see', 'know', 'he...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Particles

At least, albeit... (-(이)나마)

Use -(이)나마 to accept a second-best option while acknowledging it's lacking or insufficient.

  • • Means "at least" or "albeit"
  • • Implies the option is insufficient
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Particles

Status vs. Means (-로서 vs. -로써)

Use -로서 for who you are (status) and -로써 for what you use (means).

  • • -로서 marks status, role, or identity of a person...
  • • -로써 marks the tool, method, material, or time li...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors

Advanced 'Not Only... But Also' (-거니와)

Use -거니와 to formally connect two related facts, emphasizing that the second adds significant value to the first.

  • • Connects two related facts: 'Not only A, but also...
  • • Clause A is an established fact; Clause B adds mor...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Sentence Endings

It Depends on How... (-기 나름이다)

Use -기 나름이다 to emphasize that outcomes depend on your effort, perspective, or the way you handle things.

  • • Expresses that an outcome depends on how an action...
  • • Combines a verb stem with -기 and the bound noun...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Sentence Endings

Universal Truths & Laws: -는 법이다

Use -는 법이다 to state that an outcome is natural, expected, or a universal rule of life.

  • • Expresses universal truths or natural laws.
  • • Translates to 'it is expected/natural that'.
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Sentence Endings

Bound to happen (-게 마련이다)

Use -게 마련이다 to state that something is inevitable because it is the natural order of things.

  • • Expresses natural laws or inevitable results
  • • Means 'It is bound to...' or 'Naturally...'
12 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Idiomatic Expressions

Half-hearted Actions: -는 둥 마는 둥

Use -는 둥 마는 둥 to describe actions done with so little effort they barely count as happening.

  • • Means doing something half-heartedly
  • • Implies vague or incomplete action
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Grammar

Immediate Consequence (-자)

Use `-자` to express that the second action happened the very moment the first action finished.

  • • Connects two immediate actions.
  • • No tense markers before -자.
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Grammar

Korean Pretense: Acting As If (-neun yang)

Use -ㄴ/은/는 양 to describe someone putting on an air, vibe, or pretense of doing something.

  • • Means 'acting as if' or 'pretending to'
  • • More literary/dramatic than -는 척하다
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors

Poetic Persistence: 'If one keeps doing...' (-노라면)

Use -노라면 to poetically describe a natural outcome or realization that stems from a persistent, ongoing action.

  • • Expresses a natural result arising from a continuo...
  • • More literary and rhythmic than the common spoken...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Grammar

Dramatic Concession (-ㄹ/을지라도)

Use -ㄹ/을지라도 to sound resolute and formal when admitting a fact doesn't change the outcome.

  • • Formal 'even if' or 'regardless of'
  • • Stronger/more literary than -아/어도
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors

Even if... what's the use? (-ㄴ/은들)

Use -ㄴ/은들 to dramatically state that even if a condition is met, the outcome remains utterly pointless.

  • • Expresses absolute futility or uselessness.
  • • Means 'Even if... what is the use?'.
10 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Grammar

Literary Rhetorical Contrast (-거늘)

Use -거늘 to dramatically contrast an obvious fact with a rhetorical question in high-level formal or literary Korean.

  • • A literary connective used to set up a logical or...
  • • Primarily used in formal writing, speeches, and dr...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Advanced Syntax Verified

The Elegant 'Lest' or 'For Fear That' (-ㄹ/을세라)

Use -ㄹ/을세라 to elegantly describe taking cautious actions to prevent a specific, worrisome outcome in literary or formal contexts.

  • • Used to express fear or worry that a negative situ...
  • • Literary and advanced tone, equivalent to 'for fea...
12 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Sentence Endings

The Prophetic Connector (-l/euljini)

A solemn, literary ending connecting a future reason to a command, often translating to 'As it shall be..., so do...'.

  • • Literary connector for future reasons
  • • Means 'Since it will be...'
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Speech Levels

Dramatic & Archaic Honorific (-op-)

The infix `-옵-` adds archaic humility, mostly seen in historical dramas or prayers today.

  • • Archaic humility infix
  • • Used in history/religion
10 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Emphatic Conditional (-거들랑)

Use '-거들랑' for emphatic, informal conditions followed by a strong command or suggestion to sound like a native.

  • • An emphatic, colloquial version of the conditional...
  • • Primarily used in spoken Korean with friends or pe...
8 examples 4 exercises 6 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Warning of Future Negative Result (-다가는)

Use `-다가는` to warn someone that their current negative behavior will inevitably lead to a future disaster.

  • • Use `-다가는` to warn that a current behavior lead...
  • • Attach it directly to verb or adjective stems rega...
8 examples 4 exercises 6 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Action Beyond Endurance (-다 못해)

Use -다 못해 when a situation overflows its limit and transforms into a more extreme or different state.

  • • Expresses a state or action reaching an unbearable...
  • • Connects two clauses where the first is the limit...
8 examples 1 exercises 22 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Comparative Preference (-느니)

Use `-느니` to reject a terrible option in favor of a slightly better alternative.

  • • Used when Option A is so bad that Option B is pref...
  • • Commonly paired with '차라리' (rather) or '아예' (...
8 examples 2 exercises 6 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Concessive Conjunction (-ㄹ망정)

Use -ㄹ망정 to assert a firm choice or quality while acknowledging a potentially negative or limiting fact.

  • • Expresses strong resolve: 'Even if A is true, B is...
  • • Used for emphasizing a positive trait or choice de...
8 examples 1 exercises 2 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Intentional Habitual Trigger (-ㄹ라치면)

Use -ㄹ라치면 to express that every time you intend to start an action, an annoying interruption habitually occurs.

  • • Used for habitual actions that get interrupted or...
  • • Expresses the nuance of 'whenever I am about to do...
8 examples 1 exercises 1 FAQ
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C1 Conjunctions & Connectors Verified

Decisive Condition (Since/Now that: -ㄴ/은/는 이상)

Use -ㄴ/은/는 이상 when a situation has reached a point where a specific consequence or duty is unavoidable.

  • • Expresses a decisive condition where the first cla...
  • • Similar to 'now that' or 'since' but with much str...
8 examples 2 exercises 6 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.

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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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