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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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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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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B2 Advanced Grammar

As Long As / Provided That (-ㄴ/은/는 한)

Use `-ㄴ/은/는 한` to set a continuous condition or limit for another action or state.

  • • Expresses a condition: "as long as" or "provided t...
  • • Also shows a limit: "as far as" or "to the extent...
11 examples 8 exercises 8 FAQ
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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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C2 Particles

Korean Particle -(이)야: 'Of course... but'

The -(이)야 particle lets you concede an obvious truth to powerfully set up a contrasting, usually negative, reality.

  • • Attaches to nouns: -야 (vowel), -이야 (consonant).
  • • Expresses 'Of course X is true, BUT...'
10 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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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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C2 Advanced Syntax

In terms of... (-기로는)

Use -기로는 to highlight a specific quality as the definitive metric for ranking or evaluating something.

  • • Used to set a specific adjective/verb as the stand...
  • • Indicates 'in terms of being...' or 'when it comes...
10 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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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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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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B2 Noun Modification

Since / After doing something (-ㄴ/은 이후로)

Use -ㄴ/은 이후(로) to mark a milestone and describe the state or changes that followed.

  • • Connects a past action to a following state or dur...
  • • Uses past modifier -ㄴ/은 with the word 이후 (afte...
11 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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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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B2 Expressions & Patterns

Pretending to Do (-ㄴ/은/는 체하다)

Use -ㄴ/은/는 체하다 to describe 'pretending' or 'acting like' something to create a specific outward appearance.

  • • Used to describe acting as if something is true wh...
  • • Interchangeable with -ㄴ/은/는 척하다 in almost al...
10 examples 1 exercises 1 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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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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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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B2 Advanced Grammar

Can't Help But (-지 않을 수 없다)

Use `-지 않을 수 없다` to emphasize that a situation or emotion is completely unavoidable and mandatory.

  • • A double negative meaning 'cannot not do' somethin...
  • • Expresses that an action or emotion is absolutely...
10 examples 8 exercises 8 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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C2 Conjunctions & Connectors

Unexpected Results: Even After Doing... (-고도)

Use `-고도` to link a completed action with a surprising or contradictory result that follows it.

  • • Expresses an unexpected or contradictory result af...
  • • Used when the second clause defies common logic.
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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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

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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.

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

3

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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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