When you're speaking Korean in formal situations, or to people you don't know well, you need to use polite language. One of the most common ways to make your statements polite is by adding the ending ~습니다 or ~ㅂ니다 to the end of a verb or adjective stem. This ending is called a 'formal polite ending'.
You use ~습니다 after a verb or adjective stem that ends in a consonant. For example, '먹다' (to eat) becomes '먹습니다' (I eat).
You use ~ㅂ니다 after a verb or adjective stem that ends in a vowel. For example, '가다' (to go) becomes '갑니다' (I go).
This ending makes your sentences sound respectful and appropriate for formal settings, such as presentations, news reports, or when talking to elders or superiors.
When you want to speak formally and politely in Korean, you'll use the ~습니다/ㅂ니다 ending for your statements. This ending is often used in situations like presentations, news broadcasts, or when speaking to someone of a much higher status.
You use 습니다 if the verb stem ends in a consonant, and ㅂ니다 if it ends in a vowel. For example, 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹습니다, and 가다 (to go) becomes 갑니다. It’s a very common and essential part of formal Korean communication.
Examples by Level
저는 학생입니다.
I am a student.
Used with '이다' (to be) verb stem.
저는 한국어를 공부합니다.
I study Korean.
Used with action verbs ending in a vowel.
저는 매일 운동합니다.
I exercise every day.
Used with action verbs ending in a consonant.
이것은 제 책입니다.
This is my book.
Used with '이다' (to be) verb stem.
저는 회사에 다닙니다.
I go to work (attend a company).
Used with action verbs.
저는 음악을 듣습니다.
I listen to music.
Used with action verbs.
날씨가 좋습니다.
The weather is good.
Used with descriptive verbs.
저는 내일 학교에 갑니다.
I go to school tomorrow.
Used with action verbs.
저는 학생입니다.
I am a student.
Used after a noun when the last syllable ends in a consonant.
저는 학교에 갑니다.
I go to school.
Used after a verb stem when the last syllable ends in a vowel.
이것은 제 책입니다.
This is my book.
Used after a noun when the last syllable ends in a consonant.
날씨가 좋습니다.
The weather is good.
Used after an adjective stem when the last syllable ends in a consonant.
저는 한국어를 공부합니다.
I study Korean.
Used after a verb stem when the last syllable ends in a vowel.
회의는 3시에 시작됩니다.
The meeting starts at 3 o'clock.
Used after a verb stem when the last syllable ends in a consonant.
그분은 제 선생님입니다.
That person is my teacher.
Used after a noun when the last syllable ends in a consonant.
저는 매일 아침 운동합니다.
I exercise every morning.
Used after a verb stem when the last syllable ends in a vowel.
Test Yourself 30 questions
Which of these is a formal polite statement ending?
~입니다 is the formal polite ending for 'to be'. ~습니다/ㅂ니다 is used for action and descriptive verbs.
How would you formally and politely say 'I eat'?
To make '먹다' (to eat) formal polite, you remove '다' and add '습니다' because the stem '먹' ends in a consonant.
Which sentence uses the formal polite ending correctly?
저는 학생입니다. (I am a student) uses the formal polite ending. The other options are either informal or less formal polite.
~습니다/ㅂ니다 is used for informal conversations.
~습니다/ㅂ니다 is used for formal polite conversations, not informal ones.
If a verb stem ends in a vowel, you add ~ㅂ니다.
When a verb stem ends in a vowel (like 가- from 가다), you add ~ㅂ니다 (e.g., 갑니다).
You can use ~습니다/ㅂ니다 when talking to your close friends.
~습니다/ㅂ니다 is too formal for talking to close friends; you would use a less formal polite or informal ending.
저는 한국어를 공부하__니다.
After a vowel, you attach 'ㅂ니다'. In '공부하다', '하' ends with a vowel.
저는 학생이__니다.
After a noun ending in a vowel (like '이' in '학생이'), you attach 'ㅂ니다'.
저는 책을 읽__습니다.
After a verb stem ending in a consonant (like '읽' in '읽다'), you attach '습니다'.
저는 집에 가__니다.
After a verb stem ending in a vowel (like '가' in '가다'), you attach 'ㅂ니다'.
저는 커피를 마__니다.
The verb stem '마시' ends in a vowel, so 'ㅂ니다' is attached. '마십니다'.
저는 밥을 먹__습니다.
The verb stem '먹' ends in a consonant, so '습니다' is attached. '먹습니다'.
Listen for the formal polite ending.
Pay attention to how the sentence ends.
Identify the formal ending on the verb.
Read this aloud:
저는 한국 사람입니다.
Focus: 입니다
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
안녕하세요.
Focus: 요
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
식사했습니다.
Focus: 습니다
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) introducing yourself in formal Korean to a new acquaintance. Include your name, your nationality, and what you do (e.g., student, working). Make sure to use the ~습니다/ㅂ니다 ending for all statements.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
안녕하세요. 저는 [Your Name]입니다. [Your Nationality] 사람입니다. 저는 [Your Profession/Student]입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다.
You are writing a formal email to a professor. Describe your current research topic in 2-3 sentences, ensuring all statements end with ~습니다/ㅂ니다.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 현재 인공지능 기술에 대해 연구하고 있습니다. 특히 기계 학습 분야에 관심이 많습니다. 이 주제가 매우 중요하다고 생각합니다.
Describe your daily routine in three formal sentences, using ~습니다/ㅂ니다 at the end of each sentence. For example, 'I wake up at 7 AM. I eat breakfast. I go to work.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
저는 아침 일곱 시에 일어납니다. 보통 아침 식사를 합니다. 그리고 회사에 갑니다.
What is the main purpose of SubLearn, according to the passage?
Read this passage:
안녕하십니까? 저희는 SubLearn입니다. 한국어 학습에 많은 도움을 드립니다. 쉽고 재미있는 방법으로 한국어를 배울 수 있습니다. 여러분의 학습을 응원합니다.
What is the main purpose of SubLearn, according to the passage?
The passage states '한국어 학습에 많은 도움을 드립니다' which means 'We provide a lot of help for Korean language learning.'
The passage states '한국어 학습에 많은 도움을 드립니다' which means 'We provide a lot of help for Korean language learning.'
What is the person doing in the park?
Read this passage:
오늘 날씨가 매우 좋습니다. 하늘이 맑고 햇볕이 따뜻합니다. 저는 공원에서 산책합니다. 그리고 책을 읽습니다. 평화로운 시간입니다.
What is the person doing in the park?
The passage says '저는 공원에서 산책합니다. 그리고 책을 읽습니다.' which means 'I take a walk in the park. And I read a book.'
The passage says '저는 공원에서 산책합니다. 그리고 책을 읽습니다.' which means 'I take a walk in the park. And I read a book.'
What is the new project about?
Read this passage:
저희 회사는 새로운 프로젝트를 시작합니다. 이 프로젝트는 환경 보호를 위한 것입니다. 많은 사람들이 참여합니다. 우리는 성공을 기대합니다.
What is the new project about?
The passage states '이 프로젝트는 환경 보호를 위한 것입니다' meaning 'This project is for environmental protection.'
The passage states '이 프로젝트는 환경 보호를 위한 것입니다' meaning 'This project is for environmental protection.'
This sentence means 'I go to Korea.' The particles and verb ending are in the correct order for a formal statement.
This sentence means 'He is a doctor.' The subject, noun, and formal polite ending are in the correct order.
This sentence means 'This is my bag.' The demonstrative pronoun, possessive pronoun, noun, and formal polite ending are in the correct order.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Example
감사합니다.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More general words
몇몇
A2An unspecified small number of; some or a few.
조금
A1A little/a bit
적게
A1A little / Few
약간
A2A little; slightly; somewhat.
많이
A1A lot/much
잠시
A2For a moment; briefly.
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2A little while ago, earlier.
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
