Unit 14: Basic Present Tense (아/어/여요)

So far, we have learned "이에요" (to be) and "있어요" (to have). But how do you conjugate regular action verbs like "to go" or "to eat"?

In this unit, we will learn how to change dictionary verbs (ending in 다) into the polite present tense!

1. The Rule of the Vowel

To conjugate a verb into the present tense, you must look at the last vowel of the verb stem.

There are 3 endings you can attach to the verb stem: 아요, 어요, or 여요.

Rule 1: + 아요 (a-yo)

If the last vowel of the verb stem is ㅏ (a) or ㅗ (o), you add 아요.

• 가다 (to go). Verb stem is 가. The vowel is ㅏ. 가 + 아요 -> 가요 (ga-yo). (Since 가 and 아 have the same vowel, they just merge into 가요 instead of 가아요).

• 보다 (to see). Verb stem is 보. The vowel is ㅗ. 보 + 아요 -> 봐요 (bwa-yo). (ㅗ and ㅏ combine to make the "wa" sound: 봐).

Rule 2: + 어요 (eo-yo)

If the last vowel of the verb stem is ANYTHING ELSE (not ㅏ or ㅗ), you add 어요.

• 먹다 (to eat). Verb stem is 먹. The vowel is ㅓ. 먹 + 어요 -> 먹어요 (meo-geo-yo).

• 마시다 (to drink). Verb stem is 마시. The vowel is ㅣ. 마시 + 어요 -> 마셔요 (ma-syeo-yo). (ㅣ and ㅓ combine to make the "yeo" sound: 셔).

Rule 3: 하다 -> 해요 (hae-yo)

There is one exception. The verb 하다 (to do) is extremely common in Korean. It does not follow the regular rules.

Whenever you see a verb ending in 하다, it simply changes to 해요 (hae-yo) in the present tense.

• 하다 (to do) -> 해요 (I do)
• 공부하다 (to study) -> 공부해요 (I study)
• 일하다 (to work) -> 일해요 (I work)

2. Meaning of Present Tense

The present tense ending in Korean is very versatile. Depending on the context, "가요" can mean: 1. I go (general habit) 2. I am going (present continuous) 3. I will go (near future)

Summary

• Vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ -> add 아요.
• Vowel is anything else -> add 어요.
• 하다 -> 해요.