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Korean grammar - Present tense verbs - Part I - 아요

Present tense verbs - Part I - 아요

Pattern: Verb stem + 아요

We have already seen the present tense form of several Korean verbs. Recall that 있다 (to exist, to have) 있어요 and 없다 (to not exist, to not have) 없어요.

To form the present tense of a Korean verb we add a suffix to the verb's stem. One such suffix is 아요 for the present tense.

Here are the cases in which we use 아요:

-- If the final letter of the verb stem is then adding 아요 leaves just to add to the verb stem.

-- If the final letter of the verb stem is then when 아요 is added there is a 'vowel combination': + = . So replace in the verb stem with and add .

-- If the final letter in the stem is a consonant (other than ) just add 아요.

-- If the final letter of the stem is then remove the and add 워요.

Examples:
남동생은 자요?
Is (your) younger brother sleeping?

자다 (to sleep) [the final letter and final vowel of the verb stem are both the ] 자요

the final letter of the stem is so just add

기차가 가요.
The train is going.

가다 (to go) 가요

the final letter of the verb stem is so just add

아기가 지금 일어나요.
The baby is getting up now.

일어나다 (to get up) 일어나요

the final letter of the stem is so just add

아기 means 'baby' or 'unweaned child'

고양이는 봐요.
The cat looks.

보다 (to see) 봐요

the final letter of the stem is so combine the vowels + =

부모님이 와요.
(My) parents are coming.

오다 (to come) 와요

the final letter of the stem is so combine the vowels + =

엄마가 편찮아요.
Mom is ill.

편찮다 (to be ill) [the final vowel is and the final letter is the consonant ] 편찮아요

the final letter of the stem is a consonant so just add 아요

개가 의자에 앉아요.
The dog sits on the chair.

앉다 (to sit) 앉아요

the final letter of the stem is a consonant so just add 아요

날씨가 좋아요.
The weather is good.

좋다 (to be good) 좋아요;the final letter of the stem is a consonant so just add 아요

그 수박이 차가워요.
That watermelon is cold.

차갑다 (to be cold) [the final vowel is and the final letter is the consonant ] 차가워요

the final letter of the stem is so remove the and add 워요

이 인형은 귀여워요.
This doll is cute.

귀엽다 (to be cute) 귀여워요

the final letter of the stem is so remove the and add 워요

장미꽃이 아름다워요.
The rose is beautiful.

아름답다 (to be beautiful) 아름다워요

the final letter of the stem is so remove the and add 워요

가방이 왜 무거워요?
Why is the bag heavy?

무겁다 (to be heavy) 무거워요

the final letter of the stem is so remove the and add 워요

그 셔츠가 더러워요?
Is that shirt dirty?

더럽다 (to be dirty) 더러워요

the final letter of the stem is so remove the and add 워요

그 책은 싸요.
That book is cheap.

싸다 (to be cheap) 싸요

the final letter of the stem is so just add

이 책은 비싸요.
This book is expensive.

비싸다 (to be expensive) 비싸요

the final letter of the stem is so just add

그 치마는 귀여워요.
That skirt is cute.

귀엽다 (to be cute) 귀여워요

the final letter of the stem is so remove the and add 워요

치마 means 'shirt';