You are going to learn more helpful things to know before you start your Korean learning journey! There are many things listed here, but they are not difficult at all! Please follow me to understand this basic information. If you want to review the previous lesson, part 1, please click here.
<Table of Contents>
1. Basic Forms and Conjugation
A Korean verb or adjective always has its basic form. The basic form has many names. Some people also call it a dictionary form, original form, or bare form because it is the form that you will use to look up the dictionary. In Korean, it is called 기본형 [gi-bon-hyeong]. Take a look at the examples of the words and try to find the common. You don't have to worry about their meanings yet, but I will still write it for you!
마시다 [ma-si-da] (verb) to drink
먹다 [muk-dda] (verb) to eat
공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] (verb) to study
크다 [keu-da] (adjective) to be big
작다 [jak-dda] (adjective) to be small
Do you find the common? Either verbs or adjectives, no matter how long the syllables are, all these basic forms above end with "-다 [da]".
However, when you use a verb or an adjective in a sentence to talk or write, you must change its form depending on the tense, politeness, tone, etc. This change is called conjugation. It's very important to learn conjugation to use the Korean language properly and you are going to learn about different conjugation rules as you go through my lessons!
2. Stems
Since all the verbs and adjectives end with -다 when we conjugate words, "다" is unnecessary. Every verb and adjective has it, so it is not special! The part in front of this 다 is something we have to focus on! That part is what we call a stem. In Korean, it is called 어간 [eo-gan].
마시다 먹다 공부하다 크다 작다
The parts that are highlighted in red above are the stem parts. During the lessons, you will ignore 다 and apply the rules to the stems.
마시다 먹다 공부하다 크다 작다
Especially, the last syllable of a stem (the parts that are underlined) is the key to grammar rules. Usually, whether there is a final consonant at that last syllable or not is an important matter. Sometimes, the vowels of the last syllable are the factor that changes forms, too.
☆ The front part of "다" is a stem and the last syllable of the stem is an important factor in a grammar lesson!
3. Politeness of the Korean language
Korean people consider politeness very important! When you talk to someone older than you or someone who has higher social status than you, you have to show respect. You can do that by conjugating verbs or adjectives properly.
When you conjugate them, there are different versions depending on politeness. There are many endings but in the modern Korean language, there are mainly three levels. You will learn details as you go through the lesson, but for now, let's briefly take a look at how the three levels are different.
1) Formal Ending
It is the most polite, strict version. You can use it when you make a speech for the public, talk on the news, or make a presentation. You can also use it when you really want to be polite in daily conversation! In Korean, it is called 격식체 [gyeok-sik-chae].
2) Informal Ending = Conversational Ending
It is a polite but still somewhat friendly ending. It is usually used in daily conversation. You use it for someone older than you, or someone who has a higher social status than you, like parents, a teacher, or a boss. You can also use it for someone you don't know very well. You can also use it when you want to be polite to people who are similar age or similar social status, for example to colleagues at work. In Korean, it is called 비격식체 [bi-gyeok-sik-chae].
3) Casual Ending = Talk Down = Low form of Speech
It is a very friendly, not polite ending. You use it when you talk to your friends or someone younger than you. In Korean, it is called 반말 [ban-mal].
☆ The most easy to learn and commonly used in daily life is the second one, the informal ending. So you will start to learn Korean with it. I put other versions too during lessons if it is important or good to know, but you will mainly see the informal endings. You will learn details about formal or low forms of speech after you learn about the informal endings.
4. Wrap-up: Things to know before you start learning Korean!
The basic forms: Korean verbs and adjectives always end in "다."
The basic form = bare form = dictionary form = original form
Conjugation: To use verbs and adjectives in actual conversation or writing, we need to change their basic forms into something else. This change is called "conjugation."
Stem: Since all verbs and adjectives have 다, the part in front of 다 is important and it is called a "stem."
There are mainly three levels of politeness in Korean, and you will learn about the informal (conversational) endings in beginner-level Korean lessons with me!
Do you have any questions about the post? Please write comments and I will try to help you! Next Lesson, you will check out the good tips to read Korean naturally!
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