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Korean grammar — TOPIK I · Level 1

33 grammar patterns for this level, each with a full explanation and examples.

-지 않다

Basic negation (-지 않다)

TOPIK I

A basic, standard way to negate the action or state expressed by the preceding verb or adjective.

지수가 아무 말도 하지 않았기 때문에 나는 지수의 사정을 전혀 몰랐다.

Because Jisu didn't say anything at all, I had no idea what was going on with her.

오늘은 날씨가 춥지 않다.

The weather isn't cold today.

민준이는 매운 음식을 잘 먹지 않는다.

Minjun doesn't really eat spicy food.

-(으)면 좋겠다

Expressing a wish (-(으)면 좋겠다)

TOPIK I

Used to express the speaker's wish or hope, or to say something would be good if it were different from reality.

우리 가족이 항상 건강하면 좋겠다.

I hope my family is always healthy.

내일 날씨가 맑으면 좋겠다.

I hope the weather is clear tomorrow.

시험에 합격하면 좋겠다.

I hope I pass the exam.

-지 말다

Don't (dictionary/prohibitive form) (-지 말다)

TOPIK I

The plain dictionary-form base of this app's already-covered polite prohibition (-지 마세요) — attached to a verb stem to prohibit the act mentioned.

교실에서는 떠들지 마라.

Don't be noisy in the classroom.

엄마가 동생이랑 싸우지 말라고 했지?

Mom told you not to fight with your sibling, right?

아프지 말고 항상 건강하게 지내.

Don't get sick, always stay healthy.

-아/어도 되다

Asking/giving permission (-아/어도 되다)

TOPIK I

An expression used to indicate that a certain act is allowed or accepted.

승규에게 이 일을 맡겨도 될까?

Would it be okay to leave this task to Seunggyu?

교실 안이 더운데 창문을 열어도 되나요?

It's hot in the classroom, may I open the window?

박물관 안에서 사진을 찍어도 될지 물어보자.

Let's ask whether we're allowed to take photos inside the museum.

-(으)면 안 되다

must not..., you can't... (prohibition) (-(으)면 안 되다)

TOPIK I

Used to say that the preceding action or state is prohibited or restricted.

건물 안에서는 담배를 피우면 안 됩니다.

You can't smoke inside the building.

안내문에 잔디밭에 들어가면 안 된다고 적혀 있다.

The sign says you must not go into the grass.

박물관에 전시되어 있는 물건들을 만지면 안 된다.

You must not touch the items on display in the museum.

-아/어 주다

to do... for (someone) (-아/어 주다)

TOPIK I

Used to say that the preceding action is done for someone else's benefit.

선물할 거니까 예쁘게 싸 주세요.

It's a gift, so please wrap it nicely for me.

지수는 부모님께서 외출하신 동안 동생과 놀아 줬다.

Jisu played with her younger sibling while their parents were out.

승규는 먹이도 주면서 길 잃은 새끼 고양이를 계속 돌보아 주었다.

Seunggyu kept taking care of the lost kitten, even feeding it.

-아/어야 하다

have to..., must... (obligation) (-아/어야 하다)

TOPIK I

Used to say that the preceding content is a required action or necessary condition.

나는 이제 집에 가야 해.

I have to go home now.

시청에 가려면 몇 번 버스를 타야 하나요?

Which bus do I have to take to get to city hall?

오늘 중으로 갔다와야 하니 지금 출발해라.

I have to go and come back today, so leave now.

-아/어야 되다

have to..., must... (obligation, casual) (-아/어야 되다)

TOPIK I

Used to say that there is a necessity or obligation to do the preceding action.

계좌에서 출금을 하려면 본인이 직접 와야 됩니다.

To withdraw money from the account, you have to come in person.

할머니께서 입원하셔서 나는 오늘 병원에 가야 돼.

My grandmother was hospitalized, so I have to go to the hospital today.

승규가 내일 시험은 잘 봐야 되는데 정말 걱정이다.

Seunggyu has to do well on tomorrow's exam, and I'm really worried.

-는 것 같다

it seems like... (guessing, plain/written form) (-는 것 같다)

TOPIK I

Used to express a guess or supposition, in a plain, dictionary-form ending.

집에 누군가 있는 것 같아요.

It seems like someone is home.

밖이 시끄러운 걸 보니 주차 문제로 또 싸우는 것 같아요.

Judging by the noise outside, it seems like they're fighting about parking again.

유민이가 공부하는 것 같으니까 텔레비전 소리를 좀 줄입시다.

It seems like Yumin is studying, so let's turn the TV volume down a bit.

-고 있다

to be (doing something) — progressive (-고 있다)

TOPIK I

Used to say that the preceding action is continuing to happen.

사진 속에서 우리 가족은 환하게 웃고 있었다.

In the photo, my family was smiling brightly.

벌써 아침 아홉 시가 넘었는데 승규는 아직도 자고 있다.

It's already past nine in the morning, and Seunggyu is still sleeping.

네가 먹고 있는 빵이 참 맛있어 보이는데.

The bread you're eating looks really tasty.

-고 싶다

to want to (do something) (-고 싶다)

TOPIK I

Used to say that the speaker wants to do the preceding action.

어릴 때 선생님이 되고 싶었다.

When I was young, I wanted to become a teacher.

이번 생일에 받고 싶은 선물이 있으면 말해 봐.

If there's a gift you want for your birthday this time, tell me.

나는 너무 피곤해서 집에 일찍 들어가고 싶었다.

I was so tired that I wanted to go home early.

이에요/예요

To be (noun + 이에요/예요)

TOPIK I

Attach 이에요 to a noun ending in a consonant, or 예요 to a noun ending in a vowel, to say '(it) is ___' in polite informal speech. This is the most basic way to make a sentence with a noun.

저는 학생이에요

I am a student.

이것은 책이에요

This is a book.

여기는 학교예요

This place is a school.

은/는

Topic particle (은/는)

TOPIK I

은 follows a noun ending in a consonant, 는 follows one ending in a vowel. It marks the topic of the sentence — what you're talking about — often contrasting it with something else.

저는 한국 사람이에요

As for me, I'm Korean.

오늘은 바빠요

Today, I'm busy.

이 커피는 맛있어요

This coffee is delicious.

이/가

Subject particle (이/가)

TOPIK I

이 follows a noun ending in a consonant, 가 follows one ending in a vowel. It marks the grammatical subject of the sentence, often introducing new information rather than a contrasted topic.

친구가 와요

A friend is coming.

날씨가 좋아요

The weather is nice.

머리가 아파요

My head hurts.

을/를

Object particle (을/를)

TOPIK I

을 follows a noun ending in a consonant, 를 follows one ending in a vowel. It marks the direct object of the verb — the thing being acted upon.

밥을 먹어요

I eat rice / a meal.

책을 읽어요

I read a book.

커피를 마셔요

I drink coffee.

-아요/어요

Present tense, polite informal (-아요/어요)

TOPIK I

Attach -아요 to verb/adjective stems whose last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, and -어요 to all others, to make the polite informal present tense — the everyday speech style used in casual-but-respectful conversation.

밥을 먹어요

I eat / I'm eating.

학교에 가요

I go / I'm going to school.

한국어를 공부해요

I study Korean.

-았어요/었어요

Past tense, polite informal (-았어요/었어요)

TOPIK I

Same vowel-harmony rule as -아요/어요: attach -았어요 to stems whose last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, and -었어요 to all others, to talk about something that already happened.

어제 친구를 만났어요

I met a friend yesterday.

영화를 봤어요

I watched a movie.

집에서 쉬었어요

I rested at home.

에

Time/location particle (에)

TOPIK I

에 marks a point in time ('at/on/in') or a static location ('to/at') — where something exists or where someone/something goes, not where an action happens.

공원에 가요

I go to the park.

3시에 만나요

Let's meet at 3 o'clock.

집에 있어요

I am at home.

에서

Location of action (에서)

TOPIK I

에서 marks the place where an action happens (unlike 에, which marks a destination or static existence), and also means 'from' when talking about a starting point.

식당에서 밥을 먹어요

I eat at the restaurant.

회사에서 일해요

I work at the company.

한국에서 왔어요

I came from Korea.

도

Also / too (도)

TOPIK I

도 replaces or adds onto a particle to mean 'also/too' — attach it directly to the noun (it typically replaces 은/는/이/가/을/를).

저도 학생이에요

I am also a student.

이것도 맛있어요

This is also delicious.

저는 커피도 좋아해요

I also like coffee.

와/과, 하고, (이)랑

And / with (와/과, 하고, (이)랑)

TOPIK I

와 connects nouns ending in a vowel, 과 connects nouns ending in a consonant, both meaning 'and' or 'with' in writing. 하고 and (이)랑 work the same way but sound more casual/spoken — 하고 attaches to any noun, and 이랑/랑 follow the same vowel/consonant rule as 이에요/예요.

친구와 영화를 봐요

I watch a movie with a friend.

빵하고 우유 주세요

Please give me bread and milk.

저는 언니랑 살아요

I live with my older sister.

의

Possessive particle (의)

TOPIK I

Attach 의 after a noun to show possession, like 's in English (A의 B = "A's B"). In casual speech 의 is often pronounced like 에, and it's frequently dropped entirely when the relationship is already clear from context.

저의 친구예요

(He/She) is my friend.

엄마의 가방이에요

It's mom's bag.

선생님의 책이에요

It's the teacher's book.

안 / -지 않아요

Negation (안 / -지 않아요)

TOPIK I

Put 안 right before a verb/adjective for short-form negation ('not/don't'), or attach -지 않아요 to the stem for the same meaning in a slightly more formal-sounding way. Note: with -하다 verbs, 안 usually goes right before 하다 (안 공부해요), not before the whole word.

오늘은 안 바빠요

I'm not busy today.

매운 음식을 먹지 않아요

I don't eat spicy food.

저는 커피를 안 마셔요

I don't drink coffee.

-고 싶어요

Want to do (-고 싶어요)

TOPIK I

Attach -고 싶어요 directly to a verb stem to say you want to do that action. For wanting a thing (a noun), Korean typically uses -을/를 원해요 instead.

한국에 가고 싶어요

I want to go to Korea.

커피를 마시고 싶어요

I want to drink coffee.

쉬고 싶어요

I want to rest.

-고

And then / listing actions (-고)

TOPIK I

Attach -고 directly to a verb or adjective stem to connect two clauses meaning 'and' or 'and then' — useful for listing actions or descriptions in sequence without changing the tense of the first verb.

아침을 먹고 학교에 가요

I eat breakfast and then go to school.

이 옷은 싸고 예뻐요

This clothing is cheap and pretty.

손을 씻고 밥을 먹어요

I wash my hands and then eat.

숫자 + 개/명/살/시 (수량사)

Counting things (number + counter word)

TOPIK I

Korean uses native numbers (하나, 둘, 셋...) with counter words for most everyday counting — 개 for general objects, 명 for people, 살 for age, and 시 for the hour. Native numbers 1-4 and 20 shorten before a counter: 하나→한, 둘→두, 셋→세, 넷→네, 스물→스무.

사과 두 개 주세요

Please give me two apples.

친구 세 명이 왔어요

Three friends came.

저는 스물다섯 살이에요

I am twenty-five years old.

-(으)세요

Polite request / command (-(으)세요)

TOPIK I

Attach -세요 to a stem ending in a vowel, or -으세요 to one ending in a consonant, to politely ask someone to do something, or to give a polite instruction (it also honors the subject).

여기 앉으세요

Please sit here.

조심하세요

Please be careful.

이거 드세요

Please have this (honorific).

-ㅂ니다/습니다

Formal speech style (-ㅂ니다/습니다)

TOPIK I

Attach -ㅂ니다 to a vowel-ending stem, and -습니다 to a consonant-ending one, for the most formal, respectful speech style — used in news broadcasts, presentations, the military, and customer service. Questions use -ㅂ니까?/습니까? instead. This is more formal than the everyday -아요/어요 style you've been learning.

안녕하십니까?

Hello (very formal).

저는 한국 사람입니다

I am Korean (formal).

감사합니다

Thank you (formal).

-(으)ㄹ 거예요

Future / intention (-(으)ㄹ 거예요)

TOPIK I

Attach -ㄹ 거예요 to a stem ending in a vowel, or -을 거예요 to one ending in a consonant, to talk about something you plan or expect to do.

내일 여행을 갈 거예요

I'm going to travel tomorrow.

저녁에 요리할 거예요

I'm going to cook in the evening.

다음 주에 시험을 볼 거예요

I'm going to take a test next week.

보다

Than (comparison) (보다)

TOPIK I

Attach 보다 to the noun being compared against to mean 'than' — often paired with 더 ('more') before the adjective.

저는 형보다 커요

I am taller than my older brother.

비행기가 기차보다 빨라요

The airplane is faster than the train.

이 옷이 저것보다 더 비싸요

This clothing is more expensive than that one.

부터~까지

From ~ to (부터~까지)

TOPIK I

Attach 부터 to the starting point and 까지 to the ending point (of time or place) to mean 'from ~ to ~'. They can be used together or separately.

아홉 시부터 여섯 시까지 일해요

I work from 9 to 6 o'clock.

월요일부터 금요일까지 학교에 가요

I go to school from Monday to Friday.

여기까지 와 주세요

Please come this far (to here).

-(으)ㅂ시다

Let's ~ (formal) (-(으)ㅂ시다)

TOPIK I

Attach -(으)ㅂ시다 to a verb stem to propose doing something together, in the formal 합니다 style — 'let's ~.' More formal than -아요/어요, and best used with peers or people below you; avoid it toward clear superiors, where a softer suggestion is more polite.

같이 갑시다

Let's go together.

이제 시작합시다

Let's start now.

잠깐 쉽시다

Let's rest for a moment.

이/가 아니다

Is not (이/가 아니다)

TOPIK I

Attach 이/가 to a noun, followed by 아니다 (conjugated as 아니에요/아닙니다), to negate a noun sentence — 'X is not Y.' The negative counterpart of 이에요/예요.

저는 학생이 아니에요

I am not a student.

이건 제 가방이 아니에요

This is not my bag.

여기는 학교가 아니에요

This is not a school.

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