Endings of Sentences

Since the stems of verbs and adjectives cannot be used alone, they are always used with endings. Korean has many different endings that convey much of the grammatical functions such as tense, aspects, sentence types, conjunctions, speech levels, and so on.
The endings can be categorized into two types: pre-final endings and final endings, depending on where they are placed in the verb or adjective.

Pre-final Endings

Pre-final endings are inflectional elements that come between the stem and the final ending. They include the honorific suffix -(으)시, past tense marker 었/았, and so on.
Consider the following example:

* Pre-final Ending

Notice that the pre-final endings appear between 보, the stem “see”, and 어요, “a sentence final ending”.

Non-sentence-final Endings

There are two types of final endings: non-sentence-final endings that ends a verb or an adjective but not the sentence, and sentence-final endings that ends both the verb and the sentence. Non-sentence-final endings include various clausal conjunctives such as -고(and then), -어/아서(because), -으면서(while), -지만(although), -도록(in order to), and so on.
Consider the following sentence.

* Final Endings

Notice that the conjunctive -고(and then) does not end the sentence but does end the verb stem 마시(drink). On the other hand, the ending 어요 ends the verb “eat” as well as the sentence.

Sentence-final Endings

The typical examples of sentence-final endings are various speech-level endings. Korean has six speech levels as shown below. These speech-level endings indicate the speaker’s interpersonal relationship with the addressees or attitude toward them.
The deferential speech level is the highest among the six, followed by the polite speech level and so on. In addition, each speech level has four endings that indicate the type of sentence: declarative(statement), interrogative(question), imperative(command/request), and propositive(suggestion):

* Sentence-final Endings

Among the six speech levels, the use of (3) blunt and (4) familiar speech levels have been declining especially among young generations. We however must be familiar with the deferential, polite, intimate, and plain levels, which are still widely used for all Koreans regardless of age differences. Consequently, the debate around blunt and familiar speech levels will not be discussed in this book.
Let us apply four of the endings above to the verb stem 먹(eat). When saying “(someone) eats”, one needs to use one of the four interrogative endings like -습니까, -어요, -어, and -냐.

Notice that the verb stem in each speech level as well as the referential meaning are the same. In addition, different endings render different social meanings, such as speaker’s attitude toward the hearer and the formality of the situation. Consequently, choosing the right speech level is critical, and it all depends on who you talk to.

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Grammar for Beginners
Predicates of Sentences
Negation (부정문)

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Top 11 Tips for Learning Korean

There are some tips for learning Korean, and they don’t require large tuition fees, lifestyle changes, or superhuman powers.
Below I’ll share with you 11 tips to help you learn Korean. Pick and choose which ones you think will work for you, and take action!

Find a Partner.

Try to find a native speaker who can be your conversation partner. You can ask him or her to correct your grammar and pronunciation. This can be your greatest asset and perhaps you can also provide assistance to your partner in your native language.

Do Penpal.

Same reason with finding a partner, and Finding penpal friends is easier than actual partner. If you do penpal online, you can send or receive anytime and anywhere. All you need is only smartphone or internet connected computer. And it is quiet easy method to improve your grammar. To find penpal online, visit here www.penpalkorea.com

Label Your Surroundings.

Make labels for things all over your house. For example: 벽(wall), 문(door), 책상(desk) etc. Remove the labels only after you have mastered the vocabulary.
Read Out Loud.

Try reading out loud. Anything is good. You can read books or newspapers. You will get all of the benefits of reading, plus you'll get really good pronunciation practice. In fact, as a beginner, you should read aloud as much as possible.

Don't Expect to Be Perfect!

Can you remember when learned to ride a bicycle? Did you ride perfectly from the first time you sat on the seat? When learning a new language, expect that you will make mistakes, and don't be embarrassed by them! You are not a native speaker.

Be Consistent.

To really learn a language takes time and commitment. Consistency is by far the most important factor. If you can devote a solid fifteen minutes a day, nearly every day, you will be far more successful than if you “cram” for an hour or two, but only sporadically.

Practice SPEAKING!

The only way to learn to speak a language is by actually SPEAKING. You can study for years, and master all of the grammar rules, but unless you actually practice speaking, you will never speak well. When you are practicing speaking, remember to do it out loud, at normal conversational volume.

Use Flashcards.

One of the best tips I can give you is to make and use flashcards. Make cards that are small enough to easily carry with you, and write the English on one side and Korean on the other. Be sure to ALWAYS have some cards with you. This way, you can capture “wasted” time (standing in line, riding the subway, waiting for class to start, etc.) and turn it into productive study time. Even if you only have a couple of minutes, you can use it to study a few flashcards.

Be Patient.

Progress in language learning does not follow a straight-line graph. You cannot expect to make the same amount of progress, day after day, week after week. You may find yourself struggling at times, seeming to make no progress. Don't let this discourage you. It is normal to reach plateaus in your learning progress. If you find yourself “stuck” try spending time going back and reviewing things that you already know well. Often this will help prepare you to break through to the next level.

Talk to Yourself.

When learning a foreign language, it is common for listening skills to develop more rapidly than speaking skills, leaving the learner in the unfortunate situation of being able to understand, but unable to respond. A good way to surmount this problem is to talk to yourself as much as possible. Because there is no one else around, you won't be weighed down by the inhibition that so frequently burdens the beginning language student.

Work On Developing an “EAR” for Korean.

Remember that language is first and foremost oral communication. A written alphabet is merely a collection of symbols used to represent the sounds of the language, and cannot be expected to capture every nuance of sound and intonation. Try to develop a “good ear” for Korean. An easy and fun way to do this is by listening to Korean music, watching Korean movies, or watching Korean cable TV.

* Click to read a related post
Grammar for Beginners
The Differences Between English and Korean
Korean Is One of the Hardest Languages to Learn (for native English speakers)

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Predicates of Sentences

Predicate is one of the main components of a sentence, normally the predicate of a clause is the part of it that is not the subject. Often it refers to a verb or an adjective phrase that modifies the subject. For example, “decided what to do” is the predicate of a sentence “I decided what to do”. In a similar manner, those which constitute predicate expressions in Korean are verbs and adjectives.

* Predicate

Stems

Korean verbs and adjectives are made of stems and endings. The stems of verbs and adjectives can not be used alone, and they are always conjugated by various or inflectional endings. These endings carry various grammatical information and roles such as tense, aspect, speech levels, and so forth.
When you look for the meaning of certain verbs and/or adjectives in your textbook word lists or dictionary, you are most likely to encounter verbs and adjectives with 다 as their endings. Remember that stems can not be used alone. For a dictionary-entry purpose, Korean verbs and adjectives take a special dictionary form ending -다. Consequently, finding the stem of a verb and/or an adjective is simple in that anything being left out after you take 다 out from the verbs and adjectives is the stem. Here are some examples:

Verbs And Adjectives
In English, one can distinguish a verb from an adjective by looking at their structure. For example, when using an adjective as a predicate, one has to use one of “am”, “is”, and “are”. In Korean, however verbs and adjectives resemble one another in how they inflect and how they function in the sentence. In addition, there is no obvious structural difference between verbs and adjectives. In fact adjectives behave like verbs so much that Korean grammarians categorize adjectives as “descriptive verbs”.
For example, in a dictionary, you may find the following Korean verb and adjective: 보다(see) and 어렵다(difficult). They have different stems but the same ending. Their meanings distinguish a verb from an adjective. Verbs normally signify actions and processes. On the other hand, adjectives typically indicate states or qualities such as size, weight, quality, quantity, shape, appearance, perception, and emotion.

Vowel- and consonant-based stems

Stems of Korean verbs and adjectives are grouped into two types: consonant based and vowel based. An example of the vowel-based stem is 가 of 가다, whereas that of the consonant-based stem is 먹 of 먹다.

* Click to Read a related post
Grammar for Beginners
Endings of Sentences
Irregular verbs and adjectives (불규칙동사와 형용사)

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The Countries or Regions Which Can Enter Korea Without Visa

Nationals of those countries or regions with which Korea has signed a visa waiver agreement can enter without a visa, on the condition that they do not engage in remunerative activities during their stay.

 * Canadians can enter the Republic of Korea without a visa for a stay of up to six months.

 * Use "Crtl+F" to find your country more easily.

1. countries under visa exemption agreement (April, 15th, 2015)

Diplomatic (2 countries)
 Turkmenistan (30 days), Ukraine (90 days)

Diplomatic & Official(34 countries)
 Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan (30 days), Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Cambodia (60 days), China (30 days), Cyprus, Croatia, Ecuador (Diplomatic: as needed for work performance, Official: 3 months), Egypt, Gabon, India, Iran (3 months), Japan (3 months), Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan (3 months), Paraguay, the Philippines (Unlimited), Uzbekistan (60 days),  Uruguay, Vietnam, Moldova(90 days within 180 days), Tajikistan, Georgia, Myanmar, Bolivia, Kyrgyz (30 days), Armenia, Angola (30 days), Oman

Diplomatic & Official & Ordinary(66 countries)
 - Asia(4 countries)
  Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand

* Click the image to see original size

 - America(25 countries)
  Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela (Diplomatic/Official: 30 days, Ordinary: 90 days), Uruguay

* Click the image to see original size

 - Europe(32 countries)
  [Schengen countries (except for Slovenia out of the 26 Schengen countries)], Austria (Diplomatic/Official: 180 days), Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal (60days), Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland * Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden (90 days within 180 days)
  [Non-Schengen countries] Bulgaria, Ireland, Romania, Turkey, UK, Kazakhstan * Russia (60 days in a row, not exceeding 90 days within 180 days)

* Click the image to see original size

 - Africa & Middle East (5 countries)
  Israel, Liberia, Morocco, Tunisia(30 days), Lesotho(60 days)

* Click the image to see original size

 * Italy: Despite visa exemption for a stay of up to 60 days under agreement, the reciprocity principle allows a stay of up to 90 days from June 15, 2003.

 * Japan: Visa exemption for a stay of up to 90 days for ordinary-passport holders based on exchange of note verbale. (Visa exemption agreement concluded for diplomatic and official-passport holders)

2. Nationals of countries or regions allowed for visa-free entry(up to 30 days unless noticed otherwise)

Asia or regions(6 countries)
Brunei (30 days), Hong Kong (90 days), Indonesia (diplomatic and official, 30 days), Japan (90 days), Macau (90 days), Taiwan (90 days)

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America(7 countries)
Argentina (30 days), Canada (6 months), Ecuador (90 days), Guyana (30 days), Honduras (30 days), Paraguay (30 days), United States (90 days)

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Europe(11 countries)
Albania (30 days), Andora (30 days), Bosnia-Herzegovina (30 days), Croatia (90 days), Cyprus (30 days), Monaco (30 days), Montenegro (30 days), San Marino (30 days), Serbia (90 days), Slovenia (90 days), Vatican (30 days)

* Click the image to see original size

Oceania or regions(13 countries)
Australia (90 days), Fiji (30 days), Guam (30 days), Kiribati (30 days), Marshall Islands (30 days), Micronesia (30 days), Nauru (30 days), New Caledonia (30 days), Palau (30 days), Samoa (30 days), Solomon Islands (30 days), Tonga (30 days), Tuvalu (30 days)

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Middle East and Africa(12 countries)
Bahrain (30 days), Egypt (30 days), Kuwait (30 days), Lebanon (diplomatic and official 30 days), Mauritius (30 days), Oman (30 days), Qatar (30 days), Saudi Arabia (30 days), Seychelles (30 days), South Africa (30 days), Swaziland (30 days), United Arab Emirates (30 days)

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For more information, click HERE to visit the website of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, republic of Korea.

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Nouns (명사)

Words and word classes

In Korean, there are 9 classes of words. Based on its grammatical function, each word is categorized into different classes, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives and so on. Korean has the following word classes. The first thing we are going to talk about is, NOUNS.

1. Nouns (명사)
2. Pronouns (대명사)
 - Personal Pronouns (인칭대명사)
 - Question Words (의문사) & Indefinite Pronouns (부정대명사)
3. Particle
 - Particles Part.1 (What are the Particles in Korean)
 - Particles Part.2 (Case Particles)
 - Particles Part.3 (Special Particles)
4. Numbers and counters
 - Numbers & Ordinals (숫자와 서수)
 - Counter Nouns (Numeral Classifier, 분류사)
5. Verbs
 - Irregular verbs and adjectives (불규칙동사와 형용사)
 - Auxiliary verbs I
 - Auxiliary verbs II
 - Auxiliary verbs III
6. Adjectives
7. Copula
 - Copula (Be & Be Not, 이다 & 아니다)
 - The Verb of Existence and Location (있다 & 없다)
8. Adverbs
 - Adverbs and adverbials (부사와 부사적 어구)
9. Prenouns (관형사)

In addition, Korean words in general fall into two categories: inflected words and uninflected words. Inflected words is inflected by grammatical features such as tense, number, aspect, and person. As you expected, nouns are uninflected words. Only verbs and adjectives are inflected words. Nouns in general refer to the part of speech that indicates a name of thing, quality, place, person, or action. Nouns often serve as the subject and/or object of verbs and/or adjectives.

Formation of nouns

There are three components that constitute Korean nouns: native Korean words; Sino-Korean words, and loan words.

* The three components of Korean word

Generally speaking, Korean nouns can be comprised of either a single morpheme or multiple morphemes.

* A single morpheme & multiple morphemes

Meanwhile, Korean has a group of special nouns that always appear before other nouns to modify or describe the following nouns. These nouns are called “prenouns”.
Some nouns are used only after the aforementioned prenouns. These special nouns can not be used by themselves but used always with the prenouns. These nouns are called “bound nouns”. Prenouns and bound nouns will be discussed in detail later.

* Prenouns & Bound nouns

Some characteristics of Korean nouns

Marking plurality

English is very specific with respect to number in that when there is more than one item, the item must be marked by the plural “s”. However, Korean nouns are not specific about the number in that it does not have the grammatical category of number.
In English, "s" must be attached after a noun when it is plural. However, in Korean, though we attach "들" after a noun, it depends on our choice. Even without "들", it can be plural.

* Plural form of Korean

Position of nouns

Korean nouns appear in a sentence in one of the following ways:

(1) by itself
(2) before particle
(3) before another noun
(4) before copula
(5) after adjective

For instance, consider the following sentence:

* Position of nouns

Noun usage with verbs

People tend to use nouns with certain verbs. For instance, in English, the word “crime” is collocated with the verb “commit,” and “operation” is collocated with the verb “perform.” In the same principle, Korean nouns tend to collocate with certain verbs. However, in Korean, usage with verbs is little bit difference.

Consider the following examples:

* Noun usage with verbs

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Grammar for Beginners

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The Differences Between English and Korean

Now, you can read Korean without understanding and write Korean word at least your name. All you need to do is studying grammar and make some friends in Korean. But before studying grammar, there is one more thing you should know. Differences between English and Korean. There are some differences between English and Korean. Knowing the differences helps you easily understand Korean.

Word Order

English is a subject-verb-object(SVO) language. However, Korean is a subject-object-verb(SOV) language.

* English(SVO)-Korean(SOV)

In Korean the most important elements tend to cluster to the end of the sentence. The further the word is from the end of the sentence, the less important the element is and more likely it is to be dropped. In other words, what appears at the very end of the sentence is most important. So there is a proverb that says "We do not know what Korean want to say until the end of the sentence.".

General-To-Specific Language

Korean is a “general-to-specific” or “big-to-small” language. In other words, we write(or say) general(or bigger) units before the specific(or smaller) units. When writing an address, we write the name of the country first, and then the province, city, street, house number, and the name of the receiver. When writing a date, the year comes first and then write month and the day.

* English(specific first)-Korean(general first)

Honorific Language

Korean is more honorific language than English. There are grammatical modifications when we talking to or talking about people who is older or in a higher position than us. In that cases, many things in sentences are changed. Subjects are changed, particles are changed, verbs are changed, sometimes even objects are changed. for a little while, It may be very difficult to understand for people who speak other languages than Korean. The following examples illustrate how Korean honorifics work:
"My name is andrew.". Longer one is honorific.

* Honorific form of Korean

As seen above, the referential meanings of the two sentences are the same. However, their social meanings are different. Shorter one would be rude in a formal situation if it was used by a lower-status person addressing a higher-status person.
The above examples illustrate how the use of honorifics in Korean functions as a social indicator. In addition, they demonstrate that how an utterance is said is more important than what is said.

Particles

One unique characteristic of Korean is that nouns are typically marked by particles. There is no corresponding equivalent in English. Korean has two types of particles: case particles and special particles. Case particles indicate the syntactic role of the noun to which they are attached. Case particles include 이/가(subject case particle), 을/를(object case particle), and so on.
Grammatically, since we put particles after every nouns, there is no problem when we change the placement of nouns. Sometimes, Korean sentences do not follow the SOV pattern. Korean nouns can be freely arranged in a sentence. For instance, the following six sentences are possible for the sentence “Andrew eats lunch at home.”.

* The placement of nouns can be changed.

* Click to read related posts
Grammar for Beginners
Top 11 Tips for Learning Korean
Particles Part.1 (What are the particles in Korean)
Korean Is One of the Hardest Languages to Learn (for native English speakers)

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