Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-아/어요
polite everyday ending (present)
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
The standard polite ending for daily conversation with strangers, coworkers and most adults. The same form can be a statement, a question (rising intonation), a request or a suggestion, depending on context.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가요 |
| 먹다 | → 먹어요 |
| 공부하다 | → 공부해요 |
| 듣다 | → 들어요 |
Vowels contract: 가+아요 → 가요, 오+아요 → 와요, 마시+어요 → 마셔요, 배우+어요 → 배워요. Watch irregular stems: 듣다 → 들어요, 덥다 → 더워요, 쓰다 → 써요.
Examples
저는 매일 아침에 커피를 마셔요.
I drink coffee every morning.
이 식당 음식이 정말 맛있어요.
The food at this restaurant is really delicious.
Compared with similar patterns
-ㅂ/습니다 is more formal and is used in news, presentations, interviews and announcements; -아/어요 is softer and used in everyday talk.