Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-ㅂ/습니다
formal polite statement ending
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
The most formal polite statement ending. Used in news, speeches, presentations, business, the military, and when introducing yourself formally.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 갑니다 |
| 먹다 | → 먹습니다 |
| 만들다 | → 만듭니다 |
| 학생 | → 학생입니다 |
ㄹ-stems drop ㄹ and take -ㅂ니다: 살다 → 삽니다, 만들다 → 만듭니다 (✗ 만들습니다). Past: -았/었습니다 (갔습니다).
Examples
처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 회사원입니다.
Nice to meet you. I am an office worker.
회의는 오후 세 시에 시작합니다.
The meeting starts at 3 p.m.
Compared with similar patterns
-아/어요 is the everyday polite ending; -ㅂ/습니까? is the question form of -ㅂ/습니다.