Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-아/어
casual speech (반말): statement/question; -자 let's; -아/어라 do it
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Drop 요 from the polite -아/어요 to talk casually with close friends, younger people or children. Statements and questions have the same form (intonation decides). 'Let's' = V-자, command = V-아/어라 (or just -아/어).
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가 |
| 먹다 | → 먹어 |
| 학생 | → 학생이야 |
| 친구 | → 친구야 |
Using 반말 with strangers, older people or superiors is rude. Copula: 학생이야 / 친구야 (✗ 학생이어).
Examples
나 지금 집에 가는 길이야. 내일 학교에서 봐.
I'm on my way home now. See you at school tomorrow.
아직 밥 안 먹었으면 우리 같이 먹자.
If you haven't eaten yet, let's eat together.
Compared with similar patterns
-아/어요 is the polite version (just add 요). -ㄴ/는다 is the plain style used mainly in writing, diaries and news.