TOPIK · Grammar
26 core TOPIK grammar patterns — Korean particles (eun/neun, i/ga, eul/reul) and honorifics (kkeseo, -si-, special verbs). Curiosity, intuition, visualization, essence. Level 1-2.
Particles
5과/와1Noun + gwa/wa: links nouns ("A and B") or means "together with." After a consonant use gwa; after a vowel use wa.(으)로2Noun + (eu)ro: marks means, method, or direction. After most consonants use euro; after a vowel or a final r/l (rieul) use ro.을/를1Noun + eul/reul: marks the object of a verb (accusative). After a consonant use eul; after a vowel use reul.이/가1Noun + i/ga: marks the grammatical subject (nominative). After a consonant use i; after a vowel use ga.은/는1Noun + eun/neun: marks the topic or contrast of a sentence. After a consonant (batchim) use eun; after a vowel use neun.
Honorifics
5-(으)시-2Verb/adjective stem + -(eu)si-: a pre-final ending that honors the subject. After a vowel stem use -si-; after a consonant stem use -eusi-.께2Honored recipient + kke: when the receiver is to be respected, kke replaces ege/hante (object honorification).드시다 · 계시다2A few basic verbs do not take -(eu)si- but switch to a wholly separate honorific word: meokda→deusida, jada→jumusida, itda→gyesida.합니다체 · 해요체1The sentence-final ending sets politeness toward the listener: plain (ga) < haeyo style (gayo) < hamnida style (gamnida).께서2Honored subject + kkeseo: when the subject is someone to be respected, kkeseo replaces i/ga (subject honorification).
Connective endings
6-아도/어도3Verb/adjective stem + -ado/eodo: marks concession, "even if / even though." Vowel harmony picks -ado or -eodo.-(으)면2Verb/adjective stem + -(eu)myeon: marks a condition or hypothesis, "if / when." After a consonant use -eumyeon; after a vowel use -myeon.-아서/어서2Verb/adjective stem + -aseo/eoseo: gives a reason ("because") or a preceding action ("and then"). Vowel harmony picks -aseo or -eoseo.-고1Verb/adjective stem + -go: links two or more actions or states with "and" (listing or sequence).-지만2Verb/adjective stem + -jiman: marks contrast, "but / although."-(으)니까2Verb/adjective stem + -(eu)nikka: gives a reason or grounds. After a consonant use -eunikka; after a vowel use -nikka.
Tense & aspect
3-겠-3Verb/adjective stem + -get- + ending: marks intention (first person), conjecture, or the future.-았/었-1Verb/adjective stem + -ass/eoss- + ending: the past tense. Vowel harmony picks -ass- or -eoss-.-고 있다2Verb stem + -go itda: marks an action in progress ("be V-ing") or a continuing state of wearing/holding.
Modality
6-(으)ㄹ 것 같다3Verb/adjective stem + -(eu)l geot gatda: marks conjecture, "seems / will probably." After a consonant use -eul geot gatda; after a vowel use -l geot gatda.-고 싶다1Verb stem + -go sipda: expresses the first/second person's wish, "want to."-(으)ㄴ 적이 있다3Verb stem + -(eu)n jeok-i itda: marks past experience, "have done (before)." After a consonant use -eun jeok; after a vowel use -n jeok.-(으)려고3Verb stem + -(eu)ryeogo: marks intention or purpose, "intending to / in order to." After a consonant use -euryeogo; after a vowel use -ryeogo.-아야/어야 하다2Verb/adjective stem + -aya/eoya hada(doeda): marks obligation or necessity, "must / have to." Vowel harmony picks -aya or -eoya.-기 위해3Verb stem + -gi wihae(seo): marks purpose, "in order to." The -gi nominalizes the verb.