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Many experts have theorized as to the general structure and root of the Korean language. Most books will say that especially the Korean language grammar structure is generally similar to Altaic, and Japanese languages. They also share common language features such as vowel harmony, vocabulary, and lack of conjunctions.
Basic Korean grammar structure vs. English Grammar Structure:
English = Subject – Verb – Object
Korean = Subject – Object – Verb
Examples:
In English: This morning I ate breakfast
In Korean: This morning (particle) I (subject particle) breakfast (object particle) ate (past tense conjugation).
Other examples:
Korean Direct Translation Proper Translation
어디 가요? Where go? Where are you going?
밥 먹었어? Rice ate? Have you eaten?
Other basic grammar information:
Verbs and adjectives –
Korean verbs and adjectives are conjugated depending on the situation in relation to the speaker. This is where it is important to know both formal (jondaemal) and informal (banmal) conjugation.
Examples:
English Informal Formal
To be 있다 게시다
To drink 마시다 드시다
To give 주다 드리다
To speak/say (말) 하다 말씀하다
Sentence Markers –
Korean requires subject and object markers. Every word is marked for the role it plays within the sentence.
Subject Markers 이/가:
Used when a subject is introduced, and used to distinguish it in a phrase or sentence.
Example:
The sky is blue. 하늘이 파랑색이에요.
Also used when answering who/what/where/which questions.
Topic Markers 은/는
Used when the subject has already been mention but information has already been mentioned.
Example:
Where is the phone? 전화가 어디에 있어요?
The phone is next to the restaurant. 전화는 음식점 옆에 있어요.
Used in instances where the subject of the sentence is described as the topic word of the sentence, even if the subject is new information that is just being introduced.
Example:
I am American. 나는 미국 사람이에요.
Used when contracting information between a subject previously mentioned. Sometimes it can replace an object marker (something that is not grammatical in English).
Example:
I like Korean food. But I don’t like kimchee.
한국 음식을 좋아합니다. 그렇지만 김지는 시렇함니다.
Used with sentences where there is a vague contrast and in which there is no structural connection between the topic and the subject. Sometimes with a slight connection, both sets of markers may be used in the same sentence.
Example:
I feel great today. 오늘은 기분이 좋아요.
Object Markers 을/를:
을 is used when the last character of the object ends in a consonant.
Example:
I studied Korean. 한국말을
를 is used when the last character of an object ends in a vowel.
Example:
I am reading a book. 잭을 읽어요.
Dropped Subjects –
In spoken Korean, there is usually no I, and the conjugation is such that sentences and opinions are understood and inherent towards the speaker.
Particles—
A particle is like an English preposition. They attach themselves to nouns and pronouns to form phrases. However, a particle in Korean can be dropped from a sentence or in conversation.
에 to/at/on 서울에. I'm going to Seoul. 가요
에서 from/at/for/on 학교에서. I study at school. 공부해요
께 to (honorific) 저는 선생님께 I gave an apple to my teacher. 사과를 드렸습니다
(으)로 to/by/through/on/in 택시로. I'm going by taxi. 가요
한테서 from 자네 이야기는 김 군한테서 들었네. I heard about you from Mr. Kim.
까지 until/till/by 중국까지. I'm going (as far as) China 가요
(이)랑 with 친구랑 이야기해요. I talk with a friend.
Adverbs—
Are easy to recognize and work with in Korean. The twist is that they are sometimes used in the most unlikely places and can sound awkward when translated directly.
Examples:
Have a good meal Eat deliciously. 맛있게 먹어
Enjoy yourself. Play interestingly. 재미있게 놀아.
Articles ---
There are no articles in Korean.
Pronouns—
Korean pronouns are not nearly as common as they are in English. They exist but are rarely used, or usually in written language.
List of Pronouns:
English Inform Formal
I 나 저
You 너 니
He 그
She 그녀
We 우리 저희
They 그들
It 이것, 그것
His 내, 나의 제
Her 그녀의
Our 우리 저희
Their 그들의
Its 이것들의, 그것들의
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