Master 59 TOPIK I grammar patterns with clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises for Korean learners.
59 grammar patterns
Present action noun modifier
-는 creates noun-modifying forms for ongoing or habitual actions.
Past/state noun modifier
-(으)ㄴ creates noun-modifying forms for completed actions or states.
Future/prospective noun modifier
-(으)ㄹ creates noun-modifying forms for future or prospective actions.
Every/each
마다 means every or each, attached to time words and nouns to indicate regular occurrence or inclusion of all.
Only/nothing but (with negative)
밖에 means only or nothing but and must always be followed by a negative verb.
Nominalization (turning verbs into nouns)
-기 turns verbs and adjectives into nouns, commonly used with expressions of ease, difficulty, decisions, and more.
Honorific infix
-(으)시- is the honorific infix inserted into verbs to show respect for the subject of the sentence.
Polite request/imperative or honorific present
-세요/으세요 combines the honorific -시 with polite ending -어요, used for polite requests or describing someone elses actions respectfully.
Formal polite statement ending
-습니다/ㅂ니다 is the formal polite declarative ending used in formal speech, news, presentations, and with strangers.
Let's (casual propositive)
The casual propositive ending -자 is used to suggest doing something together informally.
Let's (formal propositive)
The formal propositive ending -ㅂ시다/읍시다 is used to suggest doing something together in formal polite speech.
Each/apiece (distributive)
씩 is a distributive particle attached to numbers or quantities to mean each or apiece.
Cannot do (formal inability)
-지 못하다 is the long form expressing inability, more formal than 못. Attach to verb stems only (not adjectives).
Do not / Is not (formal negation)
-지 않다 is the long form of negation, more formal than 안. Attach -지 않다 to the verb/adjective stem.
Cannot do / Unable to do
못 expresses inability or impossibility. Unlike 안 (choosing not to), 못 indicates you cannot do something due to circumstances or lack of ability.
Not doing / Not being
안 is placed before verbs or adjectives to negate them. It is the short form of negation, commonly used in casual speech.
To (a person) - dative particle
에게 and 한테 mark the indirect object—'to whom' an action is directed. 에게 is formal/written, 한테 is casual. Use 께 for honorific.
Like, as (similarity)
처럼 and 같이 both mean 'like' or 'as' to express similarity. 처럼 is slightly more common in writing, 같이 more in speech. 같이 also means 'together.'
Than (comparison particle)
보다 means 'than' for comparisons. Attach it to the thing being compared against. Often paired with 더 (more) or 덜 (less) for emphasis.
And / With (connecting nouns)
Korean has three ways to say 'and' between nouns: 와/과 (formal), 하고 (standard), and (이)랑 (casual). They also mean 'with' when used with people.
Only, just
만 means 'only' or 'just,' limiting the scope to one thing. It replaces 은/는, 이/가, and 을/를, but can combine with other particles like 에.
Also, too, even
도 means 'also,' 'too,' or 'even.' It replaces 은/는, 이/가, and 을/를. Used to add something to what was already mentioned or for emphasis.
Direction, means, or material particle
(으)로 marks direction (toward), means/method (by/with), material (made of), or reason (due to). Use 으로 after consonants except ㄹ, 로 after vowels and ㄹ.
Location of action / From (source)
에서 marks where an action takes place or the starting point/source of movement. Use it for 'at' with action verbs and 'from' with movement verbs.
Location, time, and destination particle
에 marks location (where something exists), destination (where you're going), and time (when something happens). One of Korean's most versatile particles.
Object marker particle
을/를 marks the direct object of a verb—what receives the action. Use 을 after consonants, 를 after vowels. Often dropped in casual speech.
Subject marker particle
이/가 marks the grammatical subject of a sentence—who or what performs the action or is being described. Use 이 after consonants, 가 after vowels.
Topic marker particle
은/는 marks the topic of a sentence—what you're talking about. Use 은 after consonants, 는 after vowels. It contrasts with 이/가 which marks the grammatical subject.
Or (connecting verbs/adjectives)
-거나 connects verbs or adjectives meaning or. Used for presenting alternatives or choices.
After doing / After finishing
-고 나서 means after doing with emphasis on completion. The first action finishes completely before the second begins.
I will / Do you want to (casual intention)
-(으)ㄹ래요 expresses casual intention or asks preferences. Common for ordering, offers, and personal choices.
As soon as / The moment that
-자마자 expresses immediate succession - as soon as one action happens, another follows with no delay.
Is in a state (resultant state)
-아/어 있다 expresses a resultant state from a completed action. Different from -고 있다 which shows ongoing action.
From...to / Since...until
-부터...까지 marks ranges from starting point to ending point.
Will / Would / Must be / Looks like
-겠- expresses intention, conjecture, or politeness in Korean.
Go/come in order to do
-(으)러 가다/오다 expresses purpose of going or coming somewhere.
Am/is/are doing (progressive)
-고 있다 is the Korean progressive form - am/is/are doing something now.
Will / Going to
-(으)ㄹ 거예요 is the standard Korean future tense - will or going to.
But / Background info / By the way
-(으)ㄴ/는데 provides background info, shows soft contrast, or introduces topics. Extremely common in Korean.
Have done / Have experienced
Learn the Korean experience pattern -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다/없다 (eun jeogi itda) meaning have done or have never done. Used for expressing past experiences.
Must not / Cannot / Not allowed
Learn the Korean prohibition pattern -(으)면 안 되다 (myeon an doeda) meaning must not or not allowed. Used for expressing rules and restrictions.
May / Can / It's okay to
Learn the Korean permission pattern -아/어도 되다 (ado doeda) meaning may or it's okay to. Used for asking and giving permission.
Seems like / I think / Probably
Learn the Korean conjecture pattern -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 (geot gatda) meaning seems like or I think. Essential for softening statements.
Intend to / Plan to / Try to
Learn the Korean intention pattern -(으)려고 하다 (euryeogo hada) meaning intend to or plan to. Used for expressing intentions and attempts.
Shall we? / Should I? / Do you think?
Learn the Korean suggestion pattern -(으)ㄹ까요 (eulkkayo) meaning shall we or should I. Used for making suggestions and asking opinions.
Don't / Stop doing
Learn the Korean negative command -지 말다 (ji malda) meaning don't do. Essential for prohibitions and negative requests.
Must / Have to / Need to
Learn the Korean obligation pattern -아/어야 하다/되다 meaning must or have to. Essential grammar for expressing necessity.
After doing
-(으)ㄴ 후에 means after doing something.
Before doing
-기 전에 means before doing something. Formed with nominalization.
When (time clause)
-(으)ㄹ 때 means when for future or habitual time clauses.
Try doing / Have done before
-아/어 보다 means try doing or indicates past experience. Similar to Japanese てみる.
Do something for someone
-아/어 주다 means to do something for someone. Used for requests and offers of help.
Want to do
-고 싶다 expresses want to do. Used for expressing desires and wishes.
Can / Cannot (ability/possibility)
-(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 expresses can or cannot, indicating ability or possibility.
But / Although
-지만 means but or although, expressing contrast between two clauses.
And (connecting verbs/adjectives)
-고 connects verbs and adjectives meaning and. Lists actions or states without causation.
Because (emphatic/justification)
-(으)니까 expresses because with emphasis. Used for justification and with commands.
Because / And then (sequential)
-아/어서 expresses reason (because) or sequence (and then). Softer than -니까 for giving reasons.
If / When (conditional)
-(으)면 is the Korean conditional meaning if or when. Attaches to verb/adjective stems to express conditions.
