Korean is a fascinating language with a distinct grammar structure that sets it apart from many other languages. One important aspect of Korean grammar is its use of declarative sentences, which are sentences that make statements or provide information. In this guide, we will explore the characteristics of Korean declarative sentences and provide example sentences to help you understand their structure and usage.
Basic Structure of Declarative Sentences:
In Korean, declarative sentences typically follow a subject-object-verb (SOV) word order. This means that the subject is usually placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the object, and then the verb. Let’s take a look at an example:
English: “I eat an apple.”
Korean: “나는 사과를 먹어요.” (Naneun sagwareul meogeoyo.)
In this sentence, “나는” (naneun) means “I,” “사과를” (sagwareul) means “an apple,” and “먹어요” (meogeoyo) means “eat.” As you can see, the subject comes first, followed by the object and the verb.
Verb Conjugation:
Another important aspect of Korean declarative sentences is verb conjugation. Korean verbs change depending on various factors such as tense, politeness level, and honorifics. The verb endings in declarative sentences are influenced by these factors. Let’s consider an example:
English: “She goes to school.”
Korean: “그녀는 학교에 가요.” (Geunyeoneun hakgyoe gayo.)
In this sentence, “그녀는” (geunyeoneun) means “she,” “학교에” (hakgyoe) means “to school,” and “가요” (gayo) means “goes.” Here, the verb ending “-에” (-e) indicates the direction of the action (to school). The verb ending “-요” (-yo) is used to make the sentence polite.
Politeness Levels:
In Korean culture, politeness is highly valued, and the choice of verb endings reflects the level of politeness in declarative sentences. There are two main levels of politeness: formal and informal. Let’s examine an example for each:
Formal: “I am studying.”
Korean: “저는 공부하고 있습니다.” (Jeoneun gongbuhago issseumnida.)
In this formal sentence, “저는” (jeoneun) means “I,” “공부하고” (gongbuhago) means “am studying,” and “있습니다” (issseumnida) indicates the present tense. The verb ending “-습니다” (-seumnida) is used in formal speech to show respect and politeness.
Informal: “I am studying.”
Korean: “나는 공부하고 있어.” (Naneun gongbuhago isseo.)
In this informal sentence, “나는” (naneun) means “I,” “공부하고” (gongbuhago) means “am studying,” and “있어” (isseo) indicates the present tense. The verb ending “-어” (-eo) is used in casual speech between friends, family members, or people of the same age group.
Time Expressions:
When using declarative sentences to talk about time in Korean, the time expression usually comes at the beginning of the sentence. Let’s see an example:
English: “Tomorrow, I will meet my friends.”
Korean: “내일에 나는 친구들을 만날 거예요.” (Naeire naneun chingudeureul mannal geoyeyo.)
In this sentence, “내일에” (naeire) means “tomorrow,” “나는” (naneun) means “I,” “친구들을” (chingudeureul) means “my friends,” and “만날 거예요” (mannal geoyeyo) means “will meet.” The time expression “내일에” (naeire) sets the context for the action.
Sentence Endings:
In Korean declarative sentences, sentence endings can vary depending on the speaker’s intention or mood. Here are a few examples:
“~입니다” (~imnida): This ending is used to make a statement or provide information in a polite and formal manner. For example, “저는 학생입니다” (Jeoneun haksaengimnida) means “I am a student.”
“~이에요” (~ieyo): This ending is used to make a statement or provide information in a polite and informal manner. For example, “오늘은 날씨가 좋아요” (Oneureun nalssiga joayo) means “Today the weather is good.”
“~야” (~ya): This ending is used in casual speech among friends or peers. For example, “내일 학교에 안 가야” (Naeil hakgyoe an gaya) means “I’m not going to school tomorrow.”
By understanding the basic structure, verb conjugation, politeness levels, time expressions, and sentence endings, you can begin to form Korean declarative sentences. Remember that practice is key to becoming proficient in any language, so make sure to practice constructing declarative sentences with various vocabulary and grammar patterns to improve your Korean skills.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“저는 친구를 _.” (Jeoneun chingureul )
a) 만났어요 (mannasseoyo)
b) 만날 거예요 (mannal geoyeyo)
c) 만났어 (mannasseo)
d) 만날 거예 (mannal geoye)
Answer: b) 만날 거예요 (mannal geoyeyo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “만나다” (mannada) meaning “to meet” is used in the future tense to indicate a future action. The correct ending for a future declarative sentence is “-ㄹ 거예요” (“-l geoyeyo”), making option b) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “저는 친구를 만날 거예요” (Jeoneun chingureul mannal geoyeyo), meaning “I will meet my friend.”
Exercise 2:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“오늘은 날씨가 _.” (Oneureun nalssiga )
a) 좋아 (joa)
b) 좋습니다 (joahseumnida)
c) 좋아요 (joayo)
d) 좋을 거예요 (jo-eul geoyeyo)
Answer: c) 좋아요 (joayo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the adjective “좋다” (johta) meaning “good” is used to describe the weather. The correct ending for a declarative sentence in the present tense is “-아요” (“-ayo”), making option c) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “오늘은 날씨가 좋아요” (Oneureun nalssiga joayo), meaning “Today the weather is good.”
Exercise 3:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“나는 학생 .” (Naneun haksaeng )
a) 이다 (ida)
b) 입니다 (imnida)
c) 을 거예요 (eul geoyeyo)
d) 이에요 (ieyo)
Answer: b) 입니다 (imnida)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “이다” (ida) meaning “to be” is used to state that the speaker is a student. The correct ending for a formal declarative sentence is “-입니다” (“-imnida”), making option b) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “나는 학생입니다” (Naneun haksaengimnida), meaning “I am a student.”
Exercise 4:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“내일에 우리는 영화를 .” (Naeire urineun yeonghwareul )
a) 볼 거예요 (bol geoyeyo)
b) 봐 (bwa)
c) 볼 거야 (bol geoya)
d) 봐요 (bwayo)
Answer: a) 볼 거예요 (bol geoyeyo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “보다” (boda) meaning “to watch” is used in the future tense to indicate a future action. The correct ending for a future declarative sentence is “-ㄹ 거예요” (“-l geoyeyo”), making option a) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “내일에 우리는 영화를 볼 거예요” (Naeire urineun yeonghwareul bol geoyeyo), meaning “Tomorrow, we will watch a movie.”
Exercise 5:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“오늘은 공원에 _.” (Oneureun gongwone )
a) 갈 거예요 (gal geoyeyo)
b) 가요 (gayo)
c) 갑니다 (gamnida)
d) 가 (ga)
Answer: b) 가요 (gayo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “가다” (gada) meaning “to go” is used in the present tense to indicate the action of going to the park. The correct ending for a declarative sentence in the present tense is “-가요” (“-gayo”), making option b) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “오늘은 공원에 가요” (Oneureun gongwone gayo), meaning “Today, I am going to the park.”
Exercise 6:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“내일은 내 생일 _.” (Naeireun nae saeng-il )
a) 이에요 (ieyo)
b) 이다 (ida)
c) 이에 (ie)
d) 입니다 (imnida)
Answer: a) 이에요 (ieyo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “이다” (ida) meaning “to be” is used to state that tomorrow is the speaker’s birthday. The correct ending for a declarative sentence is “-이에요” (“-ieyo”), making option a) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “내일은 내 생일 이에요” (Naeireun nae saeng-il ieyo), meaning “Tomorrow is my birthday.”
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“나는 밥을 .” (Naneun bapeul )
a) 먹었어 (meogeosseo)
b) 먹었어요 (meogeosseoyo)
c) 먹어 (meogeo)
d) 먹어요 (meogeoyo)
Answer: b) 먹었어요 (meogeosseoyo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “먹다” (meokda) meaning “to eat” is used in the past tense to indicate a completed action. The correct ending for a past tense declarative sentence is “-었어요” (“-eosseoyo”), making option b) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “나는 밥을 먹었어요” (Naneun bapeul meogeosseoyo), meaning “I ate rice.”
Exercise 8:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“이 영화는 너무 .” (I yeonghwaneun neomu )
a) 재미있어 (jaemiisseo)
b) 재미있다 (jaemiitta)
c) 재미있어요 (jaemiisseoyo)
d) 재미있을 거예요 (jaemiisseul geoyeyo)
Answer: c) 재미있어요 (jaemiisseoyo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the adjective “재미있다” (jaemiitta) meaning “interesting” is used to describe the movie. The correct ending for a declarative sentence is “-있어요” (“-isseoyo”), making option c) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “이 영화는 너무 재미있어요” (I yeonghwaneun neomu jaemiisseoyo), meaning “This movie is very interesting.”
Exercise 9:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“내일 아침에 나는 일찍 .” (Naeil achime naneun iljjik )
a) 일어날 거예요 (ireonal geoyeyo)
b) 일어나 (ireona)
c) 일어납니다 (ireonamnida)
d) 일어날 거야 (ireonal geoya)
Answer: a) 일어날 거예요 (ireonal geoyeyo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the verb “일어나다” (ireonada) meaning “to wake up” is used in the future tense to indicate a future action. The correct ending for a future declarative sentence is “-ㄹ 거예요” (“-l geoyeyo”), making option a) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “내일 아침에 나는 일찍 일어날 거예요” (Naeil achime naneun iljjik ireonal geoyeyo), meaning “Tomorrow morning, I will wake up early.”
Exercise 10:
Choose the correct ending for the following sentence:
“오늘은 날씨가 .” (Oneureun nalssiga )
a) 나빠 (nappa)
b) 나빕니다 (nappamnida)
c) 나빠요 (nappayo)
d) 나빌 거예요 (nabil geoyeyo)
Answer: c) 나빠요 (nappayo)
Explanation: In the given sentence, the adjective “나빠” (nappa) meaning “bad” is used to describe the weather. The correct ending for a declarative sentence in the present tense is “-아요” (“-ayo”), making option c) the correct answer. Therefore, the correct sentence is “오늘은 날씨가 나빠요” (Oneureun nalssiga nappayo), meaning “Today the weather is bad.”
Originally posted 2023-07-19 16:30:49.