Korean Grammar Basic #13 – How to Use “-아요 / -어요 / -여요” (Present Tense)
- Lee Serene
- Oct 24, 2025
- 3 min read
1️⃣ Introduction
In Korean, verbs and adjectives always end with -다 in the dictionary (basic) form.
For example:
가다 (to go), 먹다 (to eat), 하다 (to do)
To make them speakable, we remove -다 and attach the right ending (-아요 / -어요 / -여요)based on the last vowel in the verb stem. This is called conjugation (활용) — it changes the verb form depending on tense or context.
2️⃣ Grammar Explanation
🔹 아요 / -어요 / -여요 (Present Tense)
The “-다” ending is not pronounced in conversation. To make them speakable, we remove -다 and attach the right ending (-아요 / -어요 / -여요) based on the last vowel in the verb stem. This is called conjugation (활용) — it changes the verb form depending on tense or context.
You always cut it off first, then attach the new ending according to the last vowel.
Stem vowel | Ending | Example | Meaning |
ㅏ or ㅗ | -아요 | 가요 (ga-yo) | I go / I’m going |
Other vowels | -어요 | 먹어요 (meo-geo-yo) | I eat / I’m eating |
하다 verbs | -여요 | 해요 (hae-yo) | I do / I’m doing |
Let’s see how dictionary verbs turn into present tense:
가다 → remove 다 → 가 + 요 → 가요 (ga-yo) → I go.
먹다 → remove 다 → 먹 + 어요 → 먹어요 (meo-geo-yo) → I eat.
하다 → remove 다 → 하 + 여요 → 해요 (hae-yo) → I
In modern Korean, ㅏ (a) + ㅕ (yeo) merges into ㅐ (ae) →하여요 → 해요 (hae-yo)
Usage
The Korean “present tense” actually means current, habitual, or general actions —
not just something happening right now.
Usage | Example | Translation |
Current action | 저는 밥을 먹어요. | I’m eating (right now). |
Habitual action | 저는 매일 커피를 마셔요. | I drink coffee every day. |
General truth | 한국은 겨울에 추워요. | Korea is cold in winter. |
Example Sentences
저는 학교에 가요. (jeo-neun hak-gyo-e ga-yo)
→ I go to school.
매일 아침 커피를 마셔요. (mae-il a-chim keo-pi-reul ma-syeo-yo)
→ I drink coffee every morning.
오늘은 운동해요. (o-neu-reun un-dong-hae-yo)
→ I work out today.
친구가 노래를 불러요. (chin-gu-ga no-rae-reul bul-leo-yo)
→ My friend sings a song.
한국어를 공부해요. (han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu-hae-yo)
→ I study Korean.
3️⃣ Mini Practice
Fill in the blanks.
1️⃣ 먹다 → 오늘 점심을 ______.
(I eat lunch today.)
2️⃣ 가다 → 내일 학교에 ______.
(I go to school tomorrow.)
3️⃣ 하다 → 숙제를 ______.
(I do homework.)
4️⃣ 마시다 → 커피를 자주 ______.
(I often drink coffee.)
5️⃣ 보다 → 영화를 자주 ______.
(I often watch movies.)
Answers
1️⃣ 먹어요 → 오늘 점심을 먹어요.
Why: The dictionary form is 먹다.
Remove -다 → 먹 and attach the present ending.
Since the stem vowel isn’t ㅏ/ㅗ, use -어요
→ 먹어요.Rule: stems with vowels other than ㅏ/ㅗ take -어요.
2️⃣ 가요 → 내일 학교에 가요.
Why: The dictionary form is 가다.
Remove -다 → 가 and attach the present ending.
The stem vowel is ㅏ, so use -아요
→ 가요 (not 가아요; the two vowels contract naturally).
Rule: stems with ㅏ/ㅗ take -아요; vowel contraction yields 가요.
3️⃣ 해요 → 숙제를 해요.
Why: The dictionary form is 하다. “하-” verbs do not take -어요/-아요 directly;
they use -여요, and 하 + 여요 contracts to 해요.
Rule: 하다 → 해요 (special 하다-pattern; see box below).
4️⃣ 마셔요 → 커피를 자주 마셔요.
Why: The dictionary form is 마시다.
Remove -다 → 마시. The stem vowel isn’t ㅏ/ㅗ, so use -어요 → 마시어요
→ natural contraction 마셔요 (si+eo → syeo).
Rule: -시어요 → -셔요 contraction is regular.
5️⃣ 봐요 → 영화를 자주 봐요.
Why: The dictionary form is 보다.
Remove -다 → 보. Stem vowel ㅗ → use -아요.
보아요 contracts to 봐요 (o+a → wa).
Vocabulary Check
Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
먹다 | (meok-da) | to eat |
가다 | (ga-da) | to go |
하다 | (ha-da) | to do |
마시다 | (ma-si-da) | to drink |
보다 | (bo-da) | to see / to watch |
Summary
Grammar | Function | Example | Meaning |
-아요 | Present tense (ㅏ/ㅗ verbs) | 가+아요=가요 | I go / I’m going |
-어요 | Present tense (other vowels) | 먹+어요=먹어요 | I eat / I’m eating |
-여요 | Present tense (하다 verbs) | 공부하+여요=공부해요 | I study / I’m studying |
Korean verbs end with “-다” in the dictionary.
Remove “-다” before attaching tense or grammar endings.
The present tense (-아요 / -어요 / -여요) covers both present and habitual actions.
📂 Download Practice File
Review and complete more examples in your free worksheet:
📥 Download your “-아요 / -어요 / -여요 ” Grammar Practice Sheet
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