-어Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 1

-eo

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to describe a certain fact, ask a question, give an order, or advise.

형태Forms

-어-아-여-야-어요-아요-여요-에요

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to describe a certain fact, ask a question, give an order, or advise.

(두루낮춤으로) 어떤 사실을 서술하거나 물음, 명령, 권유를 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ or the honorific -으시-.

끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 또는 '-으시-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

지수야, 뭘 먹어?

Jisu, what are you eating?

영수 딸은 정말 예뻐.

Yeongsu's daughter is really pretty.

노래가 다 끝나면 촛불을 불어.

When the song ends, blow out the candles.

대화In conversation

저 너무 배고파서 더 이상 못 참겠어요.

I'm so hungry I can't take it anymore.

잠깐만 더 기다리고 있어. 이제 준비가 다 되었어.

Just wait a little longer. Everything's ready now.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-고 -go -고요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending usually used when answering, omitting the question that should follow and finishing the… TOPIK 1 -습니까 -seupnikka -ㅂ니까 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used when the speaker asks the listener politely. TOPIK 1 -습니다 -seupnida -ㅂ니다 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to explain the present action, state, or fact politely. TOPIK 1 -으세요 -euseyo -세요. -으셔요 · -셔요 · -으시어요 (informal addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to describe, ask a question, order, and request. TOPIK 1 -으십시오 -eusipsio -십시오 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to politely order or request the listener to do something. TOPIK 1 -을까 -eulkka -ㄹ까 · 을까요 · -ㄹ까요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a question or assumption about something. TOPIK 1

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -어 mean in Korean?

-어 is a sentence ending introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to describe a certain fact, ask a question, give an order, or advise.

When do you use -어?

Attaches after verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -아, -여, -야, -어요, -아요, -여요, -에요 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -어 and -아?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same sentence ending, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -어?

1급 — TOPIK 1, beginner. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.