-었-Korean pre-final ending · TOPIK 1
-eot-
One pre-final ending with 3 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
An ending of a word used to indicate that an event happened in the past.
사건이 과거에 일어났음을 나타내는 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다 or verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ, and before another ending.
‘이다’, 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에, 다른 어미 앞에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 어렸을 때부터 참 예뻤다.
Jisu was really pretty even when she was little.
하루 종일 걸었더니 무척 피곤하다.
I walked all day, so I'm extremely tired.
어제 술을 너무 많이 마셨는지 머리가 아프다.
My head hurts, maybe because I drank too much yesterday.
대화In conversation
어제 본 영화는 재미있었어?
Was the movie you saw yesterday interesting?
여자 주인공이 죽어서 너무 슬펐어.
It was so sad because the female lead died.
An ending of a word used to indicate that an event was completed in the past or its result continues in the present.
어떤 사건이 과거에 완료되었거나 그 사건의 결과가 현재까지 지속되는 상황을 나타내는 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ, and before another ending.
끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에, 다른 어미 앞에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
작년 봄에 벚꽃이 활짝 피었다.
Last spring the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.
나는 뜨거운 햇살을 피하기 위해 모자를 썼다.
I put on a hat to avoid the hot sunlight.
지수는 방을 너무 어질렀다고 아버지께 꾸중을 들었다.
Jisu was scolded by her father for making the room such a mess.
대화In conversation
엄마, 여기 있던 제 책을 못 보셨어요?
Mom, have you seen my book that was here?
그 책은 내가 아까 네 책상 위에 가져다 뒀다.
I put that book on your desk earlier.
A ending of a word used to assertively state that the future event will be like that.
미래의 일을 그럴 것이라고 단정하여 말할 때 쓰는 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ, and before another ending.
끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에, 다른 어미 앞에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
벌써 두 번째 홍수야. 올해 농사는 다 지었군.
This is already the second flood. This year's crops are done for.
이렇게 열심히 공부하는 걸 보니 이번엔 시험에 붙었네, 붙었어.
Seeing how hard you're studying, you've definitely passed the exam this time.
그렇게 매일 놀기만 하니 너는 틀림없이 시험에 떨어졌어.
Playing around every day like that, you've surely failed the exam.
대화In conversation
어떡해. 숙제를 까먹고 안 했어.
Oh no. I forgot to do my homework.
선생님 오시면 넌 이제 죽었다.
Once the teacher comes, you're dead.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other pre-final endings you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -었- mean in Korean?
-었- is a pre-final ending introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). An ending of a word used to indicate that an event happened in the past. It has 3 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -었-?
Attaches after the copula 이다 or verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ, and before another ending. The other shape is -았-, -였- — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -었- and -았-?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same pre-final 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 -었-?
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.