Grammar · Tense

-아요 / -어요, the polite present

Pattern

[stem] + 아요 / 어요 · 하다 → 해요

If the last vowel of the stem is ㅏ or ㅗ, add 아요 (살다 → 살아요); anything else takes 어요 (먹다 → 먹어요). 하다 always becomes 해요. When the stem ends in a vowel the two vowels merge: 가다 → 가요, 오다 → 와요, 마시다 → 마셔요. The same form is a statement, a question with rising intonation, and a mild suggestion.

The mistake to avoid

Forgetting the merge gives 가아요 or 마시어요, which nobody says. The contracted forms are the only natural ones.

Examples

Romanisation help

저는 서울에 살아요.

jeoneun seoure sarayo.

I live in Seoul.

뭐 먹어요?

mwo meogeoyo?

What are you eating?

매일 한국어를 공부해요.

maeil hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.

I study Korean every day.

친구가 한국어를 가르쳐요.

chinguga hangugeoreul gareuchyeoyo.

My friend teaches Korean.