Grammar · Verb endings

-다, the dictionary form and the stem

Pattern

[stem] + 다

Every verb and descriptive verb is listed in the dictionary ending in 다: 먹다, 가다, 크다. Take away 다 and what is left is the stem (먹, 가, 크), and every ending in this list attaches to the stem. The dictionary form itself is almost never said in conversation.

The mistake to avoid

Do not say 먹다 to mean 'I eat'. A sentence needs an ending, and for everyday speech that is -아요/-어요.

Examples

Romanisation help

먹다 → 먹어요

meokda → meogeoyo

to eat → I eat

가다 → 가요

gada → gayo

to go → I go

공부하다 → 공부해요

gongbuhada → gongbuhaeyo

to study → I study

마시다 → 마셔요

masida → masyeoyo

to drink → I drink