Irregular ㅎ Verbs

This rule triggers when a word ending in ㅎ meets a vowel. But it doesn't just disappear. It often drags the vowel next to it into a transformation. There are two main scenarios you need to watch out for. First, when it meets endings like -아/어. Second, when it meets endings starting with -ㄴ, -ㄹ, or -ㅁ. In the first case, the ㅎ vanishes and the stem vowel changes (usually to ㅐ or ㅒ). In the second case, the ㅎ just disappears to make room for the new ending. It’s like a grammar makeover. You start with 노랗다, and suddenly you have 노래요. It looks different, but it’s the same old yellow you know and love.

1. 1Let’s break this down into simple steps so you can build these yourself.
2. 2When meeting -아/어 (Present Tense/Polite):
3. 3Drop the 다 to get the stem: 빨갛-.
4. 4Drop the ㅎ: 빨가-.
5. 5Change the vowel to ㅐ (or ㅒ if it was ㅑ): 빨개-.
6. 6Add 요: 빨개요.
7. 7When meeting -ㄴ/은 (Describing a Noun):
8. 8Drop the 다: 노랗-.
9. 9Drop the ㅎ: 노라-.
10. 10Add ㄴ directly to the bottom: 노란.
11. 11Example: 노란 우산 (Yellow umbrella).
12. 12When meeting -(으)면 (If/When):
13. 13Drop the 다: 하얗-.
14. 14Drop the ㅎ: 하야-.
15. 15Add 면 (skip the 으 entirely): 하야면.
16. 16Example: 눈이 하야면 예뻐요 (If the snow is white, it's pretty).

You’ll use this mostly with colors and "pointing" words. If you are at a mall and want a different color, you'll need this. "Do you have this in 까만색 (black)?" or "This one is too 빨개요 (red)." It’s also vital for daily conversation words like 어떻다 (how) and 그렇다 (to be so). When you ask 어때요? (How is it?), you are using this irregular rule! You're basically a pro already. Use it when describing things, expressing feelings about a situation, or just chatting about the weather. It makes your Korean sound natural and fluid, like you've lived in Seoul for years.

Here is the catch: not every word ending in ㅎ is a rebel. Some are perfectly well-behaved and follow the regular rules. These are usually action verbs. Words like 좋다 (to be good), 놓다 (to put), 넣다 (to put in), and 낳다 (to give birth) are regular. They keep their ㅎ no matter what. If you say 조아요, you're spelling it phonetically, but the ㅎ is still there in the grammar logic. Think of these as the "Old Guard" who refuse to change their ways. Also, don't apply this to words that don't end in ㅎ. That sounds obvious, but when you're tired, grammar starts looking like alphabet soup.

The biggest trap is trying to be too regular. Beginners often try to say 노랗아요 or 빨갛어요. It sounds logical, but it’ll make native speakers tilt their heads. Another classic is forgetting the vowel change. 빨가요 is wrong; it must be 빨개요. Also, don't forget that the "good" verbs stay regular. Saying 조아요 (writing it that way) is a common texting habit, but in a test or formal letter, it's 좋아요. Yes, even native speakers mess this up in fast texts sometimes! Finally, don't drop the ㅎ when it's followed by a consonant like -고 or -지. 빨갛고 is correct, not 빨가고.

How does this differ from other irregulars? The ㅂ irregular (like 춥다 -> 추워요) changes to a 우. The ㅎ irregular is unique because it changes the existing vowel to something new like ㅐ. Compared to the ㄹ irregular (where the ㄹ just disappears), the ㅎ irregular is a bit more high-maintenance because of that vowel shift. It’s like the difference between a friend who just leaves the party (ㄹ) and a friend who insists everyone change into pajamas before they leave (ㅎ). Just remember: Colors = ㅎ Irregular. Most other common descriptives = check the dictionary!