Present Tense 아/어/여요 (Informal Polite)

Korean verbs and adjectives always end in 다 in the dictionary. To use them in a sentence, you must change that ending. This process is called conjugation. The 아/어/여요 ending tells us two things. First, the action is happening now (present tense). Second, you are being polite to the listener. It is like adding a 'please' or 'sir/ma'am' vibe without being stiff. The magic happens by looking at the last vowel of the word stem. The stem is what remains when you drop the 다. For example, in 가다 (to go), the stem is 가. In 먹다 (to eat), the stem is 먹. The vowel in that stem decides which ending you pick. It is a bit like matching your socks. You want the colors to harmonize.

1. 1Conjugating is a simple three-step dance.
2. 2Drop the 다 from the dictionary form to find the stem.
3. 3Look at the last vowel in the stem.
4. 4Apply the matching rule based on that vowel.
5. 5Rule A: If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, add 아요.
6. 6For example, 살다 (to live) becomes 살아요. If the stem ends in a vowel, they often merge. 가다 + 아요 becomes 가요, not 가아요.
7. 7Rule B: If the last vowel is anything else (ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅣ, etc.), add 어요.
8. 8For example, 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹어요. If the stem ends in ㅣ, it merges into ㅕ. 마시다 (to drink) becomes 마셔요.
9. 9Rule C: If the verb ends in 하다, it always becomes 해요.
10. 10This is the easiest rule to remember. 공부하다 (to study) becomes 공부해요.

You will use this pattern in about 90% of your daily life. It is perfect for ordering food at a busy restaurant. You can use it when asking for directions to the nearest subway. It is the standard way to talk to classmates at university. Use it when speaking to your boss in a relaxed office. It is great for social media captions or texting new friends. Even when talking to your parents, this level is very common. It shows you are a well-mannered person. It bridges the gap between being a robot and being too casual.

There are a few times when this 'jeans' style is too casual. Do not use it in a formal job interview. For that, you need the 'suit and tie' style (습니다). Avoid using it in military settings or news broadcasts. On the flip side, do not use it with very close friends. Using 요 with your best friend might sound a bit distant. It is like calling your brother 'Mr. Smith' at the dinner table. Also, avoid it when speaking to yourself in a diary. For that, Koreans use a different 'plain' style.

Don't worry, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! The biggest trip-up is the 하다 verbs. Some learners try to say 하아요, but it must be 해요. Another common mistake is forgetting the vowel merge. Saying 보아요 is technically okay, but everyone says 봐요. It sounds more natural and fluid. Watch out for the ㅡ vowel too. In words like 쓰다 (to write), the ㅡ usually disappears. It becomes 써요. If you forget to add the 요, you are speaking 'Banmal' (casual talk). Doing this to a stranger might get you some confused looks! Think of the 요 as your politeness shield.

You might see 습니다 in your textbook first. That is the 'Formal Polite' style. It sounds like a news anchor or a soldier. It is very stiff for a coffee shop. Then there is 아/어 (without the 요). This is 'Banmal'. It is only for people you are very close with or younger than you. If 아/어/여요 is a nice polo shirt, 습니다 is a tuxedo, and 아/어 is a tank top. Most of the time, the polo shirt is the perfect choice.