아요/어요: The Informal Polite Verb Endings
아요/어요 are the most common verb endings in Korean, used to make verbs polite and informal. They are attached to verb stems to create present tense sentences.
Think of them as the "all-purpose" endings for daily conversations - they make your verbs polite enough for most situations while keeping the tone friendly and approachable.
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Where Do We Use It?
Daily Actions:
I eat rice.
밥을 먹어요.
Describing States:
I live in Seoul.
서울에 살아요.
Asking Questions:
Do you like coffee?
커피 좋아하세요?
Most Casual Situations:
Talking with friends, family, coworkers, and in everyday interactions.
Choosing Rule: Use 아요 when the verb stem has ㅏ or ㅗ (가아요 → 가요, 오아요 → 와요), and 어요 for all other vowels (먹어요, 있어요).
If a verb or an adjective ends with 하다, 하다 is changed to 해요.
Examples :-
Daily Activities:
1.
I eat breakfast.
아침을 먹어요.
2.
I go to school.
학교에 가요.
3.
I study Korean.
한국어를 공부해요.
4.
I watch TV.
TV를 봐요.
5.
I drink water.
물을 마셔요.
Describing States & Locations:
1.
I live in Busan.
부산에 살아요.
2.
I work at a company.
회사에서 일해요.
3.
I have a book.
책이 있어요.
4.
I'm at home now.
지금 집에 있어요.
5.
I like music.
음악을 좋아해요.
Questions & Requests:
1.
Do you eat kimchi?
김치 먹어요?
2.
Where do you go?
어디에 가요?
3.
What do you do?
뭐 해요?
4.
Please give me water.
물 주세요.
5.
Do you understand?
이해하세요?
Irregular Conjugations:
1.
I'm beautiful. (예쁘다)
예뻐요.
2.
I write. (쓰다)
써요.
3.
I'm hot. (덥다)
더워요.
4.
I walk. (걷다)
걸어요.
5.
I build/make. (짓다)
지어요.
(ㅅ drops: 짓다 → 지어요)
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