Polite Present (-아/어요)
-아/어요
-아/어요 is the polite informal present tense ending, the most commonly used verb form in everyday Korean.
Pattern
Verb stem + 아요 (after ㅏ/ㅗ) / 어요 (after other vowels) / 해요 (하다 verbs)
Explanation
The -아/어요 ending (해요체) is the polite informal verb form used in everyday conversation. It is the most practical and commonly used speech level in Korean. The choice between -아요 and -어요 depends on the last vowel of the verb stem.
If the verb stem's last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, use -아요: 가다 → 가요 (to go), 오다 → 와요 (to come). For all other vowels, use -어요: 먹다 → 먹어요 (to eat), 마시다 → 마셔요 (to drink). Verbs ending in 하다 always become 해요: 공부하다 → 공부해요.
Vowel contraction is common: 가 + 아요 → 가요, 오 + 아요 → 와요, 마시 + 어요 → 마셔요. These contractions become natural with practice. The -아/어요 form can express present tense, habitual actions, and future intentions depending on context.
Examples
학교에 가요.
Hakgyo-e gayo.
I go to school.
밥을 먹어요.
Bab-eul meogeoyo.
I eat rice.
한국어를 공부해요.
Hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo.
I study Korean.
매일 운동해요.
Maeil undonghaeyo.
I exercise every day.
음악을 들어요.
Eumag-eul deureoyo.
I listen to music.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
먹아요.
Correct
먹어요.
The last vowel of 먹 is ㅓ, not ㅏ or ㅗ, so use -어요.
Wrong
공부하어요.
Correct
공부해요.
하다 verbs always contract to 해요, not 하어요.
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