ㅡ Irregular Conjugation (ㅡ 불규칙)

Conjugation & Pattern

• Step 1: Drop 'ㅡ' when a stem ending in 'ㅡ' meets '-아/어요' or '-았/었어요'.
• Step 2: Check the vowel of the preceding syllable: if it is ㅏ or ㅗ, add -아요 (바쁘다 -> 바빠요, 배고프다 -> 배고파요); otherwise (or for 1-syllable stems), add -어요 (쓰다 -> 써요, 크다 -> 커요, 예쁘다 -> 예뻐요).

Detailed Usage

Applies to almost all verbs and adjectives whose stem ends in 'ㅡ' (e.g., 쓰다, 크다, 예쁘다, 바쁘다, 아프다, 고프다, 기쁘다, 나쁘다, 끄다) before endings starting with -아/어.

Example Sentences

1. 1

   요즘 회사 일이 많아서 아주 바빠요.

   Yojeum hoesa iri manaseo aju bappayo.

   I am very busy lately because there is a lot of work at the office.

2. 2

   이 가방이 정말 예뻐요.

   I gabangi jeongmal yeppeoyo.

   This bag is really pretty.

3. 3

   아침을 안 먹어서 배가 고파요.

   Achimeul an meogeoseo baega gopayo.

   I am hungry because I didn't eat breakfast.