Common Regular Verbs

Category
Basic Grammar
Premium
Keyword #
일반, 동사
Lesson
35

TL;DR

  • Regular verbs follow predictable conjugation patterns — learn the stem once, and you can use it with any ending! 🎯
  • To conjugate, drop -다 from the dictionary form to get the verb stem, then attach your chosen ending based on the stem's final vowel 🔧
  • These common verbs are your building blocks for everyday Korean conversation 💬

What Are Regular Verbs? 🤔

Regular verbs are verbs that follow standard, predictable conjugation rules ✨ Once you know the pattern, you can conjugate them confidently every single time! 🎉
Most Korean verbs are regular verbs, which is great news for learners 🙌

How to Find the Verb Stem 🔍

Every Korean verb in the dictionary ends with -다 📖
To get the stem, simply remove -다 ✂️
→ 가다 (to go) → 가 (stem)
→ 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 (stem)
→ 자다 (to sleep) → 자 (stem)
The stem is what you'll attach all your endings to! 🧩

Common Regular Verbs You'll Use Every Day 💯

Here are some super useful regular verbs to get started 🌟
Movement & Actions 🏃
→ 가다 - to go
→ 오다 - to come
→ 서다 - to stand
→ 앉다 - to sit
→ 걷다 - to walk
Daily Activities 🌅
→ 자다 - to sleep
→ 일어나다 - to wake up / get up
→ 씻다 - to wash
→ 입다 - to wear / put on (clothes)
Eating & Drinking 🍜
→ 먹다 - to eat
→ 마시다 - to drink
→ 요리하다 - to cook
Communication 💬
→ 말하다 - to speak
→ 듣다 - to listen / hear
→ 읽다 - to read
→ 쓰다 - to write
Learning & Thinking 🧠
→ 배우다 - to learn
→ 공부하다 - to study
→ 생각하다 - to think
→ 알다 - to know
Emotions & States 💖
→ 좋아하다 - to like
→ 사랑하다 - to love
→ 웃다 - to laugh
→ 울다 - to cry
Seeing & Watching 👀
→ 보다 - to see / watch
→ 찾다 - to look for / find
Everyday Actions ✨
→ 하다 - to do
→ 주다 - to give
→ 받다 - to receive
→ 사다 - to buy
→ 팔다 - to sell
→ 만들다 - to make
→ 열다 - to open
→ 닫다 - to close

How Regular Verbs Conjugate 🎨

Regular verbs follow consistent patterns based on whether the stem ends in a vowel or consonant 🎯
The two main conjugation patterns you'll see are ㅏ/ㅏ verbs and ㅓ/ㅕ verbs 🌈
Example with 가다 (to go):
→ 가 + 요 = 가요 (I go / polite present)
→ 가 + ㅆ어요 = 갔어요 (I went / polite past)
Example with 먹다 (to eat):
→ 먹 + 어요 = 먹어요 (I eat / polite present)
→ 먹 + 었어요 = 먹었어요 (I ate / polite past)
Once you master these patterns, you can conjugate hundreds of verbs! 🚀

Exceptions ⚠️

Most of the verbs listed above are truly regular and follow standard patterns 🎊
However, a few common verbs have slight irregularities when conjugated 🧐
→ 듣다 (to listen) - irregular ㄷ verb
→ 걷다 (to walk) - irregular ㄷ verb
→ 알다 (to know) - irregular ㄹ verb
These verbs will have their own conjugation lessons, so don't worry about them for now! 😊
For pure practice with regular verbs, stick with the others on this list 💪
 
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb form. 📝
 
  • 저는 매일 한국어를 __. (공부하다)
    • Answer
    공부해요
 
 
  • 친구가 저에게 전화를 __. (하다)
    • Answer
    해요
 
 
  • 우리는 주말에 영화를 __. (보다)
    • Answer
    봐요
 
 
  • 언니는 음악을 __. (듣다)
    • Answer
    들어요
 
 
  • 저는 아침에 커피를 __. (마시다)
    • Answer
    마셔요
 
 
  • 동생이 방을 __. (청소하다)
    • Answer
    청소해요
 
 
  • 우리 가족은 공원에서 __. (산책하다)
    • Answer
    산책해요
 
 
  • 저는 친구를 __. (만나다)
    • Answer
    만나요
 
 
  • 선생님은 학생들에게 한국어를 __. (가르치다)
    • Answer
    가르쳐요
 
 
  • 오빠는 회사에서 __. (일하다)
    • Answer
    일해요
 
Vocabulary
공부하다 - to study
전화 - phone call
하다 - to do
영화 - movie
보다 - to see, watch
음악 - music
듣다 - to listen
커피 - coffee
마시다 - to drink
방 - room
청소하다 - to clean
가족 - family
공원 - park
산책하다 - to take a walk
만나다 - to meet
선생님 - teacher
학생 - student
가르치다 - to teach
회사 - company
일하다 - to work
Common mistakes
  • 🚫 Forgetting to drop the 다 before adding 아요/어요/해요
  • ⚠️ Confusing 하다 verbs with regular verbs (하다 verbs use 해요, not 하어요)
  • 💡 Not applying vowel harmony correctly (ㅏ/ㅗ vowels take 아요, all others take 어요)
  • ❌ Adding 요 twice (해요요 is incorrect - it's just 해요)