Present Tense

Formal Polite Conjugation

Used in official settings or when speaking to strangers, elders, or someone of higher status.

Conjugation: -습니다 / -ㅂ니다

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹습니다 (I eat)
  • 가다 (to go) → 갑니다 (I go)
  • 하다 (to do) → 합니다 (I do)

Informal Polite Conjugation

Used in everyday conversations; polite but less formal.

Conjugation: -아요 / -어요 / -해요

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹어요 (I eat)
  • 가다 (to go) → 가요 (I go)
  • 하다 (to do) → 해요 (I do)

Past Tense

Formal Polite Conjugation

Used to indicate that an action has been completed in a respectful and formal way.

Conjugation: -았습니다 / -었습니다 / -했습니다

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹었습니다 (I ate)
  • 가다 (to go) → 갔습니다 (I went)
  • 하다 (to do) → 했습니다 (I did)

Informal Polite Conjugation

Used to describe past actions in a polite but casual way.

Conjugation: -았어요 / -었어요 / -했어요

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹었어요 (I ate)
  • 가다 (to go) → 갔어요 (I went)
  • 하다 (to do) → 했어요 (I did)

Future Tense

Formal Polite Conjugation

Indicates a future action or intention in a respectful and formal context.

Conjugation: -(으)ㄹ 겁니다

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 겁니다 (I will eat)
  • 가다 (to go) → 갈 겁니다 (I will go)
  • 하다 (to do) → 할 겁니다 (I will do)

Informal Polite Conjugation

Used for describing future actions or intentions in everyday conversation.

Conjugation: -(으)ㄹ 거예요

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹을 거예요 (I will eat)
  • 가다 (to go) → 갈 거예요 (I will go)
  • 하다 (to do) → 할 거예요 (I will do)

Present Progressive

Formal Polite Conjugation

Used to express an ongoing action formally and respectfully.

Conjugation: -고 있습니다

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹고 있습니다 (I am eating)
  • 가다 (to go) → 가고 있습니다 (I am going)
  • 하다 (to do) → 하고 있습니다 (I am doing)

Informal Polite Conjugation

Used to describe an action that is currently ongoing, in a casual but polite manner.

Conjugation: -고 있어요

Examples:

  • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹고 있어요 (I am eating)
  • 가다 (to go) → 가고 있어요 (I am going)
  • 하다 (to do) → 하고 있어요 (I am doing)

Formal vs Informal Polite Summary

Here is a summary table of the Korean verb conjugations we covered:

Tense Level Korean Conjugation Meaning in English
Present Tense Formal Polite 먹습니다 I eat
Present Tense Informal Polite 먹어요 I eat
Past Tense Formal Polite 먹었습니다 I ate
Past Tense Informal Polite 먹었어요 I ate
Future Tense Formal Polite 먹을 겁니다 I will eat
Future Tense Informal Polite 먹을 거예요 I will eat
Present Progressive Formal Polite 먹고 있습니다 I am eating
Present Progressive Informal Polite 먹고 있어요 I am eating

Understanding "겠습니다" vs "것입니다" in Future Tense

Both "겠습니다" and "것입니다" express future actions, but they differ in formality and nuance:

  • 겠습니다: Highly formal, expresses intent or promise. Example: 가겠습니다 (I will go).
  • 것입니다: Formal, descriptive of a future event. Example: 갈 것입니다 (I am planning to go).

Key Differences: "겠습니다" vs "것입니다"

"겠습니다" indicates strong determination or a promise. It is used in formal meetings or business situations.

"것입니다" describes a future event in a neutral, explanatory way, often used in presentations or formal statements.

Formality and Context Summary

  • Use "겠습니다" when making a promise or expressing strong determination formally.
  • Use "것입니다" to describe a future event or plan in a neutral, formal setting.
  • Examples:
  • 가겠습니다 - "I will definitely go." (Determined promise)
  • 갈 것입니다 - "I am planning to go." (Neutral description)