Step 03 · Build a sentence
How Korean sentences work: your first simple sentences
See how Korean word order differs from English, meet two useful particles, and make a short introduction with a pattern you can reuse.
Start by finding the action
In a basic English sentence, the action often comes in the middle: “I drink water.” In a basic Korean sentence, the verb normally comes at the end.
I drink water.
저는 · I / as for me
물을 · water, marked as the object
마셔요 · drink
The order here is roughly I + water + drink. Focus on this pattern before trying to rearrange every English sentence word for word.
Look near the end of the sentence for the verb or expression that completes the thought. Korean word order has flexibility, but verb-final order is a reliable starting point.
Small endings show a word’s role
A particle is a small piece attached to a word to show how that word is being used in the sentence. English often relies more on word order; Korean gives you these extra clues.
은 / 는 introduces the topic
저 is a polite or humble word for “I.” Add 는 to introduce yourself as the topic: 저는, approximately “as for me.” Use 은 after a final consonant and 는 after a vowel.
을 / 를 marks the object
The object is the thing an action affects. In “I drink water,” water is the object. 물 ends with a consonant, so it takes 을: 물을. After a vowel, use 를, as in 커피를 (“coffee,” as an object).
| Word ending | Topic | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Final consonant | 은 | 을 |
| Vowel | 는 | 를 |
These particles do not translate neatly into one English word. Learn their job in a sentence. You will also meet subject particles 이/가 later; they are related to sentence roles, but they are not interchangeable with topic particles in every situation.
Introduce yourself with a noun
To say “I am…” with a noun, a useful polite pattern is:
저는 + noun + 이에요 / 예요.
Use 이에요 after a noun ending in a consonant. Use 예요 after a noun ending in a vowel.
I’m a student.
학생 ends with a consonant, so it takes 이에요.
I’m Anna.
The written name 안나 ends in a vowel, so it takes 예요. Choose the ending from the Korean spelling of the name.
Notice that the noun and 이에요/예요 are written together. This pattern identifies someone or something; it is not a replacement for every English use of “am,” “is,” or “are.” For example, describing a feeling needs a different expression.
Turn a simple statement into a question
In polite conversational Korean, a question can use the same basic wording as a statement, with question intonation and a question mark in writing.
학생이에요.
“[I / they / this person] am / is a student,” depending on context.
학생이에요?
“Are you a student?” in a conversation where you are asking about the listener.
Korean often leaves out a subject or topic when it is clear from the situation. This does not mean the sentence has no meaning; the conversation provides the missing information.
English uses “you” very often. Korean may leave it out or use a name or title instead. Avoid inserting a dictionary translation of “you” into every sentence.
A common ending mistake
After learning 예요, it is tempting to use it after every noun. Check the final sound of the noun in its Korean spelling first.
Needs correction: 학생예요.
Correct for this pattern: 학생이에요.
학생 ends in a consonant, so it takes 이에요. By contrast, 의사 (“doctor”) ends in a vowel: 의사예요.
Write a pair of your own noun examples and explain why each ending is different.
Make the pattern your own
Choose 이에요 or 예요
1. 저는 학생____. (I’m a student.)
2. 저는 민수____. (I’m Minsu.)
Show the answers
1. 학생이에요: 학생 has a final consonant.
2. 민수예요: 민수 ends in a vowel.
Find the object and the action
저는 커피를 마셔요.
Check your understanding
커피를 is “coffee” marked as the object. 마셔요 is “drink,” at the end. The sentence means “I drink coffee.”
Write a short introduction using your name in Hangul if you know its spelling. Then check its final letter before choosing 이에요 or 예요. You have used a grammar rule to make a sentence, rather than just memorising one.
Your next small step
Polite Korean and everyday etiquette: a beginner’s guide