100 Korean Verbs: The 7 Bold Lessons I Learned the Hard Way
You’ve started learning Korean, and maybe you’re feeling it—that initial rush of excitement mixed with a bit of overwhelm.
The alphabet, Hangul, was a breeze, right?
It’s logical, it’s beautiful, it’s… manageable.
But then you hit the verbs.
Suddenly, the simplicity seems to vanish, replaced by a maze of endings, politeness levels, and tricky conjugations.
I know the feeling. I was there myself, staring at a list of verbs that felt less like building blocks and more like a tower of Babel.
For a long time, I just memorized them like a robot, and guess what? I forgot them just as fast.
It wasn't until I stopped trying to brute-force my way through and started thinking like a native speaker—using context, story, and even a little bit of playful imagination—that everything changed.
This isn't your standard, dry textbook list.
This is a guide forged in the trenches of real-world language learning, full of the tricks, tips, and hard-won wisdom that will help you not just memorize, but truly master, your first 100 **Korean verbs**.
Let's dive in and build a foundation that won't crumble.
Section 1: The Core 20 Verbs You Need Right Now
Forget trying to learn all 100 **Korean verbs** at once.
That's like trying to build a house by piling all the bricks in a heap.
The secret is to start with the foundational bricks, the ones that get the most use in daily conversation.
These aren't just random words; they're the verbs that unlock countless sentences and expressions.
I call them the "Essential 20," and they're the difference between struggling to form a single thought and actually having a basic conversation.
My biggest mistake early on was prioritizing the verbs I thought were cool, like "to fly" (날다) or "to sing" (노래하다), over the truly essential ones.
When I finally got practical, I realized verbs like "to eat" (먹다) or "to go" (가다) were a hundred times more useful.
Let’s start with these.
Lesson #1: Start with "To Be" and "To Have"
These are the absolute bedrock of any language.
In Korean, we have 있다 (to exist/to have) and 없다 (to not exist/to not have).
These aren't just state-of-being verbs; they're used in countless idiomatic expressions.
Think about how you'd say "I have a book" (책이 있어요) or "I don't have time" (시간이 없어요).
These two verbs alone can get you out of a lot of jams and are the first ones I recommend every single student masters.
Don't just memorize the dictionary form (-다); practice saying "있어요" and "없어요" out loud until they feel as natural as breathing.
It’s all about muscle memory, not just brain memory.
Lesson #2: The Big 4 of Movement
These are the verbs that describe basic motion: 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), 하다 (to do), and 보다 (to see).
This is where you start to see how **Korean verbs** connect to everything else.
보다 isn't just "to see," it's also "to watch" (like a movie: 영화를 보다) and "to try something out" (like food: 먹어 보다).
하다 is a magical verb, the Swiss Army knife of Korean.
It turns nouns into verbs, like 공부 (study) + 하다 = 공부하다 (to study).
Mastering these four will allow you to describe nearly every action in your daily life, from going to school to doing homework to watching TV.
Lesson #3: The Core 20 You Can’t Live Without
Here’s a quick list of the first verbs you should tackle after the bedrock ones.
I've included both the plain form (-다) and the polite, casual form (-요) so you can start using them immediately.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹어요
- 마시다 (to drink) → 마셔요
- 자다 (to sleep) → 자요
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽어요
- 쓰다 (to write/to use) → 써요
- 듣다 (to listen) → 들어요 (this one is irregular, a fun first challenge!)
- 말하다 (to speak) → 말해요
- 알다 (to know) → 알아요
- 모르다 (to not know) → 몰라요
- 사다 (to buy) → 사요
- 팔다 (to sell) → 팔아요
- 만나다 (to meet) → 만나요
- 배우다 (to learn) → 배워요
- 가르치다 (to teach) → 가르쳐요
- 일하다 (to work) → 일해요
- 공부하다 (to study) → 공부해요
- 좋아하다 (to like) → 좋아해요
- 싫어하다 (to dislike) → 싫어해요
Practice saying them out loud, one by one, until the sound feels right on your tongue.
Section 2: The Art of Mnemonics for Korean Verbs
Let's be real: rote memorization is boring and ineffective.
Your brain learns through association, not repetition.
When I was learning, I had this massive breakthrough when I started using crazy, ridiculous stories and mental pictures to remember the verbs.
This is the core of what I teach—turning abstract words into tangible, memorable experiences.
It’s not just about learning words; it’s about making them your own.
You’ll remember a funny story a thousand times better than you’ll remember a boring vocabulary list.
The Mnemonic Method: How It Works
A mnemonic device is simply a memory aid. For **Korean verbs**, it’s a short, often silly story that links the sound of the Korean word to its English meaning.
This works best when you also create a vivid image in your mind.
The more bizarre the image, the better it sticks.
Here are a few of my favorites that I’ve used myself:
- 먹다 (meok-da) - to eat: The sound 'meok' reminds me of a pig making a 'munch' sound. Imagine a big, greedy pig saying "ME-OINK" as it stuffs its face with food. The pig is EATING. 🐷
- 보다 (bo-da) - to see/to watch: The sound 'bo' reminds me of a little 'boat'. Imagine you're on a little boat in the middle of a big lake, and you SEE everything around you from your BOAT.
- 가다 (ga-da) - to go: 'Ga' sounds like "Go!" with a southern accent. Think of a farmer shouting "GAW!" to his horses to make them GO.
- 오다 (o-da) - to come: 'O' sounds like the start of "Oh, you're here!" Imagine you are at a party, and you're so excited when your friend finally comes. You say, "OH! You CAME!"
- 자다 (ja-da) - to sleep: 'Ja' sounds like "Jah" or "Jabba the Hutt." Imagine a very tired Jabba the Hutt, lying down to SLEEP.
Now, these might sound silly, but trust me, they work.
Create your own mnemonics!
The ones you invent for yourself, based on your own internal world, will be the most powerful.
This isn't about memorizing my weird stories; it’s about using my method to create your own.
This is the key to truly internalizing the language and making it your own.
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Part 2 of 4
Section 3: Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
The journey to mastering **Korean verbs** is not without its bumps.
Even after you've learned the initial verbs and their mnemonics, you're going to run into some common errors that can trip you up.
I made all of these mistakes, and my goal here is to help you bypass them entirely.
These aren't just theoretical warnings; they're based on countless conversations and corrections from native speakers who patiently helped me figure things out.
Learning from your mistakes is one thing; learning from someone else's is even better.
Pitfall #1: The "To" Trap - Thinking of Verbs as Infinitives
In English, we say "to eat," "to go," "to sleep."
In Korean, the dictionary form (the -다 form) like 먹다 or 자다 is just that—the dictionary form.
You almost never use it in conversation unless you’re speaking very casually to a close friend or a younger person.
The most common mistake I hear from new learners is trying to use the -다 form in every sentence.
Instead, focus on learning and using the conjugated forms from the very beginning.
For most everyday situations, you'll be using the polite form ending in -요, like 먹어요 or 자요.
Don’t just learn 먹다; learn 먹어요.
Your goal is to get your tongue used to the conjugated forms first.
Pitfall #2: The Politeness Puzzle
Korean has different levels of formality, which can be confusing at first.
The casual polite form (-요) is your best friend.
It’s the safest bet for almost any situation with someone you don't know well—strangers, older people, new acquaintances, etc.
There's also the formal style (-습니다/ㅂ니다) used in more official settings (news, military, presentations) and the plain form (-다) for informal or very close contexts.
My advice? Master the polite -요 form first.
You can get by in 90% of situations with it.
Once you’re comfortable, you can branch out into the other forms.
Pitfall #3: Neglecting Irregular Verbs
Korean has some irregular verbs that don't follow the standard conjugation rules, and they can be a real headache.
The most common ones are: ㄷ-irregular (걷다, to walk), ㅂ-irregular (춥다, to be cold), and ㄹ-irregular (살다, to live).
For example, the verb 듣다 (to listen) changes from 듣 to 들 when a vowel ending is attached: 들어요.
Don't be scared of these.
Think of them as little quirks that make the language interesting.
Tackle them one by one, and you'll find that there are patterns even in the irregularities.
Start by learning the most common ones, like 듣다 and 걷다, and you'll be ahead of the curve.
A good practice is to learn the irregular form right alongside the dictionary form. For example: **듣다 (to listen)** ➡️ **들어요**.
Section 4: Advanced Concepts & The Power of "Da"
Once you've built a solid foundation with your first 100 **Korean verbs**, it's time to start thinking about them less as individual words and more as a living, breathing system.
This is where you move from just knowing the words to truly understanding how they work.
The final lesson I want to share is about the power of the ending "-다" and how it’s not just a dictionary marker but a gateway to a whole new level of fluency.
The "Da" as a Tool, Not a Trap
The "-다" ending isn't just for dictionaries.
In addition to being the base form, it's also the ending for the informal plain style, which is used for several key functions in the language.
These are the situations where you'll hear it used by native speakers:
- Narration or Diary-Style Writing: When telling a story or writing in a journal, Koreans will often use the plain form. This gives a sense of directness and is less conversational. For example, "어제 비가 왔다" (It rained yesterday) is a simple, narrative statement.
- Quotes and Reported Speech: This is a huge one. When you’re quoting what someone said, you often use the plain form with a grammar pattern like "-다고 하다." For example, "친구가 내일 온다고 했어" (My friend said he's coming tomorrow). The verb 오다 (to come) is used in its base form.
- In Headlines and Slogans: You'll see the plain form everywhere in media. "물가가 오르다" (Prices rise). It's concise and impactful.
- Speaking to Yourself: When you're just thinking out loud or talking to yourself, you'll naturally use the plain form. "아, 배고프다" (Ah, I'm hungry).
The point here is that the -다 form isn't useless.
By understanding its other roles, you're not just learning a word; you're learning a piece of the conversational puzzle.
This is the kind of insight that separates a good learner from a great one.
You can start by just trying to use the "-다" form when you're thinking to yourself in Korean. It’s a great way to build up a habit without the pressure of a real conversation.
For instance, if you're feeling hungry, instead of just thinking "I'm hungry," try thinking "배고프다."
It's a small change, but it's a powerful one.
Part 3 of 4
Visual Snapshot — Korean Verb Conjugation Flow
The infographic above visually simplifies the most critical rule for conjugating Korean verbs: the polite '-요' form.
It shows that you start with the verb stem (the part of the verb before '-다').
From there, you follow a simple rule based on the last vowel of the verb stem.
If the last vowel is a light vowel like ㅏ (a) or ㅗ (o), you add -아요.
If it's any other vowel, you add -어요.
And for all the verbs ending in 하다, they become -해요.
This is the fundamental flow that will allow you to correctly form about 95% of your conversational verbs.
Don't just look at the chart; trace the path for a few verbs you know, like 가다 (가 + 아요 = 가요) or 먹다 (먹 + 어요 = 먹어요), and it will click.
It's a simple process that makes a world of difference.
Trusted Resources
National Institute of Korean Language Yonsei University Korean Course on Coursera Korean Culture & Information Service
FAQ
Q1. What is a verb stem in Korean?
The verb stem is the part of the verb that remains after you remove the -다 ending from its dictionary form.
For example, in the verb 먹다 (to eat), the verb stem is 먹.
Q2. How do you choose between -아요 and -어요?
The choice between -아요 and -어요 depends on the last vowel of the verb stem.
If the last vowel is a light vowel (ㅏ or ㅗ), you use -아요; otherwise, you use -어요. (See Visual Snapshot for a detailed flow).
Q3. Why is the verb "하다" so important?
The verb 하다 (to do) is a crucial, high-frequency verb because it can turn many nouns into verbs.
For example, to study is 공부하다 (공부, a noun, + 하다). This makes it extremely versatile and a must-know. (This is discussed in The Core 20 Verbs).
Q4. Are there any irregular verbs I should know about?
Yes, Korean has several irregular verbs that don't follow the standard conjugation rules, such as verbs ending in ㄷ, ㅂ, and ㄹ.
While they can be tricky, learning a few common ones like 돕다 (to help) or 걷다 (to walk) will prepare you for the rest. (See Common Pitfalls for more info).
Q5. What's the difference between formal and polite verb endings?
The polite ending (-요) is used in most everyday conversations and is the safest option, whereas the formal ending (-습니다/ㅂ니다) is used in more formal settings like news broadcasts, business meetings, or addressing a large audience.
Q6. How long does it take to learn 100 Korean verbs?
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on your study method and consistency.
Using mnemonics and contextual learning can significantly speed up the process compared to simple memorization.
Q7. Can I use the dictionary form of a verb in a sentence?
The dictionary form (-다) is generally not used in conversational speech, except in very casual, informal situations, or in specific grammatical structures like narration or reported speech.
Q8. Is it better to learn the verb and its conjugation at the same time?
Yes, it's highly recommended to learn the dictionary form and at least one conjugated form (the polite -요 form) at the same time.
This helps you start using the verb correctly in real sentences from the very beginning, building muscle memory.
Part 4 of 4
Final Thoughts
When I look back on my journey, the biggest hurdle wasn't the complexity of the grammar or the difficulty of the pronunciation.
It was the mental block, the belief that language learning had to be a linear, rigid, and tedious process of memorization.
That belief is a myth.
Learning your first 100 **Korean verbs** isn't about rote memorization; it's about building a connection to the language, one story and one feeling at a time.
This isn’t a race.
It’s about building a solid, unshakable foundation, brick by brick.
Use the mnemonics, create your own stories, and don't be afraid to make mistakes—they are part of the journey.
Your goal isn't just to know these words; it’s to make them a part of you, so that when you need to speak, they're not just a memory, but a natural expression of your thoughts.
Don’t just learn Korean verbs. Live them. Go on an adventure with them. And when you do, you’ll find that fluency is not just possible, but inevitable.
Are you ready to truly make these verbs your own?
Keywords: Korean verbs, learning Korean, Korean grammar, Korean language, Korean vocabulary
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