Grammar is the foundation of any language, and Korean is no exception. Whether you are preparing for the TOPIK 1 or 2, you need to know all these essential grammar points. As someone who’s taught Korean grammar to hundreds of students, I’ll break down each point in a way that makes sense.

How to Use This List

Don’t try to learn all these grammar points at once. Start with the basics (particles and basic endings), then move to verb tenses. Practice each one with real sentences before moving to the next. This way you’ll have real experience using the grammar and will be more confident during the real test. 

PART 1: Essential Particles (The Building Blocks)

These particles are like glue that holds Korean sentences together. Master these first—they appear in almost every sentence.

1. 은/는 (Topic Marker)

Think of this as saying “As for…” or “Regarding…” It marks what you’re talking about.

• Use 은 after consonants: 선생님은 (as for the teacher)
• Use 는 after vowels: 저는 (as for me)

Example: 저는 학생입니다. (I am a student.)

2. 이/가 (Subject Marker)

This marks who or what is doing the action. It’s similar to 은/는 but emphasizes the subject itself.

• Use 이 after consonants: 친구가 (the friend)
• Use 가 after vowels: 제가 (I)

Example: 제가 선생님입니다. (I am the teacher.)

3. 을/를 (Object Marker)

This marks what receives the action—the thing being acted upon.

• Use 을 after consonants: 밥을 (rice - object)
• Use 를 after vowels: 사과를 (apple - object)

Example: 저는 사과를 먹어요. (I eat an apple.)

4. 에 (Location, Direction, Time)

This little particle does three jobs: - Direction: Where you’re going (학교에 가요 - I go to school) - Location: Where something exists (학교에 있어요 - It’s at school) - Time: When something happens (3시에 만나요 - Let’s meet at 3)

Example: 아침 7시에 일어나요. (I wake up at 7 a.m.)

5. 에서 (Location of Action)

Use this when an action happens at a place. Think “at” or “from.”

Example: 저는 집에서 밥을 먹어요. (I eat at home.)

6. 도 (Also, Too)

Add this to say “also” or “too.” It can replace other particles.

Example: 저도 한국어를 공부해요. (I also study Korean.)

7. 만 (Only)

Use this to say “only” or “just.”

Example: 오늘 빵만 먹어요. (I only eat bread today.)

8. (으)로 (By, To, Using)

This shows how you do something or direction.

Example: 인터넷으로 검색해요. (I search using the Internet.)

9. 에게/한테/께 (To/For Someone)

These show who receives something. Use 께 for people you respect (teachers, parents).

Example: 친구에게 문자를 보내요. (I send a message to my friend.)

10. 하고/와/과 (And, With)

Connect two nouns. 하고 is casual, 와/과 is more formal.

Example: 저는 친구와 영화를 봐요. (I watch a movie with my friend.)

PART 2: Basic Sentence Endings (How to Finish Your Sentences)

These endings show how polite or formal you’re being. Choose the right one for the situation.

11. 입니다 (To Be - Formal)

This is the most polite way to say “is/am/are.” Use it in formal situations.

Example: 저는 의사입니다. (I am a doctor.)

12. 입니까? (Is It…? - Question Form)

Turn 입니다 into a question by changing it to 입니까?

Example: 당신은 의사입니까? (Are you a doctor?)

13. 예요/이에요 (To Be - Friendly)

Less formal than 입니다, but still polite. Good for everyday conversations.

Example: 저는 의사예요. (I am a doctor.)

14. 아닙니다/아니에요 (To Not Be)

Say “is not” or “am not” with these endings.

Example: 저는 한국 사람이 아닙니다. (I am not Korean.)

15. ㅂ니다/습니다 (Polite Verb Ending)

Add this to verbs and adjectives for polite, formal speech.

Example: 저는 사과를 먹습니다. (I eat an apple.)

16. 아요/어요/해요 (Friendly Verb Ending)

Less formal but still polite. This is what you’ll use most in daily life.

Example: 저는 밥을 먹어요. (I eat rice.)

PART 3: Verb Tenses (Talking About Time)

Learn how to talk about the past, present, and future.

17. 았어요/었어요/했어요 (Past Tense)

Talk about things that already happened.

• 았어요 after ㅏ or ㅗ: 갔어요 (went)
• 었어요 after other vowels: 먹었어요 (ate)
• 했어요 for 하다 verbs: 공부했어요 (studied)

Example: 학교에 갔어요. (I went to school.)

18. 을 거예요/ㄹ 거예요 (Future - Will)

Talk about things you plan to do or will happen.

Example: 내년에 결혼할 거예요. (I will get married next year.)

19. 겠다 (Future - Determination)

Show you’re determined to do something.

Example: 열심히 공부하겠습니다! (I will study hard!)

PART 4: Negation (Saying “No” or “Not”)

Learn different ways to make sentences negative.

20. 안 + Verb (Not - Informal)

The easiest way to say “don’t” or “not.”

Example: 오늘 학교에 안 가요. (I don’t go to school today.)

21. 지 않다 (Not - Formal)

More formal way to say “not.”

Example: 오늘 학교에 가지 않습니다. (I don’t go to school today.)

22. 지 말다 (Don’t - Prohibition)

Tell someone not to do something.

Example: 이런 것을 먹지 마세요. (Don’t eat this.)

23. 못 + Verb (Cannot)

Say you can’t do something (even if you want to).

Example: 비가 와서 학교에 못 가요. (It’s raining, so I can’t go to school.)

24. 지 못하다 (Cannot - Formal)

Formal way to say “cannot.”

Example: 비가 와서 학교에 가지 못해요. (It’s raining, so I can’t go to school.)

PART 5: Connecting Ideas (Making Longer Sentences)

Link ideas together to make more complex sentences.

25. 고 (And)

Connect two actions or states.

Example: 책을 읽고 음악을 들어요. (I read a book and listen to music.)

26. 지만 (But)

Show contrast between two ideas.

Example: 어렵지만 재미있어요. (It’s hard, but fun.)

27. 아/어서 (Because, So)

Show cause and effect.

Example: 비가 와서 못 가요. (Because it’s raining, I can’t go.)

28. (으)니까 (Because, So)

Similar to 아/어서 but emphasizes the reason more.

Example: 저 식당은 문 닫았으니까 우리는 다른 식당에 갔어요. (Because that restaurant was closed, we went to another one.)

29. (으)면 (If)

Talk about conditions and what happens if they’re met.

Example: 돈이 많으면 집을 살 거예요. (If I have a lot of money, I will buy a house.)

30. 는데 (But, Because, While)

Set up background information. The meaning depends on context.

Example: 한국어를 공부하는데 어려워요. (I am studying Korean, but it is hard.)

PART 6: Expressing Wants, Needs, and Abilities

Learn how to talk about what you want, need, or can do.

31. 고 싶다 (Want To)

Express your desire to do something.

Example: 그 옷을 사고 싶어요. (I want to buy that dress.)

32. (으)려고 하다 (Intend To, Plan To)

Talk about your plans or intentions.

Example: 내일 병원에 가려고 해요. (I intend to go to the hospital tomorrow.)

33. (으)려고 (In Order To)

Show the purpose of an action.

Example: 친구에게 선물하려고 케이크를 만들어요. (I make a cake to give to my friend.)

34. 을 수 있다/없다 (Can/Cannot)

Express ability or possibility.

Example: 저는 요리를 할 수 있어요. (I can cook.)

35. 아/어야 되다 (Must, Have To)

Show obligation or necessity.

Example: 한국어를 열심히 공부해야 돼요. (I must study Korean diligently.)

36. (으)면 되다 (It’s Okay If…)

Say that doing something is sufficient.

Example: 여기에서 오른쪽으로 가면 돼요. (From here, just turn right, and it’s fine.)

37. (으)면 안 되다 (Not Allowed)

Say something is not permitted.

Example: 매일 늦게 자면 안 돼요. (If you sleep late every day, it’s not good.)

PART 7: Ongoing Actions and States

Describe what’s happening right now or ongoing situations.

38. 고 있다 (To Be -ing)

Talk about actions happening right now.

Example: 숙제를 하고 있어요. (I am doing homework.)

39. 는 중이다 (In the Middle Of)

Emphasize that you’re in the middle of doing something.

Example: 지금 운전하는 중입니다. (I’m driving right now.)

40. 아/어 있다 (To Be in a State)

Describe a state that continues from a previous action.

Example: 동생은 앉아 있어요. (My younger sibling is sitting.)

PART 8: Time and Duration

Talk about when things happen and how long they last.

41. 부터…까지 (From…To - Time)

Show a time range.

Example: 월요일부터 금요일까지 한국어를 공부해요. (I study Korean from Monday to Friday.)

42. 에서…까지 (From…To - Place)

Show a location range or journey.

Example: 학교에서 도서관까지 걸어요. (I walk from school to the library.)

43. 동안 (During, For)

Express duration of time.

Example: 3개월 동안 한국어를 공부해요. (I study Korean for 3 months.)

44. 는 동안 (While Doing)

Talk about what happens during an action.

Example: 공부하는 동안 어려운 것이 많아요. (There are many difficulties while studying.)

45. 을 때 (When)

Indicate a specific time when something happens.

Example: 공부할 때 질문이 있으면 물어 보세요. (If you have questions when studying, ask.)

PART 9: Experience and Trying

Talk about past experiences or trying something new.

46. 아/어 보다 (To Try, To Have Experienced)

Say you’ve tried something or have experience with it.

Example: 저는 한국에 가 봤어요. (I have been to Korea.)

47. 은 적이 있다/없다 (Have/Haven’t Experienced)

Talk about whether you’ve done something before.

Example: 한국에 간 적이 있어요. (I’ve been to Korea before.)

PART 10: Making Requests and Suggestions

Learn polite ways to ask people to do things or make suggestions.

48. (으)세요 (Please Do)

Politely ask or tell someone to do something.

Example: 열심히 공부하세요. (Please study hard.)

49. 읍시다/ㅂ시다 (Let’s)

Suggest doing something together.

Example: 학교에 같이 갑시다. (Let’s go to school together.)

50. 을까요?/ㄹ까요? (Shall We? Why Don’t We?)

Ask for someone’s opinion or make a suggestion.

Example: 내일 갈까요? (Shall we go tomorrow?)

51. 을게요/ㄹ게요 (I Will, I Promise)

Make a promise or show you’ll do something.

Example: 지금 잘게요. (I will sleep now.)

PART 11: Showing Respect

Learn how to show respect in Korean.

52. (으)시다 (Honorific Form)

Show respect to the person you’re talking about.

Example: 선생님이 학교에 가십니다. (The teacher goes to school.)

PART 12: Describing Nouns

Modify nouns with verbs and adjectives to add description.

53. 는 + Noun (Verb Modifier)

Use a verb to describe a noun.

Example: 가는 여자가 제 친구예요. (The girl who is walking is my friend.)

54. 은/ㄴ + Noun (Adjective Modifier)

Use an adjective to describe a noun.

Example: 예쁜 여자가 많아요. (There are many pretty girls.)

55. 는 것 (Turning Verbs into Nouns)

Turn a verb into a noun (like adding “-ing” in English).

Example: 저는 축구를 보는 것을 좋아해요. (I like watching soccer.)

PART 13: Comparisons and Opinions

Compare things and express your thoughts.

56. 보다 (Than, Compared To)

Compare two things.

Example: 언니는 동생보다 더 예뻐요. (The older sister is prettier than the younger one.)

57. 은 것 같다/ㄴ 것 같다 (I Think, It Seems Like)

Express your opinion or guess.

Example: 그 옷이 비싼 것 같아요. (I think that dress is expensive.)

58. 지요? (Isn’t It? Right?)

Seek agreement or confirmation.

Example: 여기가 좋지요? (This place is nice, isn’t it?)

PART 14: Special Expressions

Useful grammar for specific situations.

59. 네요 (Exclamation)

Express surprise or realization.

Example: 날씨가 좋네요! (Wow, the weather is nice!)

60. 게 되다 (To Become, To Get To)

Express a change or result.

Example: 아이돌을 만나게 됐어요. (I got to meet my idol.)

61. 기로 하다 (To Decide To)

State a decision.

Example: 한국에 유학가기로 했어요. (I decided to study abroad in Korea.)

62. 고 나서 (After Doing, And Then)

Show sequence of actions.

Example: 생각해 보고 나서 연락해 줄게요. (I’ll think about it and then get back to you.)

63. (으)면서 (While Doing)

Show two actions happening at the same time.

Example: 숙제를 하면서 음악을 들어요. (I do homework while listening to music.)

64. 다가 (While Doing… Then…)

Show an action interrupted by another.

Example: 어제 티비를 보다가 엄마가 왔어요. (Yesterday, I was watching TV, and then my mom came home.)

65. 아/어 버리다 (Ended Up, Completely)

Show an action is completely finished (may show relief or regret).

Example: 그 영화가 벌써 끝나 버렸어요. (That movie already ended.)

66. 아/어 주다 (To Do For Someone)

Do something for someone’s benefit.

Example: 수업이 끝나고 전화해 줘요. (Please call me after class ends.)

67. 았으면 좋겠다/었으면 좋겠다 (I Wish, I Hope)

Express a wish or hope.

Example: 돈이 많았으면 좋겠어요. (I wish I had a lot of money.)

68. (이)라고 하다 (To Be Called, To Say That)

Say what something is called or report what someone said.

Example: 저는 코리아토픽이라고 합니다. (I am called Korean Topik.)

69. 거나/이나 (Or)

Show a choice between two options.

Example: 밥이나 빵을 먹어요? (Do you eat rice or bread?)

70. 을 줄 알다/모르다 (To Know/Not Know How To)

Express whether you know how to do something.

Example: 수영할 줄 알았어요. (I knew how to swim.)

71. 는지 알다/모르다 (Know/Don’t Know If…)

Express whether you know about something.

Example: 지금 어떻게 하는지 알아요. (I now know how to do it.)

72. (으)려면 (If You Want To…)

Connect a desire with a required condition.

Example: 한국에 유학가려면 열심히 공부해야 돼요. (If you want to study abroad in Korea, you need to study hard.)

73. 때문에/기 때문에 (Because Of)

Express a reason or cause.

Example: 비가 오기 때문에 학교에 못 갔어요. (Because it rained, I couldn’t go to school.)

74. (이)라서 (Because It Is)

Show a reason related to a noun.

Example: 퇴근 시간이라서 길이 복잡해요. (Because it is rush hour, the roads are crowded.)

75. 밖에 (Only + Negative)

Express “nothing but” or “only” (always with negative).

Example: 당신 밖에 없어요. (There’s no one but you.)

76. (으)면 큰일이다 (To Be in Trouble If…)

Express concern about a negative consequence.

Example: 그렇게 하면 큰 일이다. (If you do that, it’ll be a big problem.)

77. 에 어울리다 (To Suit, To Match)

Say something suits or matches someone.

Example: 이 옷이 손님에 잘 어울러요. (This outfit suits you well, customer.)

PART 15: Question Endings and Narrative Forms

78. 은가요?/ㄴ가요? (Is It…? - Polite Question)

Ask questions politely and softly.

Example: 이 옷이 예쁜가요? (Is this dress pretty?)

79. 나요? (Have You…? - Polite Question)

Ask questions naturally and politely.

Example: 밥을 먹나요? (Have you eaten yet?)

80. 인가요? (Is It…? - Polite Question)

Ask questions about nouns politely.

Example: 학생인가요? (Are you a student?)

81. 는데요/은데요/인데요 (Ending, Emphasis)

Softly emphasize your thoughts or invite a response.

Example: 그 집이 너무 예쁜데요. (That house is so pretty!)

82. 는다/ㄴ다 (Narrative Ending - Verbs)

Plain ending used in writing or informal speech.

Example: 오늘 친구를 만난다. (Today I meet my friend.)

83. 다 (Narrative Ending - Adjectives)

Plain ending for adjectives in writing or informal speech.

Example: 우와! 이거 너무 맛있다. (Wow! This is so delicious.)

PART 16: Location and Existence

84. 이/가 있다/없다 (To Have/Don’t Have)

Express possession.

Example: 저는 자동차가 없어요. (I don’t have a car.)

85. 에 있다/없다 (To Be At/Not At a Location)

Show where something exists.

Example: 우리 집이 대전에 있어요. (My house is in Daejeon.)

86. Position + 에 있다/없다 (Is At/Is Not At a Location)

Describe where something is using position words.

Common position words: 앞 (in front), 뒤 (behind), 위 (above), 아래/밑 (below), 오른쪽 (right), 왼쪽 (left), 안 (inside), 밖 (outside), 가운데 (middle), 옆 (beside), 근처 (near).

Example: 우리 집이 병원 뒤에 있어요. (My house is behind the hospital.)

How to Study These Grammar Points

Step 1: Start with Particles Master particles first (1-10). They appear in every sentence.

Step 2: Learn Basic Endings Understand how to finish sentences (11-16).

Step 3: Master Tenses Learn past, present, and future (17-19).

Step 4: Practice Connecting Use connecting grammar to make longer sentences (25-30).

Step 5: Add Complexity Learn wants, needs, and abilities (31-37).

Step 6: Review Regularly Go back and practice previous grammar points.

TOPIK Grammar Study Tips

• Don’t memorize—understand: Know when and why to use each grammar point
• Practice with real sentences: Write your own examples
• Group similar grammar: Learn related points together
• Focus on common ones first: Particles and basic endings appear most often
• Use in conversation: Practice speaking with these grammar points

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using wrong particles: 은/는 vs 이/가 can change meaning
2. Mixing formal and informal: Stick to one level of politeness
3. Forgetting past tense: Many students forget to use 았어요/었어요
4. Overusing 고: Don’t connect everything with 고
5. Ignoring honorifics: Use (으)시다 when talking about respected people

Remember: Grammar is like building blocks. Start with the basics, practice regularly, and build up to more complex structures. With consistent study, you’ll master these grammar points and be ready for TOPIK Level 1 and 2.