Learning Korean sentence structure is simpler than you might think! Unlike English, Korean sentences follow a pattern where the verb always comes at the end. Let's explore how Korean sentences work in a way that's easy to understand.

Basic Korean Sentence Patterns

Korean sentences follow two main patterns:

1.Subject + Verb

2.Subject + Object + Verb

Simple Subject + Verb Examples:

• 민지가 가요. (Minji goes.)
• 준호가 자요. (Junho sleeps.)

Subject + Object + Verb Examples:

• 민지가 사과를 먹어요. (Minji eats an apple.)
• 준호가 도서관에서 책을 읽어요. (Junho reads a book in the library.)

The Magic of Korean Particles

Particles are small attachments added to words that show what role each word plays in the sentence. Think of them as labels that tell you "this is the subject" or "this is the object."

Important Particles to Know:

• 이/가 - Marks the subject (who/what does the action)
• 을/를 - Marks the object (what receives the action)
• 에/에서 - Marks locations or directions (where something happens)

Examples with Particles:

1. 민지가     사과를     먹어요.

(Subject)  (Object)   (Verb)

Minji      apple      eats

2. 준호가     도서관에서    책을       읽어요.

(Subject)  (Location)   (Object)   (Verb)

Junho      in library   book       reads

Flexible Word Order

Unlike English, Korean has a flexible word order! The only strict rule is that the verb must come at the end. You can rearrange the other parts of the sentence while keeping the same meaning. This is used to emphasize something.

• 사과를 민지가 먹어요. (The apple, Minji eats.)

• 책을 도서관에서 준호가 읽어요. (The book, in the library, Junho reads.)

The particles (가, 를, 에서) make this possible because they clearly show each word's role regardless of position.

Dropping the Subject

In Korean, when it's clear who you're talking about, you can drop the subject completely! This happens a lot in conversations:

A: 준호가 뭐 해요? (What is Junho doing?)
B:(준호가)사과를 먹어요. (Eating an apple.)

A: 어디에 가요? (Where are you going?)
B: 학교에 가요. (Going to school.)

Try it Yourself!

Practice makes perfect! Try creating your own Korean sentences following these patterns:

1.Subject + Verb: "---가/이 ---해요."

2.Subject + Object + Verb: "---가/이 ---을/를 ---해요."

Remember, the verb always goes at the end, and particles help show what role each word plays!