Beginner
Estimated read: 3 mins
'ㅡ' 불규칙 (Irregular Conjugation)
When a stem ending in 'ㅡ' meets an ending starting with '-아/어', the 'ㅡ' is dropped. You then look at the vowel in the PRECEDING syllable to determine whether to add '아' or '어'.
Summary
Equivalent
'ㅡ' Irregular
Example
I'm so busy today, so I'm tired.
오늘 너무 바빠서 피곤해요.
Grammar rules
- If the preceding vowel is 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ', add '아요'.
- If the preceding vowel is anything else (or if there is no preceding syllable), add '어요'.
- Example: 바쁘다 -> 바빠요 / 쓰다 -> 써요.
- This only applies when meeting a vowel ending (like -아/어요). Before consonant endings (like -고, -는), it stays regular: 예쁘고, 쓰는.
크다 -> 커요 (Big), 아프다 -> 아파요 (Hurt)
Patterns
1
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㅡ'
Present/Past · Stem (drop ㅡ) + 아요/어요 (Depends on preceding vowel)
Example sentences
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㅡ' · Present/Past · Stem (drop ㅡ) + 아요/어요 (Depends on preceding vowel)
I'm so busy today, so I'm tired.
오늘 너무 바빠서 피곤해요.
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㅡ' · Present/Past · Stem (drop ㅡ) + 아요/어요 (Depends on preceding vowel)
I wrote a letter yesterday.
어제 편지를 썼어요.
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㅡ' · Present/Past · Stem (drop ㅡ) + 아요/어요 (Depends on preceding vowel)
The flowers are really pretty.
꽃이 참 예뻐요.
Conversation
A: Where does it hurt?
어디가 아파요?
B: I have a fever and my head hurts.
열이 나고 머리가 아파요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct conjugated form for the 'ㅡ' irregular.
Writing/Using.
Adjective.