Beginner
Estimated read: 3 mins
'ㄹ' 불규칙 (Irregular Conjugation)
When a stem ending in 'ㄹ' is followed by a suffix starting with the consonants 'ㄴ', 'ㅂ', or 'ㅅ', the 'ㄹ' is dropped. Also, when followed by endings that start with '-(으)', the '으' is skipped and the 'ㄹ' acts like a vowel.
Summary
Equivalent
'ㄹ' Irregular
Example
I live in Seoul. (살다 -> 삽니다)
저는 서울에 삽니다.
Grammar rules
- Example (살다): 살 + ㅂ니다 -> 삽니다.
- 살 + 세요 -> 사세요.
- 살 + (으)면 -> 살면.
- It is completely regular before vowels (-아/어요 -> 살아요) or other consonants (-고 -> 살고).
만들다 + 세요 -> 만드세요. 아시다 + 니까 -> 아십니까 -> 아시니까 (Wait, 알다 + 시다 -> 아시다).
Patterns
1
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㄹ'
Meeting 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ, (으)' · Stem (drop ㄹ) + N/B/S/Vowel
Example sentences
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㄹ' · Meeting 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ, (으)' · Stem (drop ㄹ) + N/B/S/Vowel
I live in Seoul. (살다 -> 삽니다)
저는 서울에 삽니다.
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㄹ' · Meeting 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ, (으)' · Stem (drop ㄹ) + N/B/S/Vowel
Please make a cake. (만들다 -> 만드세요)
케이크를 만드세요.
Verbs/Adjectives ending in 'ㄹ' · Meeting 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ, (으)' · Stem (drop ㄹ) + N/B/S/Vowel
If you open the door, it is cool. (열다 + 으면 -> 열면)
문을 열면 시원해요.
Conversation
A: Where do you live?
어디에서 살아요?
B: I live near the school.
저는 학교 근처에서 살아요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct conjugated form for the 'ㄹ' irregular.
Knowing.
Making.