Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

'르' 불규칙 (Irregular Conjugation)

When a stem ending in '르' meets an ending starting with '-아/어', the 'ㅡ' in '르' drops, and an extra 'ㄹ' is attached to the BOTTOM of the preceding syllable.

Summary

Equivalent

'르' Irregular

Example

I don't know that person's phone number. (모르다)

그 사람 전화번호를 몰라요.

Grammar rules

  • If the preceding vowel is 'ㅏ/ㅗ', the '르' becomes '라' (e.g.
  • 모르다 -> 몰라요).
  • If it is anything else, it becomes '러' (e.g.
  • 부르다 -> 불러요).
  • Before consonants (like -고, -지만), it remains completely regular: 모르고, 부르지만.

    빠르다 -> 빨라요 (Fast), 다르다 -> 달라요 (Different)

Patterns

1

Verbs/Adjectives ending in '르'

Meeting '-아/어' · Stem (drop ㅡ, add ㄹ) + 라/러

Example sentences

Verbs/Adjectives ending in '르' · Meeting '-아/어' · Stem (drop ㅡ, add ㄹ) + 라/러

I don't know that person's phone number. (모르다)

그 사람 전화번호를 몰라요.

Verbs/Adjectives ending in '르' · Meeting '-아/어' · Stem (drop ㅡ, add ㄹ) + 라/러

I sang the song loudly. (부르다)

노래를 크게 불렀어요.

Verbs/Adjectives ending in '르' · Meeting '-아/어' · Stem (drop ㅡ, add ㄹ) + 라/러

Airplanes are faster than trains. (빠르다)

비행기가 기차보다 빨라요.

Conversation

A: Why did you come by taxi?

왜 택시를 타고 왔어요?

B: Because taxis are faster than the subway.

지하철보다 택시가 빨라서요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct conjugated form for the '르' irregular.

Different.

Calling.