Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

Present Tense (Formal) A/V-(스)ㅂ니다

Used in formal situations such as news broadcasts, presentations, meetings, and when speaking to superiors. It expresses facts, ongoing actions, or general truths.

Summary

Equivalent

Present Tense (Formal Polite Style)

Example

I read the newspaper every morning.

저는 매일 아침 신문을 읽습니다.

Grammar rules

  • To form a statement, use -(스)ㅂ니다.
  • To form a question, use -(스)ㅂ니까?
  • It sounds highly respectful and professional.
  • For nouns with '이다' (to be), use '입니다' for statements and '입니까?' for questions.

    학생입니다. (I am a student.) / 학생입니까? (Are you a student?)

Patterns

1

V/A (Verbs/Adjectives) ending in vowel

현재 (Present) · -ㅂ니다 / -ㅂ니까?

2

V/A (Verbs/Adjectives) ending in consonant

현재 (Present) · -습니다 / -습니까?

Example sentences

V/A (Verbs/Adjectives) ending in consonant · 현재 (Present) · -습니다 / -습니까?

I read the newspaper every morning.

저는 매일 아침 신문을 읽습니다.

V/A (Verbs/Adjectives) ending in consonant · 현재 (Present) · -습니다 / -습니까?

The bibimbap at this restaurant is very delicious.

이 식당은 비빔밥이 아주 맛있습니다.

V/A (Verbs/Adjectives) ending in vowel · 현재 (Present) · -ㅂ니다 / -ㅂ니까?

Today's meeting ends early.

오늘 회의는 일찍 끝납니다.

Conversation

A: What do you usually do on the weekend?

주말에 주로 무엇을 하십니까?

B: I go to the library. And I borrow books.

도서관에 갑니다. 그리고 책을 빌립니다.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct formal present tense.

Customer service.

Meeting.