📝 Grammar A1

-요

-yo

Polite informal sentence ending

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What it means

-요 is added to verb/adjective stems to make a sentence polite and informal. The default politeness level for everyday conversation with people you've just met.

Nuance & when to use

The -아요/어요 form is the everyday polite speech. Softer and friendlier than -습니다. Dropping -요 gives the casual 반말 form used with close friends.

⚠ Common mistake

Beginners add -요 directly to dictionary forms: 먹요 (wrong). -요 attaches to the conjugated stem: 먹어요, 가요, 좋아요. Always conjugate first.

Example sentences

저는 학생이에요. Jeoneun haksaengiyeyo. I am a student.
오늘 날씨가 좋아요. Oneul nalssiga joayo. The weather is nice today.
어디 가요? Eodi gayo? Where are you going?
저는 한국 음식을 좋아해요. Jeoneun hanguk eumsig-eul joahaeyo. I like Korean food.
내일 또 봐요! Naeil tto bwayo! See you again tomorrow!

See also

-습니다/ㅂ니다 반말 -아/어요
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
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More A1 lessons

오빠 oppa Older brother (used by females); also affectionate 음악 eumak music 보라색 borasaek purple (BTS color)
← -아/어 주세요 -은/는 →

FAQ

When is this used?

The -아요/어요 form is the everyday polite speech. Softer and friendlier than -습니다. Dropping -요 gives the casual 반말 form used with close friends.

What's a common mistake?

Beginners add -요 directly to dictionary forms: 먹요 (wrong). -요 attaches to the conjugated stem: 먹어요, 가요, 좋아요. Always conjugate first.

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