Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #41
Why does 춥다 become 추워요, but 춥고 keeps ㅂ? This lesson explains the ㅂ irregular conjugation and its most useful exceptions.
What Does 불규칙 활용 1. ㅂ Mean?
In many adjective and verb stems ending in ㅂ, the ㅂ changes before an ending that begins with a vowel. It usually becomes 우, which combines with -어요 as 워요.
The Rule
춥다 → 추워요, 어렵다 → 어려워요, 덥다 → 더워요. 돕다 and 곱다 usually use 와 before -아요: 도와요, 고와요. Before a consonant-starting ending, ㅂ remains: 춥고, 어렵지만. Some common stems are regular, including 입다, 잡다, 씹다.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 춥다 | to be cold |
| 덥다 | to be hot |
| 어렵다 | to be difficult |
| 쉽다 | to be easy |
| 가볍다 | to be light |
| 무겁다 | to be heavy |
| 돕다 | to help |
| 입다 | to wear (regular) |
Korean Grammar Examples
오늘은 날씨가 추워요.
The weather is cold today.
이 문법은 어렵지만 재미있어요.
This grammar is difficult but interesting.
가방이 가벼워서 좋아요.
I like the bag because it is light.
친구가 숙제를 도와요.
My friend helps with the homework.
겨울에는 따뜻한 옷을 입어요.
I wear warm clothes in winter.
A Short Dialogue
A: 오늘 밖이 추워요? — Is it cold outside today?
B: 네, 아주 추워요. 따뜻하게 입으세요. — Yes, it is very cold. Dress warmly.
A: 이 코트는 무거워요? — Is this coat heavy?
B: 아니요, 아주 가벼워요. — No, it is very light.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not treat every ㅂ-final stem as irregular. 입다 → 입어요, 잡다 → 잡아요, and 씹다 → 씹어요 keep ㅂ. Also remember that ㅂ remains before endings beginning with consonants: 추우고 is incorrect; use 춥고.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Change to -아/어요: ① 춥다 ② 어렵다 ③ 돕다 ④ 입다.
Answers and Explanation
① 추워요 ② 어려워요 ③ 도와요 ④ 입어요. The first three follow the irregular change; 입다 is regular.
Try It Aloud
Read the examples with 불규칙 활용 1. ㅂ slowly, then repeat them at a natural speed. Make two short sentences of your own and record yourself once. Compare the grammar form, spacing, or pronunciation with the model before trying again.
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