Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #42
듣다 becomes 들어요 and 걷다 becomes 걸어요. The ㄷ irregular change occurs only in a specific environment.
What Does 불규칙 활용 2. ㄷ Mean?
For certain ㄷ-ending verb stems, ㄷ changes to ㄹ before an ending beginning with a vowel. Before a consonant, ㄷ remains.
The Rule
듣다 → 들어요, 듣고; 걷다 → 걸어요, 걷지만; 묻다 (to ask) → 물어요. Common regular ㄷ verbs include 받다 → 받아요, 닫다 → 닫아요, and 믿다 → 믿어요.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 듣다 | to listen |
| 걷다 | to walk |
| 묻다 | to ask |
| 깨닫다 | to realize |
| 받다 | to receive (regular) |
| 닫다 | to close (regular) |
| 믿다 | to believe (regular) |
| 노래 | song |
Korean Grammar Examples
매일 한국 노래를 들어요.
I listen to Korean songs every day.
학교까지 걸어요.
I walk to school.
선생님에게 길을 물어요.
I ask the teacher for directions.
친구에게 선물을 받아요.
I receive a gift from a friend.
추우니까 문을 닫아요.
I close the door because it is cold.
A Short Dialogue
A: 한국어를 어떻게 공부해요? — How do you study Korean?
B: 대화를 듣고 따라 해요. — I listen to dialogues and repeat them.
A: 학교에는 어떻게 가요? — How do you get to school?
B: 날씨가 좋으면 걸어요. — I walk when the weather is good.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not change ㄷ before every ending. Use 듣고 and 걷지만 because -고 and -지만 begin with consonants. Do not change regular verbs: 받아요, not 발아요; 닫아요, not 달아요.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Choose the correct form: ① 듣다 + -어요 ② 걷다 + -고 ③ 받다 + -아요 ④ 묻다 + -어요.
Answers and Explanation
① 들어요 ② 걷고 ③ 받아요 ④ 물어요. First check whether the following ending begins with a vowel, then check whether the verb is irregular.
Try It Aloud
Read the examples with 불규칙 활용 2. ㄷ 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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