Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #43
모르다 becomes 몰라요, and 빠르다 becomes 빨라요. In the common 르 irregular pattern, one ㄹ appears in the preceding syllable.
What Does 불규칙 활용 3. 르 Mean?
Before -아/어요, many 르-ending stems lose ㅡ, add ㄹ to the syllable before 르, and use 라 or 러 according to the preceding vowel.
The Rule
모르다 → 몰라요, 빠르다 → 빨라요, 다르다 → 달라요; 부르다 → 불러요, 누르다 → 눌러요. Before consonant endings, the stem stays: 모르고, 빠르지만. Some 르 verbs, such as 따르다 → 따라요, do not add the extra ㄹ.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 모르다 | to not know |
| 부르다 | to call/sing |
| 빠르다 | to be fast |
| 다르다 | to be different |
| 고르다 | to choose |
| 누르다 | to press |
| 따르다 | to follow/pour |
| 노래 | song |
Korean Grammar Examples
저는 그 사람의 이름을 몰라요.
I do not know that person’s name.
친구가 한국 노래를 불러요.
My friend sings a Korean song.
한국의 인터넷은 빨라요.
The internet in Korea is fast.
두 가방의 색이 달라요.
The colors of the two bags are different.
메뉴에서 음식을 하나 골라요.
I choose one dish from the menu.
A Short Dialogue
A: 이 기계는 어떻게 사용해요? — How do you use this machine?
B: 먼저 이 버튼을 눌러요. — First, press this button.
A: 다음에는요? — What next?
B: 원하는 메뉴를 골라요. — Choose the menu you want.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not simply remove ㅡ: 모르어요 is incorrect, and 모라요 is also incorrect. The common pattern adds ㄹ to the previous syllable: 몰라요. Learn exceptions as complete forms, especially 따르다 → 따라요 and 치르다 → 치러요.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Change to -아/어요: ① 모르다 ② 부르다 ③ 빠르다 ④ 고르다.
Answers and Explanation
① 몰라요 ② 불러요 ③ 빨라요 ④ 골라요. In each common irregular form, check the new ㄹ in the preceding syllable.
Try It Aloud
Read the examples with 불규칙 활용 3. 르 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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