Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #44
짓다 becomes 지어요 and 낫다 becomes 나아요. In the ㅅ irregular pattern, the final ㅅ disappears before a vowel ending.
What Does 불규칙 활용 4. ㅅ Mean?
Some stems ending in ㅅ drop that consonant before an ending beginning with a vowel. The vowels do not normally contract, which is why 지어요 and 나아요 retain separate vowel sounds.
The Rule
짓다 → 지어요, 낫다 → 나아요, 붓다 → 부어요. Before a consonant, keep ㅅ: 짓고, 낫지만. Common regular verbs include 웃다 → 웃어요, 씻다 → 씻어요, and 벗다 → 벗어요.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 짓다 | to build/name |
| 낫다 | to recover/be better |
| 붓다 | to pour/swell |
| 잇다 | to connect |
| 웃다 | to laugh (regular) |
| 씻다 | to wash (regular) |
| 벗다 | to take off (regular) |
| 물 | water |
Korean Grammar Examples
사람들이 집을 지어요.
People build a house.
약을 먹어서 감기가 나아요.
My cold gets better because I take medicine.
컵에 물을 부어요.
I pour water into a cup.
친구가 크게 웃어요.
My friend laughs loudly.
집에 와서 손을 씻어요.
I wash my hands after coming home.
A Short Dialogue
A: 감기는 좀 나아요? — Is your cold getting better?
B: 네, 어제보다 많이 나아요. — Yes, it is much better than yesterday.
A: 따뜻한 물을 컵에 부어 드릴까요? — Shall I pour warm water into a cup for you?
B: 네, 감사합니다. — Yes, thank you.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not remove ㅅ from every stem. 웃어요, 씻어요, and 벗어요 are regular. Also do not contract the vowels in the irregular forms: 지어요 is standard, not 져요 for the meaning “build.”
Quick Quiz 🎯
Change to -아/어요: ① 짓다 ② 낫다 ③ 붓다 ④ 씻다.
Answers and Explanation
① 지어요 ② 나아요 ③ 부어요 ④ 씻어요. The first three drop ㅅ; 씻다 keeps it.
Try It Aloud
Read the examples with 불규칙 활용 4. ㅅ 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.
Previous lesson · Next lesson · Beginner grammar: study guide and lesson index