Word order
Verb last, describing words first, particles after.
A Korean sentence ends with its verb. The subject and object come before it, usually in that order, and particles after each noun show its role.
- jeoneun keopireul masyeoyo.I drink coffee.
| 저는 | 커피를 | 마셔요 |
|---|---|---|
| I (topic) | coffee (object) | drink |
The usual order
Topic or subject, then time, then place, then object, then verb:
- jeoneun naeil doseogwaneseo chingureul mannayo.I'm meeting a friend at the library tomorrow.
Because particles mark the roles, the words before the verb can move for emphasis, but the verb stays last: 친구를 저는 내일 만나요 puts "my friend" first.
Describing words come first
Anything that describes a noun comes before it, however long: an adjective, a possessor, a demonstrative or a whole clause. Adverbs come before the verb.
| Korean | Word by word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 큰 집 keun jip | big house | a big house |
| 제 친구 je chingu | my friend | my friend |
| 이 책 i chaek | this book | this book |
| 어제 산 책 eoje san chaek | yesterday bought book | the book I bought yesterday |
| 빨리 가요 ppalli gayo | quickly go | go quickly |
Particles instead of prepositions
Where English puts a word before a noun ("to school"), Korean puts a particle after it: 학교에 hakgyoe "to school", 집에서 jibeseo "at home". Places in relation to something use a position noun: 책상 위에 chaeksang wie "on the desk", literally "desk top at".
Leaving words out
A subject or object that's clear from context is left out, and "I" and "you" most of all. 어디 가요? eodi gayo? "Where are you going?" has no "you"; the answer 학교에 가요 has no "I".
Questions keep the order
A question word stands where its answer would, and nothing moves to the front: 뭐 먹어요? mwo meogeoyo? "What are you eating?", 밥 먹어요 "I'm eating rice".
Cards from this guide
8 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Getting started cards.
Where does the verb go in a Korean sentence?
At the end.
In what order do subject, object and verb usually come?
Subject, object, verb.
Where does a word that describes a noun go, like 큰 (big) in 'a big house'?
Before the noun: 큰 집.
Where does a word meaning 'to' or 'at' go?
After the noun, as a particle joined to it: 서울에 'to Seoul'.
How do you say 'on the desk' with 책상 (desk) and 위 (top)?
책상 위에: 'desk top at'.
Can 'I' and 'you' be left out of a sentence?
Yes, and they usually are when the context makes them clear.
Where does a question word like 뭐 (what) go?
Where its answer would go; nothing moves to the front.
Where do time words like 내일 (tomorrow) usually go?
Early: after the topic and before the place and object.