Learn Hangul Grammer 02

📘 Korean Sentence-Ending Particles (종결어미)

1. 📌 What Are Sentence-Ending Particles?

In Korean, sentence-ending particles (종결어미) are attached to the end of a verb or adjective to complete a sentence.
They indicate the speaker's attitude, politeness level, and sentence type (statement, question, command, or suggestion).
Unlike English, where word order often shows tone or function, Korean uses these endings to express meaning and formality.

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2. ✨ Types of Sentence-Ending Particles

Korean endings are categorized based on the function of the sentence and the formality level.

💬 By Function:

Type	Description	Examples
Declarative	States a fact or information	-요, -습니다, -다
Interrogative	Asks a question	-요?, -습니까?, -니?
Imperative/Suggestive	Gives a command or suggestion	-세요, -자

 

🔺 By Politeness Level:

Level	Endings	Usage
Formal polite	-습니다 / -습니까	Very polite, formal situations
Informal polite	-요 / -아요 / -어요	Everyday polite speech
Casual (banmal)	-아 / -어 / -니 / -자	Close friends, younger people

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3. 📗 Declarative Endings (Statements)

① -습니다 / -ㅂ니다 (Formal Polite)

• Used in speeches, presentations, or formal business settings.
• Most respectful form.

Examples:

• 저는 학생입니다. → I am a student.
• 오늘은 날씨가 좋습니다. → The weather is nice today.

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② -아요 / -어요 / -해요 (Informal Polite)

• Common in daily conversations.
• More natural and friendly, yet still respectful.

Verb Ending	Use This Ending
ㅏ or ㅗ	-아요
Other vowels	-어요
하다 verbs	-해요

Examples:

• 뭐 해요? → What are you doing?
• 친구를 만났어요. → I met a friend.
• 밥을 먹어요. → I eat rice.

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③ -다 (Plain Form / Banmal)

• Used in writing (narratives, books, articles).
• Also used in casual speech between close friends.

Examples:

• 나는 집에 간다. → I go home.
• 이 책은 재미있다. → This book is interesting.

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4. ❓ Interrogative Endings (Questions)

① -습니까? / -ㅂ니까? (Formal Polite)

• Very polite form of asking a question.

Examples:

• 지금 몇 시입니까? → What time is it now?
• 점심을 드셨습니까? → Have you eaten lunch?

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② -아요? / -어요? / -해요? (Informal Polite)

• Most commonly used in daily polite speech.

Examples:

• 어디 가요? → Where are you going?
• 오늘 어때요? → How is today?

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③ -니? / -냐? (Casual/ 반말Banmal)

• Used with close friends or younger people.
• May sound rude if used incorrectly.

Examples:

• 너 어디 가니? → Where are you going?
• 밥 먹었냐? → Did you eat?

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5. 🙋 Imperative & Suggestive Endings

① -십시오 / -세요 (Formal & Informal Polite Commands)

• Used to politely ask someone to do something.

Examples:

• 조용히 하십시오. → Please be quiet.
• 기다리세요. → Please wait.

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② -아 / -어 / -해 (Casual Commands)

• Used casually among friends or to younger people.

Examples:

• 조용히 해. → Be quiet.
• 기다려. → Wait.

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③ -읍시다 / -ㅂ시다 (Formal Suggestion)

• Proposes doing something together in a polite way.

Examples:

• 함께 갑시다. → Let’s go together.
• 점심 먹읍시다. → Let’s have lunch.

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④ -자 (Casual Suggestion)

• Casual version of “let’s ~”.

Examples:

• 우리 놀자. → Let’s play.
• 나가자. → Let’s go out.

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6. 💬 Politeness and Endings

The sentence-ending particle sets the tone of the conversation and reflects social hierarchy and respect.

Level	Ending Style	Example	Usage
Formal polite	-습니다	갑니다	News, workplace
Informal polite	-어요	가요	Friends’ parents, teachers
Casual (banmal)	-아 / -어	가	Friends, younger people

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7. ✏️ Practice Exercise

Try changing the sentence “to go (가다)” into all three speech levels:

Politeness Level	Sentence
Formal polite	갑니다
Informal polite	가요
Casual (banmal)	가

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8. 🧠 Tips for Learners

• Start by learning -아요 / -어요 forms, which are polite and safe for most situations.
• Use -습니다 / -ㅂ니다 in interviews, public speaking, and work settings.
• Use banmal (-아/-어) only with close friends or younger people after getting permission.

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🎯 Summary Chart

Type	Ending	Politeness	Example
Statement	-습니다	Formal	저는 학생입니다.
Statement	-어요	Polite	저는 학생이에요.
Statement	-다	Casual/Written	나는 학생이다.
Question	-습니까?	Formal	학생입니까?
Question	-어요?	Polite	학생이에요?
Question	-니?	Casual	학생이니?
Command	-세요	Polite	앉으세요.
Suggestion	-자	Casual	같이 가자.