Korean Lessons ᚛ Level 1 - My First Steps in Korean (Lessons 1 to 30) ᚛ Lesson 26 - The modifier -(으)ㄹ

The modifier -(으)ㄹ

In this course: ㄹ / 을

In this chapter, we will study the modifier -(으)ㄹ. It is an ending that follows a verb and can be used in many different cases. The first one we will see is the future tense in the next chapter, but the modifier -(으)ㄹ is a verb form that we will use many times throughout our learning of Korean. It is therefore very important to master it.

General rule

In general, the modifier -(으)ㄹ is used as follows:

• If the stem of the verb ends in a vowel: [Stem]ㄹ
• If the stem of the verb ends in a consonant: [Stem]을

The verb 가다 (= to go) has the stem 가 which ends in a vowel. We therefore add ㄹ to it.

• 가다 → 갈

The verb 먹다 (= to eat) has a stem 먹 which ends in a consonant. We therefore add 을 to it.

• 먹다 → 먹을

Exception of verbs ending in ㄹ

For verbs whose stem ends in ㄹ, it is not necessary to add the modifier -(으)ㄹ, the stem is sufficient on its own:
[Stem]

The verb 살다 (= to live) has a stem 살 which ends in ㄹ. Nothing is added to it to get its -(으)ㄹ form.

• 살다 → 살

Exception of verbs ending in ㅂ

For irregular verbs whose stem ends in ㅂ, the modifier -(으)ㄹ is added as follows:
[Stem -ㅂ]울

The irregular verb 춥다 (= to be cold) has the stem 춥 which ends in ㅂ. We then remove the final ㅂ from the stem, 추, then add 울.

• 춥다 → 추울

Exception of verbs ending in ㄷ

For irregular verbs whose stem ends in ㄷ, the modifier -(으)ㄹ is added as follows:
[Stem -ㄷ]ㄹ을

The irregular verb 듣다 (= to listen / hear) has a stem 듣 which ends in ㄷ. We then remove the final ㄷ from the stem, 드, then we add ㄹ을.

• 듣다 → 들을

Exception of verbs ending in ㅅ

Exception of verbs ending in ㅎ

Summary table of structure

Exercises

Particles are omnipresent in Korean. They indicate the role of words in a sentence, nuance meaning, and make it possible to understand who does what, where, how, and why.

Particles are also often the aspect that causes the most difficulty for Korean learners. In grammar books, they are usually presented in the middle of long sentences, with complex vocabulary, without being clearly highlighted.

With Korean Particles, we made the opposite choice:
taking the time to explain each particle, one by one, using very simple sentences, accessible even to beginners.

Learn more

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