Lesson 10: Simple Korean Verbs in Present Tense: 50+ Practice Sentences

Learning how to conjugate verbs in the present tense is a crucial step in mastering Korean. In this lesson, we'll focus on basic Korean verbs and guide you through how to use them in the present tense. This post includes over 50 example sentences using common verbs like "to eat," "to drink," and "to go." By the end of this lesson, you'll have a solid understanding of how to form and use these verbs in everyday conversations.

1. Common Korean Verbs and Their Present Tense Conjugation

Here are some essential Korean verbs and how they are conjugated in the present tense:

• To eat - 먹다 (Meokda) → 먹어요 (Meogeoyo)
• To drink - 마시다 (Masida) → 마셔요 (Masyeoyo)
• To go - 가다 (Gada) → 가요 (Gayo)
• To come - 오다 (Oda) → 와요 (Wayo)
• To see/watch - 보다 (Boda) → 봐요 (Bwayo)
• To do - 하다 (Hada) → 해요 (Haeyo)
• To make - 만들다 (Mandeulda) → 만들어요 (Mandeureoyo)
• To sleep - 자다 (Jada) → 자요 (Jayo)
• To read - 읽다 (Ikda) → 읽어요 (Ilgeoyo)
• To write - 쓰다 (Sseuda) → 써요 (Sseoyo)
• To listen - 듣다 (Deutda) → 들어요 (Deureoyo)
• To speak - 말하다 (Malhada) → 말해요 (Malhaeyo)
• To learn - 배우다 (Baeuda) → 배워요 (Baewoyo)
• To teach - 가르치다 (Gareuchida) → 가르쳐요 (Gareuchyeoyo)

2. Example Sentences Using Simple Korean Verbs

Here are example sentences that will help you understand how to use these verbs in context.

Examples:

1. 나는 아침을 먹어요. (Naneun achimeul meogeoyo.) - I eat breakfast.
2. 그녀는 커피를 마셔요. (Geunyeoneun keopireul masyeoyo.) - She drinks coffee.
3. 우리는 학교에 가요. (Urineun hakgyoe gayo.) - We go to school.
4. 그는 집에 와요. (Geuneun jibe wayo.) - He comes home.
5. 나는 영화를 봐요. (Naneun yeonghwareul bwayo.) - I watch a movie.

3. Using Verbs in Different Contexts

These examples demonstrate how you can use these verbs in various everyday situations.

Examples: 6. 그녀는 매일 운동을 해요. (Geunyeoneun maeil undongeul haeyo.) - She exercises every day. 7. 나는 저녁을 만들어요. (Naneun jeonyeogeul mandeureoyo.) - I make dinner. 8. 그는 일찍 자요. (Geuneun iljjik jayo.) - He goes to bed early. 9. 나는 책을 읽어요. (Naneun chaegeul ilgeoyo.) - I read a book. 10. 그녀는 편지를 써요. (Geunyeoneun pyeonjireul sseoyo.) - She writes a letter.

Using Verbs for Everyday Activities: 11. 우리는 음악을 들어요. (Urineun eumageul deureoyo.) - We listen to music. 12. 그는 한국어를 배워요. (Geuneun hangugeoreul baewoyo.) - He learns Korean. 13. 그녀는 아이들을 가르쳐요. (Geunyeoneun aideureul gareuchyeoyo.) - She teaches children. 14. 나는 친구와 이야기해요. (Naneun chinguwa iyagihaeyo.) - I talk with a friend. 15. 우리는 한국 음식을 먹어요. (Urineun hanguk eumsigeul meogeoyo.) - We eat Korean food.

4. Expressing Routine Actions with Present Tense Verbs

The present tense is often used to describe regular actions or habits.

Examples: 16. 나는 매일 운동해요. (Naneun maeil undonghaeyo.) - I exercise every day. 17. 그는 매일 아침 커피를 마셔요. (Geuneun maeil achim keopireul masyeoyo.) - He drinks coffee every morning. 18. 나는 매주 책을 읽어요. (Naneun maeju chaegeul ilgeoyo.) - I read books every week. 19. 그녀는 매일 학교에 가요. (Geunyeoneun maeil hakgyoe gayo.) - She goes to school every day. 20. 우리는 매일 저녁을 함께 먹어요. (Urineun maeil jeonyeogeul hamkke meogeoyo.) - We eat dinner together every evening.

Talking About Preferences and Hobbies: 21. 나는 음악을 듣는 것을 좋아해요. (Naneun eumageul deutneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - I like listening to music. 22. 그는 영화를 보는 것을 좋아해요. (Geuneun yeonghwareul boneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - He likes watching movies. 23. 나는 요리를 잘해요. (Naneun yorireul jalhaeyo.) - I am good at cooking. 24. 그녀는 글을 쓰는 것을 좋아해요. (Geunyeoneun geureul sseuneun geoseul joahaeyo.) - She likes writing. 25. 우리는 주말에 자주 산책해요. (Urineun jumare jaju sanchaekhaeyo.) - We often take walks on the weekends.

5. Expressing Actions with Other People

These examples show how to use verbs when describing actions involving other people.

Examples: 26. 우리는 함께 공부해요. (Urineun hamkke gongbuhaeyo.) - We study together. 27. 그는 친구들과 농구해요. (Geuneun chingudeulgwa nongguhaeyo.) - He plays basketball with his friends. 28. 그녀는 가족과 함께 저녁을 먹어요. (Geunyeoneun gajokgwa hamkke jeonyeogeul meogeoyo.) - She eats dinner with her family. 29. 나는 친구와 영화를 봐요. (Naneun chinguwa yeonghwareul bwayo.) - I watch a movie with a friend. 30. 우리는 같이 커피를 마셔요. (Urineun gachi keopireul masyeoyo.) - We drink coffee together.

6. Using Verbs to Talk About Daily Routines

Daily routines are commonly described using the present tense.

Examples: 31. 나는 아침에 일찍 일어나요. (Naneun achime iljjik ireonayo.) - I wake up early in the morning. 32. 그는 매일 아침 산책해요. (Geuneun maeil achim sanchaekhaeyo.) - He takes a walk every morning. 33. 그녀는 점심에 샌드위치를 먹어요. (Geunyeoneun jeomsime saendeuwichireul meogeoyo.) - She eats a sandwich for lunch. 34. 우리는 오후에 커피를 마셔요. (Urineun ohue keopireul masyeoyo.) - We drink coffee in the afternoon. 35. 나는 저녁에 TV를 봐요. (Naneun jeonyeoge Tibeereul bwayo.) - I watch TV in the evening.

Describing Actions at Specific Times: 36. 나는 아침 7시에 일어나요. (Naneun achim ilgopsie ireonayo.) - I wake up at 7 AM. 37. 그는 9시에 학교에 가요. (Geuneun ahopsie hakgyoe gayo.) - He goes to school at 9 AM. 38. 그녀는 12시에 점심을 먹어요. (Geunyeoneun yeoldusie jeomsimeul meogeoyo.) - She eats lunch at 12 PM. 39. 우리는 오후 3시에 커피를 마셔요. (Urineun ohu sesie keopireul masyeoyo.) - We drink coffee at 3 PM. 40. 나는 저녁 6시에 집에 와요. (Naneun jeonyeok yeoseopsie jibe wayo.) - I come home at 6 PM.

7. Expressing Future Intentions with Present Tense Verbs

The present tense can also be used to express immediate future intentions.

Examples: 41. 나는 지금 밥을 먹어요. (Naneun jigeum bapeul meogeoyo.) - I am eating now. 42. 그는 오늘 저녁에 친구를 만나요. (Geuneun oneul jeonyeoge chingureul mannayo.) - He is meeting a friend tonight. 43. 그녀는 지금 숙제를 해요. (Geunyeoneun jigeum sukjereul haeyo.) - She is doing her homework now. 44. 우리는 지금 영화를 봐요. (Urineun jigeum yeonghwareul bwayo.) - We are watching a movie now. 45. 나는 오늘 저녁에 요리해요. (Naneun oneul jeonyeoge yorihaeyo.) - I am cooking dinner tonight.

Talking About Immediate Actions: 46. 나는 지금 책을 읽어요. (Naneun jigeum chaegeul ilgeoyo.) - I am reading a book now. 47. 그는 지금 전화해요. (Geuneun jigeum jeonhwahaeyo.) - He is making a call now. 48. 그녀는 지금 샤워해요. (Geunyeoneun jigeum syawohaeyo.) - She is taking a shower now. 49. 우리는 지금 게임해요. (Urineun jigeum geimhaeyo.) - We are playing a game now. 50. 나는 지금 설거지해요. (Naneun jigeum seolgeojihaeyo.) - I am washing the dishes now.

Conclusion

Mastering Korean verbs in the present tense is a fundamental step toward fluency. This lesson provided over 50 example sentences to help you practice and become comfortable using these essential verbs in everyday conversations. By incorporating these verbs into your daily practice, you’ll soon find it easier to express yourself in Korean and engage in more complex conversations.

Keep practicing, and don't hesitate to revisit these examples to reinforce your understanding. With consistent effort, you'll build a strong foundation in Korean and move closer to fluency.

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