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TOPIK I Reading 34–39 ⑤: 9 Korean Particles for the Blank (에 / 에서 · 을/를)

8월 29, 20267월 8, 2026 작성자: klcckorean@gmail.com

📌 한국말로 공부하고 싶어요? 👉 [한국어]

Do small Korean particles like 에, 에서, and 을 feel tricky in TOPIK I reading? 😊 Here is the secret: each particle has one clear role. Learn the roles, and these questions become easy!

In questions 34–39, a particle blank tests one small word after a noun. Each TOPIK I reading question is worth 2 points.

Try each one first, then open the answer to check.

① Remember just one thing

A particle attaches to a noun and gives it a role.
Read the sentence, and choose the role it needs.

e.g. 밥 ( ) 먹어요 → “eat WHAT?” → 을 (object)

② Particle card

Particle	Role	Example
이/가	subject (who / what)	친구가 와요
을/를	object (what)	밥을 먹어요
에	place you go to / time	학교에 가요
에서	place of action / from	식당에서 먹어요
하고 (와/과)	and, with	빵하고 우유
도	also (too)	저도 가요
만	only	물만 마셔요
에게 (한테)	to a person	친구에게 줘요
의	of (possession)	동생의 가방

📌 -에 vs -에서: 가다 / 오다 → -에 (학교에 가요) · do something → -에서 (학교에서 공부해요)

📌 -을/를: after a final consonant → -을 (밥을) · after a vowel → -를 (사과를)

💡Do you want to study more in detail [-에 vs-에서]? Check this 👉 [ -에 vs -에서 ]

Practice: TOPIK I reading particle blanks

Try each TOPIK I reading question first.

Read the sentence, choose the particle, then open the box to check.

Question 1

저는 베트남( ) 왔습니다.

① 이② 의③ 에서④ 하고

🔽 See the answer (Question 1)

Q: 저는 베트남( ) 왔습니다.
(I came ( ) Vietnam.) 👉 Came FROM where? (starting place)

A: ✅③ 에서 → “~에서 오다” means “come from ~”. From Vietnam!

① 이 = subject marker (-이/가).

② 의 = of (possession).

④ 하고 = and / with.

💡 Tip: come/came from a country or place → ~에서!

Question 2

형은 학생입니다. 저( ) 학생입니다.

① 만② 에③ 를④ 도

🔽 See the answer (Question 2)

Q: 형은 학생입니다. 저( ) 학생입니다.
(My older brother is a student. I am ( ) a student.) 👉 Brother is, and I am → “also”?

A: ✅④ 도 → “-도” means “also / too”. I am also a student!

① 만 = only.

② 에 = to a place / time.

③ 를 = object marker (-을/를); a verb should follow.

💡 Tip: same as before (“also”) → -도!

Question 3

시장에서 사과( ) 배를 삽니다.

① 하고② 만③ 까지④ 에서

🔽 See the answer (Question 3)

Q: 시장에서 사과( ) 배를 삽니다.
(At the market, I buy apples ( ) pears.) 👉 apples “and” pears?

A: ✅① 하고 → “-하고” means “and / with”. Apples and pears!

② 만 = only.

③ 까지 = up to / until.

④ 에서 = at a place / from.

💡 Tip: A ( ) B (both) → -하고 (= -와/과)!

Question 4

친구 생일입니다. 친구( ) 선물을 줍니다.

① 도② 를③ 에서④ 에게

🔽 See the answer (Question 4)

Q: 친구 생일입니다. 친구( ) 선물을 줍니다.
(It is my friend’s birthday. I give a gift ( ) my friend.) 👉 Give TO whom? (a person)

A: ✅④ 에게 → For a person, use “-에게”. To my friend!

① 도 = also.

② 를 = object marker (-을/를).

③ 에서 = at a place / from.

💡 Tip: a person + give/send → -에게 (= -한테)!

Question 5

다른 것은 없습니다. 물( ) 있습니다.

① 을② 만③ 도④ 로

🔽 See the answer (Question 5)

Q: 다른 것은 없습니다. 물( ) 있습니다.
(There is nothing else. There is ( ) water.) 👉 Nothing else, water “only”?

A: ✅② 만 → “-만” means “only”. Only water!

① 을 = object marker (-을/를); a verb should follow.

③ 도 = also.

④ 로 = by / with (a way or tool).

💡 Tip: only one thing → -만!

Question 6

이것은 제 것이 아닙니다. 동생( ) 가방입니다.

① 도② 만③ 의④ 을

🔽 See the answer (Question 6)

Q: 이것은 제 것이 아닙니다. 동생( ) 가방입니다.
(This is not mine. It is my sibling’s ( ) bag.) 👉 Whose bag?

A: ✅③ 의 → “의” means “of (possession)”. My sibling’s bag!

① 도 = also.

② 만 = only.

④ 을 = object marker (-을/를); a verb should follow.

💡 Tip: whose thing (possession) → -의!

Question 7

방이 덥습니다. 그래서 창문( ) 엽니다.

① 에② 의③ 을④ 이

🔽 See the answer (Question 7)

Q: 방이 덥습니다. 그래서 창문( ) 엽니다.
(The room is hot. So I open the window ( ).) 👉 Open WHAT? (object)

A: ✅③ 을 → “-을/를” marks the object (what). Open the window!

① 에 = to a place / time.

② 의 = of (possession).

④ 이 = subject marker (-이/가).

💡 Tip: do something to WHAT → -을/를! (“창문” ends in a consonant, so -을)

Question 8

저는 아침에 학교( ) 갑니다.

① 에② 에서③ 을④ 도

🔽 See the answer (Question 8)

Q: 저는 아침에 학교( ) 갑니다.
(In the morning I go ( ) school.) 👉 Go TO where? (destination)

A: ✅① 에 → “~에 가다” means the place you go to. To school!

② 에서 = the place of an action (학교에서 공부해요); not used with 가다.

③ 을 = object marker (-을/를).

④ 도 = also.

💡 Tip: -에 vs -에서! 가다·오다 → -에 (학교에 가요) · do something → -에서 (학교에서 공부해요)

③ How to memorize the particles easily

Now you have practiced, here is the fastest way to grow your TOPIK I reading vocabulary.

Learn each particle by its role. 을/를 (what), 에 (to a place), 에서 (place of action), 에게 (to a person), 의 (whose).
Focus on the tricky pair: 에 ↔ 에서. (가다 → 에, do something → 에서)
을/를 rule: after a consonant → 을, after a vowel → 를.
Read out loud. Your ear will learn the natural particle.

🤖Practice with AI: a Korean particle game

You can practice TOPIK I reading alone with AI — and grow your Korean speaking too!

First, turn on the AI’s voice (read-aloud).

Then answer out loud in Korean. The game is played only in Korean.🗣️

“Let’s play a Korean particle game. Please speak only in Korean during the game — no English. You read a short sentence with one blank in Korean (for example: 학교 ( ) 갑니다), and I say the correct particle out loud in Korean (for example: 에). Give me 10 quickly, then tell me my score in Korean. Use only beginner words.”

⚠️ AI can make mistakes.

Always check with real past exams at the end. AI is for practice; the past exams are the answer key.

Summary

A particle gives a noun its role. Read the sentence and choose the role.
Always split 에 (go to) vs 에서 (do something / from).
을/를 depends on the final letter: 밥을 / 사과를.

Well done! Keep practicing, and you can all pass TOPIK Level 2. 🎉

Have a question? Please leave a comment.

See you in the next lesson!

📢 want to practice TOPIKⅠ Listening next? 👉 [ TOPIKⅠ Listening ]

FAQ

Q: What are TOPIK I reading questions 34–39?

A: They ask you to fill a blank with the right word — a particle, noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Each question is worth 2 points.

Q: How do I choose the right particle?

A: Each particle has a role. Read the sentence and pick the role it needs: object (을/를), destination (에), place of action (에서), to a person (에게), or possession (의).

Q: What is the difference between 에 and 에서?

A: Use 에 for the place you go to (학교에 가요). Use 에서 for the place where you do something (학교에서 공부해요) or “from.”

TOPIK I Reading 34–39 ④: 7 Adverbs to Fill the Blank (아주 · 자주 · 같이)

8월 29, 20267월 6, 2026 작성자: klcckorean@gmail.com

📌 한국말로 공부하고 싶어요? 👉 [한국어]

Do adverbs like 아주, 자주, and 가끔 look confusing in TOPIK I reading? 😊

The trick is simple: each adverb has one clear meaning. Learn 7 of them, and these questions become easy!

In questions 34–39, an adverb blank asks how much, how often, or how. Each TOPIK I reading question is worth 2 points.

Try each one first, then open the answer to check.

① Remember just one thing

Choose an adverb by its meaning, and read the other sentence for the clue.
e.g. 날씨가 ( ) 춥습니다 → How cold? → 아주 (very)
e.g. 좋아해서 ( ) 마십니다 → How often? → 자주 (often)

② Adverb card

Meaning	Adverb
very much (degree)	아주 (very)
many times (often)	자주 (often)
sometimes, a little	가끔 (sometimes)
together (with someone)	같이 (together)
for the first time	처음 (first time)
before something else	먼저 (first / before)
quickly	빨리 (quickly)

📌 Pair to remember: 자주 (often) ↔ 가끔 (sometimes).
📌 아주 often comes before an adjective. (아주 춥다 · 아주 맛있다)

Practice: TOPIK I reading adverb blanks

Try each TOPIK I reading question first.

Read the two sentences, choose the adverb, then open the box to check.

Question 1

오늘은 날씨가 ( ) 춥습니다. 그래서 옷을 많이 입습니다.

① 아주② 자주③ 가끔④ 먼저

🔽 See the answer (Question 1)

Q: 오늘은 날씨가 ( ) 춥습니다.
(Today the weather is ( ) cold.) 👉 How cold? (degree)

A: ✅① 아주 (very) → It is very cold, so I wear many clothes!

② 자주 = often (many times).

③ 가끔 = sometimes.

④ 먼저 = first / before.

💡 Tip: before an adjective (춥다 · 덥다 · 맛있다), for “how much” → 아주 (very)!

Question 2

저는 커피를 좋아합니다. 그래서 ( ) 마십니다.

① 자주② 가끔③ 먼저④ 아까

🔽 See the answer (Question 2)

Q: 저는 커피를 좋아합니다. 그래서 ( ) 마십니다.
(I like coffee. So I drink it ( ).) 👉 I like it — how often?

A: ✅① 자주 (often) → If you like it, you drink it often!

② 가끔 = sometimes (a little).

③ 먼저 = first / before.

④ 아까 = a while ago.

💡 Tip: like it, so many times → 자주 (often)! (opposite: 가끔)

Question 3

저는 보통 걸어서 갑니다. ( ) 버스를 탑니다.

① 가끔② 아주③ 같이④ 빨리

🔽 See the answer (Question 3)

Q: 저는 보통 걸어서 갑니다. ( ) 버스를 탑니다.
(I usually walk. ( ) I take the bus.) 👉 Usually walk — the bus is how often?

A: ✅① 가끔 (sometimes) → I usually walk, but sometimes I take the bus!

② 아주 = very (much).

③ 같이 = together.

④ 빨리 = quickly.

💡 Tip: usually A, and ( ) B → “B sometimes” → 가끔!

Question 4

친구를 만났습니다. 우리는 ( ) 밥을 먹었습니다.

① 가장② 아직③ 같이④ 별로

🔽 See the answer (Question 4)

Q: 친구를 만났습니다. 우리는 ( ) 밥을 먹었습니다.
(I met my friend. We ate ( ).) 👉 “We” — did it together?

A: ✅③ 같이 (together) → We ate together with the friend!

① 가장 = most.

② 아직 = still / not yet.

④ 별로 = not really.

💡 Tip: “우리는 (we)” + ( ) → 같이 (together)!

Question 5

저는 그 사람을 모릅니다. 내일 ( ) 만납니다.

① 처음② 보통③ 제일④ 항상

🔽 See the answer (Question 5)

Q: 저는 그 사람을 모릅니다. 내일 ( ) 만납니다.
(I don’t know that person. Tomorrow I meet them ( ).) 👉 Don’t know them — which meeting is it?

A: ✅① 처음 (first time) → You don’t know them, so tomorrow is the first time!

② 보통 = usually.

③ 제일 = most.

④ 항상 = always.

💡 Tip: meet a person you don’t know → 처음 (first time)!

Question 6

이 케이크가 ( ) 맛있습니다. 그래서 매일 먹습니다.

① 아주② 가끔③ 먼저④ 아까

🔽 See the answer (Question 6)

Q: 이 케이크가 ( ) 맛있습니다.
(This cake is ( ) delicious.) 👉 How delicious? (degree)

A: ✅① 아주 (very) → It is very delicious, so I eat it every day!

② 가끔 = sometimes.

③ 먼저 = first / before.

④ 아까 = a while ago.

💡 Tip: before an adjective (맛있다), for “how much” → 아주 (very)!

Question 7

저는 아침에 ( ) 세수를 합니다. 그리고 밥을 먹습니다.

① 먼저② 가끔③ 아주④ 같이

🔽 See the answer (Question 7)

Q: 저는 아침에 ( ) 세수를 합니다. 그리고 밥을 먹습니다.
(In the morning I wash my face ( ). Then I eat.) 👉 Wash → eat: which order?

A: ✅① 먼저 (first) → I wash my face first, then I eat!

② 가끔 = sometimes.

③ 아주 = very.

④ 같이 = together.

💡 Tip: do A ( ), then B → “A first” → 먼저!

Question 8

시간이 없습니다. 그래서 ( ) 갑니다.

① 빨리② 같이③ 처음④ 가끔

🔽 See the answer (Question 8)

Q: 시간이 없습니다. 그래서 ( ) 갑니다.
(I have no time. So I go ( ).) 👉 No time — how do you go?

A: ✅① 빨리 (quickly) → If you have no time, you go quickly!

② 같이 = together.

③ 처음 = first time.

④ 가끔 = sometimes.

💡 Tip: no time → 빨리 (quickly)!

③ How to memorize the adverbs easily

Now you have practiced, here is the fastest way to grow your TOPIK I reading vocabulary.

Group by meaning. degree (아주), how often (자주 · 가끔), together (같이).
Learn the pair. 자주 (often) ↔ 가끔 (sometimes). They are opposites.
Read the OTHER sentence and ask: how much? how often? how?
Quiz yourself. See a meaning, and say the adverb. (many times → ?)

🤖Practice with AI: a Korean adverb speed game

You can practice TOPIK I reading alone with AI — and grow your Korean speaking too!

First, turn on the AI’s voice (read-aloud).

Then answer out loud in Korean. The game is played only in Korean.

🗣️”Let’s play a Korean adverb speed game. Please speak only in Korean during the game — no English. You say a short situation in Korean (for example: 좋아해서 여러 번 마셔요), and I say the adverb in Korean out loud (for example: 자주). Give me 10 quickly, then tell me my score in Korean. Use only beginner words.”

⚠️ AI can make mistakes.

Always check with real past exams at the end. AI is for practice; the past exams are the answer key.

Summary

Choose an adverb by its meaning, and read the other sentence for the clue.
아주 (degree) · 자주 / 가끔 (how often) · 같이 (together) · 처음 / 먼저 (order) · 빨리 (quickly).
Learn 자주 ↔ 가끔 as a pair to erase wrong choices fast.

Good Job! Keep practicing, and you can all pass TOPIK Level 2. 🎉

Have a question? Please leave a comment.

See you in the next lesson!

📢 want to practice TOPIKⅠ Listening next? 👉 [ TOPIKⅠ Listening ]

FAQ

Q: What are TOPIK I reading questions 34–39?

A: They ask you to fill a blank with the right word — a particle, noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Each question is worth 2 points.

Q: How do I choose the right adverb for the blank?

A: Choose by meaning and read the other sentence. Ask: how much (아주), how often (자주 · 가끔), or how (같이 · 빨리)?

Q: Where does 아주 usually go?

A: 아주 (very) usually comes before an adjective, like 아주 춥다 (very cold) or 아주 맛있다 (very delicious).

TOPIK I Reading 34–39 ③: 8 Adjective Blanks & 5 Opposite Pairs

8월 29, 20267월 5, 2026 작성자: klcckorean@gmail.com

📌 한국말로 공부하고 싶어요? 👉 [한국어]

Do you keep mixing up 쉽다 (easy) and 어렵다 (hard) in TOPIK I reading? 😊

Don’t worry — the other sentence always tells you which one. Just read it first!

In questions 34–39, an adjective blank asks about a state — how something is (아프다, 바쁘다, 가깝다…). Each TOPIK I reading question is worth 2 points.

Try each one first, then open the answer to check.

① Remember just one thing

An adjective describes a state (how something is).
Read the other sentence — the reason or result — and choose the state that fits.
e.g. 약을 먹어요 (take medicine) → 아프다 (sick/hurt).
And learn opposite pairs (쉽다 ↔ 어렵다) to erase wrong choices fast.

② Adjective card

When you see this situation…	Use this adjective
약을 먹어요 / 병원에 가요	아프다 (sick / hurt)
시간이 없어요 / 일이 많아요	바쁘다 (busy)
늦게까지 일했어요	피곤하다 (tired)
집 앞에 있어요 / 걸어가요	가깝다 (close / near)
시험을 잘 봤어요	쉽다 (easy)
점수가 나빴어요	어렵다 (difficult)
발이 아파요 (신발)	작다 (small)

📌 Learn opposite pairs together — then you can erase the wrong choice fast.
많다 ↔ 적다 (many ↔ few) · 크다 ↔ 작다 (big ↔ small) · 가깝다 ↔ 멀다 (near ↔ far) · 쉽다 ↔ 어렵다 (easy ↔ hard) · 싸다 ↔ 비싸다 (cheap ↔ expensive)

Practice: TOPIK I reading adjective blanks

Try each TOPIK I reading question first.

Read the two sentences, choose the adjective, then open the box to check.

Question 1

이가 ( ). 그래서 치과에 갑니다.

① 아픕니다② 예쁩니다③ 짧습니다④ 좋습니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 1)

Q: 이가 ( ). 그래서 치과에 갑니다.
(My tooth ( ). So I go to the dentist.) 👉 The other sentence: “치과에 갑니다 (go to the dentist)”.

A: ✅① 아픕니다 (hurt) → If your tooth hurts, you go to the dentist!

② 예쁘다 = pretty.

③ 짧다 = short.

④ 좋다 = good / nice.

💡 Tip: go to a dentist/hospital / take medicine → 아프다 (hurt)!

Question 2

요즘 일이 많습니다. 그래서 아주 ( ).

① 조용합니다② 바쁩니다③ 가볍습니다④ 깨끗합니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 2)

Q: 요즘 일이 많습니다. 그래서 아주 ( ).
(These days I have a lot of work. So I am very ( ).) 👉 The other sentence: “일이 많습니다 (a lot of work)”.

A: ✅② 바쁩니다 (busy) → A lot of work makes you busy!

① 조용하다 = quiet.

③ 가볍다 = light (not heavy).

④ 깨끗하다 = clean.

💡 Tip: a lot of work / no time → 바쁘다 (busy)!

Question 3

학교가 집 앞에 있습니다. 그래서 아주 ( ).

① 큽니다② 비쌉니다③ 가깝습니다④ 깨끗합니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 3)

Q: 학교가 집 앞에 있습니다. 그래서 아주 ( ).
(The school is in front of my house. So it is very ( ).) 👉 The other sentence: “집 앞에 있습니다 (in front of the house)”.

A: ✅③ 가깝습니다 (close) → If it is in front of your house, it is close!

① 크다 = big.

② 비싸다 = expensive.

④ 깨끗하다 = clean.

💡 Tip: in front of the house / walk there → 가깝다 (near)! (opposite: 멀다 far)

Question 4

오늘 늦게까지 일했습니다. 그래서 조금 ( ).

① 작습니다② 무겁습니다③ 피곤합니다④ 비쌉니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 4)

Q: 오늘 늦게까지 일했습니다. 그래서 조금 ( ).
(Today I worked until late. So I am a little ( ).) 👉 The other sentence: “늦게까지 일했습니다 (worked until late)”.

A: ✅③ 피곤합니다 (tired) → Working late makes you tired!

① 작다 = small.

② 무겁다 = heavy.

④ 비싸다 = expensive.

💡 Tip: worked a lot / didn’t sleep → 피곤하다 (tired)!

Question 5

도서관에 갔습니다. 책이 아주 ( ).

① 넓습니다② 많습니다③ 쉽습니다④ 짧습니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 5)

Q: 도서관에 갔습니다. 책이 아주 ( ).
(I went to the library. There are very ( ) books.) 👉 The other sentence: “도서관 (library)”, “책 (books)”.

A: ✅② 많습니다 (many) → A library has many books!

① 넓다 = wide (a place is big).

③ 쉽다 = easy.

④ 짧다 = short.

💡 Tip: a big number of ~ → 많다 (many)! (opposite: 적다 few)

Question 6

시험 공부를 많이 했습니다. 그래서 시험이 ( ).

① 나빴습니다② 작았습니다③ 쉬웠습니다④ 재미없었습니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 6)

Q: 시험 공부를 많이 했습니다. 그래서 시험이 ( ).
(I studied a lot for the test. So the test was ( ).) 👉 The other sentence: “공부를 많이 했습니다 (studied a lot)”.

A: ✅③ 쉬웠습니다 (easy) → If you study a lot, the test feels easy!

① 나쁘다 = bad.

② 작다 = small.

④ 재미없다 = not fun.

💡 Tip: did well / studied a lot → 쉽다 (easy)! (opposite: 어렵다 hard)

Question 7

이 신발이 ( ). 그래서 발이 아픕니다.

① 큽니다② 작습니다③ 많습니다④ 좋습니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 7)

Q: 이 신발이 ( ). 그래서 발이 아픕니다.
(These shoes are ( ). So my feet hurt.) 👉 The other sentence: “발이 아픕니다 (feet hurt)”.

A: ✅② 작습니다 (small) → If shoes are small, your feet hurt!

① 크다 = big (big shoes don’t hurt your feet).

③ 많다 = many.

④ 좋다 = good / nice.

💡 Tip: shoes are small → feet hurt! (opposite: 크다 big)

Question 8

한국어 시험이 ( ). 그래서 점수가 나빴습니다.

① 쉬웠습니다② 어려웠습니다③ 짧았습니다④ 많았습니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 8)

Q: 한국어 시험이 ( ). 그래서 점수가 나빴습니다.
(The Korean test was ( ). So my score was bad.) 👉 The other sentence: “점수가 나빴습니다 (bad score)”.

A: ✅② 어려웠습니다 (difficult) → If the test is difficult, the score is bad!

① 쉽다 = easy (easy test → good score).

③ 짧다 = short.

④ 많다 = many.

💡 Tip: Q6 is 쉽다 (easy), Q8 is 어렵다 (hard).
Look at the RESULT (did well? / bad score?) to decide!

③ How to memorize the adjectives easily

Now you have practiced, here is the fastest way to grow your TOPIK I reading vocabulary.

Learn situation ↔ adjective as a pair. (medicine → 아프다, a lot of work → 바쁘다)
Learn opposite pairs together. (쉽다 ↔ 어렵다, 크다 ↔ 작다) You can erase the wrong choice fast.
Read the OTHER sentence first — look at the reason or result. (feet hurt → shoes are small)
Quiz yourself. See a situation, and say the adjective. (no time → ?)

🤖Practice with AI: a Korean opposite-word battle

You can practice TOPIK I reading alone with AI — and grow your Korean speaking too!

First, turn on the AI’s voice (read-aloud).

Then answer out loud in Korean. The game is played only in Korean.

🗣️”Let’s play a Korean opposite-word battle. Please speak only in Korean during the game — no English. You say an adjective in Korean (for example: 쉽다), and I say the opposite in Korean out loud (for example: 어렵다). Give me 10 quickly, then tell me my score in Korean. Use only beginner words.”

⚠️ AI can make mistakes.

Always check with real past exams at the end. AI is for practice; the past exams are the answer key.

Summary

An adjective is a state. Read the other sentence (reason or result) and match it.
Learn opposite pairs (쉽다 ↔ 어렵다) to erase wrong choices fast.
Same words, different result? Decide by the result. (good score → easy / bad score → hard)

Well done! Keep practicing, and you can all pass TOPIK Level 2. 🎉

Have a question? Please leave a comment.

See you in the next lesson!

📢 want to practice TOPIKⅠ Listening next? 👉 [ TOPIKⅠ Listening ]

FAQ

Q: What are TOPIK I reading questions 34–39?

A: They ask you to fill a blank with the right word — a particle, noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Each question is worth 2 points.

Q: How do I choose the right adjective for the blank?

A: Read the other sentence — the reason or the result — and pick the state that fits. (feet hurt → shoes are small)

Q: Why do opposite pairs help?

A: If you know 쉽다 ↔ 어렵다, you can quickly erase the wrong one and decide by the result (good score or bad score).

TOPIK I Reading 34–39 ②: 9 Korean “Partner Verbs” for the Blank

8월 29, 20267월 4, 2026 작성자: klcckorean@gmail.com

📌 Prefer to read in Korean? 한국어로 공부하고 싶어요?👉 [한국어로 배워요!]

Do you keep choosing the wrong verb in TOPIK I reading? 😊

Here is the secret: Korean has fixed “partner verbs.” Some nouns always go with one special verb. Once you know the pairs, these questions become easy!

Questions 34–39 give you two short sentences with one blank. Verbs are the most common answer here, so this type is very important. Each TOPIK I reading question is worth 2 points.

Try each one first, then open the answer to check.

① Remember just one thing

Korean uses fixed “partner verbs.”
Some nouns always go with one verb. e.g. 사진을 → 찍다 (take a photo).
And if there is no clear pair, read the other sentence for the situation.

② Partner-verb card

When you see this noun…	Use this partner verb
사진을 (a photo)	찍다 (take a photo)
춤을 (a dance)	추다 (dance)
노래를 (a song)	부르다 (sing)
전화를 (a phone call)	하다 (make a call)
약을 (medicine)	먹다 (take medicine)
책을 (a book)	읽다 (read) · 보다 (read/look at)
영화를 (a movie)	보다 (watch)
편지를 (a letter)	부치다 · 보내다 (send)
선물을 (a gift)	주다 (give) · 받다 (receive)

📌 No clear pair? Read the other sentence for the situation.

Sleep at night → wake up in the morning
tired → rest
not here yet → wait

Practice: TOPIK I reading verb blanks

Try each TOPIK I reading question first.

Read the two sentences, choose the verb, then open the box to check.

Question 1

생일 파티입니다. 우리는 사진을 ( ).

① 삽니다② 찍습니다③ 읽습니다④ 만납니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 1)

Q: 생일 파티입니다. 우리는 사진을 ( ). (It is a birthday party. We ( ) photos.) 👉 What verb goes with “사진을 (photos)”?

A: ✅② 찍습니다 → In Korean, photos go with “찍다 (take)”.

① 사다 = to buy.

③ 읽다 = to read (books).

④ 만나다 = to meet (people).

💡 Tip: 사진 (photo) always goes with 찍다! (English says “take,” but learn the Korean pair.)

Question 2

저는 음악을 좋아합니다. 매일 노래를 ( ).

① 봅니다② 씁니다③ 부릅니다④ 탑니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 2)

Q: 저는 음악을 좋아합니다. 매일 노래를 ( ). (I like music. Every day I ( ) songs.) 👉 What verb goes with “노래를 (songs)”?

A: ✅③ 부릅니다 → A song goes with “부르다 (sing)”.

① 보다 = to watch / see.

② 쓰다 = to write.

④ 타다 = to ride (a bus).

💡 Tip: 노래 (song) → 부르다 (sing)!

Question 3

밤 열한 시에 잡니다. 아침 여섯 시에 ( ).

① 삽니다② 옵니다③ 일어납니다④ 입습니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 3)

Q: 밤 열한 시에 잡니다. 아침 여섯 시에 ( ). (I sleep at 11 pm. At 6 am I ( ).) 👉 Other sentence: “잡니다 (sleep)”.

A: ✅③ 일어납니다 → After sleeping, in the morning you “일어나다 (wake up)”.

① 사다 = to buy.

② 오다 = to come.

④ 입다 = to wear.

💡 Tip: 자다 (sleep) ↔ 일어나다 (wake up). Read the other sentence!

Question 4

오늘 아주 피곤합니다. 그래서 집에서 ( ).

① 쉽니다② 됩니다③ 찾습니다④ 자릅니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 4)

Q: 오늘 아주 피곤합니다. 그래서 집에서 ( ). (I am very tired today. So at home I ( ).) 👉 Other sentence: “피곤합니다 (tired)”.

A: ✅① 쉽니다 → When you are tired, you “쉬다 (rest)”.

② 되다 = to become.

③ 찾다 = to find / look for.

④ 자르다 = to cut.

💡 Tip: 피곤하다 (tired) → 쉬다 (rest)!

Question 5

배가 아픕니다. 그래서 약을 ( ).

① 봅니다② 먹습니다③ 만납니다④ 씁니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 5)

Q: 배가 아픕니다. 그래서 약을 ( ). (My stomach hurts. So I ( ) medicine.) 👉 What verb goes with “약을 (medicine)”?

A: ✅② 먹습니다 → In Korean, medicine goes with “먹다 (take/eat)”.

① 보다 = to watch.

③ 만나다 = to meet.

④ 쓰다 = to write / to wear.

💡 Tip: 약 (medicine) → 먹다! (Even liquid medicine uses 먹다 in Korean.)

Question 6

오늘은 제 생일입니다. 친구들을 집에 ( ).

① 초대합니다② 가르칩니다③ 구경합니다④ 좋아합니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 6)

Q: 오늘은 제 생일입니다. 친구들을 집에 ( ). (Today is my birthday. I ( ) my friends to my house.) 👉 Other sentence: “생일 (birthday)”.

A: ✅① 초대합니다 → On your birthday, you “초대하다 (invite)” friends.

② 가르치다 = to teach.

③ 구경하다 = to look around / go sightseeing.

④ 좋아하다 = to like.

💡 Tip: 생일 (birthday) + 친구 (friends) → 초대하다 (invite)!

Question 7

친구가 아직 안 왔습니다. 그래서 친구를 ( ).

① 입니다② 보냅니다③ 기다립니다④ 가르칩니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 7)

Q: 친구가 아직 안 왔습니다. 그래서 친구를 ( ). (My friend has not come yet. So I ( ) my friend.) 👉 Other sentence: “아직 안 왔습니다 (not come yet)”.

A: ✅③ 기다립니다 → If someone has not come, you “기다리다 (wait)”.

① 이다 = to be.

② 보내다 = to send.

④ 가르치다 = to teach.

💡 Tip: 아직 안 왔습니다 (not here yet) → 기다리다 (wait)!

Question 8

동생은 춤을 좋아합니다. 춤을 아주 잘 ( ).

① 씁니다② 춥니다③ 탑니다④ 칩니다

🔽 See the answer (Question 8)

Q: 동생은 춤을 좋아합니다. 춤을 아주 잘 ( ).
(My sibling likes dancing. He/she ( ) very well.) 👉 What verb goes with “춤을 (a dance)”?

A: ✅ ② 춥니다 → A dance goes with “추다”.

① 쓰다 = to write.

③ 타다 = to ride.

④ 치다 = to play (piano/guitar) / to hit.

💡 Tip: 춤 (dance) → 추다! (추다 is used only for dancing.)

③ How to memorize the verbs easily

Now you have practiced, here is the fastest way to grow your TOPIK I reading vocabulary.

Learn noun + verb as a pair. (사진–찍다, 춤–추다, 노래–부르다) Not one by one.
Watch out — the pair is different from English! English says “take a photo,” but Korean says 사진을 찍다.
Read the OTHER sentence for the situation. (tired → rest / not here yet → wait)
Quiz yourself. See a noun, and say the verb. (사진을 → ?)

🤖Practice with AI: a Korean speaking game

You can practice TOPIK I reading alone with AI — and grow your Korean speaking too!
First, turn on the AI’s voice (read-aloud).
Then answer out loud in Korean, not by typing. The game is played only in Korean.

🗣️ “Let’s play a Korean partner-verb speed game. Please speak only in Korean slowly during the game — no English. You say a noun in Korean (for example: 사진을), and I answer the partner verb in Korean out loud (for example: 찍습니다). Give me 10 quickly, then tell me my score in Korean. Use only beginner words.”

⚠️ AI can make mistakes. Always check with real past exams at the end. AI is for practice; the past exams are the answer key.

Summary

Korean has fixed partner verbs — learn noun + verb as a pair.
No clear pair? Read the other sentence for the situation.
Remember: the Korean pair can be different from English (take a photo → 사진을 찍다).

Well done! Keep practicing, and you can all pass TOPIK Level 2. 🎉
Have a question? Please leave a comment.

See you in the next lesson!

📢 want to practice TOPIKⅠ Listening next? 👉 [ TOPIKⅠ Listening ]

<FAQ>

Q: What are TOPIK I reading questions 34–39?

A: They ask you to fill a blank with the right word — a particle, noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Each question is worth 2 points.

Q: How do I choose the right verb for the blank?

A: Look at the object noun and use its partner verb (사진을 → 찍다). If there is no clear pair, read the other sentence for the situation (tired → rest).

Q: Why is the Korean verb different from English?

A: Korean uses fixed “partner verbs.” English says “take a photo,” but Korean says 사진을 찍다. Learn the Korean pair as one set.

1 Simple Rule: Korean Place Particles -에 vs -에서 (Easy Guide)

8월 29, 20267월 3, 2026 작성자: klcckorean@gmail.com

📌 한국말로 공부하고 싶어요? 👉 [한국어]

Hi! Let me guess. You wrote something like

“저는 학교에 공부해요.”

You felt good about it. And then your teacher (or your app) said: “Almost! It should be -에서.”

And you thought: “But… they’re BOTH after 학교! They’re both places! Why?!” 😤

If that’s you, take a breath. You’re not bad at Korean — this is genuinely one of the most confusing things for beginners.

In this guide, we will learn about Korean place particles -에 vs -에서 and how to use them easily.

And today, in about three minutes, that confusion is going to disappear. Let’s do it. 😊

(New here? A “particle” is a tiny word added after a noun. In Korean, particles do the job of English words like “at, in, to.”)

The one question that fixes everything

Here’s the secret.

Whenever you’re stuck between -에 and -에서, don’t think about grammar rules.

Just ask yourself one question:

📍 “Am I just AT the place, or GOING to it?” → -에 (e)
🏃 “Am I DOING something at the place?” → -에서 (eseo)

That’s it. That’s the whole trick.

Everything below is just showing you why this works — and once you see it, you won’t forget it.

📍 Korean place particles: When to use -에

Sometimes you’re not doing anything at a place. You’re simply there, or you’re on your way there. That’s ‘-에’.

It comes in two cases:

① Where something IS / ISN’T (existence, location) 👉 –에 + 있다 / 없다

앤디가 한국에 있어요. — Andy is in Korea.
우유가 냉장고에 없어요. — There’s no milk in the fridge.

② Where you’re GOING / COMING / ATTENDING (destination) 👉 –에 + 가다 / 오다 / 다니다

학교에 가요. — I go to school.
집에 와요. — I come home.
학교에 다녀요. — I attend school.

💡 다니다 = to go somewhere regularly (school, work, church). It’s about going, so → 에.

⚠️ Careful! 다니다 is only for places you go to on a regular schedule — 학교에 다녀요 (school), 회사에 다녀요 (work). You can’t use it for your own home or room. ❌ 집에 다녀요 / ❌ 방에 다녀요 don’t work, because your home isn’t a place you “attend.” For home, just use 가다/오다 → 집에 가요, 집에 와요.

🏃 -에서 — something is HAPPENING here

This is another essential rule for Korean place particles. Now picture a place full of action.

Eating. Studying. Playing. Meeting.

When stuff is happening at a place, that’s 에서.

학교에서 공부해요. — I study at school. (action: studying!)
식당에서 밥을 먹어요. — I eat at a restaurant. (action: eating!)
운동장에서 축구를 해요. — I play soccer on the field. (action: playing!)
카페에서 친구를 만나요. — I meet a friend at a café. (action: meeting!)

Feel the difference?

These places are busy. Something is going on. 👉 Any action — 공부하다, 먹다, 만나다, 하다 — grabs 에서.

Here’s the “아하! aha!” moment

Ready for the part that makes it all click?

Watch the exact same place — 학교 — change its particle:

Sentence	What’s happening?	Particle
저는 학교에 가요	Not there yet — I’m heading to the place	–에
저는 학교에 있어요	Nothing — I’m just there	–에
저는 학교에서 공부해요	I’m doing something (studying)	–에서

So the place was never the point. The particle isn’t about the place — it’s about what you’re DOING there. 🤯

That’s the thing nobody told you. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

⚠️ The one trap that catches everyone

Okay, one warning — because this is where even good students slip. This trap happens often when learning Korean place particles.

있다 (to be) and 없다 (to not be) FEEL like actions, right? Like you’re “doing” being-there.

But nope! — they just mean something exists in a place.

So they take –에, not -에서.

There’s a student in the classroom.
교실에 학생이 있어요. ⭕
교실에서 학생이 있어요. ❌

Burn this one into your memory: 📢 있다 · 없다 → always 에.

Can you fix these?

Each sentence below is wrong. Can you feel why?

Wrong ❌	Why?	Correct ⭕
저는 학교에서 있어요	있다 = just being there → 에	저는 학교에 있어요
냉장고에서 우유가 있어요	있다 = just being there → 에	냉장고에 우유가 있어요
운동장에 축구를 해요	하다 = action! → 에서	운동장에서 축구를 해요
식당에 밥을 먹어요	먹다 = action! → 에서	식당에서 밥을 먹어요

Your turn — trust the question!

Fill in 에 or 에서. Before each one, ask: am I just there, or doing something?

저는 집___ 있어요. (I ___ at home.)
저는 집___ 밥을 먹어요. (I eat ___ home.)
친구가 한국___ 살아요. (My friend lives ___ Korea.)
학생들이 교실___ 공부해요. (Students study ___ the classroom.)
저는 내일 학교___ 가요. (I go ___ school tomorrow.)

👉 Click here for Answers!

집에 있어요 — just being there (있다 → 에)
집에서 밥을 먹어요 — action! (먹다 → 에서)
한국에 살아요 (살다 → 에)
교실에서 공부해요 — action! (공부하다 → 에서)
학교에 가요 — heading there (가다 → 에)

How many did you get?

If you missed one, don’t worry — just ask “the question” again and it’ll make sense. 💪

Just remember this!

Mastering Korean place particles (-에 vs -에서) takes a bit of practice, but keeping this simple rule in mind will help you every time!

Ask yourself…	Particle	Example
Am I just there? (있다/없다)	-에	집에 있어요
Am I going / coming? (가다/오다/다니다)	-에	학교에 가요
Am I doing something?	-에서	식당에서 밥을 먹어요

📢 One line to rule them all:
Just being there or going → 에
Doing something there → 에서

Good job!

Hope this guide makes Korean place particles crystal clear for you!

Have a question? Please leave a comment.

See you in the next lesson!

📢 Want to practice TOPIKⅠ next? 👉 [ TOPIKⅠ Practice ]

Why Do Koreans Ask your Age When You First Meet?

8월 29, 20266월 29, 2026 작성자: klcckorean@gmail.com

💡 한국어로 읽고 싶어요? 👉 [ 여기에서 쉬운 한국어로 읽어 보세요! ]

Welcome! 😃

Let me ask a question first. If you watch Korean dramas, you have probably seen this. Two people meet for the first time. And right after saying hello, one of them asks:

“How old are you, if you don’t mind?”

Why do Koreans ask age when you first meet? For a Korean learner, this can feel a little strange.

“Why do they want to know my age already? Isn’t that rude?”

But there is an interesting secret behind ask age. Let me tell you the story.

Don’t worry — at first, you don’t need to know

Let’s start with the most reassuring part.

When you meet someone for the first time, you don’t need to know their age. Before you ask age, Remember the polite speech from our earlier stories, like “안녕하세요? (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo?)” With someone you just met — older or younger — you can simply use polite speech (존댓말, jon-daen-mal).

💡If you want to see the previous post, 👉 [ Click here ]

That is always safe.

Someone who looks younger than you → polite speech
Someone who looks about your age → polite speech
Someone who looks older than you → polite speech

So you don’t have to worry, “I can’t talk to them because I don’t know their age.” Polite speech works for everyone at the start.

So when does age matter?

Then why do Korean people ask age so often? Age becomes important not at the first meeting, but a little later, once you get closer.

Think about English. The word “you“ stays the same whether the person is 5 or 80.

Korean is a little different. After you become close, the ending of your sentences and the way you call each other can change.

🙇‍♂️ Keep polite speech "어디 가세요?(eo-di ga-se-yo?)" — (Where are you going?)
🙋‍♂️Or switch to casual speech "어디 가?(eo-di ga?)"— (Where are you going?)

So age is not really about “I’m curious how old you are.” It helps answer, “Should we keep using polite speech, or can we speak casually now?” And even then, age is not the only thing that matters. It is just one of many.

If you want to know a title, ask this — not their age

Korean also has special words to call someone. Among close people, you might call someone a little older than you:

오빠 (oppa) — a woman calling an older man
형 (hyeong) — a man calling an older man
언니 (eonni) — a woman calling an older woman
누나 (nuna) — a man calling an older woman

But here’s the thing: you don’t call someone “오빠” or “언니” just because they’re older, right after meeting them. These words are for people you’ve already become close to.

So when you’re not sure how to address someone, there’s a better question than to ask age:

“제가 어떻게 불러 드리면 될까요? (je-ga eo-tteo-ke bul-leo deu-ri-myeon dwael-kka-yo?)”
— “What should I call you?”

This one sentence is very handy. It doesn’t ask the person to reveal their age, but it tells you exactly what you want to know. And if you’re still unsure, just saying “○○ 씨 (ssi)” with their name is always safe.

Same age? It’s easy to become friends

There’s a fun case, too — when you’re the same age. When two people learn they are the same age, it feels friendly. So they might say, “Oh, we’re the same age! Should we speak casually?” They stop using polite speech and start speaking comfortably.

This is called “말을 놓다(Mal-eul no-da)” or “말을 트다(Mal-eul teu-da)”

But remember one thing. Being the same age doesn’t mean you can just start using casual speech. Casual speech begins not because of age, but because both people agree to it.

So they ask:

“괜찮으면 우리 말 놓을까요? (gwaen-cha-neu-myeon u-ri mal no-eul-kka-yo?)”
— “If it’s okay, shall we speak casually?”

When both people say “yes”, that’s when the comfortable friendship begins.

🔎 Wait — what about Korean age?
The official age is your international age.
But to check if you’re the same age, people often ask
“몇 년생이에요? (myeot nyeon-saeng-i-e-yo?)”
— “What year were you born?”

You might be wondering why Koreans ask the year instead of the age. There’s an interesting reason.

In the past, Korea had its own way of counting age. A baby was already counted from the moment the mother became pregnant — so when the baby was born, they were already one year old. Because of this, Korean age was usually one or two years higher than international age.

But in 2023, this old system was officially dropped. Now everyone officially uses their international age. Still, the old Korean-age culture hasn’t fully disappeared from daily life. That’s why, to be more exact, many people ask what year you were born — “몇 년생이에요? (myeot nyeon-saeng-i-e-yo?)” — rather than age.

But is it okay to ask?

Here is something important to know. Don’t simply memorize, “In Korea, it’s fine to ask someone’s age.”

The truth is, not every Korean feels comfortable with the age question either. When it’s fairly natural

After you’ve talked enough and become comfortable with each other
When the other person brings up their age or birth year first
In a group of peers, where age really matters for the group

When it’s better to be careful

Asking it as your very first question, right after hello
At work, or in a formal setting
When the person avoids the answer or looks uncomfortable

So instead of treating “asking age” as a rule, it’s better to first check whether the other person feels okay with it.

That said, don’t be too surprised if an older person on the street asks your age as their very first question. Asking about age is one of Korea’s old traditions, and for many older Koreans, it feels completely natural. It’s not meant to be rude — it’s often just their way of figuring out how to talk to you.😉

If you don’t want to share your age

On the other hand, someone asks your age — but you’d rather not say. You can gently reply:

“조금 더 친해지면 말씀드릴게요. (jo-geum deo chi-nae-ji-myeon mal-sseum-deu-ril-ge-yo.)“ — “I’ll tell you once we’re a bit closer.”
“그냥 ○○ 씨라고 불러 주세요. (geu-nyang ○○ ssi-ra-go bul-leo ju-se-yo.)” — “Just call me by my name.”

Saying this is not rude at all. You also have the freedom not to share your age.

One last thing

In Korea, people ask age for many reasons. Sometimes to choose the right speech and title, sometimes to see if you’re the same age, and sometimes just out of curiosity. That feeling isn’t always a bad thing.

Often, there’s a warm wish behind it: “I’d like to get a little closer to you.” But it’s also good to remember that not everyone in Korea enjoys this question. So if you keep these three things in mind, you’ll be safe:

At first, you don’t need their age — just use polite speech.
If you want to know a title, ask “What should I call you?” instead of their age.
Casual speech begins with agreement, not age.

Know these three, and the Korean habit of asking age will feel easy to understand.

In your country, is it rude or normal to ask someone’s age when you first meet? Tell me in the comments. I would love to know.🥰

📝 Just remember this

Situation	The safe choice
Someone you just met	Polite speech first, no matter their age
Someone older than you	Usually polite speech
A close older friend	오빠 / 형 / 언니 / 누나, depending on the relationship
Someone the same age	Casual speech, if you both agree
When you don’t know how to address them	“What should I call you?”
When you’d rather not share your age	“I’ll tell you once we’re closer”

One-line takeaway: Age can shape speech and titles, but if you’ve just met, polite speech comes before age.

Okay! Well done! If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love my next one too! See you again soon!

Read more 👉 Why Does Korean "Hello" Have a Question Mark?

<Latest Posts>

Korean adjective modifier ‘-ㄴ/은’

8월 29, 20266월 22, 2026 작성자: klcckorean@gmail.com

Have you ever visited a traditional Korean market? When you walk through the market(전통시장), you will see many pretty clothes and delicious foods everywhere!

But have you ever struggled to explain exactly what you want to buy?

For example, instead of just saying “I want to buy a bag (가방을 사고 싶어요),” wouldn’t it be much better if you could say, “I want to buy a cheap bag (싼 가방을 사고 싶어요)” or “I am looking for a small bag (작은 가방을 찾고 있어요)”?

After reading this blog post, you will be able to describe the characteristics of any object or person beautifully and accurately, just like a native speaker! Are you ready to find out how this grammar works? Let’s explore together!

1. Meaning & Function Korean adjective modifier

In English, when you want to describe a noun, you simply place the adjective before it (e.g., pretty clothes, cheap bag). In Korean, however, you cannot put a basic adjective form (like 예쁘다 or 싸다) directly in front of a noun.

To make an adjective describe a noun, you must drop the dictionary ending -다 and attach -ㄴ or -은 to the adjective stem. This form is called the determiner form (관형사형).

예쁘다 (to be pretty) + 옷 (clothes) → 예쁜 옷 (pretty clothes)
싸다 (to be cheap) + 가방 (bag) → 싼 가방 (a cheap bag)

Using this grammar allows you to vividly explain the unique features of objects, places, or people around you!

2. Conjugation Rules & Table of Korean adjective modifier

The form changes depending on whether the adjective stem ends in a vowel or a final consonant (받침). Let’s look at the three simple rules.

Rule 1: No Final Consonant (Ends in a Vowel) ➡️ Add ‘-ㄴ’

If the adjective stem does not have a final consonant, simply attach -ㄴ to the bottom of the stem.

Dictionary Form	Stem	Change	Final Form	Example Sentence
싸다 (to be cheap)	싸-	+ ㄴ	싼	시장에서 싼 옷을 많이 사요. (I buy a lot of cheap clothes at the market.)
크다 (to be big)	크-	+ ㄴ	큰	큰 가방을 사고 싶어요. (I want to buy a big bag.)
예쁘다 (to be pretty)	예쁘-	+ ㄴ	예쁜	저기 예쁜 모자가 있어요. (There is a pretty hat over there.)
편하다 (to be comfortable)	편하-	+ ㄴ	편한	저는 편한 신발을 찾고 있어요. (I am looking for comfortable shoes.)

Rule 2: Has a Final Consonant (받침) ➡️ Add ‘-은’

If the adjective stem ends in a final consonant, add -은 right after the stem.

Dictionary Form	Stem	Change	Final Form	Example Sentence
작다 (to be small)	작-	+ 은	작은	아디티 씨는 작은 가방을 찾아요. (Aditi is looking for a small bag.)
좋다 (to be good)	좋-	+ 은	좋은	여기 정말 좋은 시장이 있어요. (There is a really good market here.)
많다 (to be many/a lot)	많-	+ 은	많은	주말에 시장에 많은 사람이 왔어요. (A lot of people came to the market on the weekend.)

Rule 3: ‘ㄹ’ Final Consonant ➡️ Drop ‘ㄹ’ and Add ‘-ㄴ’

If the adjective stem ends in the consonant ㄹ, you must remove the ㄹ first, and then attach -ㄴ underneath.

Dictionary Form	Stem	Change	Final Form	Example Sentence
길다 (to be long)	길-	Drop ㄹ + ㄴ	긴	수엔 씨는 긴 치마를 입었어요. (Xuyen wore a long skirt.)
멀다 (to be far)	멀-	Drop ㄹ + ㄴ	먼	저는 학교에서 먼 곳에 살아요. (I live in a place far from the school.)

💡 Teacher’s Note: Watch out for Color Adjectives! (ㅎ Irregular)
Color words like 빨갛다 (to be red), 파랗다 (to be blue), 하얗다 (to be white), and 까맣다 (to be black) drop the ㅎ and change their forms uniquely before a noun:
빨갛다 + 옷 → 빨간 옷 (Red clothes)
파랗다 + 가방 → 파란 가방 (Blue bag)
하얗다 + 신발 → 하얀 신발 (White shoes)
까맣다 + 모자 → 까만 모자 (Black hat)

3. Common Learner Mistakes of Korean adjective modifier

As a beginner, it is very natural to make mistakes. Let’s look at what foreign students frequently mix up so you can avoid these common traps! Understanding these traps will make you a master of the Korean adjective modifier rules.

❌ Incorrect	✅ Correct	Why is it wrong? DOCX
빨갛다 옷	빨간 옷	You cannot use the base dictionary form directly before a noun. You must conjugate it to match the noun-modifying rule!
작다 가방	작은 가방	Since the stem 작- has a final consonant, you must append -은 instead of leaving it plain.
먹는 음식	–	Warning! The formula -ㄴ/은 is strictly used for Adjectives. For Verbs (like 먹다 – to eat, 사다 – to buy), a completely different modifier form (-는) is used. We will learn that in a later chapter!

4. Real-Life Dialogue (At a Local Market)

Let’s read a conversation between two international students: Xuyen (from Vietnam) and Aditi (from India). They are enjoying a weekend shopping trip at a traditional Korean market near their university. Pay close attention to how they use today’s grammar-Korean adjective modifier point!

① Listening Practice (듣기 연습)

Instructions: Listen to the dialogue and answer the following questions.

1) 여기는 어디입니까?

2) 누가 가방을 샀습니까?

아디티 : 수엔 씨, 여기 물건이 정말 많아요! 예쁜 옷도 있어요.
수 엔 : 네, 이 시장은 싼 물건이 많아서 자주 와요. 아디티 씨는 뭘 사고 싶어요?
아디티 : 저는 작은 가방을 찾고 있어요. 어! 저기 빨간 가방이 있어요!
수 엔 : 정말 예쁜 가방이네요.
아디티 : 저 빨간 가방은 얼마예요?
판매원 : 이만 원이에요.
아디티 : 와, 정말 싼 가격이에요! 살게요. 수엔 씨는요?
수 엔 : 저는 편한 하얀 신발을 사고 싶어요. 저쪽에 신발 가게가 있으니까 같이 가요!

👉 Click Dialogue Translation!

아디티 : Xuyen, there are so many things here! There are pretty clothes too.
수 엔 : Yes, this market has a lot of cheap things, so I come here often. What do you want to buy, Aditi?
아디티 : I am looking for a small bag. Oh! There is a red bag over there!
수 엔 : That is a really pretty bag.
아디티 : How much is that red bag?
판매원 : It is 20,000 won.
아디티 : Wow, that is a really cheap price! I will buy it. How about you, Xuyen?
수 엔 : I want to buy comfortable, white shoes. There is a shoe store over there, so let’s go together!

② Comprehension Questions (내용 이해 질문)

1) 아디티 씨는 어떤 가방을 샀습니까?

2) 가방은 얼마입니까?

3) 수엔 씨는 어떤 물건을 사고 싶어 합니까?

5. AI Tutor Practice

🤖 Digital Literacy Tip! The best way to master a new language is to practice using it actively. We want you to use AI as your personal conversation partner! Copy the prompt box below and paste it into ChatGPT (or any AI tool) to start practicing your real-life shopping dialogue with Korean adjective modifier right now.

[Copy and paste this prompt into AI ]

Act as a kind and encouraging Korean language teacher. I am a beginner-level student practicing the grammar "-ㄴ/은 [명사]" (Korean adjective modifying a noun) based on a shopping/market context.

Please follow these steps:
1. Greet me warmly in easy Korean and ask me what kind of item I want to buy at the traditional market today.
2. When I reply in Korean, check if I correctly used the "-ㄴ/은" adjective modifier grammar form. 
3. If I make a mistake with grammar, spelling, or vocabulary, gently point out the error, explain why, and provide the corrected sentence.
4. Keep the conversation going for 3-4 turns by asking simple follow-up questions (such as asking about the color, size, or price of the item).
5. Please use simple Korean suitable for an elementary/TOPIK Level 2 learner, and include English translations in parentheses for your responses so I can follow along easily.

6. Today’s Quiz

Test your understanding of Korean adjective modifier with these practice exercises based on today’s lesson!

[Quiz 1] Conjugate the adjective in the brackets to complete the phrase.

( 예쁘다: to be pretty ) + 옷 → __________ 옷
( 작다: to be small ) + 가방 → __________ 가방
( 편하다: to be comfortable ) + 신발 → __________ 신발
( 비싸다: to be expensive ) + 옷→ __________ 옷

👉 Click here to see the [Quiz 1 Answers]

예쁜 옷 (pretty clothes)
작은 가방 (small bag)
편한 신발 (comfortable shoes)
비싼 옷 (expensive clothes)

[Quiz 2] Combine the two short sentences into one fluid sentence using today’s grammar, following the example.

Example (보기): 가방이 있어요. 그 가방은 커요. => 큰 가방이 있어요. (There is a big bag.)

옷이 있어요. 그 옷은 싸요. => _____________________
신발이 있어요. 그 신발은 편해요.=> _____________________

👉 Click here to see the [Quiz 2 Answers]

싼 옷이 있어요. (There are cheap clothes.)
편한 신발이 있어요. (There are comfortable shoes.)

7. Wrap-up & Next Lesson

Fantastic job today! Today, we completely conquered the korean adjective modifier form!

You have learned how to use the adjective modifier -ㄴ/은 to vividly describe people and objects around you. Now you don’t have to just point at an object and say “this” or “that”—you can proudly say “예쁜 옷 (pretty clothes)” or “작은 가방 (small bag)”!

In our next lesson (Day 2), we will explore how to talk about money and costs at the market using [Korean Numbers: Sino-Korean Numbers (일·이·삼·사…)]. You will learn exactly how to ask for prices and understand numbers up to tens of thousands in Korean!

Keep up the incredible work, stay curious, and see you!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment~!

여러분, 다음에 또 만나요!