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Beginner Korean Grammar: the Patterns to Learn First

Study beginner korean grammar: 46 patterns mapped to TOPIK I (levels 1-2, CEFR A1-A2). Each links to a lesson so you can plan what to learn next in order.
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A beginner learner asks a classmate to open a study-room door while carrying learning materials.
Beginner patterns make everyday requests and shared activities possible.

Beginner Korean grammar is a list of 46 connector and sentence-ending patterns at levels A1 and A2, and each one below links to a full lesson. The list maps to TOPIK I (levels 1 and 2), and it is grouped by meaning so that you can find the pattern you need and plan what to study next.

Key facts

  • Patterns listed: 46 (A1 10, A2 36).
  • Levels: A1 and A2 on the CEFR scale, mapped to TOPIK I, levels 1 and 2. The placement is an editorial estimate based on common textbook order, not an official list.
  • Each pattern has its own lesson page with a formation table and examples.
  • Comparison pages exist for the most confusable pairs.

What Is Beginner Korean Grammar?

Beginner Korean grammar is the set of patterns that lets you build sentences longer than "I eat rice". A pattern here is an ending or a short phrase that attaches to a verb or adjective stem and adds a meaning such as "and", "because", "when", "want to" or "please".

The list sticks to two kinds of pattern. A connector joins two clauses, as in 저는 아침을 먹고 학교에 가요 ("I eat breakfast and go to school"). A sentence ending closes a sentence and adds a meaning, as in 같이 갈까요? ("Shall we go together?"). Both kinds are taught on the site under Korean connectors and Korean sentence endings.

The first sentence uses -고 to join two actions, and you can say 먹고 as [먹꼬]. The next section tells you which patterns to meet first.

Which Pattern Should You Learn First?

Learn the ten A1 patterns first, starting with -고, because they cover the most common conversations. The A2 patterns then add reasons, contrast, duty and permission. A useful rule: if you can use the first five patterns of a group without looking them up, move to the next group. This is an editorial heuristic, not an official test.

The chooser table starts from the meaning you want and gives the pattern.

Meaning you want Pattern Level
linking actions or descriptions -고 A1
or -거나 A2
but, although -지만 A2
background, contrast or setting up a request -(으)ㄴ/는데 A2
because, so; also "and then" in sequences -아/어서 A2
because, since; also a discovery marker -(으)니까 A2
if, when -(으)면 A2
want to -고 싶다 A1
can, cannot -(으)ㄹ 수 있다/없다 A1
please do it for me -아/어 주세요 A1

The level strip is simple: A1 has 10 patterns and A2 has 36. After this list, move to intermediate grammar, which holds the B1 patterns, and later to advanced grammar. The overall map is on the Korean grammar by level page.

The 46 Beginner Patterns, Grouped by Meaning

The list has ten groups. Each entry gives the pattern, its level, a short meaning, and often one example. Revised Romanization is left to the lessons.

Linking Actions and Contrasting

These four patterns join two clauses with "and", "or" or "but". They are the first step from single sentences to longer ones.

  • -고 (A1): links two actions or descriptions, and means "and then" in an ordered sequence. 저는 아침을 먹고 학교에 가요. (I eat breakfast and go to school.)
  • -거나 (A2): joins two choices with "or". 주말에 영화를 보거나 책을 읽어요. (On weekends I watch a movie or read a book.)
  • -지만 (A2): joins two clauses that contrast, "but" or "although". 이 옷은 예쁘지만 비싸요. (This outfit is pretty, but expensive.)
  • -(으)ㄴ/는데 (A2): sets the scene, contrasts softly or leads into a request. 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요. (It's raining, and I have no umbrella.)

Giving Reasons

These three patterns mean "because" or "so", and each behaves differently in the sentence that follows.

  • -아/어서 (A2): "because, so" in plain cause and effect; also "and then" in a sequence. It takes no tense marker and no command after it.
  • -(으)니까 (A2): "because, since" for a reason the listener can accept; leads into commands and suggestions, and also marks a discovery.
  • -기 때문에 (A2): "because" with the reason in focus. It accepts a tense marker and is common in writing and careful speech.

Conditions and "Even If"

Three patterns turn a clause into an "if", an "only if" or an "even if".

  • -(으)면 (A2): "if" or "when", the basic conditional. 시간이 있으면 같이 가요. (If you have time, let's go together.)
  • -아/어야 (A2): "only if" or "must do X to get Y", and the base of -아/어야 하다.
  • -아/어도 (A2): "even if" or "even though", and the base of -아/어도 되다.

Time and Sequence

Eight patterns place one action before, after, during or until another.

  • -(으)ㄹ 때 (A1): "when" or "at the time of"; add -았/었 for a finished action. 집에 갈 때 전화해요. (I call when I go home.)
  • -기 전에 (A1): "before"; the tense goes on the last verb only. 자기 전에 이를 닦아요. (I brush my teeth before bed.)
  • -(으)ㄴ 후에 (A1): "after" doing something. 밥을 먹은 후에 커피를 마셔요. (After eating, I drink coffee.)
  • -(으)면서 (A2): "while", for two actions by the same person at once. 음악을 들으면서 공부해요. (I study while listening to music.)
  • -고 나서 (A2): "after finishing X, then Y", with the first action completed.
  • -는 동안(에) (A2): "while" or "during" a stretch of time.
  • -(으)ㄹ 때까지 (A2): "until" a time or an event.
  • -(으)ㄴ 지 (A2): "since", for the time passed after an action. 한국에 온 지 일 년이 됐어요. (It has been a year since I came to Korea.)

Purpose, Intention and Wishes

Five patterns say why someone goes somewhere, what they plan and what they want.

  • -(으)러 (A1): "to" do something, for going or coming only; the next verb is 가다 or 오다.
  • -(으)려고 (A2): "in order to" or "intending to", with any verb.
  • -(으)려고 하다 (A2): "intend to" or "be about to", as a sentence ending.
  • -고 싶다 (A1): "want to", for your own wish or when asking someone else. 한국에 가고 싶어요. (I want to go to Korea.)
  • -고 싶어 하다 (A2): "someone else wants to", the third-person partner of -고 싶다.

Ability

Two patterns say what you can do, and the difference is between circumstance and learned skill.

Obligation and Permission

Five endings cover must, may, must not, enough and don't have to.

Suggestions, Requests and Promises

Nine endings handle offers, invitations, requests and promises in daily conversation.

  • -(으)ㄹ까요? (A1): "shall we?" or "shall I?", and also "I wonder". 같이 갈까요? (Shall we go together?)
  • -(으)ㅂ시다 (A2): "let's", a formal proposal.
  • -자 (A2): "let's", a casual suggestion to friends.
  • -아/어 주세요 (A1): "please do it for me". 문 좀 열어 주세요. (Please open the door.)
  • -(으)세요 (A1): "please do", the polite command. 여기 앉으세요. (Please sit here.)
  • -(으)십시오 (A2): "please", the formal command used in notices and announcements.
  • -(으)ㄹ래요 (A2): "I will" or "do you want to?", for a wish or a choice.
  • -(으)ㄹ게요 (A2): "I will", a promise or decision made in response to the listener.
  • -아/어 드릴까요? (A2): "shall I do it for you?", an offer of help.

Guesses and Reactions

Six endings say how things seem, and how you react to what you notice.

Naming

One pattern quotes a name.

  • -(이)라고 하다 (A2): "is called" or "named". 저는 사라라고 해요. (I am called Sarah.)

The limit of these short entries: each one shows only the core meaning. The lesson behind each link explains the form, the exceptions and the common errors.

How Do You Choose between Look-Alike Patterns?

You choose between look-alikes by finding the question that separates them. One example is the look-alike warning for -고: the -고 in "and" (먹고) and the -고 in -(이)라고 하다 ("is called") are different endings that happen to look alike. In -고 "and", tense is normally marked only once, on the last verb, and two actions in order also read as "and then".

Seventeen beginner pairs have their own comparison page. Each gives one deciding rule and examples.

Start with -아/어서 vs -(으)니까, which sorts out the two most common words for "because". You'll know you are ready to move on when you can say why each choice fits the sentence. The full set is in the confusing grammar compared hub.

Where Can You Practise These Patterns?

Practise by reviewing the patterns in short sessions, then testing yourself. Three resources match this list.

Both sentences above come from the lists: 같이 갈까요? uses -(으)ㄹ까요?, and 문 좀 열어 주세요 uses -아/어 주세요. For a list built around exam sections, use the TOPIK 1 grammar list. It selects the patterns that appear in TOPIK I reading and listening, while this page lists every beginner pattern with a lesson.

What Does This List Not Cover?

This list holds connectors and sentence endings only. Other grammar topics have their own subhubs, so they are not repeated here.

The wider map is the Korean grammar hub, and the study-by-level overview is Korean grammar by level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the beginner Korean grammar patterns? Beginner Korean grammar here means 46 connector and sentence-ending patterns at levels A1 and A2, which map to TOPIK I (levels 1 and 2). They cover joining clauses, giving reasons, time and sequence, wishes, ability, permission, requests and basic guesses. Each pattern links to its own lesson.

Which pattern should I learn first? Start with the A1 patterns, beginning with -고 ("and"). Then add -(으)ㄹ 때, -기 전에, -(으)ㄴ 후에, -(으)러, -(으)ㄹ 수 있다, -고 싶다, -(으)ㄹ까요?, -아/어 주세요 and -(으)세요. That makes ten A1 patterns. Move to the A2 patterns once you can use the first five without looking them up.

How do I know which pattern fits my sentence? Start from the meaning you want, then use the chooser table above. For look-alike pairs, such as -아/어서 and -(으)니까, read the comparison page, which gives a deciding rule. The sentence type at the end, a statement, a question, a command or a suggestion, often decides the choice.

Are these patterns on the TOPIK exam? The level placement here is an editorial estimate based on common textbook order, and it is not an official TOPIK list. The patterns are standard beginner grammar, and TOPIK I tests grammar through reading and listening questions. For a list built around exam sections, use the TOPIK 1 grammar list.

Where are the comparison pages? They are in the confusing grammar compared hub, and the beginner pairs are also listed in the look-alike section of this page. Each page gives one deciding rule, side-by-side examples and typical errors for two patterns that learners often mix up.