📘 Advanced Verb Conjugation for Writing in Korean (문어체)
Advanced Korean Writing: 문어체 Endings & Conjugation (with RR)
📚 What is 문어체?
문어체 is the formal written register used in reports, academic writing, manuals, and news. Compared to 구어체 (spoken style), it is more objective, concise, and consistent in tense and perspective.
Rule of thumb: If your text would appear in a report, article, or exam answer, default to -다.
🔍 Core verb endings in 문어체
| Ending | Function | Example (KR) | RR (Revised Romanization) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -는다 / -ㄴ다 / -다 | Plain declarative (present) | 학생이 도서관에 간다. | Haksaengi doseogwan-e ganda. |
| -았다 / -었다 | Plain past | 그는 영화를 보았다. | Geuneun yeonghwareul boatda. |
| -겠다 | Intention / assumption / willingness | 나는 계획을 수행하겠다. | Naneun gyehoek-eul suhaenghagetta. |
| -는가 / -(으)냐 | Plain interrogative | 이 결과가 의미가 있는가? | I gyeolgwaga uimi-ga inneunga? |
| -자 | Propositive (“let’s”) | 지금 논의를 시작하자. | Jigeum non-ui-reul sijakhaja. |
| -라 | Imperative (formal directive) | 규정을 준수하라. | Gyujeong-eul junsuhara. |
| -습니다 / -습니까? | Formal polite (official docs) | 본 보고서를 제출했습니다. | Bon bogoseoreul jesulhaetseumnida. |
Tip: News and academic prose favor -다; official notices to users/customers often use -습니다.
✍️ Extra features of the written register
- Objective negatives: -지 않는다 (e.g., 해당 설은 타당하지 않는다.)
- Concise connectors: -(으)며 (and), -(으)므로 (therefore), -기에 (since), -(으)로써 (by means of)
- Nominalization: -(으)ㅁ/-기 (e.g., 효과가 있음을 보였다.)
- Purpose in writing: -고자 (e.g., 본 연구는 ~을 검토하고자 한다.)
- Lexical tone: prefer neutral/precise words (좋다 → 적절하다, 크다 → 대규모)
📝 Practice: convert to 문어체
- 너 뭐 해? → 너는 무엇을 하고 있는가? (Neoneun mueoseul hago inneunga?)
- 지금 갈게. → 지금 가겠다. (Jigeum gagetta.)
- 이거 진짜 맛있어! → 이것은 정말 맛있다. (Igeoseun jeongmal masitda.)
🗣 Spoken vs. Written (side-by-side)
- Spoken 오늘 뭐 해? → Written 오늘 무엇을 하고 있는가?
- Spoken 이거 봤어? → Written 이를 보았는가?
- Spoken 같이 가자! → Written 함께 가자.
- Spoken 진짜 아니야. → Written 사실이 아니다.
🎯 TOPIK II writing tips (fast wins)
- Pick one register and stick with it. Mixing -아요/-어요 with -다 lowers cohesion.
- Use written connectors (-(으)며, -(으)므로, 따라서).
- Prefer objective verbs (보여 준다, 확인된다) over opinionated slang.
- End each paragraph with a mini conclusion using -다.
📌 Related posts
- Structure of Korean Sentences (SOV)
- Transition Words in Korean: However/But/So
- Grammar: V-아/어 보다 (“try doing”)
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👤 About the author
I’m Seung Hoon Baek, the teacher behind learningkr.com. I help learners sound natural in real Korean—DMs, chats, and everyday talk—by focusing on tone, honorifics, and cultural nuance.
Why I write this blog → “Would you listen? Why I write this.”
🎓 Need line-by-line 문어체 editing?
I’ll polish your verbs, connectors, and tone for reports, statements, or TOPIK II tasks. Bring a paragraph; leave with a template you can reuse.
🗓️ Update & transparency
Last updated: Aug 31, 2025 (KST)
This article will be continuously revised and improved based on learner needs. Until I'm 100% satisfied.
이 글은 학습자 피드백에 따라 계속 수정·보완됩니다. 완전히 만족할 때까지 업데이트합니다.
🔎 References & further reading
- National Institute of Korean Language (NIKL) — English site & Romanization
- Standard Korean Language Dictionary (표준국어대사전)
- Overview: Korean grammar (registers & endings)
RR spellings follow Revised Romanization; written style prioritizes consistency over speech-like contractions.
Tags: Korean formal writing, 문어체, verb endings, RR romanization, TOPIK II, Korean academic style, Korean writing tips
