🧱 Basic Sentence Structure in Korean: SOV (Subject–Object–Verb)
🧭 Basic Sentence Structure in Korean: SOV (Subject–Object–Verb)
English: English says “I eat rice.” Korean flips it to I rice eat. This guide shows you how SOV works—plus particles and real-life patterns.
한국어: 영어는 “I eat rice”이지만, 한국어는 저는 밥을 먹어요처럼 S–O–V 순서예요. 핵심 개념과 자주 쓰는 패턴을 한 번에 정리해요.
📚 Table of Contents
1) What is SOV?
SOV = Subject–Object–Verb. The verb comes last in a basic Korean sentence.
| Element | Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | 저는 | jeo-neun | I (topic) |
| Object | 밥을 | bap-eul | rice |
| Verb | 먹어요 | meogeoyo | eat (polite) |
저는 밥을 먹어요. · Jeoneun bap-eul meogeoyo. · “I eat rice.”
2) Particles that Make SOV Work
- 은/는 (topic): 저는 · sets the topic (“as for me”).
- 이/가 (subject): 민지가 · marks the grammatical subject or new info.
- 을/를 (object): 커피를 · marks the object of the verb.
Pattern: [Topic/Subject] + [Object] + [Verb]
예) 민지는 커피를 마셔요. · Minji-neun/ga keopireul masyeoyo. · “Minji drinks coffee.”
3) Natural Order: Time → Place → Object → Verb
한국어 문장은 보통 시간 → 장소 → 목적어 → 동사 흐름이 자연스럽습니다.
오늘 저녁에 집에서 영화를 봐요.
Oneul jeonyeoge jib-eseo yeonghwa-reul bwayo. · “I will watch a movie at home tonight.”
*어순은 비교적 유연하지만, 동사는 거의 항상 끝에 와요.
4) More Examples (KR – Romanization – EN)
그는 책을 읽어요. · Geu-neun chaek-eul ilgeoyo. · He reads a book.
우리는 영화를 봐요. · Uri-neun yeonghwa-reul bwayo. · We watch a movie.
민지는 커피를 마셔요. · Minji-neun keopi-reul masyeoyo. · Minji drinks coffee.
저는 한국어를 공부해요. · Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo. · I study Korean.
주말에 친구를 만나요. · Jumare chingu-reul mannayo. · (I) meet a friend on weekends.
5) Practice Dialogue (A–B)
👩 A: 뭐 해요?
Mwo haeyo?
What are you doing?
👨 B: 저는 한국어를 공부해요.
Jeoneun hangugeo-reul gongbuhaeyo.
I study Korean.
👩 A: 친구를 자주 만나요?
Chingu-reul jaju mannayo?
Do you often meet your friend?
👨 B: 네, 주말에 만나요.
Ne, jumare mannayo.
Yes, (we) meet on weekends.
6) Teacher’s Tips
- Verb last = meaning carrier. Listen for the final verb to get the main action.
- Particles beat position. Even if you move words around, particles keep roles clear.
- Make questions politely with -요: 뭐 해요?, 어디 가요?
- Sound natural: use 오늘/내일/주말에 (time) and 학교에서/집에서 (place) early in the sentence.
7) Quick Check (Reveal)
Make SOV: “I coffee drink.”
Add time/place: “Tonight at home I study Korean.”
Choose correct particle: 저는 책(을/를) 읽어요?
8) Did You Know?
한국 대중교통은 세계 최고 수준이에요. KTX·SRT 고속열차와 연결성 높은 지하철 덕분에 시간(when)·장소(where) 정보를 앞에 두는 한국어 어순이 실제 생활 안내와도 잘 맞아요.
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Tags: Korean sentence structure, SOV Korean, Intermediate Korean, Korean grammar basics, TOPIK 3-4, 한국어 어순, 한국어 조사, 문장 구조, 학습 팁, Gramática coreana SOV, Structure de phrase coréen
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