Basic Korean Conversation Level 2: Understanding the Past, Present, and Future Tenses

 

It’s time for basic Korean conversation again. Today, let’s learn about tenses in Korean. Let’s see how to use the past, present, and future tenses in Korean!

[Past]

The past tense is used to describe things that have already passed. In Korean, past tenses include “-eot” and “-eoteot.” “-eot” is used for things that happened in the past in general. “-eoteot” is used for the discontinued past that is no longer valid at the time of speaking. For instance, if you say, “나는 어렸을 때 예뻤었다 Naneun eoryeosseul ttae yeppeosseotda (I was beautiful when I was little)” means that I am no longer as beautiful as I used to be. 

[Present]

The present tense of Korean varies in form depending on the environment. If expected or certain, the present tense is used to describe the future. 

Example) 나는 내일 떠난다. Naneun naeil tteonanda. (I leave tomorrow) 

The present tense is also used to state a universal fact that is not constrained by time. 

Example) 지구는 태양을 돈다. Jiguneun taeyangeul donda. (The Earth orbits the sun)

Third, although the event may have happened in the past, the present tense is also used to emphasize a sense of presence. 

Example) 케네디는 중대 발표를 결심한다. Kenedineun jungdae balpyoreul gyeolsimhanda. (Kennedy decides to make an important announcement)

[Future]

In the future tense, there are “-eul geosi” and “-get-.” “-get-” refers to the speaker making a conjecture based on non-internalized information, an account, or knowledge. For example, a weather caster may say this when reporting the weather: 

Example) 내일은 남부 지방에 비가 내리겠습니다 Naeireun nambu jibange biga naerigetseumnida (Tomorrow, it will rain in the southern region)

Next, “-eul geosi-” means that the speaker is making a conjecture based on internalized information or belief in someone else’s knowledge.  For example, after watching a weather caster’s broadcast, you could say this:

Example) 내일은 비가 올거야 Naeireun biga olgeoya (It will rain tomorrow).

It may be difficult, but if you understand these tenses, you can be more confident to speak Korean. Let’s continue studying Korean with Pyeongtaek Insight!