A comprehensive reference chart of Korean adjective (descriptive verb) endings organized by grammatical function. Use this as a quick lookup guide for adjective conjugations and patterns.
Basic Tense Forms
Present Tense
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -아/어요 | Polite present | Standard polite present | 좋아요, 커요 |
| -(스)ㅂ니다 | Formal present | Formal/official present | 좋습니다, 큽니다 |
| -아/어 | Casual present | Informal present | 좋아, 커 |
| -다 | Plain present | Written/descriptive present | 좋다, 크다 |
Past Tense
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -았/었어요 | Polite past | Standard polite past | 좋았어요, 컸어요 |
| -았/었습니다 | Formal past | Formal/official past | 좋았습니다, 컸습니다 |
| -았/었어 | Casual past | Informal past | 좋았어, 컸어 |
| -았/었다 | Plain past | Written/descriptive past | 좋았다, 컸다 |
Future Tense (Less Common for Adjectives)
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄹ 거예요 | Polite future | Will be (state change) | 좋을 거예요, 클 거예요 |
| -겠어요 | Conjecture | Probably/seems | 좋겠어요, 크겠어요 |
State and Condition
Current State
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -아/어요 | Is/Are | Current state | 예뻐요, 맛있어요 |
| -네요 | Oh, I see | Discovery/realization | 예쁘네요, 맛있네요 |
| -군요/구나 | Oh, I see | Realization | 예쁘군요, 맛있구나 |
State Change
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -아/어지다 | Become | Change to state | 좋아지다, 커지다 |
| -게 되다 | Come to be | Natural progression | 좋게 되다 |
| -아/어 가다 | Getting (gradually) | Progressive change forward | 좋아져 가요 |
| -아/어 오다 | Has been getting | Progressive change to now | 좋아져 왔어요 |
Connective Endings
Contrast
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -지만 | But | Contrast | 좋지만, 비싸요 |
| -는데 | But/And | Background/contrast | 좋은데, 비싸요 |
| -(으)ㄴ데 | But/And | Background context | 좋은데 |
Addition
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -고 | And | Listing qualities | 좋고 싸요 |
| -(으)며 | And (formal) | Listing (written) | 좋으며 |
Conditional Forms
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)면 | If | Conditional | 좋으면, 사세요 |
| -아/어도 | Even if | Concession | 좋아도, 안 살 거예요 |
| -거든 | If it's the case | Conditional explanation | 좋거든 사세요 |
Causal Forms
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -아/어서 | Because | Reason | 좋아서 샀어요 |
| -(으)니까 | Because/Since | Strong reason | 좋으니까 사세요 |
Modifiers (Relative Clauses)
Modifying Nouns
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄴ | Present/Past modifier | Current/past state | 좋은 날, 큰 집 |
| -던 | Past habitual | Was (habitually) | 좋던 날 |
| -(으)ㄹ | Future/hypothetical | Will be/would be | 좋을 날 |
Time-Based Modifiers
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄹ 때 | When | When it is | 좋을 때 |
| -았/었을 때 | When | When it was | 좋았을 때 |
Degree and Comparison
Intensity
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -게 | In a manner | Adverbial form | 좋게, 크게 |
| -도록 | To the extent | Degree | 좋도록 |
| -(으)ㄹ 만큼 | Enough to | Sufficient degree | 좋을 만큼 |
Comparison
| Pattern | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 더 + Adj | More | Comparative | 더 좋아요 |
| 가장/제일 + Adj | Most | Superlative | 가장 좋아요 |
| -보다 더 | More than | Comparison | A보다 더 좋아요 |
Supposition and Appearance
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 | Seems like | Supposition | 좋은 것 같아요 |
| -(으)ㄴ가 보다 | Seems/appears | Inference | 좋은가 봐요 |
| -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 | Will probably be | Future supposition | 좋을 것 같아요 |
| -(으)ㄴ 듯하다 | Seems like | Impression | 좋은 듯해요 |
| -(으)ㄴ 모양이다 | Appears to be | Observation | 좋은 모양이에요 |
Nominal Forms (Making Nouns)
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -기 | Being ~ | Gerund | 좋기는 좋아요 |
| -(으)ㄴ/는 것 | The fact that | Nominalization | 좋은 것 |
| -음/ㅁ | Quality of | Formal nominal | 좋음 |
Emphasis and Intensification
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -기는 하다 | Is, but | Concession | 좋기는 좋아요 |
| -기도 하다 | Also is | Addition | 좋기도 해요 |
| -(으)ㄴ/는데도 | Even though | Strong contrast | 좋은데도 |
| -아/어서 그런지 | Maybe because | Speculation on reason | 좋아서 그런지 |
Question Forms
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -아/어요? | Is it ~? | Basic question | 좋아요? |
| -(으)ㄴ가요? | Is it ~? | Wondering | 좋은가요? |
| -지요?/죠? | Right?/Isn't it? | Confirmation | 좋죠? |
| -(으)ㄴ지 | Whether | Embedded question | 좋은지 몰라요 |
Negative Forms
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안 + Adj | Not | Basic negation | 안 좋아요 |
| -지 않다 | Not | Formal negation | 좋지 않아요 |
Making Adverbs
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -게 | In a ~ manner | Adverb form | 좋게, 빠르게 |
| -히 | ~ly | Adverb form (some adj) | 조용히, 깨끗히 |
| -이 | ~ly | Adverb form (some adj) | 같이, 일찍이 |
Exclamations and Reactions
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -네요 | Oh! | Pleasant surprise | 좋네요! |
| -군요 | Oh! | Realization (polite) | 좋군요! |
| -구나 | Oh! | Realization (casual) | 좋구나! |
| -아/어라 | How ~! | Exclamation | 좋아라! |
Extent and Limitation
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄹ 정도로 | To the extent | Degree | 좋을 정도로 |
| -(으)ㄹ 만큼 | Enough to | Sufficient amount | 좋을 만큼 |
| -다가는 | If you keep | Warning about state | 좋다가는 |
Quotation (With Adjectives)
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -다고 하다 | Said that | Quote (statement) | 좋다고 했어요 |
| -냐고 하다 | Asked if | Quote (question) | 좋냐고 했어요 |
Listing Qualities
| Ending | Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -고 | And | Sequential listing | 좋고 싸고 예뻐요 |
| -(으)며 | And | Formal listing | 좋으며 싸며 |
Special Adjective Patterns
Irregular Adjectives
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ㅂ irregular | ㅂ → 우/워 | 춥다 → 추워요 |
| ㄷ irregular | ㄷ → ㄹ | 듣다 → 들어요 |
| 르 irregular | 르 → ㄹ라/ㄹ러 | 빠르다 → 빨라요 |
| ㅎ irregular | ㅎ drops | 하얗다 → 하얘요 |
| ㅅ irregular | ㅅ drops | 낫다 → 나아요 |
Color and Size Adjectives
| Adjective | Present | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 빨갛다 | 빨개요 | Red (is) |
| 파랗다 | 파래요 | Blue (is) |
| 노랗다 | 노래요 | Yellow (is) |
| 하얗다 | 하얘요 | White (is) |
| 까맣다 | 까매요 | Black (is) |
Common Adjectives Conjugation
| Adjective | Polite Present | Past | Modifier | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 좋다 | 좋아요 | 좋았어요 | 좋은 | Good |
| 크다 | 커요 | 컸어요 | 큰 | Big |
| 작다 | 작아요 | 작았어요 | 작은 | Small |
| 많다 | 많아요 | 많았어요 | 많은 | Many/Much |
| 적다 | 적어요 | 적었어요 | 적은 | Few/Little |
| 비싸다 | 비싸요 | 비쌌어요 | 비싼 | Expensive |
| 싸다 | 싸요 | 쌌어요 | 싼 | Cheap |
| 예쁘다 | 예뻐요 | 예뻤어요 | 예쁜 | Pretty |
| 맛있다 | 맛있어요 | 맛있었어요 | 맛있는 | Delicious |
Adjective vs Verb Differences
Key Distinctions
| Feature | Adjectives | Action Verbs |
|---|---|---|
| Present modifier | -(으)ㄴ | -는 |
| Progressive | Rare (with -아/어지다) | Common (-고 있다) |
| Imperative | N/A | Yes (-(으)세요) |
| Propositive | Rare | Yes (-자, -(으)ㅂ시다) |
Frequency of Use
Most Common Adjective Endings
| Ending | Function | Usage Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어요 | Polite present | ★★★★★ |
| -(으)ㄴ | Modifier | ★★★★★ |
| -았/었어요 | Polite past | ★★★★★ |
| -지만 | But | ★★★★★ |
| -(으)면 | If | ★★★★★ |
| -아/어서 | Because | ★★★★★ |
| -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 | Seems like | ★★★★★ |
| -네요 | Oh! | ★★★★ |
| -고 | And | ★★★★ |
Quick Reference by Function
Describing Current State
- -아/어요 (Is ~)
- -(으)ㄴ (Modifier form)
- -네요 (Oh, it's ~)
Showing Change
- -아/어지다 (Become ~)
- -아/어 가다 (Getting ~ gradually)
- -게 되다 (Come to be ~)
Making Comparisons
- 더 + Adjective (More ~)
- 가장/제일 + Adjective (Most ~)
- -보다 (Than)
Giving Reasons
- -아/어서 (Because it's ~)
- -(으)니까 (Since it's ~)
Expressing Opinions
- -(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (Seems ~)
- -(으)ㄴ가 보다 (Appears ~)
Special Adjective Categories
Sensory Adjectives
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Sight | 예쁘다, 아름답다, 밝다, 어둡다 |
| Taste | 맛있다, 달다, 쓰다, 시다 |
| Sound | 시끄럽다, 조용하다 |
| Touch | 부드럽다, 딱딱하다, 차갑다, 뜨겁다 |
| Smell | 좋다 (냄새가 좋다), 나쁘다 |
Emotional Adjectives
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Positive | 기쁘다, 행복하다, 즐겁다 |
| Negative | 슬프다, 외롭다, 답답하다 |
| States | 피곤하다, 심심하다, 바쁘다 |
Physical State Adjectives
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 춥다, 덥다, 따뜻하다, 시원하다 |
| Size | 크다, 작다, 길다, 짧다 |
| Age | 어리다, 젊다, 늙다 |
| Health | 건강하다, 아프다, 피곤하다 |
Important Notes
No Progressive Form
Unlike action verbs, most adjectives don't use -고 있다:
- ❌ 좋고 있어요 (incorrect)
- ✅ 좋아요 (correct)
- ✅ 좋아지고 있어요 (is getting better - using change verb)
No Imperative
Adjectives can't be commands:
- ❌ 좋으세요 (incorrect - can't command someone to be good)
- ✅ 좋게 하세요 (correct - make it good)
Modifier Form Difference
Key distinction from verbs:
- Adjectives: -(으)ㄴ for present
- Verbs: -는 for present
Key Takeaways
- ✅ Describe states: Adjectives describe qualities and states
- ✅ Different modifiers: Use -(으)ㄴ for present (not -는)
- ✅ State change: Use -아/어지다 for "become"
- ✅ No progressive: Can't use -고 있다 directly
- ✅ No commands: Can't make imperative forms
- ✅ Many irregulars: ㅂ, ㄷ, 르, ㅎ irregular patterns common
- ✅ Comparison forms: Use 더, 가장, -보다 for comparison
This chart covers the main adjective endings in Korean grammar. Remember that adjectives (descriptive verbs) behave differently from action verbs in several key ways!