Korean verb · regular · first needed at beginner level (A1)
배우다
baeuda
to learn
What you learn takes 을/를: (hangugeoreul baewoyo). The teacher takes 한테서 or 에게서: (seonsaengnimhanteseo baewoyo).
Present
현재
Now, habits and the near future. Polite is the everyday default; formal is for speeches, announcements and service; casual is for close friends and family.
| polite | 배워요baewoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 배웁니다baeumnida | |
| casual | 배워baewo | |
| polite negative | 안 배워요an baewoyo |
Past
과거
Something that happened or is finished; also “have done”.
| polite | 배웠어요baewosseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 배웠습니다baewotseumnida | |
| casual | 배웠어baewosseo | |
| polite negative | 안 배웠어요an baewosseoyo |
Future
미래
Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.
| polite | 배울 거예요baeul geoyeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 배울 겁니다baeul geomnida | |
| casual | 배울 거야baeul geoya | |
| polite negative | 안 배울 거예요an baeul geoyeyo |
Progressive
진행
Doing right now, or an ongoing situation these days (-고 있다).
| polite | 배우고 있어요baeugo isseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 배우고 있습니다baeugo itseumnida | |
| casual | 배우고 있어baeugo isseo | |
| polite negative | 안 배우고 있어요an baeugo isseoyo |
Request
명령
Asking someone to do something. The formal form is for announcements and signs; -지 마세요 means “please don't”.
| polite | 배우세요baeuseyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 배우십시오baeusipsio | |
| casual | 배워baewo | |
| don't (polite) | 배우지 마세요baeuji maseyo |
Suggestion
청유
Let's … The polite form is the same as the present. The formal -(으)ㅂ시다 is for a group or equals, not for a superior.
| polite | 배워요baewoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 배웁시다baeupsida | |
| casual | 배우자baeuja |
Examples
- 요즘 한국어를 배워요.Yojeum hangugeoreul baewoyo.I'm learning Korean these days.
- 어디에서 한국어를 배웠어요?Eodieseo hangugeoreul baewosseoyo?Where did you learn Korean?
- 내년에 피아노를 배울 거예요.Naenyeone pianoreul baeul geoyeyo.I'm going to learn the piano next year.