Korean verb · irregular · first needed at elementary level (A2)
돕다
dopda
to help
A ㅂ verb: before a vowel the ㅂ becomes 오 in (dowayo) and (dowasseoyo), and 우 elsewhere: (doul geoyeyo). Asking for help uses (dowajuseyo).
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 | 도와요dowayo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 돕습니다dopseumnida | |
| casual | 도와dowa | |
| polite negative | 안 도와요an dowayo |
Past
과거
Something that happened or is finished; also “have done”.
| polite | 도왔어요dowasseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 도왔습니다dowatseumnida | |
| casual | 도왔어dowasseo | |
| polite negative | 안 도왔어요an dowasseoyo |
Future
미래
Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.
| polite | 도울 거예요doul geoyeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 도울 겁니다doul geomnida | |
| casual | 도울 거야doul geoya | |
| polite negative | 안 도울 거예요an doul geoyeyo |
Progressive
진행
Doing right now, or an ongoing situation these days (-고 있다).
| polite | 돕고 있어요dopgo isseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 돕고 있습니다dopgo itseumnida | |
| casual | 돕고 있어dopgo isseo |
Request
명령
Asking for help uses (dowajuda), to help (me, us): (jom dowajuseyo), please help me.
| polite | 도와주세요dowajuseyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 도와주십시오dowajusipsio | |
| casual | 도와줘dowajwo |
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 | 도와요dowayo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 도웁시다doupsida | |
| casual | 돕자dopja |
Examples
- 제가 도와 드릴까요?Jega dowa deurilkkayo?Shall I help you?
- 친구가 이사를 도와줬어요.Chinguga isareul dowajwosseoyo.A friend helped me move house.
- 우리 서로 도와요.Uri seoro dowayo.Let's help each other.