Korean verb · regular · first needed at beginner level (A1)
읽다
ikda
to read
Watch the double final ㄺ. Before a vowel both letters are heard: (ilgeoyo). Before ㄱ only ㄹ is said: (ilgo). Otherwise only ㄱ: (ikda), (ikseumnida).
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 | 읽어요ilgeoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 읽습니다ikseumnida | |
| casual | 읽어ilgeo | |
| polite negative | 안 읽어요an ilgeoyo |
Past
과거
Something that happened or is finished; also “have done”.
| polite | 읽었어요ilgeosseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 읽었습니다ilgeotseumnida | |
| casual | 읽었어ilgeosseo | |
| polite negative | 안 읽었어요an ilgeosseoyo |
Future
미래
Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.
| polite | 읽을 거예요ilgeul geoyeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 읽을 겁니다ilgeul geomnida | |
| casual | 읽을 거야ilgeul geoya | |
| polite negative | 안 읽을 거예요an ilgeul geoyeyo |
Progressive
진행
Doing right now, or an ongoing situation these days (-고 있다).
| polite | 읽고 있어요ilgo isseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 읽고 있습니다ilgo itseumnida | |
| casual | 읽고 있어ilgo isseo | |
| polite negative | 안 읽고 있어요an ilgo isseoyo |
Request
명령
Asking someone to do something. The formal form is for announcements and signs; -지 마세요 means “please don't”.
| polite | 읽으세요ilgeuseyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 읽으십시오ilgeusipsio | |
| casual | 읽어ilgeo | |
| don't (polite) | 읽지 마세요ikji 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 | 읽어요ilgeoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 읽읍시다ilgeupsida | |
| casual | 읽자ikja |
Examples
- 저는 매일 책을 읽어요.Jeoneun maeil chaegeul ilgeoyo.I read books every day.
- 그 책 읽었어요?Geu chaek ilgeosseoyo?Have you read that book?
- 요즘 소설을 읽고 있어요.Yojeum soseoreul ilgo isseoyo.I'm reading a novel at the moment.