Korean verb · irregular · first needed at intermediate level (B1)
말하다
malhada
to say, to speak
A verb: (malhaeyo); the negative puts before : (mal an haeyo). The honorific is (malsseumhasida). Speaking a language is usually : (hangugeoreul haeyo).
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 | 말해요malhaeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 말합니다malhamnida | |
| casual | 말해malhae | |
| polite negative | 말 안 해요mal an haeyo |
Past
과거
Something that happened or is finished; also “have done”.
| polite | 말했어요malhaesseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 말했습니다malhaetseumnida | |
| casual | 말했어malhaesseo | |
| polite negative | 말 안 했어요mal an haesseoyo |
Future
미래
Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.
| polite | 말할 거예요malhal geoyeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 말할 겁니다malhal geomnida | |
| casual | 말할 거야malhal geoya | |
| polite negative | 말 안 할 거예요mal an hal geoyeyo |
Progressive
진행
Doing right now, or an ongoing situation these days (-고 있다).
| polite | 말하고 있어요malhago isseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 말하고 있습니다malhago itseumnida | |
| casual | 말하고 있어malhago isseo |
Request
명령
Polite requests use the honorific (malsseumhasida): (malsseumhaseyo), please go ahead. -지 마세요 means “please don't”.
| polite | 말씀하세요malsseumhaseyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 말씀하십시오malsseumhasipsio | |
| casual | 말해malhae | |
| don't (polite) | 말하지 마세요malhaji 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 | 말해요malhaeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 말합시다malhapsida | |
| casual | 말하자malhaja |
Examples
- 천천히 말해 주세요.Cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo.Please speak slowly.
- 누가 그렇게 말했어요?Nuga geureoke malhaesseoyo?Who said that?
- 그 이야기는 아무한테도 말 안 했어요.Geu iyagineun amuhantedo mal an haesseoyo.I didn't tell anyone about that.