Korean verb · regular · first needed at elementary level (A2)

쓰다

sseuda

to write; to use; to wear (glasses, a hat)

A ㅡ stem: (sseoyo). It covers writing, (pyeonjireul sseuda), to write a letter; using, (doneul sseuda), to spend money; and wearing on the head or face, (angyeongeul sseuda).

Speed:

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	써요sseoyo
formal	씁니다sseumnida
casual	써sseo
polite negative	안 써요an sseoyo

Past

과거

Something that happened or is finished; also “have done”.

polite	썼어요sseosseoyo
formal	썼습니다sseotseumnida
casual	썼어sseosseo
polite negative	안 썼어요an sseosseoyo

Future

미래

Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.

polite	쓸 거예요sseul geoyeyo
formal	쓸 겁니다sseul geomnida
casual	쓸 거야sseul geoya
polite negative	안 쓸 거예요an sseul geoyeyo

Progressive

진행

Writing or using right now, or wearing glasses or a hat: (angyeongeul sseugo isseoyo), she's wearing glasses.

polite	쓰고 있어요sseugo isseoyo
formal	쓰고 있습니다sseugo itseumnida
casual	쓰고 있어sseugo isseo
polite negative	안 쓰고 있어요an sseugo isseoyo

Request

명령

Asking someone to do something. The formal form is for announcements and signs; -지 마세요 means “please don't”.

polite	쓰세요sseuseyo
formal	쓰십시오sseusipsio
casual	써sseo
don't (polite)	쓰지 마세요sseuji 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	써요sseoyo
formal	씁시다sseupsida
casual	쓰자sseuja

Examples

친구한테 편지를 썼어요.Chinguhante pyeonjireul sseosseoyo.I wrote a letter to a friend.
이 컴퓨터 써도 돼요?I keompyuteo sseodo dwaeyo?May I use this computer?
밖에 추워요. 모자를 쓰세요.Bakke chuwoyo. Mojareul sseuseyo.It's cold outside. Put a hat on.