문장 구조
Korean sentence structure — SOV and why the verb comes last A1
Korean is subject–object–verb: the verb ends the sentence, particles mark roles, and modifiers come before what they modify. The four patterns that generate most beginner sentences.
Verb last, always
English: I eat kimchi. Korean: 저는 김치를 먹어요 — literally “I-topic kimchi-object eat.” Because particles mark who does what, the middle can shuffle for emphasis, but the verb stays at the end. That is why listening tips tell you to wait for the tail.
| Pattern | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|
| N + 이에요/예요 | 저는 학생이에요. | I am a student. |
| N이/가 + 있어요/없어요 | 시간이 없어요. | There is no time. |
| S + O + V | 친구가 커피를 마셔요. | My friend drinks coffee. |
| S + place + V | 저는 서울에 살아요. | I live in Seoul. |
Modifiers come first
Adjectives, relative clauses, and possessives all sit in front of the noun: 맛있는 김치 (tasty kimchi), 제가 만든 김치 (kimchi I made), 친구의 김치 (my friend’s kimchi). Time expressions go early: 내일 저는 부산에 가요.
Dropping is normal
Subjects and objects vanish when obvious. “Did you eat?” — 먹었어요? “Yes, I ate.” — 네, 먹었어요. No pronouns at all. Questions keep the same order; only the intonation (or an ending) changes: 가요. / 가요?
Quick drill
Common mistakes
- ✗ 저는 먹어요 김치를✓ 저는 김치를 먹어요The verb must be last.
- ✗ 김치 맛있는✓ 맛있는 김치Modifiers go before the noun.
- ✗ 나는 나는 나는… in every sentence✓ Drop the subject once it is knownRepeating 나는/저는 sounds like a textbook.
Example sentences
FAQ
Is Korean SOV or SVO?
SOV — subject, object, verb. The verb always ends the sentence.
Does word order matter in Korean?
Less than in English, because particles mark roles, but the verb must come last and modifiers must precede their noun.
Why do Koreans drop the subject?
Context supplies it. Once the topic is known, repeating 저는/나는 is redundant and sounds stiff.
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