Foundations
Find the predicate before translating
Explanation
A basic Korean sentence often places the subject first, the object next and the predicate at the end. Particles tell you the roles of nouns, so do not translate a sentence simply by keeping English word order. The final predicate can be an action verb, a descriptive verb or a noun with 이다.
In conversation, information already clear from the situation is often omitted. 책을 읽어요? can ask whether the listener is reading without stating 당신 or a name. Listen through to the ending before deciding the time, question type or positive/negative meaning.
Examples and what to notice
저는 한국어를 공부해요.
저는 = topic; 한국어를 = object; 공부해요 = predicate.
책을 읽었어요.
The subject is understood. 읽었어요 places the reading in the past.
날씨가 추워요.
추워요 is a descriptive predicate: Korean does not need a separate “is” here.
Apply it to a question
- Read each example and identify the form that carries the information discussed above.
- Cover the explanation and explain the difference in meaning in your own words.
- Move to a listening or reading question type and check the complete sentence before choosing an answer.