-ㅂ니다 / -습니다 – Korean formal polite ending
- Meaning
- formal polite statement
- Level
- Beginner
- Topic
- Verb endings & tenses
The most formal everyday ending: news, presentations, business and talking to strangers. Vowel stems take -ㅂ니다, consonant stems take -습니다; questions use -ㅂ니까 / -습니까.
Key rules
- Consonant + 습니다
- Formal declarative
- Business essential
- Very respectful
- Consonant stem + 습니다
- 먹다 has consonant ㄱ
- Most formal level
- Vowel stem + ㅂ니다
Examples with -ㅂ니다 / -습니다
The highlighted part is the grammar form.
- 저는 밥을 먹습니다 Jeoneun babeul meokseumnida I eat rice (formal) Consonant stem + 습니다. 먹 + 습니다 = 먹습니다 · Base form: 먹다 (meokda)
- 저는 학교에 갑니다 Jeoneun hakgyoe gamnida I go to school (formal) Vowel stem + ㅂ니다. 가 + ㅂ니다 = 갑니다 · Base form: 가다 (gada)
- 커피를 마십니다 Keopireul masimnida I drink coffee (formal) Vowel stem + ㅂ니다. 마시 + ㅂ니다 = 마십니다 · Base form: 마시다 (masida)
- 책을 읽습니다 Chaegeul ilkseumnida I read a book (formal) Consonant stem + 습니다. 읽 + 습니다 = 읽습니다 · Base form: 읽다 (ikda)
- 한국어를 공부합니다 Hangugeoreul gongbuhamnida I study Korean (formal) 하다 verbs → 합니다. 공부하다 → 공부합니다 · Base form: 공부하다 (gongbuhada)
- 회사에서 일합니다 Hoesaeseo ilhamnida I work at the company (formal) 하다 verbs → 합니다. 일하다 → 일합니다 · Base form: 일하다 (ilhada)
- 음악을 듣습니다 Eumageul deutseumnida I listen to music (formal) ㄷ irregular: ㄷ → ㄹ before vowel, but stays for 습니다 · Base form: 듣다 (deutda)
- 편지를 씁니다 Pyeonjireul sseumnida I write a letter (formal) ㅡ dropping + ㅂ니다. 쓰 → 씁니다 · Base form: 쓰다 (sseuda)
- 저녁을 먹습니다 Jeonyeogeul meokseumnida I eat dinner (formal) 먹 + 습니다 = 먹습니다. · Base form: 먹다
- 이것이 뭡니까? Igeosi mwomnikka? What is this? (formal) Formal question ending: -ㅂ니까/습니까? · Base form: 뭐다
- 네, 알겠습니다 Ne, algetsseumnida Yes, I understand (formal) 알겠습니다 = I understand (formal acknowledgment). · Base form: 알다
- 안녕히 주무셨습니까 Annyeonghi jumusyeotseumnikka Did you sleep well? (very formal) Combining -(으)시- and -습니까. · Base form: 주무시다
Vocabulary in these examples
마시다drink
공부study (noun)
일하다work
에서at (for actions)
쓰다write/use
감사합니다thankyou
고맙습니다native Korean
죄송합니다sorry (formal)
미안합니다sorry (polite)
Use -ㅂ니다 / -습니다 in your own sentences
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More: verb endings & tenses
-아요 / -어요Polite present 해요 formpolite, friendly statement or question-았- / -었-Past tensedid, was안 + verb / -지 않다Negative sentencesdo not, is not-고 싶다Want to dowant to (do something)-(으)ㄹ 거예요Future tensewill, going to-고 있다Progressive: be doingbe doing (right now)-(으)세요Polite requests and commandsplease do-(으)ㅂ시다 / -(으)ㄹ까요?Let’s / shall we?let’s, shall we-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 / 없다Can / cannotcan, be able to
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