Why does 마시 + 어요 = 마셔요?

This happens due to a natural phonetic contraction in Korean, where certain syllables combine for smoother pronunciation.

Breaking It Down

1. The base form of the verb is 마시다 (to drink).
2. To conjugate it in polite informal speech, we add -어요 because the verb stem 마시 ends with a vowel ㅣ:
   • 마시 + 어요.
3. In Korean, when ㅣ (i) and ㅓ (eo) meet, they contract into ㅕ (yeo) for easier pronunciation:
   • 마시 + 어요 → 마셔요.

Other Examples of Similar Contractions

1. 보다 (to see) → 보아요 → 봐요
   (I see.)
2. 서다 (to stand) → 서어요 → 서요
   (I stand.)
3. 하다 (to do) → 하여요 → 해요
   (I do.)

Quick Tip
​This contraction is standard and natural in Korean, so whenever you encounter ㅣ + 어요, remember it will likely contract to ㅕ요!