활용 (Conjugation)

In Korean, the process of changing the form of verbs and adjectives to express different grammatical meanings or functions is called 활용 (Conjugation). This is achieved by attaching various elements called 어미(ending) to the 어간(stem). 어간 does not change when conjugated. 어간 and 어미 can be separated into distinct units, and 어간 generally have a consistent form. The combination of 어간 and 어미 allows verbs and adjectives to convey a wide range of grammatical meanings and functions.

Terminology:

• 활용 (Conjugation) refers to the conjugation of verbs and adjectives in Korean.
• 어미 (ending) is the ending attached to the 어간 (stem) of verbs and adjectives to change their form.
• 어간 (stem) is the stem of a verb or adjective.
• The combination of 어간 and 어미 allows for a variety of grammatical meanings and functions.

Examples:

• 먹다  - to eat
• 먹어요 - I eat (polite)
• 먹었어요  - I ate (polite)
• 먹을거예요 - I will eat (polite)