Are you studying for the KIIP Level 1 Korean course? Learning grammar step by step will help you build a strong foundation in speaking, writing, and understanding Korean.
In this guide, we’ll review all 36 grammar rules from KIIP Level 1 Units 1–18 with simple explanations and practical examples. Let’s get started! 🚀
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| 36 KIIP Level 1 Grammar Rules for Beginners |
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Unit 1: Basic Sentence Structure & Topic Marker
1. Korean
Sentence Structure (SOV)
Korean sentences usually follow the Subject–Object–Verb (SOV) order.
·
저는
학생입니다. → I am a student.
(저는 = I, 학생 =
student, 입니다 = am (polite formal ending))
· 저는 학생이에요. → I am a teacher.
(저는 = I, 학생 = student, 이에요 = am (polite ending)
👉 Remember: The verb always comes at the end!
2. Topic
Marker – 은/는
Used to mark the topic of a sentence.
·
저는
회사원입니다. → I am an office worker.
💡 은
follows consonants, 는 follows vowels.
Unit 2: Subject Marker & Location
1. Subject
Marker – 이/가
Marks the subject of the sentence.
·
책상이
있어요. → There is a desk.
2. Existence/Location
– 에
있다
Used to express existence or location.
·
부엌에
식탁이 있어요. → There is a dining table in
the kitchen.
Unit 3: Polite Endings & Object Marker
1. Polite
Ending – 아/어요
Attach to verbs for polite present tense.
·
공부해요. → I study / I am studying.
·
먹어요. → I eat / I am eating.
2. Object
Marker – 을/를
Marks the object in a sentence.
·
책을
읽어요. → I read a book.
·
커피를
마셔요. → I drink coffee.
Unit 4: Going to & Doing at a Place
1. Destination
– N에
가다
Used to express “going to” a place.
·
학교에
가요. → I’m going to school.
2. Action
Location – N에서
Marks the place where an action happens.
·
식당에서
밥을 먹어요. → I eat at a restaurant.
Unit 5: Time Marker & Saying “Not”
1. Time
Marker – (Time, Date)에
Marks specific times or dates.
·
월요일에
만나요. → Let’s meet on Monday.
2. Negation
with –이/가 아니에요
Used to say something “is not.”
·
저는
학생이 아니에요. → I am not a student.
Unit 6: From–Until & Negation with 안
1. (Time)부터 ~까지
Expresses time duration (from ~ until).
·
점심시간은 12시부터 1시까지예요. → Lunch is from 12 to 1.
2. Negation
with 안
Place “안”
before the verb.
·
공원에
안 가요. → I don’t
go to the park.
Unit 7: Expressing Wants & Polite Requests
1. Verb-고 싶다 → want to…
·
떡볶이를
먹고 싶어요. → I want to eat tteokbokki.
2. Verb-(으)세요 → Please…
(polite request)
·
이름을
쓰세요. → Please write your name.
Unit 8: Connecting & Formal Style
1. Noun-하고 → and
·
커피하고
케이크를 먹어요. → I eat coffee and cake.
2. Formal
Ending – 습니다/습니까?
Used in polite or professional speech.
·
이
상품이 좋습니다. → This product is good.
·
이
상품이 좋습니까? → Is this product good?
Unit 9: Past Tense & “Also”
1. Past
Tense – 았/었
·
청소를
했어요. → I cleaned.
·
사과를
샀어요. → I bought apples.
2. Noun-도
(also/too)
·
친구도
카페에 갔어요. → My friend also went to the
café.
Unit 10: Honorifics & Contrast
1. Honorific
Ending – (으)시
Used to show respect.
·
선생님이
가르치세요. → The teacher teaches.
2. -지만
(but)
Connects contrasting ideas.
·
한국어는
어렵지만 재미있어요. → Korean is difficult but
fun.
Unit 11: Giving & Receiving
1. Noun-에게/한테/께 → to someone (recipient of an action)
·
동생에게
전화를 했어요. → I called my younger
sibling.
·
아버지께
선물을 보냈어요. → I sent a gift to my
father.
👉 Use 에게/한테 casually, and 께 for
honorific situations.
2. Verb-아/어 주다 → do something for someone
·
책을
읽어 줘요. → I read a book for someone.
·
창문을
닫아 주세요. → Please close the window
for me.
Unit 12: Future & Connecting Actions
1. -ㄹ/을 거예요 → will / be going to (future plans)
·
놀이공원에
갈 거예요. → I’m
going to the amusement park.
2. A/V-고 → and
·
장도
보고 운동도
해요. → I do grocery shopping and exercise.
Unit 13: Transportation & Purpose of Movement
1. Noun-(으)로 → by (means of)
·
지하철로
가요. → I go by subway.
2. Verb-(으)러 가다/오다 → go/come to do something
·
점심을
먹으러 가요. → I’m
going to eat lunch.
Unit 14: Suggestions & Inability
1. Verb-ㄹ/을까요? → Shall we…?
/ What shall we…?
·
커피
마실까요? → Shall we drink coffee?
2. 못 +
Verb → cannot / couldn’t (due to
external reasons)
·
못
갔어요. → I couldn’t go.
Unit 15: Surprise & Comparisons
1. Verb/Adjective
+ 네요 → Wow… / I see…
·
오늘
날씨가 따뜻하네요. → The weather is warm today!
2. Noun
+ 보다 → than (comparisons)
·
백화점이
시장보다 비싸요. → The department store is
more expensive than the market.
Unit 16: Reasons & Nominalization
1. Verb/Adjective
+ 아서/어서 → because / so
·
배가
아파서 병원에
갔어요. → I went to the hospital because my stomach hurt.
2. Verb
+ 는 것 → turn a verb into a noun
·
빨리
병원에 가는
것이 좋아요. → It’s
good to go to the hospital quickly.
Unit 17: Direction & Prohibition
1. Noun-(으)로 → towards (direction)
·
오른쪽으로
가세요. → Go to the right.
2. Verb-지 마세요 → don’t do…
(polite prohibition)
·
공연장
안에서 사진을
찍지 마세요. → Don’t
take photos inside the venue.
Unit 18: Confirmation & Contrasts
1. Verb/Adjective
+ 지요? → right? / isn’t
it?
·
오늘
날씨가 덥지요? → The weather is hot today,
isn’t it?
2. Verb/Adjective
+ 는데 → but / and / giving background
·
조금
힘든데 재미있어요. → It’s
a bit tough, but fun.
By now, you’ve learned all 36 grammar points of KIIP Level 1. These grammars cover:
- Sentence basics (SOV, markers)
- Politeness and honorifics
- Expressing past, present, future
- Making requests, suggestions, prohibitions
- Comparing, connecting, and giving reasons
👉 The key to success is practice.
Use these patterns in your daily conversations, write short diary entries, and
listen to how Koreans use them naturally.
You’ve built a solid foundation—get ready for KIIP Level 2! 🚀
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