Korean Past Tense (Irregular Verbs)
Let's learn how to conjugate verbs in past tense so we can start talking about experiences and things we did or used to do. Once we master the present tense conjugation, the past tense form is as easy as pie. All we do is attach ㅆ at the bottom of the 아/어/여 form of the verb and add 어(요). This section focuses on irregular verbs. We will take a look at the cases tackled in present tense conjugation.
The ㄷ Case
묻다 (to ask)– 물어(요)– 물었어(요)
듣다 (to listen)– 들어(요)– 들었어(요)
The ㅂ Case
춥다 (to be cold)– 추워(요)– 추웠어(요)
덥다 (to be hot)– 더워(요)– 더웠어(요)
The 르 Case
모르다 (to not know)– 몰라(요)– 몰랐어(요)
부르다 (to call)– 불러(요)– 불렀어(요)
The ㅅ Case
짓다 (to build)– 지어(요)– 지었어(요)
낫다 (to be better)– 나아(요)– 나았어(요)
The ㅎ Case
그렇다 (to be like that)– 그래(요)– 그랬어(요)
노랗다 (to be yellow)– 노래(요)– 노랬어(요)