Action vs. Descriptive Verbs
Overview
Korean verbs are divided into two main categories:
Unlike English, Korean descriptive verbs function as complete predicates without requiring a linking verb like "to be."
Action Verbs (동사)
Action verbs describe activities, movements, or actions performed by a subject.
Action Verb Characteristics
Express actions or movements
Can be used with progressive tense (-고 있다)
Can form commands
Answer the question "What is someone doing?"
Action Verb Examples
가다 (to go)
먹다 (to eat)
읽다 (to read)
쓰다 (to write)
공부하다 (to study)
일하다 (to work)
Descriptive Verbs (형용사)
Descriptive verbs describe qualities, states, or conditions of a subject.
Descriptive Verb Characteristics
Express states, qualities or conditions
Cannot be used with progressive tense
Cannot form commands
Answer the question "How is something?"
Function as both adjectives and verbs
Descriptive Verb Examples
크다 (to be big)
작다 (to be small)
예쁘다 (to be pretty)
맛있다 (to be delicious)
좋다 (to be good)
나쁘다 (to be bad)