Unit 10: Korean Lifeformal-politespeech-level

동사/형용사 + -ㅂ니다/습니다 (격식체) Korean Grammar

동사/형용사+-ㅂ니다/습니다 (격식체)

Explanation

Formal polite ending. Use -ㅂ니다 after vowels, -습니다 after consonants. Used in formal settings.

Examples

저는 한국 문화를 좋아합니다

jeo-neun han-guk mun-hwa-reul jo-a-ham-ni-da

I like Korean culture

감사합니다

gam-sa-ham-ni-da

Thank you

날씨가 좋습니다

nal-ssi-ga jot-seum-ni-da

The weather is good

-(스)ㅂ니다: complete usage guide

Formal style.

합니다.

Start with “합니다.” (I do (formal).). Say the whole sentence first, then identify exactly what -(스)ㅂ니다 contributes before changing any other words.

Compare “갑니다.” with “감사합니다.”. Keep the function of -(스)ㅂ니다 the same while noticing what changes around it; then rebuild one of the examples with vocabulary you already know.

Usage notes

Production check: say “합니다.” naturally, then change one content word without changing the job -(스)ㅂ니다 is doing.
When a related pattern is listed below, compare both forms in the same situation instead of memorizing two English glosses separately.

More examples

합니다.

I do (formal).

갑니다.

I go (formal).

감사합니다.

Thank you.

Common mistakes

Do not choose -(스)ㅂ니다 only because an English translation contains “formal polite”. Check the Korean function, attachment, and speech level in the full sentence.
Do not memorize -(스)ㅂ니다 as an isolated ending. Mark the stem or phrase it attaches to in one example, then rebuild that example with new vocabulary.