TOPIK 2 Grammar Mastery: 90 Essential Lessons for Intermediate Learners

TOPIK 2 Grammar Mastery: 90 Essential Lessons for Intermediate Learners

Looking to boost your Korean skills and prepare for TOPIK 2? Check out our free online resource, 90 TOPIK 2 Grammars for Intermediate Learners, by Korean Topik. This comprehensive grammar library is designed to help intermediate learners grasp essential Korean grammar simply and effectively.

What you’ll find in these intermediate grammar lessons:

• Clear and concise explanations: Easy-to-understand breakdowns of key grammar concepts.
• Real-life examples: A wide range of example sentences based on everyday situations.
• Grammar comparisons: Side-by-side explanations of similar grammar structures to help you avoid confusion.

If you’re just starting out, don’t miss our beginner resource: 100 Essential Korean Grammars for Beginners (TOPIK I Grammars)

Happy studying! Enjoy the journey to mastering Korean with these lessons.

1. Expressing Supposition in Korean

1.1 A-아/어 보이다 or A-게 보이다 grammar = look like, seem like ~guess based on outward appearance

1.2 A/V-(으)ㄴ/는 모양이다 grammar = it seems, I guess ~refer or guess a situation after observation

1.3 A/V-(으)ㄹ텐데 grammar= would, suppose…(so/but) ~express an expected future situation

1.4 A/V-(으)ㄹ 테니까 grammar = suppose,will...(because) ~give reason for suggestion or advice

1.5 A/V-(으)ㄹ걸요 grammar = probably, I think ~express assumption based on backup knowledge

1.6 A/V-(으)ㄴ/는/ㄹ 줄 몰랐다 and -(으)ㄴ/는/ㄹ 줄 알았다 grammar = I didn't know / I thought that

1.7 A/V-(으)ㄹ지도 모르다 grammar = might, may ~express a guess that something might happen

1.8 A-ㄴ/은, V-는 걸 보니(까) grammar = seeing sth/sb, it seems ~express a conjecture or guess after observation

2. Expressing Contrast in Korean

2.1 A/V-기는 하지만, -기는 -지만 grammar = but (I think) ~express contrast with emphasis in different view or belief

2.2 A/V-(으)ㄴ/-는 반면에 grammar = but, while ~express opposite things

2.3 A-(으)ㄴ데도, V-는데도 grammar = although, despite that ~express a contrast

2.4 A/V-(으)나 grammar = but ~express contrast between two things or state of affairs

3. Expressing Reason in Korean

3.1 A/V-거든요 grammar = because ~used to respond to a question/statement to provide a reason/thinking

3.2 A/V-잖아(요) grammar = (1) as you know, (2) didn't I told that ~(1) remind listener about something, (2) rebuke listener

3.3 V-느라고 grammar = because, due to ~give a reason for a negative consequence

3.4 V-는 바람에 grammar = because, as a result ~give an unexpected reason for a negative consequence

3.5 A/V-고 해서 grammar = so, because (among all) ~give the main reason among reasons for doing action

3.6 A-(으)ㄴ 탓에/ V-는 탓에 grammar = due to, because ~give reason for a negative consequence

3.7 A/V-(으)ㄹ까 봐 grammar = be worried/afraid that ~express concern about something

3.8 N 덕분에, A/V-(으)ㄴ/는 덕분에 grammar = thanks to ~express the reason for the positive result of an action or state

4. Expressing Resolution and Intent in Korean

4.1 V-(으)ㄹ까 하다 grammar = be thinking of ~express a vague intention or uncertain plan

4.2 V-고자 (하다) grammar = did A to do B/ plan to ~express intention to do an action

4.3 V-(으)려던 참이다 grammar = be just about to ~the speaker is about to do something

4.4 V-(으)ㄹ 겸 (해서)/N 겸 grammar = and also ~express an action has two or more purposes

4.5 V-아/어야지(요) grammar = will do, must do ~express strong intention or decision to do something

4.6 A/V-아/어야겠다 grammar = will have to, must, need to ~express (1) a strong will to do something or (2) something needs to be done

5. Expressing Recommendation and Advice in Korean

5.1 V-ㄹ/을 만하다 grammar = be worth doing, deserve ~indicate something worth doing

5.2 V-도록 하다 grammar = please (be sure to) do ~suggest someone do something

5.3 V-지 그래요? grammar = why not, why don't ~suggest someone to do something

5.4 V-는 게 좋(겠)다 grammar = would better, be good to ~advice or suggest someone to do something

 

6. Expressing Recollection in Korean

6.1 V-던 grammar = be used to ~recollect a past habit or repeated behavior

6.2 A/V-더라고요 grammar = I saw/experienced that ~express speaker's recollection about past event with witness

6.3 V-던데요 grammar = I saw/felt/surprised that ~express contradiction to one’s speaking or surprise to something

 

7. Using Passive Expressions in Korean

7.1 Irregular Korean passive verbs with (-이/히/리/기) suffix = to be V-ed

7.2 V-아/어지다 grammar = to be V-ed ~a passive form that is used with verbs without -이/히/리/기-affix

7.3 V-게 되다 grammar = get V-ed, end up V-ing ~passive form without subject’s will

8. Using Causative Expressions in Korean

8.1 단어 사동사 (-이/히/리/기/우/추-) irregular causative verbs = subject cause/do something for someone

8.2 A/V-게 하다 grammar = make someone do/be something ~subject makes someone do action

9. Expressing Conditions in Korean

9.1 V-아/어야 grammar = (have to) do A, so B can ~express a condition to realize something

9.2 A/N/V-거든 grammar = if (something is true), then ~express condition in casual conversation

10. Expressing Additional Information in Korean

10.1 V-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 grammar = not only A, but also B ~express additional information

10.2 V-ㄴ/는 데다가 grammar = and also, moreover ~express additional information about the same subject

10.3 N-조차 grammar = (not) even …~ “not only the others but also the primary one”

10.4 N-만 해도 grammar = just, even just N ~provide examples to explain a previous statement

10.5 A/V-고요 and -구요 grammar = also, too ~ used to add information or ask for additional information

11. Expressing Mid-action in Korean

11.1 V-는 길에 grammar = on the way, while going ~doing something while going somewhere

11.2 V-다가 grammar = and/but then ~express interruption of one action to do another

11.3 -(으)며 and -(이)며 grammars = while, and ~listing 2 things or indicate 2 actions happening simultaneously

12. Expressing Degree in Korean

12.1 A/V-(으)ㄹ 정도로 grammar = (to the extent) that ~express degree or extent of an action or state

12.2 N-만 하다 grammar = as big as, about the size of ~compare the size or degree of something to another

 

12.3 A(으)ㄴ 만큼, N만큼, V는 만큼 grammar = as much as, like ~indicate something equivalent to another

13. Expressing Choice in Korean

13.1 아무 +(이)나/ 아무 +도 grammar = anyone, anything... /nobody, nothing...

13.2 N(이)나 grammar (3) = N or something ~express an acceptable option without specific preference

13.3 N(이)라도 grammar = even N ~choose 2nd choice if the best isn't available

13.4 A/N/V-든지 든지 grammar = whether… or... ~expressing any choices are fine

13.5 A-ㄴ/은 대신에, V-는 대신에 grammar = instead of V-ing ~action can be replaced by another

14. Expressing Time Order/ Sequential-based Situation in Korean

14.1 N 만에 grammar = (a time period) after doing ~a duration has passed after an event started

14.2 V-아/어 가지고 grammar = and (then) ~express time order of 2 actions

14.3 V-아/어다가 grammar = and then ~action is done based on the previous one or activity that occurs in 2 places

14.4 V-고서 grammar = and then ~ express time order of 2 actions

15. Expressing Discovery / Cause and Effect in Korean

15.1 V-고 보니 grammar = after finishing something, I realized/ found out

15.2 V-다 보니 grammar = while/after doing sth repeatedly, I realize/come to

15.3 V-다 보면 grammar = if you keep doing, then (something will likely occur)

15.4 A/V-더니 grammar = (1) and now, (2) and then, (3) but now

15.5 V-았/었더니 grammar = (1) 'so...now', (2) 'and I found that', (3) connecting quote with action, (4) recall a behavior

15.6 A/V-다가는 grammar = if (the action is continued, a negative outcome will occur)

15.7 A/N/V-(으)ㄴ/는 셈이다 grammar = I could say, it's practically (more or less similar to another)

15.8 V-기 쉽다 and V-기 어렵다 grammar = easy to/ difficult to ~express something easy or difficult to do

16. Expressing the State of Being in Korean

16.1 V-아/어 놓다 grammar = keep V-ing/ do sth beforehand (for future use)

16.2 V-아/어 두다 grammar = keep V-ing/ do sth in advance (for future use)

16.3 V-(으)ㄴ 채로 grammar = while ~action occurs while maintaining the state of a situation

16.4 N-대로, V-ㄴ/는 대로 grammar = based on, just as expected, as soon as

17. Expressing Characteristics in Korean

17.1 A-(으)ㄴ 편이다, V-는 편이다 grammar = rather A, tend to V...(than usual)

17.2 N-스럽다 grammar = Adj (-ful, -ly, -some,...) ~Express a quality or feeling like the noun

17.3 N-답다 grammar = N-like, be like a N ~Express an expected quality associated with the noun

17.4 N-에 대한, N-에 대해(서), and N-에 대하여 grammar = about, regarding, concerning

18. Expressing Emphasis in Korean

18.1 얼마나 A-(으)ㄴ지 모르다, 얼마나 V-는지 모르다 grammar = didn't know that something really A/V ~emphasize the degree of action or state

18.2  A/V-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 grammar = have no choice but to do V, be expected to be A

18.3 A/N/V-(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 grammar = only, just ~indicate only one available course of action/state

18.4 N-(이)야말로 grammar = indeed, exactly, the very ~emphasize the preceding noun

19. Expressing Intentions in Korean

19.1 V-게 grammar = so that, in order to ~focus on the goal to do action

19.2 V-도록 grammar = in order to, so that ~focus on the action to achieve the goal

20. Expressing Completion in Korean

20.1 V-았/었다가 grammar = but then ~after the completion of an event, the opposite event happens

20.2 A/N/V-았/었던 grammar = (reminiscence) ~recall a past event that has not continued to present.

20.3 V-아/어 버리다 grammar = Express speaker’s feeling to the completed event/action

20.4 V-고 말다 grammar = end up V-ing ~showing an unplanned action completed undesirably

21. Expressing Uselessness in Korean

21.1 V-(으)나 마나 grammar = 'be no use doing/ even without doing' ~the result is same whether or not you do

21.2 A/V-아/어 봤자 grammar = even if doing/ being...it's no use/ won't be that much

22. Expressing Hypothetical Situation in Korean

22.1 N(이)라면, A/V-ㄴ/는다면 grammar = If this/that happens, one will/ would...

22.2 A/V/N-았/었더라면 grammar = If I had ~assume a past situation opposite to what happened

22.3 V-(으)ㄹ 뻔하다 grammar = almost, nearly ~indicate something almost happened but did not

23. Expressing Regrets and Hesitation in Korean

23.1 V-(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다 grammar = 'I should have' ~regret not doing something better than what was done

23.2 A/V-았/었어야 했는데 grammar = 'I should have done' ~regret something should have done but did not

23.3 V-ㄹ/을까 말까 grammar = whether or not ~express hesitation of doing something

24. Expressing Habits and Attitudes in Korean

24.1 V-곤 하다 grammar = (1) often, (2) used to ~indicate a habit of present or past

24.2 A/V/N-기는요 grammar = 'not really', 'no need to' ~Politely disagree with one’s statement or compliment

24.3 A-(으)ㄴ 척하다, N인 척하다, V는 척하다 grammar = pretend to, act like

25. Citing One's Speech or Writing in Korean 

 25.1 A/V/N-다고 하던데 grammar = I heard that...~recall something you heard from someone

25.2 A/V/N-다고요? grammar = did you say/ I said … ~reconfirm/restate what you've just heard/said

25.3 A/V/N-다면서요? grammar = is it true that... ~confirm something you’ve heard or learned

25.4 A/V/N-다니요? grammar = ...really? ~express surprise or disbelief while repeating what someone said.

26. Informal endings in Korean 

 26.1 V-아/어라, V-자, A/V-는구나, A/V-니? grammars = Informal endings used when commanding, suggesting, admiring, and asking

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