Tenses Subjunctive - Korean Grammar

The Korean language, unlike English, does not explicitly express subjunctive tenses. However, the employment of certain grammatical structures suggests subjunctive mood, signaling conditions, desires, or hypothetical scenarios. The main techniques involve the usage of ‘-(으)면’, ‘-(으)ㄹ 거야’, ‘-(으)ㄹ래(요)?’, ‘-(으)ㄹ 테니까’, and ‘-아/어야 돼(요)’.

Exercises for mastering these structures in Korean grammar involve sentence creation and translation activities. For instance, students can apply ‘-(으)면’ to form conditionals like “If I study, I will pass,” translating into Korean as “공부하면 합격할 거예요”. Students are also trained to express hypothetical or future events using ‘-(으)ㄹ 거야’ such as “I will go home” which is “집에 갈 거야” in Korean.

Moreover, scenarios about desires, intentions or suggestions are practiced using ‘-(으)ㄹ래(요)?’, while ‘-(으)ㄹ 테니까’ is used to express assumptions or convictions. Lastly, exercises enforcing ‘-아/어야 돼(요)’ are practiced for expressing necessity or obligation. Religious practice with these structures solidifies their understanding of subjunctive mood in Korean.