Some Korean stems shift when an ending starting with a vowel is added. A final ㄷ becomes ㄹ: 듣다 gives 들어요. A final ㅂ becomes 우: 돕다 gives 도와요. And 르 stems double the ㄹ: 모르다 gives 몰라요.
Examples
- 여행 이야기를 들었어요.
- I heard the travel story.
- 친구를 도와서 짐을 옮겼어요.
- I helped my friend and moved the luggage.
- 길을 몰라서 물어봤어요.
- I did not know the way, so I asked.
The mistake to avoid
These changes only happen before a vowel ending: 듣고 keeps the ㄷ.
Where this fits in
지난 주말, Korean A2: Talk about the past: yesterday, last weekend, and travel memories.