Korean Self-Study Lesson 4

Welcome to Lesson 4! Today, we will expand our conversational skills by learning how to describe the specific location of objects (above, below, next to, etc.) and how to speak in a formal respectful tone (-ㅂ니다 / -습니다).

1. Learning Objectives

1. Spatial Descriptions: Express exactly where an object or person is located relative to another noun.
2. Formal Polite Speech Level: Understand and form declarative sentences and questions in official settings.

2. Core Dialogue

Read and practice the conversation below focused on locations in a classroom environment:

Korean Dialogue	English Translation
저는 한국어를 배웁니다. (Jeoneun hangugeoreul baeumnida.)	I learn Korean.
칠판 앞에 선생님이 있습니다. (Chilpan ape seonsaengnimi isumnida.)	There is a teacher in front of the blackboard.
제 앞에 마이클 씨와 유강 씨가 있습니다. (Je ape maikeul ssiwa yugang ssiga isumnida.)	In front of me, there are Michael and Yugang.
책상 위에 무엇이 있습니까? (Chaeksang wie mueosi isumnikka?)	What is on the desk?
책상 위에 한국어 책과 연필이 있습니다. (Chaeksang wie hangugeo chaekgwa yeonpiri isumnida.)	There is a Korean book and a pencil on the desk.
식당이 어디에 있습니까? (Sikdangi eodie isumnikka?)	Where is the restaurant?
도서관 옆에 식당이 있습니다. (Doseogwan yeope sikdangi isumnida.)	The restaurant is next to the library.

3. Vocabulary Expansion

Relative Position Words

• 위 (wi): On / Above / Top
• 아래 / 밑 (arae / mit): Under / Below / Bottom
• 앞 (ap): In front of
• 뒤 (dwi): Behind / Back
• 옆 (yeop): Next to / Beside

Key Nouns in this Lesson

• 선생님 (seonsaengnim): Teacher
• 연필 (yeonpil): Pencil
• 도서관 (doseogwan): Library
• 식당 (sikdang): Restaurant / Cafeteria

4. Grammar Points & Explanations

Pattern 1: Noun + 위치(Position) + 에 있습니다/없습니다

This grammar structure connects a noun with a position word to state exactly where an item or person exists.

• 자동차 앞에 나무가 있습니다. → There is a tree in front of the car.
• 책상 위에 가방이 있습니다. → There is a bag on the desk.

Pattern 2: Verb/Adjective + -ㅂ니다/습니다 (Statements) & -ㅂ니까/습니까? (Questions)

This is the formal polite speech level, often used in business contexts, presentations, or when speaking politely to teachers or strangers.

• If the verb stem ends in a Vowel: Attach -ㅂ니다 / -ㅂ니까?
  • 배우다 (to learn) → 배웁니다 / 배웁니까?
• If the verb stem ends in a Consonant (Batchim): Attach -습니다 / -습니까?
  • 읽다 (to read) → 읽습니다 / 읽습니까?

📥 [Free Subscriber Download] Korean Study Guide Lesson 4 Worksheet

Provide the generated PDF file here for your students to download, print, and fill out! Below is a preview of the interactive worksheet exercises:

Exercise 1: Complete the Sentence using Position Words (위, 아래, 앞, 뒤, 옆)

1. 칠판 _______ 선생님이 있습니다. (There is a teacher in front of the blackboard.)
2. 도서관 _______ 식당이 있습니다. (The restaurant is next to the library.)
3. 책상 _______ 연필이 있습니다. (There is a pencil on the desk.)

Exercise 2: Formal Conjugation Master Chart

Conjugate the following verbs into their formal polite formats:

Verb Base	Statement Form (-ㅂ/습니다)	Question Form (-ㅂ/습니까?)
배우다 (To learn)	배웁니다	배웁니까?
읽다 (To read)	_________________	_________________
먹다 (To eat)	_________________	_________________
공부하다 (To study)	_________________	_________________

Exercise 3: English-to-Korean Translation Practice

1. Where is the restaurant? → ____________________________________
2. I read a book. → ____________________________________
3. There is a bag behind the car. → ____________________________________