써
ssuh
sseo
쓰다
To say to write, to use politely in the present tense, use 써요 (ssuh-yoh) · sseoyo. Below is the full conjugation of 쓰다 across the three tenses and three everyday speech levels.
Grammar note (으 irregular): 으-irregular verbs end in ㅡ preceded by a consonant (e.g. 쓰다, 예쁘다). Before a vowel suffix, the ㅡ is dropped entirely. 쓰다 (to write) → 써요, 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예뻐요. Because ㅡ itself has no inherent "brighter" or "darker" quality, the vowel harmony is determined by the preceding syllable. See all 으-irregular verbs →
Conjugation table
pron. = pronunciation guide · RR = Revised Romanization
Highlighted = where the stem changes
| Tense | Casual (반말) | Polite (요) | Formal (합니다) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present | 써요 ssuh-yoh sseoyo | 씁니다 sseum-nee-dah sseumnida | |
| Past | 썼어 ssuh-ssuh sseosseo | 썼어요 ssuh-ssuh-yoh sseosseoyo | 썼습니다 ssuh-sseum-nee-dah sseosseumnida |
| Future | 쓸 거야 sseul guh-yah sseul geoya | 쓸 거예요 sseul guh-yae-yoh sseul geoyeyo | 쓸 겁니다 sseul guhm-nee-dah sseul geomnida |
Example sentences
- casual present요즘 무슨 펜 써?What pen are you using these days?
- polite present저는 매일 일기를 써요.I write in my diary every day.
- formal present한국에서는 젓가락과 숟가락을 같이 씁니다.In Korea, people use chopsticks and a spoon together.
- casual past편지 다 썼어?Have you finished writing the letter?
- polite past이번 달에 돈을 너무 많이 썼어요.I spent too much money this month.
- formal past그 작가는 이 소설을 2년 동안 썼습니다.The author spent two years writing this novel.
- casual future이 돈은 여행에 쓸 거야.I’m going to use this money for a trip.
- polite future오늘 밤에 보고서를 쓸 거예요.I’m going to write the report tonight.
- formal future이 공간은 회의실로 쓸 겁니다.We will use this space as a meeting room.
- honorific -(으)세요여기에 이름을 쓰세요.Please write your name here.
How it’s used
쓰다 has several everyday meanings: to write (편지를 쓰다), to use (컴퓨터를 쓰다), and to spend (돈을 쓰다). It is also the verb for putting on anything worn on the head or face: 모자를 쓰다, 안경을 쓰다, 마스크를 쓰다. A separate adjective 쓰다 means “bitter”: 이 약은 너무 써요.
Common mistake
Using 입다 for hats and glasses: ✗ 모자를 입어요 → ✓ 모자를 써요. Korean uses 입다 for clothes, 신다 for shoes and socks, and 쓰다 for things on your head or face.
Other useful forms
Honorific / Command Polite (-(으)세요)
쓰세요
sseu-sae-yoh
sseuseyo
Suggestion / Let's Polite (요)
써요
ssuh-yoh
sseoyo
Question Polite (요)
써요?
ssuh-yoh-?
sseoyo?
Connective "and" — (고)
쓰고
sseu-goh
sseugo
Conditional "if" — (면)
쓰면
sseu-myuhn
sseumyeon
Progressive (고 있어요)
쓰고 있어요
sseu-goh ee-ssuh-yoh
sseugo isseoyo
Want to (고 싶어요)
쓰고 싶어요
sseu-goh shee-puh-yoh
sseugo sipeoyo
Can / Able to ((으)ㄹ 수 있어요)
쓸 수 있어요
sseul soo ee-ssuh-yoh
sseul su isseoyo
Because / So (아/어서)
써서
ssuh-suh
sseoseo
Noun form — (기)
쓰기
sseu-gee
sseugi
Noun form — (음)
씀
sseum