Korean Grammar Guide
TOPIK 3 Grammar: The Complete Guide to All 72 Patterns
Date: October 19, 2026
Introduction
TOPIK 3 is the intermediate threshold — the point where Korean stops being a phrasebook and becomes real text. This is the grammar of news articles, workplace talk, and everyday storytelling: formal connectors like -기 위해(서), reported speech, soft guesses, and the plain-style endings used in writing.
This guide lists all 72 TOPIK 3 grammar patterns taught on Learn Korean Today, grouped by function in a study-friendly order. Every pattern links to its own lesson with a full explanation and real example sentences from Korean news articles — which matters, because the most-used patterns here, like -기 위해(서) with 59 examples, are exactly the ones Korean news uses every day.
Coming from the beginner levels? Work through the TOPIK 2 Grammar guide first. Ready for intermediate? Start with Part 1 — those formal connectors unlock almost every article on this site.
This guide lists all 72 TOPIK 3 grammar patterns taught on Learn Korean Today, grouped by function in a study-friendly order. Every pattern links to its own lesson with a full explanation and real example sentences from Korean news articles — which matters, because the most-used patterns here, like -기 위해(서) with 59 examples, are exactly the ones Korean news uses every day.
Coming from the beginner levels? Work through the TOPIK 2 Grammar guide first. Ready for intermediate? Start with Part 1 — those formal connectors unlock almost every article on this site.
Part 1. Formal Connectors — the Language of News and Writing
These six connectors carry Korean news, reports, and essays. If you read Korean articles, you will meet them in almost every paragraph.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -기 위해(서) | in order to | 건강을 위해 매일 운동해요.I exercise every day for my health. |
| -을/를 통해(서) | through / via | 친구를 통해서 그 소식을 들었어요.I heard the news through a friend. |
| -(으)로 인해(서) | due to | 태풍으로 인해 비행기가 취소됐어요.The flight was canceled due to the typhoon. |
| -에 따라(서) | depending on / according to | 날씨에 따라서 일정이 바뀔 수 있어요.Depending on the weather, the schedule may change. |
| -에 대해(서) | about / regarding | 그 문제에 대해서 이야기해요.We talk about that problem. |
| -에 관해(서) | about / concerning | 환경 문제에 관해서 발표했어요.I gave a presentation about environmental issues. |
Part 2. Reasons and Conditions
Why things happen, and under what conditions — including the 'it is enough if' and 'only if' patterns Korean uses constantly.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -(으)니까(요) | because (neutral reason) | 버스가 안 오니까 택시를 탔어요.Since the bus wasn't coming, I took a taxi. |
| -거든 | because (giving a reason) | 저는 매운 음식을 못 먹거든요.You see, I can't eat spicy food. |
| -느라고 | because of (doing, negative result) | 숙제를 하느라고 잠을 못 잤어요.I couldn't sleep because I was doing homework. |
| -(으)면 되다 | it's enough if / just need to | 이 버튼을 누르면 돼요.You just need to press this button. |
| -(으)려면 | in order to / if you intend to | 한국에서 살려면 한국어를 배워야 해요.If you want to live in Korea, you need to learn Korean. |
| -아/어야 | only if / must (condition) | 미리 예약해야 들어갈 수 있어요.You can only get in if you reserve in advance. |
| -아/어야지 | should / ought to | 약속했으면 지켜야지요.If you made a promise, you should keep it. |
| -ㄴ/는다면 | if (hypothetical) | 돈이 많다면 세계 여행을 하고 싶어요.If I had a lot of money, I'd want to travel the world. |
Part 3. Time and Sequence
Ordering events like a storyteller: as soon as, on the way, while, and three different flavors of 'after doing.'
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -자마자 | as soon as | 집에 도착하자마자 전화했어요.I called as soon as I got home. |
| -는 대로 | as soon as / as | 도착하는 대로 연락 주세요.Please contact me as soon as you arrive. |
| -대로 | as / according to | 계획대로 진행되고 있어요.It's going according to plan. |
| -고 나니(까) | after doing (and realized) | 청소하고 나니까 기분이 좋아요.After cleaning, I feel good. |
| -고 나면 | after doing (then) | 일을 마치고 나면 같이 저녁 먹어요.After finishing work, let's have dinner together. |
| -고 나서 | after doing | 운동하고 나서 샤워해요.I shower after exercising. |
| -는 중이다 | be in the middle of | 지금 보고서를 쓰는 중이에요.I'm in the middle of writing a report. |
| -는 (도)중에 | in the middle of | 이야기하는 도중에 전화가 왔어요.A call came in while we were talking. |
| -다가 | while / in the middle (switching) | 텔레비전을 보다가 잠이 들었어요.I fell asleep while watching TV. |
| -더니 | and then (after observing) | 아침에는 춥더니 지금은 따뜻해요.It was cold in the morning, but now it's warm. |
| -도록 | so that / until | 늦지 않도록 서둘렀어요.I hurried so as not to be late. |
| -는 길에 | on the way | 학교에 가는 길에 친구를 만났어요.I met a friend on the way to school. |
Part 4. Quoting and Hearsay
Reporting what other people said — statements, commands, suggestions, and questions, all in indirect form.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ㄴ/는다고 하다 | say that (indirect quote) | 내일 비가 온다고 해요.They say it will rain tomorrow. |
| -ㄴ/는다고(요) | I hear / they say | 그 영화가 재미있다고요.I hear that movie is fun. |
| -(으)라고 하다 | tell (someone) to | 선생님이 조용히 하라고 했어요.The teacher told us to be quiet. |
| -자고 하다 | suggest that | 친구가 같이 점심을 먹자고 했어요.My friend suggested having lunch together. |
| -냐고 하다 | ask whether | 몇 시에 오냐고 물었어요.He asked what time I was coming. |
Part 5. Guessing, Feeling, and Degree
Speculating softly, describing tendencies, and measuring intensity — the patterns behind 'it seems,' 'the more,' and 'to the extent that.'
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㄹ지(도) 모르다 | might / not sure whether | 늦을지도 몰라요.I might be late. |
| -(으)ㄹ까 봐 | worried that | 시험에 떨어질까 봐 걱정이에요.I'm worried I might fail the exam. |
| -나 보다 | seem to | 그녀는 피곤하나 봐요.She seems tired. |
| -아/어 보이다 | look / seem | 오늘 피곤해 보여요.You look tired today. |
| -았/었던 것 같다 | I think (it was) | 예전에 왔던 곳인 것 같아요.I think this is a place I came to before. |
| -는 편이다 | tend to / be rather | 저는 매운 음식을 잘 먹는 편이에요.I tend to eat spicy food well. |
| -(으)ㄹ 정도(로) | to the extent that | 숨을 못 쉴 정도로 웃었어요.I laughed to the point I couldn't breathe. |
| -(으)ㄹ수록 | the more ~ the more | 공부할수록 어려워요.The more I study, the harder it gets. |
| 만큼 | as much as | 형만큼 키가 커요.He's as tall as his older brother. |
| 얼마나 -(으)ㄴ/는지 | how (much / very) | 얼마나 열심히 공부했는지 몰라요.You don't know how hard I studied. |
| -기 쉽다 | easy to | 이 책은 읽기 쉬워요.This book is easy to read. |
| -기 어렵다 | difficult to | 이 문제는 풀기 어려워요.This problem is hard to solve. |
| -(으)ㄹ 만하다 | be worth doing | 그 식당은 가 볼 만해요.That restaurant is worth visiting. |
Part 6. Change, Habit, and Background States
Becoming, making, used-to, and instead-of — how Korean talks about states and how they change.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어지다 | become (change of state) | 날씨가 점점 추워졌어요.The weather gradually got colder. |
| -게 하다 | make / let (causative) | 엄마가 아이에게 약을 먹게 했어요.The mother made the child take medicine. |
| -(으)ㄴ 채(로) | while (remaining in a state) | 신발을 신은 채로 들어왔어요.He came in with his shoes still on. |
| -던 | used to (past continuous modifier) | 어릴 때 살던 집이 아직 있어요.The house I lived in as a child is still there. |
| -곤 하다 | used to (habitually) | 주말마다 등산하곤 했어요.I used to go hiking every weekend. |
| -는 대신(에) | instead of | 버스를 타는 대신에 걸어갔어요.Instead of taking the bus, I walked. |
| -아/어도 | even if / even though | 비가 와도 갈 거예요.Even if it rains, I'll go. |
| -더라도 | even if / even though | 실패하더라도 포기하지 마세요.Even if you fail, don't give up. |
| -기는 하지만 | it's true ~ but | 비싸기는 하지만 품질이 좋아요.It's true that it's expensive, but the quality is good. |
| -(으)ㄹ 뿐이다 | only / just | 저는 그냥 구경할 뿐이에요.I'm just looking around. |
Part 7. Casual and Plain-Style Endings
The endings of novels, diaries, news headlines, and close-friend talk — plain statements, soft questions, and recalled observations.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ㄴ/는다 | plain declarative (written/neutral) | 그는 매일 운동한다.He exercises every day. |
| -아/어라 | imperative (plain) | 문을 닫아라.Close the door. |
| -자 | let's (plain) | 이제 가자.Let's go now. |
| -니/냐? | question (casual) | 너는 밥 먹었니?Did you eat? |
| -나(요)? | soft question | 이 근처에 약국이 있나요?Is there a pharmacy nearby? |
| -(으)ㄴ가(요)? | is it? (gentle question) | 이 가방이 비싼가요?Is this bag expensive? |
| -는구나 | exclamation (realization) | 벌써 봄이 왔구나.Spring has already come! |
| -잖아(요) | you know / right | 어제 말했잖아요.I told you yesterday, remember? |
| -더라 | I saw / heard (recall) | 그 식당 음식이 정말 맛있더라.That restaurant's food was really good. |
| -더라고(요) | I found that | 직접 해 보니까 생각보다 쉽더라고요.When I tried it myself, it was easier than I thought. |
| -던데 | I found that (background) | 어제는 날씨가 좋던데 오늘은 비가 오네요.The weather was nice yesterday, but it's raining today. |
| -(으)ㄴ/는데(요) | but / background | 저는 학생인데요, 할인이 되나요?I'm a student — is there a discount? |
| -(으)며 | and / while | 그는 웃으며 말했어요.He spoke with a smile. |
| -(으)ㄴ/는/(으)ㄹ지 | whether / what / where (embedded) | 어디로 갈지 아직 안 정했어요.I haven't decided where to go yet. |
Part 8. 'Any', 'No', and 'Even' — Indefinites
Four small patterns that decide whether a sentence means anyone, no one, or at least something.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (이)라도 | even / at least | 물이라도 마시세요.At least drink some water. |
| 아무 -(이)나 | any (at all) | 아무 때나 오세요.Come anytime. |
| 아무 -도 | no ~ (with negative) | 아무도 없었어요.There was nobody. |
| -든지 | whether / no matter | 가든지 말든지 알아서 해요.Whether you go or not, it's up to you. |
Common Confusions at TOPIK 3
-고 나서 vs -고 나면 vs -고 나니(까)
All three mean "after doing." -고 나서 is the neutral sequence — one thing, then the next. -고 나면 means "once it's done" and points at what becomes possible next. -고 나니(까) adds a realization: only after finishing did you notice how you felt or what changed (청소하고 나니까 기분이 좋아요 — "After cleaning, I feel good").
-자마자 vs -는 대로
Both mean "as soon as," but -자마자 describes something that already happened with zero gap (도착하자마자 전화했어요). -는 대로 works in instructions and requests, where -자마자 cannot go: 도착하는 대로 연락 주세요 ("Contact me as soon as you arrive").
-기 때문에 vs -느라고
때문에 gives a neutral cause. -느라고 says the cause consumed your time or effort and produced a (usually negative) side result — 숙제를 하느라고 잠을 못 잤어요 ("I couldn't sleep because of homework"). You cannot use -느라고 for causes outside your control, like weather.
-더라 vs -던데
Both recall something you witnessed. -더라 simply reports the finding (맛있더라 — "it was delicious"). -던데 sets the scene and expects a reaction or a contrast to follow (날씨가 좋던데 오늘은 비가 오네요 — "it was nice yesterday, but today it rains").
How to Study These 72 Patterns
1. Start with Part 1. The formal connectors are the skeleton of every Korean news article — and the reading lessons on this site are built from news, so you will see them immediately.
2. Learn the quoting set (Part 4) as a block. Korean reports speech constantly, and -다고/-(으)라고/-자고/-냐고 are one system with four endings.
3. Read at your level, then above it. Work through the intermediate reading lessons and mark every TOPIK 3 pattern you recognize — recognition first, production second.
4. Use example counts as a frequency map. -을/를 통해(서) and -기 위해(서) have 59 examples each here because real Korean uses them constantly.
2. Learn the quoting set (Part 4) as a block. Korean reports speech constantly, and -다고/-(으)라고/-자고/-냐고 are one system with four endings.
3. Read at your level, then above it. Work through the intermediate reading lessons and mark every TOPIK 3 pattern you recognize — recognition first, production second.
4. Use example counts as a frequency map. -을/를 통해(서) and -기 위해(서) have 59 examples each here because real Korean uses them constantly.
What to Learn Next
Finished TOPIK 3? Continue with the TOPIK 4 Grammar guide, or browse the full grammar library by TOPIK level. If any pattern here still feels shaky, go back to the TOPIK 2 Grammar guide — intermediate grammar builds directly on it.
All 72 patterns above are from the TOPIK 3 grammar list on Learn Korean Today. Each linked lesson includes a full explanation and example sentences from real Korean articles.
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