Speak (imperative) in Korean 🇰🇷

이야기해 info.

Tips for Remembering the Word:
• Break it down into two parts: “이야기” (iyagi) means “story” and “해” (hae) comes from “하다” meaning “to do.” Remember that telling a story is a way of speaking.
• Associate the word with “narrate” or “share a story” to link it with speaking.
• The sound “iyagi” can remind you of “idea-gee,” a playful hint that you’re about to share an idea or story.

Explanation:
• “이야기해” (iyagihae) is the informal imperative form of “이야기하다” which means “to talk,” “to converse,” or “to tell a story.” It is used to give a command such as “speak!” or “tell me (a story)!”
• The form is casual so it’s typically used with people you’re close to like friends or family.

Other Words with Similar Meaning:
• “말해” (malhae) – also an informal command meaning “speak” or “say.”
• “대화해” (daehwa-hae) – used for “converse” or “have a conversation.”

Conjugations of the Infinitive “이야기하다”:
• Dictionary form: 이야기하다 (iyagihada) – “to talk/to tell a story.”
 • Present (informal low): 이야기해 (iyagihae) – “(you) talk” (command form) or “(I/you) talk” in casual narrative.
 • Past (informal low): 이야기했어 (iyagihesseo) – “talked/told.”
 • Future (informal low): 이야기할 거야 (iyagihal geoya) – “will talk/will tell.”
 • Present Progressive (informal low): 이야기하고 있어 (iyagihago isseo) – “am/are talking.”

Polite Forms:
• Imperative: 이야기하세요 (iyagihaseyo) – “please talk” or “speak.”
• Present: 이야기해요 (iyagihaeyo) – “(I/you) talk.”
• Past: 이야기했어요 (iyagihesseoyo) – “talked/told.”
• Future: 이야기할 거예요 (iyagihal geoyeyo) – “will talk.”

Example Sentences:
• “나한테 이야기해.” (Nahante iyagihae.) – “Talk to me.”
• “어제 무슨 일이 있었는지 이야기했어.” (Eoje museun iri isseosseoji iyagihesseo.) – “I told (or talked about) what happened yesterday.”
• In a polite situation: “조금 천천히 이야기해 주세요.” (Jogeum cheoncheonhi iyagihaseyo juseyo.) – “Please speak a little slower.”

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