jeoneun siheom junbireul haeyo.

저는 시험 준비를 해요.jeoneun siheom junbireul haeyo.
I prepare for the exam.
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Questions & Answers about jeoneun siheom junbireul haeyo.

What does 저는 mean in this sentence?
저 means “I” (humble/polite form). The particle 는 is the topic marker, which highlights “I” as the topic of the sentence. In English you’d just say “I,” but in Korean the topic particle lets listeners know what the sentence is about.
Why is 는 used instead of 가?
  • 는 is the topic marker, introducing known or given information (“as for me…”).
  • 가 is the subject marker, used when you’re focusing on who is doing something for the first time or contrasting.
    Using 저는 is more natural in a simple statement like “I prepare for the exam.”
Why is 시험 준비 followed by 를?
시험 준비 (“exam preparation”) is the direct object of the verb. The particle 를 marks that entire phrase as what you are preparing. You attach it to the end of the noun or noun phrase you’re acting upon.
Why say 준비를 해요 instead of just 준비해요?

Korean’s 준비하다 is a compound of the noun 준비 (“preparation”) + 하다 (“to do”). You can express it either by:

  • separating the object and verb (준비를 해요 “do preparation”), or
  • contracting them (준비해요)
    Both are correct; the first makes the noun–verb split clearer.
Does 해요 mean “I am preparing” (progressive)?

No. -해요 is the simple present (non-past) polite ending. It can mean:

  • a habitual action (“I prepare”),
  • a scheduled or near-future action (“I will prepare”),
    but it doesn’t show ongoing action. To express “I am preparing right now,” you need the progressive form.
How do I say “I am preparing for the exam” to emphasize “right now”?

Use -고 있어요 for ongoing actions:
시험 준비하고 있어요.
Here 준비하고 있어요 literally means “am doing the preparation.”

How can I ask “What exam are you preparing for?” in Korean?

A natural question is:
무슨 시험을 준비해요?

  • 무슨 = “what kind of”
  • 시험을 준비해요 = “(are you) preparing for an exam?”
Can I drop 저는 in this sentence?

Yes. Korean often omits the topic/subject when it’s clear from context. You can simply say:
시험 준비를 해요.
and listeners will understand you mean “I prepare for the exam.”

How do I change this sentence to past or future tense?
  • Past tense: 시험 준비를 했어요.
  • Future tense: 시험 준비를 할 거예요.
    You can also contract: 준비했어요 (past), 준비할 거야 (future, casual).
How can I make this sentence more formal or more casual?
  • Polite: 준비해요 (current form)
  • Formal/official: 준비합니다
  • Casual/familiar (to close friends): 준비해