Learn Hardcore Korean: jeoneun taeksireul unjeonhaeyo.

제가 uses the subject marker 가 instead of the topic marker 는. Use 제가 when you want to emphasize I as the doer of the action or when introducing new information. 저는 is more neutral and marks the overall topic.

Why is 택시 followed by 를 in 택시를?

를 is the object marker. In 택시를 운전해요, 택시 is what you’re driving, so it takes 를 to show it’s the direct object.

What is the base form of 운전해요, and how does the conjugation work?

The base form is 운전하다 (“to drive”). To make it polite informal (called the 해요 form), you:

Drop 하다 and keep the stem 운전-
Add 해요 (the polite form of 하다) → 운전해요

Why do we say 운전해요 instead of 운전한다 or 운전해?

운전한다 is the plain/formal dictionary style, used in writing or stiff speech.
운전해 is the informal casual style, used with close friends or younger people.
운전해요 is polite informal, the most common everyday spoken form with strangers or acquaintances.

Could I use a different verb like 몰다 here instead of 운전해요?

Yes. 몰다 also means “to drive,” more colloquial. You could say 택시를 몰아요. The nuance is nearly the same, but 운전해요 is more standard.

Why is the word order Subject–Object–Verb (SOV), and can it change?

Korean is typically SOV, so 저는 (subject) → 택시를 (object) → 운전해요 (verb). You can sometimes switch topic and subject for emphasis, but the verb almost always comes last.

Can I omit 저는 and just say 택시를 운전해요?

Yes. Korean often drops the subject/topic when it’s clear from context. 택시를 운전해요 still means “(I) drive a taxi” if it’s clear you’re talking about yourself.

What level of politeness is 운전해요, and what other levels could I use?

운전해요 is polite informal speech (해요체). Other levels:

Very formal: 운전합니다 (합니다체)
Casual/friendly: 운전해 (해체)
Neutral/plain (written): 운전한다 (한다체)