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yaksok siganeul jeonghaeyo.

약속 시간을 정해요.yaksok siganeul jeonghaeyo.
I set the appointment time.
FromLesson 14inHardcore Korean
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Questions & Answers about yaksok siganeul jeonghaeyo.

What exactly does 약속 mean in this sentence?
In Korean 약속 can mean a promise, commitment, or appointment. Here it refers to setting up an appointment or meeting time.
Why is 시간 followed by 을 to form 시간을?
The particle 을/를 marks the direct object of a verb. Since 시간 (time) is what you’re deciding, you attach 을 to make 시간을.
What is the dictionary form of 정해요, and what does it mean?
The dictionary form is 정하다, which means “to decide” or “to set.”
Why is 정해요 used instead of 정해 or 정한다?

정해요 is the polite informal style (요-form) used in everyday conversation.

  • 정해 is the casual style used with close friends or younger people.
  • 정한다 is the plain style often used in writing or formal narration.
How do you change 정해요 into past and future tenses?
  • Past tense (polite): 정했어요 (“decided/set”)
  • Future tense (polite intention): 정할 거예요 (“will decide/set”)
Can you explain the word order in 약속 시간을 정해요?

Korean typically follows Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). Here:
• (Subject) is omitted because it’s understood.
• 약속 시간을 is the object phrase.
• 정해요 is the verb at the end.

Why is there no subject in this sentence? Can I add one?

Korean often drops subjects when context is clear. If you want to be explicit, you can add 우리 (“we”) with the subject marker 가:
• 우리가 약속 시간을 정해요. (“We decide the appointment time.”)

How can I make 약속 시간을 정해요 more formal or honorific?

Use the honorific or formal styles:
• Formal declarative: 약속 시간을 정하십니다.
• Formal interrogative: 약속 시간을 정하시겠습니까?

What’s the difference between 정하다 and 결정하다 for “to decide”?

• 정하다 is more casual and common in spoken Korean.
• 결정하다 is slightly more formal or emphasizes a final decision, often used in business or written contexts.

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Korean has multiple speech levels that indicate formality and politeness. The most common are the formal polite (‑습니다/‑ㅂ니다), informal polite (‑아요/‑어요), and casual (‑아/‑어) forms. Which level you use depends on who you're speaking to and the social context.

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