ㄹ 탈락
Quick answer: ㄹ 탈락 means the stem ㄹ disappears before ㄴ, ㅂ and ㅅ.
How to form it
Before ㄴ, ㅂ or ㅅ the stem's ㄹ drops: 멀다 → 먼 · 멉니다 · 살다 → 사세요
In Korean: 멀다 → 머세요 × 멀다 → 먼 · 멉니다 · 머세요는 없습니다 살다 → 사세요
What to know
When -(으)세요 or -ㅂ니다 follows a stem ending in ㄹ, the ㄹ drops out. 돌다 becomes 도세요, not 돌으세요. You already say 드세요 from 9-2 — that is this rule at work.
Examples
- 학교가 멀어요.The school is far.
- 오른쪽으로 도세요.Turn right.
- 김밥을 만드세요.Make gimbap.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 20: 학교에 어떻게 가요? — How do I get to the school?. Also in the Level 1 book.
Practise ㄹ 탈락 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 20 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.