In this lesson, we will have a look at the grammar structure “-아/어/여 보다,”, exploring its meaning and usage. It is used quite often and so you will definitely find need for it. In Korean, “-아/어/여 보다” acts as a gateway to trying something new. As you delve into this lesson, you’ll discover how this expression can be used and through different examples get more comfortable using it yourself.
Conjugation
- Take a verb i.e. 가다
- Drop “다” i.e. 가
- Make it into a present tense (가 is already in the present tense)
- Add 봐요. i.e. 가 봐요
If you need a recap on how to form present tense verbs, have a look at this post here but the below list gives a summary of the conjugation to a present tense.
- ㅏ+ㅏ= ㅏ (i.e. 자다. 자다 –> 자 + 아요 –> 자아요 –> 자요)
- ㅓ+ㅓ=ㅓ (i.e. 서다. 서다 –> 서 + 어요 –> 서어요 –> 서요)
- ㅗ+ㅏ =ㅘ (i.e. 오다. 오다 –> 오 + 아요 –> 오아요 –>와요)
- ㅜ+ㅓ=ㅝ (i.e. 주다. 주다 –> 주 + 어요 –> 주어요 –> 줘요)
- ㅕ+ㅓ=ㅕ (i.e. 켜다. 켜다–> 켜 + 어요 –> 켜어요 –> 켜요)
- ㅣ+ㅓ=ㅕ (i.e. 가지다. 가지다 –>가지 + 어요 –> 가지어요 –>가져요)
- ㅐ+ㅓ=ㅐ (i.e. 내다. 내다 –> 내 + 어요 –> 내어요 –> 내요)
- ㅔ+ㅓ=ㅔ (i.e. 세다. 세다 –> 세 + 어요 –> 세어요 –> 세요)
Examples
- 오다 –> 와 + 봐요 –> 와 봐요
- 보다 –> 봐 + 봐요 –> 봐 봐요
- 있다 –> 있어 + 봐요 –> 있어 봐요
- 하다 –> 해 + 봐요 –> 해 봐요
- 먹다 –> 먹어 + 봐요 –> 먹어 봐요
Usage and meaning
Expressing Willingness to Try
The primary function of “-아/어/여 보다” is to express the speaker’s willingness or intention to try something new or unfamiliar. It denotes an open-minded and adventurous attitude towards exploring different experiences.
- 이거 해 봐요. – Try this. (Try doing this).
- 이 새로운 레스토랑에서 요리를 먹어 봤어요. – “I tried the food at this new restaurant.”
Taking on Challenges
This expression can also convey taking on a challenge, even if the outcome is uncertain or difficult.
- 새로운 프로젝트를 시도해 보겠습니다. – “I will try the new project.”
Expressing Suggestion or Invitation
“-아/어/여 보다” can also be used to make suggestions. It can add a friendly and approachable tone to conversations, making it a valuable expression in social interactions. Like mentioned previously, Korean is not a very direct language and so using this expression softens the tone of telling someone to do something.
- 가 봐요. – You can go now/You may go.
- 이 노래 한번 들어 봐요. – Try listening to this song.
- 얘기 해 봐요. – Try talking to them.
- 여기 잠깐 기다려 봐요. – Wait here for a little bit.
Example sentences
You can also conjugate 보다 using different grammar structures to combine them.
- 한국 음식 먹어 보고 싶어요. – I want to try Korean food.
- 한번 가 볼게요. – I will try to go once.
- 그 친구랑 만나 봤어요? – Have you tried meeting with that friend?
- 한국 좋아해서 한국에서 한번 살아 보고 싶어요. – I like Korea so I would like to try living there.
- 이거 써 봤어요? – Have you tried using this?
- 이거 봐 봐요. – Have a look at this.
Hopefully, you can see from the above examples that not all of the sentences are translated as “try”. As mentioned previously, using 봐 does not always mean “to try”. You will be able to tell from the context and the situation you are in as to what the meaning is so do not worry too much. Now that you have learned this expression, you will be able to catch it more when watching Korean drama or talking with your friends and so you will get used to it.
Forming negative sentences
To form negative sentences you just need to add “안” for “not”.
- 이거 안 먹어 봤어요. – I haven’t tried this.
- 한국 안 가 봤어요. – I haven’t been to Korea.
When you want to express that you haven’t been able to do something or haven’t had a chance, then add “못”.
- 아직 그 책을 못 읽어 봤어요. – I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.
- 새로운 BTS 노래 못 들어 봤어요. – I haven’t had a chance to listen to the new BTS song.
Activity 1
Fill in the blanks.
- 내 얘기 좀 _________. – Listen to me for a second.
- _________________. Try to remember.
- 그때까지 ___________. I’ll try to arrive by then.
- 김치를 _________? Have you tried making Kimchi?
- 이 옷을 _________? Can I try on these clothes?
Activity 1 Answers
- 내 얘기 좀 들어 봐요. – Listen to me for a second.
- 기억해 봐요. Try to remember.
- 그때까지 도착해 볼게요. I’ll try to arrive by then.
- 김치를 만들어 봤어요? Have you tried making Kimchi?
- 이 옷을 입어 봐도 돼요? Can I try on these clothes?