~어야 하다
~어야 하다 30秒で
- Used to express 'must', 'have to', or 'should' in Korean.
- Formed by adding -아/어/여야 to the verb stem followed by 하다.
- Crucial for expressing obligations, rules, and necessary conditions.
- Interchangeable with ~어야 되다 in casual speech, but 하다 is more formal.
The grammatical construction ~어야 하다 is the cornerstone of expressing necessity, obligation, and duty in the Korean language. It is the linguistic equivalent of the English phrases 'must,' 'have to,' or 'should.' Whether you are discussing a legal requirement, a personal moral obligation, or a simple daily chore that cannot be avoided, this pattern is your primary tool. In Korean society, which often emphasizes collective responsibility and adherence to social norms, understanding how to express what 'must' be done is crucial for clear communication and social integration. This pattern is not just about rules; it is about the essential nature of an action that is required to achieve a certain result or to maintain order. For example, if you want to pass an exam, you 'must' study. If you want to stay healthy, you 'must' exercise. This logical flow is perfectly captured by ~어야 하다.
- Core Meaning
- The fundamental expression of obligation or a condition that must be met for a specific outcome to occur.
- Social Context
- Used frequently in instructions, advice, laws, and expressing personal determination or goals.
우리는 매일 한국어를 공부해야 합니다. (We must study Korean every day.)
The use of 하다 (to do) at the end of this pattern provides a sense of active implementation. While its counterpart ~어야 되다 is more common in casual spoken conversation, ~어야 하다 carries a slightly more formal, objective, and authoritative tone. It is the version you will see in textbooks, official documents, and formal speeches. It suggests that the necessity comes from a place of logic, law, or universal truth rather than just a personal feeling. For instance, a doctor telling a patient to take medicine would likely use the more authoritative ~어야 합니다 to emphasize the medical necessity of the action. Understanding the weight of this expression helps learners navigate the hierarchy and formality levels inherent in Korean culture.
약속 시간을 지켜야 해요. (You must keep your appointment time.)
- Grammatical Function
- Acts as a modal verb construction that modifies the preceding verb to indicate necessity.
Mastering the conjugation of ~어야 하다 is essential because it follows the standard '아/어/여' conjugation rules that you see in the polite present tense (~아요/어요). The first step is to take the verb or adjective stem and determine which vowel it ends with. If the last vowel of the stem is 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ', you attach -아야 하다. For example, the verb 가다 (to go) becomes 가야 하다. If the last vowel is anything else, you attach -어야 하다. The verb 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹어야 하다. Finally, verbs ending in 하다 always change to 해야 하다, such as 공부하다 becoming 공부해야 하다.
비빔밥을 만들려면 고추장이 있어야 해요. (To make bibimbap, you must have gochujang.)
Beyond the basic conjugation, you must also consider the level of politeness and the tense. To make it polite, you use ~어야 해요. In very formal situations, use ~어야 합니다. If you are talking to a close friend, you can use the casual form ~어야 해. To express a past obligation—something you 'had to' do—you conjugate the final 하다 into the past tense: ~어야 했다 (e.g., 가야 했어요 - I had to go). Interestingly, this pattern can also be used with adjectives to express a necessary state. For instance, 건강해야 해요 means 'You must be healthy.' This flexibility allows for a wide range of expression across different parts of speech.
- Conjugation Rule 1
- Stem with ㅏ/ㅗ + 아야 하다 (e.g., 오다 -> 와야 하다)
- Conjugation Rule 2
- Stem with other vowels + 어야 하다 (e.g., 읽다 -> 읽어야 하다)
- Conjugation Rule 3
- 하다 verbs -> 해야 하다 (e.g., 운동하다 -> 운동해야 하다)
어제는 숙제를 해야 했어요. (Yesterday, I had to do my homework.)
In South Korea, ~어야 하다 is ubiquitous, appearing in everything from public safety announcements to heart-wrenching K-drama dialogues. If you are riding the Seoul Subway, you will frequently hear announcements using this pattern to remind passengers of safety protocols, such as 'You must stand behind the yellow line' (노란 선 뒤로 물러나야 합니다). In a professional work environment, your supervisor might use it to assign tasks or deadlines, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the work. It provides a level of clarity and directness that is necessary for efficient workplace operations. Furthermore, in educational settings, teachers use this pattern constantly to guide students through requirements and expectations for success.
보고서를 금요일까지 제출해야 합니다. (You must submit the report by Friday.)
Beyond formal settings, you'll hear it in daily life interactions. A mother might tell her child, 'You must eat your vegetables' (채소를 먹어야 해). In K-dramas, characters often use this pattern to express internal struggle or resolve, such as 'I must find the truth' (진실을 찾아야 해요) or 'I must protect you' (너를 지켜야 해). This usage highlights the emotional weight the pattern can carry, moving from simple chores to life-defining missions. Even in music, K-pop lyrics often utilize ~어야 하다 to convey intense feelings of longing or the necessity of love. It is a versatile tool that bridges the gap between cold logic and hot passion, making it one of the most important grammatical structures for any learner to internalize.
- Public Service
- Announcements regarding safety, laws, and public etiquette.
- Media & Entertainment
- Dramatic resolves in dramas and thematic requirements in song lyrics.
우리는 서로 믿어야 해요. (We must trust each other.)
One of the most frequent errors learners make with ~어야 하다 is confusing it with other similar-sounding or similar-meaning structures. A common mix-up occurs with ~고 싶다 (want to). While 'wanting' to do something is a desire, 'having' to do something is an obligation. New learners sometimes accidentally say 'I must eat' when they mean 'I want to eat,' which can lead to confusion about how much agency they have in the situation. Another major pitfall is the conjugation of irregular verbs. For instance, the verb 듣다 (to listen/hear) is a 'ㄷ' irregular verb; it becomes 들어야 하다, not 듣어야 하다. Failing to apply these irregular rules correctly is a hallmark of early-stage learning.
Incorrect: 음악을 듣어야 해요. → Correct: 음악을 들어야 해요. (I must listen to music.)
Another subtle mistake involves the nuance between ~어야 하다 and ~면 안 되다 (must not). Learners often struggle with negating the obligation. To say 'you don't have to,' you shouldn't use a negative version of ~어야 하다; instead, you use ~지 않아도 되다. Using the wrong negative form can drastically change the meaning from 'it's not necessary' to 'it's forbidden.' Additionally, forgetting the '야' particle is a common oversight. Without '야,' the sentence becomes grammatically incomplete or takes on a completely different meaning. Finally, be careful with the distinction between 하다 and 되다. While often interchangeable in speech, using 하다 in a very casual setting might sound a bit stiff, while using 되다 in a formal essay might be seen as too colloquial.
- Mistake 1: Irregular Verbs
- Forgetting ㄷ, ㅂ, or ㅅ irregular changes (e.g., 돕다 -> 도와야 하다).
- Mistake 2: Negation
- Using this pattern to say 'don't have to' instead of ~지 않아도 되다.
While ~어야 하다 is the standard for obligation, there are several alternatives that offer different nuances. The most common synonym is ~어야 되다. In daily spoken Korean, 되다 (to become/to be possible) is used much more frequently than 하다. It feels softer and more natural in casual conversation. However, the meaning is virtually identical. If you want to emphasize a very strong, unavoidable necessity—something that 'cannot not be done'—you can use the double negative structure ~지 않으면 안 되다. This is the equivalent of 'If I don't do [x], it won't work,' which creates a powerful sense of 'must.'
- ~어야 되다
- The casual, spoken alternative. Perfect for friends and daily interactions.
- ~지 않으면 안 되다
- Double negative for extreme emphasis. 'I absolutely must...'
- ~ㄹ 필요가 있다
- Means 'there is a need to.' It's less of a command and more of a suggestion of necessity.
Another alternative is ~는 것이 좋다, which literally means 'it is good to...' This is a much softer way to suggest an obligation, similar to 'you should' or 'it would be best if you...' It's often used when giving advice so as not to sound too demanding. In contrast, ~어야 하다 is a direct command or statement of fact. Choosing between these depends entirely on the level of urgency and the relationship between the speakers. For example, a friend might say 'You should try this food' using ~는 것이 좋다, but a sign at a construction site will use ~어야 합니다 to say 'You must wear a helmet.' Understanding these shades of meaning allows you to communicate more politely and effectively in various social hierarchies.
지금 가야 돼요. (I have to go now. - Casual/Spoken)
発音ガイド
- Pronouncing 'eo' (어) as 'o' (오).
- Slurring the 'ya' (야) into the following 'ha' (하).
- Over-emphasizing the final 'da' (다).
- Incorrectly merging 'aya' into a single diphthong.
- Pronouncing 'h' too strongly in 'hada'.
レベル別の例文
학교에 가야 해요.
I have to go to school.
가다 (to go) + 아야 해요 = 가야 해요
밥을 먹어야 해요.
I must eat food.
먹다 (to eat) + 어야 해요 = 먹어야 해요
숙제를 해야 해요.
I have to do my homework.
하다 (to do) -> 해야 해요
일찍 자야 해요.
I must sleep early.
자다 (to sleep) + 아야 해요 = 자야 해요
물을 마셔야 해요.
I have to drink water.
마시다 (to drink) + 어야 해요 = 마셔야 해요
책을 읽어야 해요.
I must read a book.
읽다 (to read) + 어야 해요 = 읽어야 해요
한국어를 공부해야 해요.
I have to study Korean.
공부하다 (to study) -> 공부해야 해요
운동해야 해요.
I must exercise.
운동하다 (to exercise) -> 운동해야 해요
내일은 일찍 일어나야 해요.
I have to wake up early tomorrow.
일어나다 (to wake up) + 아야 해요 = 일어나야 해요
비가 오니까 우산을 가져가야 해요.
Since it's raining, you must take an umbrella.
가져가다 (to take) + 아야 해요 = 가져가야 해요
부모님을 도와드려야 해요.
I must help my parents.
돕다 (to help) is irregular -> 도와야 해요 + honorific = 도와드려야 해요
이 약을 꼭 먹어야 해요.
You must take this medicine for sure.
먹다 (to eat/take medicine) + 어야 해요
시험 공부를 해야 해요.
I have to study for the exam.
시험 공부 (exam study) + 하다 -> 해야 해요
도서관에서는 조용히 해야 해요.
You must be quiet in the library.
조용히 하다 (to be quiet) -> 조용히 해야 해요
지하철을 타야 해요.
I have to take the subway.
타다 (to ride) + 아야 해요 = 타야 해요
손을 씻어야 해요.
You must wash your hands.
씻다 (to wash) + 어야 해요 = 씻어야 해요
성공하려면 열심히 노력해야 합니다.
In order to succeed, you must work hard.
노력하다 (to make an effort) -> 노력해야 합니다 (formal)
외국에 가려면 여권이 있어야 해요.
To go abroad, you must have a passport.
있다 (to have/exist) + 어야 해요 = 있어야 해요
건강을 위해 매일 운동해야 해요.
For your health, you must exercise every day.
운동하다 -> 운동해야 해요
약속 시간을 꼭 지켜야 해요.
You must keep your appointment time no matter what.
지키다 (to keep/protect) + 어야 해요 = 지켜야 해요
쓰레기를 분리수거해야 합니다.
You must separate the trash for recycling.
분리수거하다 (to separate trash) -> 분리수거해야 합니다
운전할 때는 안전벨트를 매야 해요.
When driving, you must wear a seatbelt.
매다 (to tie/fasten) + 아야 해요 = 매야 해요
한국 문화를 이해해야 해요.
You must understand Korean culture.
이해하다 (to understand) -> 이해해야 해요
돈을 아껴 써야 해요.
You must save money (spend sparingly).
아껴 쓰다 (to spend sparingly) + 어야 해요 = 아껴 써야 해요
법을 준수해야 사회가 유지됩니다.
Society is maintained only when laws are observed.
준수하다 (to observe/obey law) -> 준수해야 (condition)
우리는 환경을 보호해야 할 의무가 있습니다.
We have an obligation to protect the environment.
보호해야 할 (that must be protected - noun modifying form)
전문가가 되려면 끊임없이 배워야 해요.
To become an expert, you must learn constantly.
배우다 (to learn) + 어야 해요 = 배워야 해요
갈등을 해결하려면 대화를 해야 합니다.
To resolve conflicts, you must have a conversation.
대화하다 -> 대화해야 합니다
모든 사람은 존중받아야 합니다.
Every person must be respected.
존중받다 (to receive respect) + 아야 합니다 = 존중받아야 합니다
실수를 통해 배워야 발전할 수 있습니다.
You must learn through mistakes to develop.
배우다 + 어야 = 배워야 (as a condition)
자신의 행동에 책임을 져야 해요.
You must take responsibility for your actions.
책임을 지다 (to take responsibility) + 어야 해요 = 책임을 져야 해요
공공장소에서는 예의를 갖춰야 합니다.
You must maintain etiquette in public places.
갖추다 (to possess/prepare) + 어야 합니다 = 갖춰야 합니다
진정한 리더는 비전을 제시해야 합니다.
A true leader must present a vision.
제시하다 (to present) -> 제시해야 합니다
역사를 잊지 말아야 미래가 있습니다.
We must not forget history for there to be a future.
잊지 말다 (don't forget) + 아야 = 잊지 말아야
예술가는 시대의 아픔을 노래해야 합니다.
An artist must sing of the pain of the times.
노래하다 (to sing/express) -> 노래해야 합니다
인간은 자연과 공존해야만 살아남을 수 있습니다.
Humans can only survive if they coexist with nature.
공존하다 (to coexist) + 해야만 (emphasized obligation)
진실은 어떤 대가를 치르더라도 밝혀져야 합니다.
The truth must be revealed regardless of the cost.
밝혀지다 (to be revealed) + 어야 합니다 = 밝혀져야 합니다
우리는 타인의 고통에 공감해야 합니다.
We must empathize with the suffering of others.
공감하다 (to empathize) -> 공감해야 합니다
민주주의를 지키기 위해 투쟁해야 했습니다.
We had to struggle to protect democracy.
투쟁하다 (to struggle/fight) + 해야 했습니다 (past obligation)
정의는 반드시 실현되어야 합니다.
Justice must certainly be realized.
실현되다 (to be realized) + 어야 합니다 = 실현되어야 합니다
학문적 탐구는 객관성을 유지해야만 가치가 있습니다.
Academic inquiry is valuable only when it maintains objectivity.
유지하다 (to maintain) + 해야만 (exclusive condition)
군주는 백성의 안위를 최우선으로 해야 하느니라.
A monarch must put the welfare of the people above all else.
해야 하느니라 (archaic/authoritative formal ending)
인간의 존엄성은 어떠한 상황에서도 훼손되지 않아야 합니다.
Human dignity must not be compromised under any circumstances.
훼손되지 않다 (not be damaged) + 아야 합니다 = 훼손되지 않아야 합니다
국가는 국민의 기본권을 보장해야 할 헌법적 책무가 있다.
The state has a constitutional duty to guarantee the basic rights of its citizens.
보장해야 할 (attributive form of obligation)
지식인은 사회적 불의에 침묵하지 말아야 한다.
Intellectuals must not remain silent in the face of social injustice.
침묵하지 말다 (not be silent) + 아야 한다 (plain style)
기술의 발전은 윤리적 성찰을 동반해야 합니다.
The advancement of technology must be accompanied by ethical reflection.
동반하다 (to accompany) -> 동반해야 합니다
평화는 힘이 아닌 상호 신뢰로 구축되어야 합니다.
Peace must be built through mutual trust, not force.
구축되다 (to be built) + 어야 합니다 = 구축되어야 합니다
우리는 선조들의 지혜를 계승해야 할 사명이 있습니다.
We have a mission to inherit the wisdom of our ancestors.
계승해야 할 (that must be inherited)
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
— I have to go. Used when leaving a place or meeting.
미안해요, 지금 가야 해요.
— I have to do it. A general expression of task obligation.
이 일을 오늘까지 해야 해요.
— I must eat. Often used regarding health or medicine.
아침을 꼭 먹어야 해요.
— I must sleep. Used when tired or following a schedule.
내일 일찍 출근해서 자야 해요.
— Must have / Must be there. Expresses a requirement for an object or presence.
여권이 있어야 해요.
— Must see / Must watch. Used for movies, exams, or checking something.
이 영화는 꼭 봐야 해요.
— I must study. A classic student phrase.
시험이라서 공부해야 해요.
— I must meet [someone]. Indicates a necessary appointment.
친구를 만나야 해요.
— I must buy [something]. Used when shopping for essentials.
우유를 사야 해요.
— I must wait. Indicates a necessary delay.
30분 더 기다려야 해요.
慣用句と表現
— To have to look very carefully (literally 'wash eyes and look').
그런 기회는 눈을 씻고 찾아봐야 해요.
Colloquial— To have to align stories or synchronize what people are saying.
우리는 미리 입을 맞춰야 해요.
Informal— To have to take active, enthusiastic initiative (literally 'take off shoes and step out').
우리가 발 벗고 나서야 해요.
Neutral— To have to tighten one's belt (frugality).
당분간 허리띠를 졸라매야 해요.
Neutral— To have to listen carefully/pay attention.
선생님 말씀에 귀를 기울여야 해요.
Neutral— To have to eradicate something completely (literally 'pull out by the roots').
나쁜 습관은 뿌리를 뽑아야 해요.
Neutral— To have to bow one's head (show humility or apologize).
잘못했을 때는 고개를 숙여야 해요.
Neutral— To have to cooperate or join forces.
두 회사가 손을 잡아야 해요.
Neutral— To have to keep pace with others/synchronize.
서로 박자를 맞춰야 해요.
Informal— To have to make bone-aching (extreme) efforts.
뼈를 깎는 노력을 해야 해요.
Literary/Emphatic語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
関連
Summary
The pattern ~어야 하다 is the standard way to express obligation in Korean. For example, '공부해야 해요' (I must study) uses the '하다' verb stem combined with '해야' to show necessity. It is essential for daily life and formal communication.
- Used to express 'must', 'have to', or 'should' in Korean.
- Formed by adding -아/어/여야 to the verb stem followed by 하다.
- Crucial for expressing obligations, rules, and necessary conditions.
- Interchangeable with ~어야 되다 in casual speech, but 하다 is more formal.
関連コンテンツ
academicの関連語
입체적
B2三次元的な効果を持つこと、または単一の平面的な視点ではなく多角的な視点から検討すること。
~에 관해
B1「〜について」や「〜に関する」を意味する表現です。フォーマルな場面や書き言葉でよく使われます。
~에 대하여
A2特定の主題に関して、またはそれについて。「韓国の文化について勉強しています。」
~대해
A2「〜について」という意味です。話したり考えたりする対象を示す時に使います。
~에 관하여
A2あるトピックに関して、またはそれについて。レポートやスピーチなどの公式な場面で使用されます。
~에 대해(서)
A1議論のトピックや主題を示し、「〜について」や「〜に関して」を意味します。話す、考える、知るなどの動詞と一緒に使われます。
무엇보다
A2何よりも; とりわけ。
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상화하다
B2抽象化する:具体的な対象から、ある側面や性質を抜き出して、一般的な概念として捉えること。
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.