The Inference Ending: It looks like... (-나/는가 보다)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -나/는가 보다 to express a conclusion based on visual or situational evidence you have observed.
- Use -나 보다 with adjectives and past tense verbs: 예쁜가 보다 (It looks pretty).
- Use -는가 보다 with present tense action verbs: 비가 오는가 보다 (It looks like it's raining).
- Use -을/ㄹ 건가 보다 for future inference: 곧 도착할 건가 보다 (It looks like they will arrive soon).
Overview
As you navigate the complexities of B2-level Korean, you encounter grammar that allows for more nuanced expression of observation and deduction. The inference ending -(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 (or its more colloquial counterpart, -나 보다) is a prime example. This grammatical pattern allows you to express a conjecture or an assumption based on observable evidence or sensory input, rather than mere opinion or speculation.
It translates roughly to "it seems that…," "it looks like…," "it sounds like…," or "I guess that…," fundamentally rooted in the verb 보다 (to see, to look, to observe).
Unlike direct statements, -(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 implies you haven't directly confirmed the fact, but the evidence strongly suggests it. For instance, if you see someone yawning repeatedly, you might infer they are tired. You don't know they are tired – they haven't explicitly told you – but their actions provide sufficient grounds for your deduction.
Mastering this pattern enables you to articulate sophisticated observations and tentative conclusions, a hallmark of upper-intermediate fluency.
How This Grammar Works
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 combines an interrogative ending (which historically implied a question or uncertainty) with 보다. Conceptually, you are internally asking a question based on your observations, and 보다 then frames your conclusion as an inference derived from what you "see" or perceive. It's a linguistic mechanism for performing a deductive leap: from an observed phenomenon to a probable cause or state.Verb/Adjective Stem + Interrogative Ending + 보다. The interrogative ending (-는가 for action verbs, -(으)ㄴ가 for descriptive verbs/adjectives) signals an internal consideration or question about the preceding clause. When paired with 보다, this transforms into an inferred statement, where your perception (보다) leads you to a logical, though not definitive, conclusion.-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 (it seems like, I think), which can be based purely on intuition or personal feeling without concrete external evidence. With -(으)ㄴ/는가 보다, there is always an implicit "I observe X, therefore I deduce Y."재미있나 봐요). You have auditory evidence (the laughter) informing your inference. Without such evidence, using -(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 would be inappropriate.Formation Pattern
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 requires careful attention to verb and adjective types, as well as tense. The pattern adapts slightly depending on whether you are attaching it to an action verb (동사), a descriptive verb/adjective (형용사), or a noun (명사).
-는가 보다) | Colloquial/Spoken (-나 보다) | Example (하다 - to do) | Meaning |
Verb Stem + -는가 보다 | Verb Stem + -나 보다 | 하는가 봐요 / 하나 봐요 | It looks like (someone) is doing. |
Verb Stem + -았/었나 보다 | Verb Stem + -았/었나 보다 | 했나 봐요 | It looks like (someone) did. |
Verb Stem + -(으)ㄹ 건가 보다 | Verb Stem + -(으)ㄹ 건가 보다 | 할 건가 봐요 | It looks like (someone) will do. |
먹다 (to eat) → 먹는가 봐요 / 먹나 봐요 (친구가 밥을 먹나 봐요. - It seems like my friend is eating.)
읽다 (to read) → 읽는가 봐요 / 읽나 봐요 (도서관이 조용한 걸 보니, 다들 책을 읽나 봐요. - Seeing the library is quiet, it seems everyone is reading books.)
-나 보다 in everyday spoken Korean.
-(았/었) attaches directly to the verb stem, followed by -나 보다. This form is consistent for both formal and colloquial usage.
가다 (to go) → 갔나 봐요 (벌써 집에 갔나 봐요. - It seems they already went home.)
공부하다 (to study) → 공부했나 봐요 (어젯밤에 늦게까지 공부했나 봐요. - It seems they studied until late last night.)
-(으)ㄹ 건가 보다 exists, it is less common for simple future conjecture and often implies a slight nuance of observing someone's intention or a planned event. For general future guessing, -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 is more frequently used. -(으)ㄹ 건가 보다 specifically infers a future event based on current observations that hint at that future.
오다 (to come) → 올 건가 봐요 (비가 올 건가 봐요. - It looks like it's going to rain, based on the dark clouds.)
Adjective Stem + -(으)ㄴ가 보다 | 예쁜가 봐요 | It looks like (it) is pretty. |
Adjective Stem + -았/었나 보다 | 예뻤나 봐요 | It looks like (it) was pretty. |
Adjective Stem + -(으)ㄹ 건가 보다 | 예쁠 건가 봐요 | It looks like (it) will be pretty. |
-(으)ㄴ가 보다.
ㄹ: Stem + -ㄴ가 보다
바쁘다 (to be busy) → 바쁜가 봐요 (사장님께 전화가 계속 오는 걸 보니 바쁜가 봐요. - Seeing that the boss keeps getting calls, it seems he's busy.)
멀다 (to be far) → 먼가 봐요
ㄹ): Stem + -은가 보다
좋다 (to be good) → 좋은가 봐요 (모두가 웃는 걸 보니 좋은가 봐요. - Seeing everyone laughing, it seems good.)
작다 (to be small) → 작은가 봐요
-(았/었) ending is attached, followed by -나 보다.
힘들다 (to be hard) → 힘들었나 봐요 (얼굴이 안 좋은 걸 보니 어제 힘들었나 봐요. - Seeing his face doesn't look good, it seems he had a hard time yesterday.)
-(으)ㄹ 건가 보다 can be used to infer a future state based on present evidence, but -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 is generally more common for this purpose.
Noun + -인가 보다 | 학생인가 봐요 | It looks like (they) are a student. |
Noun + -이었/였나 보다 | 학생이었나 봐요 | It looks like (they) were a student. |
Noun + -인가 보다 (의사 + 인가 보다 → 의사인가 봐요 - It seems they're a doctor.)
Noun + -인가 보다 (가수 + 인가 보다 → 가수인가 봐요 - It seems they're a singer.)
Noun + -이었나 보다 (선생님이었나 봐요. - It seems they were a teacher.)
Noun + -였나 보다 (친구였나 봐요. - It seems they were a friend.)
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 is appended.
ㄷ Irregular: 듣다 (to listen) → 듣는가 봐요 / 듣나 봐요 (Present Action Verb) or 들었나 봐요 (Past Action Verb)
ㅂ Irregular: 춥다 (to be cold) → 추운가 봐요 (Present Descriptive Verb) or 추웠나 봐요 (Past Descriptive Verb)
르 Irregular: 모르다 (to not know) → 모르는가 봐요 / 모르나 봐요 (Present Action Verb) or 몰랐나 봐요 (Past Action Verb)
ㅎ Irregular: 빨갛다 (to be red) → 빨간가 봐요 (Present Descriptive Verb) or 빨갰나 봐요 (Past Descriptive Verb)
When To Use It
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 whenever you are drawing a conclusion based on external, observable cues rather than direct knowledge or pure speculation.- Deduction from Visual Evidence: This is perhaps the most common application, directly linking to the
보다in the expression. When you see something, and it prompts an inference. - You see your colleague working late every day:
그분은 야근을 많이 하나 봐요.(It seems like that person works a lot of overtime.) - You notice a new sign outside a store:
새로운 가게가 생겼나 봐요.(It looks like a new store has opened.) - You observe your friend's downcast expression:
무슨 안 좋은 일이 있었나 봐요.(It seems like something bad happened.)
- Deduction from Auditory Evidence: Your ears provide clues for your deductions.
- You hear loud music from next door:
옆집에서 파티를 하나 봐요.(It sounds like there's a party next door.) - You hear a child crying:
아이가 배고픈가 봐요.(It sounds like the child is hungry.)
- Deduction from Other Sensory Evidence (Smell, Taste, Touch): While
보다primarily means "to see," its usage here extends metaphorically to any sensory perception that leads to an inference. - You smell delicious food:
누가 맛있는 음식을 요리하나 봐요.(It smells like someone is cooking delicious food.) - You feel a cold breeze:
날씨가 추워지려나 봐요.(It feels like the weather is going to get colder.)
- Inferring Someone's State or Situation: This pattern is frequently used to comment on someone else's circumstances or feelings without directly asking them or stating it as a fact, which can be seen as more polite in Korean culture.
- Your friend hasn't replied to your messages:
바쁜가 봐요.(It seems like they're busy.) - A student is excelling in class:
공부를 열심히 하나 봐요.(It seems like they study hard.) - You see someone struggling with a task:
도움이 필요한가 봐요.(It seems like they need help.)
- Expressing Politeness and Tentativeness: By framing your statement as an inference rather than a certainty, you convey humility and leave room for error, a valued trait in Korean communication. This indirectness softens your assertion.
- Instead of
이것이 틀렸어요.(This is wrong.), you might say이것이 좀 틀렸나 봐요.(It seems like this might be a bit wrong.), especially when addressing a superior or elder.
- Self-Observation (Rare and Specific): Although generally not used for one's own immediate feelings, it can be used if you are observing yourself almost as an external party, typically in situations where your own state is unclear or surprising to you. This is highly idiomatic and less common.
- Waking up disoriented:
내가 잠꼬대를 했나 봐요?(Did I talk in my sleep, I wonder? / It seems I talked in my sleep?) - Here, you're inferring your own action based on some evidence (e.g., someone told you, or you feel strange).
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 whenever you have a piece of circumstantial evidence and you want to articulate the logical conclusion you draw from it, while maintaining a degree of inferential distance.Common Mistakes
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 is prone to specific errors by learners. Understanding these pitfalls and their underlying reasons is critical for accurate usage.- Misapplication of
-나 보다with Present Tense Adjectives: This is arguably the most frequent error. Learners often mistakenly apply-나 보다(common for action verbs) to present tense descriptive verbs/adjectives. For instance, using비싸나 봐요(it seems expensive) instead of the correct비싼가 봐요. The confusion arises because-나 보다is so prevalent with action verbs in spoken Korean. However, standard grammar dictates-(으)ㄴ가 보다for present tense adjectives. - Incorrect:
날씨가 좋으나 봐요.(for "The weather seems good.") - Correct:
날씨가 좋은가 봐요. - Reasoning: The
-(으)ㄴ가ending for adjectives is tied to their function of describing a state, much like the adnominal form-(으)ㄴis used to modify nouns. Action verbs, by contrast, focus on the action itself, hence the는가or-나for present tense.
- Using for Personal, Subjective Feelings: You cannot use
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다to express your own immediate, subjective emotional state or opinion. For example, saying저는 슬픈가 봐요.(It seems I'm sad.) is grammatically awkward and unnatural unless you're observing your own sadness from a detached perspective (e.g., a character in a movie analyzing their own unexpected reaction). For personal feelings,저는 슬픈 것 같아요.(I think I'm sad.) or a direct statement like저는 슬퍼요.(I'm sad.) is appropriate. - Incorrect:
저는 피곤한가 봐요.(when you simply feel tired). - Correct:
저는 피곤한 것 같아요.or저는 피곤해요. - Reasoning:
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다implies an inference based on observation, not an internal sensation. When you state your own feeling, you have direct knowledge, not inferred knowledge.
- Confusing with
-(으)ㄹ 것 같다for Future Conjecture: While-(으)ㄹ 건가 보다technically exists for future inferences,-(으)ㄹ 것 같다is far more commonly used and natural for general predictions about the future.-(으)ㄹ 건가 보다carries a subtle nuance of observing current signs that indicate a future event. - For a simple prediction like "It will probably rain tomorrow,":
- More natural:
내일 비가 올 것 같아요. - Less natural unless specific signs are observed:
내일 비가 올 건가 봐요.(e.g., if you see a weather forecast indicating rain). - Reasoning:
-(으)ㄹ 것 같다is a broader expression of future possibility or expectation based on a general estimation.-(으)ㄹ 건가 보다retains the strong element of immediate, sensory observation.
- Overuse in Situations of Certainty: If you know a fact,
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다is inappropriate. It introduces unnecessary tentativeness. Only use it when you are genuinely making an inference. - If you just saw your friend leave, do not say
친구가 갔나 봐요.Say친구가 갔어요. - Reasoning: The grammar explicitly signals an inference. When certainty exists, this signal becomes redundant and potentially misleading.
- Incorrectly Omitting Tense Marker for Past Tense: Remember that both action verbs and descriptive verbs/adjectives use
-(았/었)나 보다for the past tense. Some learners might attempt to use-(으)ㄴ가 보다with past tense verbs, which is incorrect. - Incorrect:
친구가 자는가 봐요.(to mean "My friend seemed to sleep.") - Correct:
친구가 잤나 봐요.
Real Conversations
Understanding -(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 is best solidified by seeing how native speakers deploy it in everyday exchanges, ranging from casual observations to slightly more formal deductions.
Scenario 1
A
요즘 영수 씨 왜 이렇게 연락이 없지? (Why is Youngsu not contacting us much these days?)B
새로운 프로젝트 시작했으니까 바쁜가 봐. (He started a new project, so it seems he's busy.)- Here, 바쁜가 봐 (바쁘다 + -(으)ㄴ가 보다, then plain form) infers Youngsu's busyness based on the new project, an observable fact.
Scenario 2
A
무슨 소리야? 밖에 시끄러운데. (What's that noise? It's loud outside.)B
누가 싸우나 봐. 경찰 불러야 하는 거 아니야? (It sounds like someone is fighting. Shouldn't we call the police?)- 싸우나 봐 (싸우다 + -나 보다, plain form) is a deduction from auditory evidence – the loud noise. The speaker doesn't see the fight but infers its occurrence.
Scenario 3
A
어제 시험 잘 봤어? (Did you do well on the exam yesterday?)B
음... 너무 어려워서 망했나 봐. (Hmm… it was too difficult, so I guess I failed.)- 망했나 봐 (망하다 + -았/었나 보다, then plain form) indicates an inference about one's own outcome based on the subjective difficulty of the exam, almost an objective self-observation of the result.
Scenario 4
A
부장님이 아침부터 얼굴이 안 좋으신데, 무슨 일 있으셨나? (The manager's face hasn't looked good since morning, I wonder if something happened?)B
어제 회의에서 좀 힘들어하셨으니까 스트레스 많이 받으셨나 봐요. (He seemed to have a hard time at yesterday's meeting, so it seems he received a lot of stress.)- 받으셨나 봐요 (받다 + -으시- + -었나 보다, then 요 form) is a polite, indirect inference about the manager's state, based on observations from the previous day's meeting.
Scenario 5
Friend's post shows them on a beach:
우와, 드디어 휴가 갔나 봐! 부럽다. (Wow, finally went on vacation, I guess! I'm envious.)
- 갔나 봐 (가다 + -았/었나 보다, plain form) is a direct inference from visual evidence (the photo) about the friend's current activity.
These examples illustrate that -(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 is embedded in the fabric of everyday communication, allowing for conclusions to be drawn from observed reality in a socially appropriate and linguistically precise manner.
Quick FAQ
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 to clarify its nuances and usage.- Q: What is the functional difference between
-나 보다and-는가 보다for action verbs?
Functionally, in terms of meaning, there is almost no difference. Both express an inference based on observation. However, -나 보다 is overwhelmingly preferred and more natural in casual spoken Korean across all formality levels (when combined with 요 or used in plain form). Verb Stem + -는가 보다 tends to sound slightly more formal, written, or deliberative, often found in more structured contexts or when the speaker is presenting a more considered deduction. For everyday speech, always default to -나 보다.
- Q: Can I use
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다when I'm guessing about my own actions or feelings?
Generally, no, not for immediate, subjective feelings or actions you are directly aware of. As discussed in "Common Mistakes," this grammar pattern is for inferences based on external observation. If you directly feel tired, you say 피곤해요. If you observe yourself yawning repeatedly and then conclude you must be tired, you might use 피곤한가 봐요, but this is a very detached, almost self-analytical use. It's more common when your own state is genuinely uncertain to you, often after waking up or a confusing event, e.g., 내가 어제 술을 많이 마셨나 봐. (I guess I drank a lot yesterday – perhaps based on a headache).
- Q: How does
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다compare to-(으)ㄹ 모양이다and-(으)ㄹ 성싶다?
These are all inferential expressions, but with subtle differences:
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다: Strong emphasis on observable evidence (visual, auditory, etc.) leading to a conclusion about a present or past state, or a future intention/likelihood based on current signs. It's relatively informal/conversational in its-나 보다form.-(으)ㄹ 모양이다: Implies an inference, usually about a forthcoming event or a current state, based on a visible "appearance" or "shape" of things. It suggests a more immediate visual cue pointing to a future outcome or a present characteristic. E.g.,비가 올 모양이에요.(It looks like it's going to rain, based on the look of the sky). It often has a predictive quality.-(으)ㄹ 성싶다: More formal and often used for inference based on intuition, educated guess, or strong possibility rather than direct sensory evidence. It implies a deeper consideration or a feeling that something is likely to be true. E.g.,그가 성공할 성싶다.(I feel he's likely to succeed.) It's less common in everyday speech and more in writing or formal contexts.
- Q: Why is
보다used in this expression?
The verb 보다 literally means "to see," "to look," or "to observe." In this grammatical construction, it extends its meaning metaphorically to encompass "to perceive," "to consider," or "to deduce from observation." Thus, X-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다 means "I observe (something that makes me wonder if) X is true," leading to the inference "It seems that X is true." This clearly links the inference to a process of perception and consideration, distinguishing it from mere conjecture.
- Q: What is the plain form of
-(으)ㄴ/는가 보다?
To use it in plain form (반말, for close friends or subordinates), you simply remove the 요. So, 바쁜가 봐 (It seems you're busy), 왔나 봐 (It seems they came), 학생인가 봐 (It seems they're a student). This is very common in casual conversation.
Conjugation Table
| Type | Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Action Verb
|
-는가 보다
|
-았/었나 보다
|
-을 건가 보다
|
|
Adjective
|
-ㄴ/은가 보다
|
-았/었나 보다
|
-을 건가 보다
|
|
Noun
|
-인가 보다
|
-이었/였나 보다
|
-일 건가 보다
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
|
~나 보다
|
~나 봐요
|
|
~는가 보다
|
~는가 봐요
|
Meanings
This grammar expresses a speaker's inference or conjecture based on observed evidence or a specific situation.
Visual Inference
Deducing a state based on what is currently seen.
“그 사람은 정말 바쁜가 봐요.”
“아기가 잠을 잘 자나 봐요.”
Situational Deduction
Deducing an action based on context clues.
“철수가 공부를 열심히 하는가 봐요.”
“지하철이 멈춘 걸 보니 사고가 났나 봐요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + -는가 보다
|
비가 오는가 봐요
|
|
Adjective
|
Adj + -ㄴ/은가 보다
|
예쁜가 봐요
|
|
Past
|
Verb + -았/었나 보다
|
먹었나 봐요
|
|
Future
|
Verb + -을 건가 보다
|
갈 건가 봐요
|
|
Noun
|
Noun + -인가 보다
|
학생인가 봐요
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + -지 않나 보다
|
안 먹나 봐요
|
Formality Spectrum
그가 피곤한가 봅니다. (Observing a colleague.)
그가 피곤한가 봐요. (Observing a colleague.)
피곤한가 봐. (Observing a colleague.)
피곤한가 보네. (Observing a colleague.)
Inference Logic
Action
- 먹는가 봐요 Looks like they are eating
State
- 예쁜가 봐요 Looks like it is pretty
Examples by Level
비가 오나 봐요.
It looks like it's raining.
맛있나 봐요.
It looks delicious.
바쁜가 봐요.
They seem busy.
좋은가 봐요.
It seems good.
철수가 공부를 열심히 하나 봐요.
It seems Chulsoo is studying hard.
영희가 기분이 좋은가 봐요.
Younghee seems to be in a good mood.
어제 많이 피곤했나 봐요.
You must have been very tired yesterday.
곧 도착할 건가 봐요.
It looks like they will arrive soon.
다들 회의에 참석하지 않았나 봐요.
It seems like everyone didn't attend the meeting.
이 식당은 가격이 비싼가 봐요.
This restaurant seems to be expensive.
그 영화가 정말 재미있었나 봐요.
That movie must have been really fun.
오늘 날씨가 꽤 추운가 봐요.
The weather seems quite cold today.
그들은 이미 결정을 내렸나 봐요.
It appears they have already made a decision.
프로젝트가 예상보다 복잡한가 봐요.
The project seems more complex than expected.
그녀는 이 분야에 관심이 많은가 봐요.
She seems to have a lot of interest in this field.
상황이 생각보다 심각했나 봐요.
The situation must have been more serious than I thought.
그의 태도를 보니 불만이 있는가 봐요.
Judging by his attitude, he seems to have complaints.
정부의 정책이 효과가 없었나 봐요.
It seems the government's policy was ineffective.
그들은 서로 의견이 맞지 않았나 봐요.
It seems they didn't agree with each other.
이 기술이 업계의 표준이 될 건가 봐요.
It looks like this technology will become the industry standard.
그의 침묵은 그가 동의하지 않음을 암시하나 봐요.
His silence seems to imply that he does not agree.
역사적 맥락을 고려할 때, 그 결정은 불가피했나 봐요.
Considering the historical context, the decision must have been inevitable.
그의 논리는 다소 비약이 심했나 봐요.
His logic seems to have been a bit of a stretch.
이러한 현상은 사회적 변화를 반영하나 봐요.
This phenomenon seems to reflect social change.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'it seems like'.
Both are used for inference.
Both involve past observation.
Common Mistakes
예쁘는가 봐요
예쁜가 봐요
먹가 봐요
먹는가 봐요
좋다나 봐요
좋은가 봐요
가나 봐요
가는가 봐요
비가 온가 봐요
비가 오나 봐요
바쁘나 봐요
바쁜가 봐요
했는가 봐요
했나 봐요
맛있을 것인가 봐요
맛있을 건가 봐요
학생인가 보다
학생인가 봐요
공부하는가 보다
공부하나 봐요
그가 말하기를 ~나 봐요
그가 ~나 봐요
그것은 ~는가 봐요
그것은 ~인가 봐요
그들이 ~나 보았다
그들이 ~나 보더라
Sentence Patterns
___이/가 ___나 봐요.
___이/가 정말 ___나 봐요.
___을/를 보니 ___나 봐요.
상황이 ___나 봐요.
Real World Usage
오늘 바쁜가 봐요!
다들 즐거운가 봐요.
일정이 바쁜가 봅니다.
이곳이 유명한가 봐요.
주문이 많은가 봐요.
상황이 심각한가 봅니다.
Evidence is Key
Don't use for yourself
Use with -요
Softening Speech
Smart Tips
Use -ㄴ/은가 봐요 for adjectives.
Use -는가 봐요 for verbs.
Use -았/었나 봐요.
Use -을 건가 봐요.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㄴ' sound often links to the next syllable.
Rising
피곤한가 봐요? ↑
Asking for confirmation of your inference.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '나' as 'I see' (나 = I). I see, therefore I infer.
Visual Association
Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass looking at a footprint. He says '범인이 갔나 봐요' (It looks like the culprit left).
Rhyme
When you see a clue, use -나 봐요, it's true!
Story
You walk into a room. The lights are off. You see a book open on the desk. You think, 'Someone was studying here.' You say, '공부했나 봐요.'
Word Web
Challenge
Look out your window for 5 minutes and write 3 sentences using -나/는가 봐요.
Cultural Notes
Koreans use this to avoid being too direct, which is considered polite.
Used to soften feedback or observations.
Often shortened to ~나 보네 in casual speech.
Derived from the verb 보다 (to see), literally meaning 'I see [and infer]'.
Conversation Starters
오늘 날씨가 어떤 것 같아요?
저 식당에 사람이 많네요.
친구가 연락이 없네요.
이 프로젝트가 쉽지 않네요.
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
비가 (오) ___ 봐요.
그 사람이 (예쁘) ___ 봐요.
Find and fix the mistake:
그가 먹는가 봐요 (when he already ate).
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
It looks like he is happy.
Answer starts with: 그가 ...
하늘이 어두워요. 곧 비가 ___.
철수가 어제 (공부하) ___ 봐요.
Find and fix the mistake:
이 식당이 비싼가 봐요 (when it's cheap).
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises비가 (오) ___ 봐요.
그 사람이 (예쁘) ___ 봐요.
Find and fix the mistake:
그가 먹는가 봐요 (when he already ate).
봐요 / 바쁜가 / 그 / 정말
It looks like he is happy.
하늘이 어두워요. 곧 비가 ___.
철수가 어제 (공부하) ___ 봐요.
Find and fix the mistake:
이 식당이 비싼가 봐요 (when it's cheap).
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesShe is sleeping. She ___ tired. (피곤하다 = tired)
Context: You see empty plates on the table.
내일 비가 오나 봐요. (It looks like it will rain tomorrow)
Match the context to the phrase.
The baby is crying. He ___ hungry. (배고프다)
Choose the best sentence for: 'Seeing a queue, you guess the food is good.'
많이 / 눈이 / 봐요 / 왔나
It looks like there is no one. (없다)
That bag ___ expensive.
Now he is sleeping. (아까 운동을 했나 봐요 - He must have exercised earlier)
It looks like a student. (학생)
Score: /11
FAQ (8)
Generally no. It is for observing others or situations.
It can be formal if you use -봅니다.
-나 보다 is based on evidence.
Yes, use -을 건가 보다.
It's a specific rule for descriptive verbs.
Very common.
Yes, use -인가 보다.
That's okay, it's just an inference.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Parece que...
Korean conjugates the verb inside the clause.
Il semble que...
Korean is more direct in its observation.
Es scheint, dass...
Korean uses a specific ending.
~sou da
Korean -나 보다 is more evidence-based.
يبدو أن...
Korean integrates it into the verb.
看起来...
Korean is a suffix, Chinese is a prefix.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Formal 'By' Agent (-에 의해)
Overview In Korean, expressing agency – the 'by' in 'done by' – isn't a one-size-fits-all matter as it often is in Engli...
Based On: -을/를 바탕으로
Overview In Korean, expressing that an action, creation, or judgment is **based on** a particular source is crucial for...
The 'Double Passive' Vibe (Advanced Causative Passive)
Overview Korean, like many languages, employs grammatical mechanisms to shift focus within a sentence. The **Double Pass...
Expressing Shock: -다니 (How Could...)
Overview **-다니** (romanized: -dani) is an upper-intermediate (B2) Korean grammar pattern used to express strong surpr...
Dramatic 'As Soon As' (-기가 무섭게)
Overview Korean learners often encounter various ways to express sequential actions, but few capture the sheer, dramatic...
