B1 Expressions & Patterns 14 min read Easy

Logical Deductions: It must be... (-나 보다)

Use -나 보다 to make logical deductions based on what you see or hear right now.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use -나 보다 to make a logical guess based on what you see or hear.

  • Attach -나 보다 to verb stems (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹나 보다).
  • For adjectives, use -(으)ㄴ가 보다 (e.g., 예쁘다 -> 예쁜가 보다).
  • Use -았/었나 보다 for past tense observations.
Evidence + (Verb-나 보다 / Adj-(으)ㄴ가 보다) = Logical Guess

Overview

Korean language learners often seek ways to express educated guesses or deductions about situations they observe. The grammatical pattern -나 보다 (romanization: -na boda) serves precisely this function, allowing you to infer a state or action based on direct, observable evidence. It translates most closely to "It seems that...", "It appears that...", "I guess that...", or "It must be..." in English.

Unlike a mere assumption, -나 보다 implies a conclusion reached through sensory input – something you have seen, heard, or otherwise directly perceived.

This pattern is fundamental for sounding natural in Korean conversations, as it reflects a common communicative strategy of expressing thoughts or conclusions indirectly. Rather than making a definitive, potentially assertive statement, speakers use -나 보다 to present their observation as a personal inference, leaving room for interpretation or correction. This nuance is deeply embedded in Korean communication culture, valuing harmony and avoiding direct confrontation or overly strong assertions.

At the B1 level, mastering -나 보다 allows you to move beyond simple factual statements and engage in more sophisticated conversations, where you can comment on situations and people's actions with appropriate nuance. It's a key tool for discussing daily observations, from predicting the weather to understanding others' moods, all while maintaining a polite and observational tone.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, -나 보다 functions as an evidential marker, signaling that the speaker's statement is a deduction derived from an immediate, observable cue. This is crucial: the deduction is not speculative or based on vague intuition, but rather on direct sensory evidence. For instance, if you see someone wearing a thick coat and shivering, you might deduce 날씨가 춥나 봐요 (Nalssiga chumna bwayo – "It seems like the weather is cold").
Your eyes provide the evidence (coat, shivering), and -나 보다 expresses your inference.
This pattern imbues your speech with a sense of observational intelligence rather than assertive declaration. Instead of stating a fact, you are presenting a conclusion drawn from the circumstances. This makes your communication softer and often more polite.
Compare the direct statement 비가 와요 (Biga wayo – "It's raining.") with the deduction 비가 오나 봐요 (Biga ona bwayo – "It seems to be raining."). The latter acknowledges that you are inferring rain from evidence (e.g., wet ground, sound of drops) rather than stating it as an absolute, confirmed fact (e.g., you haven't opened the window or stepped outside yet).
Linguistically, the -나 suffix found in -나 보다 originates from the interrogative/exclamatory ending used in older forms of Korean or in informal declarative contexts. When combined with 보다 (which here means "to see" or "to look"), it creates the sense of "seeing that something is [the case]". This grammatical structure inherently limits its use to external observations, making it inappropriate for one's own internal states or intentions, as you do not "observe" your own hunger or tiredness in the same way you observe another person's actions.
Understanding this underlying mechanism helps clarify its usage boundaries.

Formation Pattern

1
The conjugation for -나 보다 is relatively consistent across verb types, but it has a critical distinction when it comes to adjectives (descriptive verbs) in the present tense. For all past tense forms and for verbs and 있다/없다 in the present tense, the pattern is straightforward.
2
1. Action Verbs (Present Tense)
3
Simply attach -나 보다 directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. This is the most common and direct application of the pattern.
4
| Verb Stem | + -나 보다 | 합니다체 (Formal) | 해체 (Casual) | Meaning |
5
| :-------- | :---------------- | :----------------- | :-------------------- | :----------------------- |
6
| 하다 (to do) | 하나 보다 | 하나 봅니다 | 하나 봐 | It seems to be doing |
7
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹나 보다 | 먹나 봅니다 | 먹나 봐 | It seems to be eating |
8
| 가다 (to go) | 가나 보다 | 가나 봅니다 | 가나 봐 | It seems to be going |
9
| 읽다 (to read) | 읽나 보다 | 읽나 봅니다 | 읽나 봐 | It seems to be reading |
10
Example: 아이가 조용히 책을 읽나 봐요. (Aiga joyonghi chaeguel ikna bwayo. – "The child seems to be reading a book quietly.")
11
Example: 사람들이 많이 모인 걸 보니 무슨 행사를 하나 봐요. (Saramdeuri mani moin geol boni museun haengsareul hana bwayo. – "Seeing so many people gathered, it seems they're holding some event.")
12
2. Descriptive Verbs / Adjectives (Past Tense)
13
For adjectives, you must first conjugate the adjective stem into its past tense form (-았/었/했-) and then attach -나 보다. This rule applies universally to all verbs and adjectives when expressing a past deduction.
14
| Stem + Past Tense | + -나 보다 | 합니다체 (Formal) | 해체 (Casual) | Meaning |
15
| :---------------- | :------------------- | :------------------- | :---------------------- | :------------------------------ |
16
| 좋았 (was good) | 좋았나 보다 | 좋았나 봅니다 | 좋았나 봐 | It seems it was good |
17
| 아팠 (was sick) | 아팠나 보다 | 아팠나 봅니다 | 아팠나 봐 | It seems they were sick |
18
| 했 (did) | 했나 보다 | 했나 봅니다 | 했나 봐 | It seems they did |
19
| 작았 (was small) | 작았나 보다 | 작았나 봅니다 | 작았나 봐 | It seems it was small |
20
Example: 어제 비가 많이 왔나 봐요. 길이 젖어 있어요. (Eoje biga mani watna bwayo. Gili jeojeo isseoyo. – "It must have rained a lot yesterday. The road is wet.")
21
Example: 그 배우가 정말 인기가 많았나 봐요. 표가 벌써 다 매진됐어요. (Geu baeuga jeongmal ingiga manatna bwayo. Pyoga beolsseo da maejindwaesseoyo. – "That actor must have been really popular. All the tickets are already sold out.")
22
3. Existence Verbs (있다/없다) and Copula (이다)
23
For 있다 (to exist/have) and 없다 (to not exist/not have), always use -나 보다 in the present tense.
24
| Verb | + -나 보다 | 합니다체 (Formal) | 해체 (Casual) | Meaning |
25
| :--------- | :------------------ | :------------------- | :-------------------- | :--------------------------- |
26
| 있다 | 있나 보다 | 있나 봅니다 | 있나 봐 | It seems to be there/have |
27
| 없다 | 없나 보다 | 없나 봅니다 | 없나 봐 | It seems not to be there/have |
28
Example: 지갑이 책상 위에 있나 봐요. (Jigabi chaeksang wie itna bwayo. – "It seems my wallet is on the desk.")
29
Example: 회의에 아무도 없나 봐요. 문이 잠겨 있어요. (Hoeuie amudo eomna bwayo. Muni jamgyeo isseoyo. – "It seems no one is in the meeting. The door is locked.")
30
For the copula 이다 (to be), the pattern generally follows the adjective rule, using -(으)ㄴ가 보다. However, in spoken, informal contexts, you might occasionally hear 인가 보다 (ingaboda) for nouns ending in consonants and 인가 보다 for nouns ending in vowels, which is technically -(이)ㄴ가 보다. For past tense, it's 이었나 보다 (ieotna boda) or 였나 보다 (yeotna boda).
31
Example (present copula): 학생인가 봐요. 교복을 입고 있네요. (Haksaenginga bwayo. Gyobogeul ipgo inneyeo. – "They seem to be a student. They're wearing a school uniform.")
32
Example (past copula): 제 친구였나 봐요. 목소리가 익숙해요. (Je chinguyeotna bwayo. Moksoriga iksukhaeyo. – "It seems it was my friend. The voice is familiar.")
33
Key Takeaway: The crucial exception to remember is that adjectives (descriptive verbs) in the present tense do not use -나 보다. Instead, they use -(으)ㄴ가 보다. This distinction is a frequent source of error for learners.

When To Use It

-나 보다 is used specifically when you are making a deduction based on direct, observable evidence in the present moment or about a past event. It's about inferring a situation or someone's state based on what you can see or hear. The presence of such evidence is non-negotiable for its correct application.
1. Inferring a Present State or Action:
This is the most common use. You witness a sign and deduce a current situation.
  • Observing behavior: If you see your friend yawning repeatedly, you might infer they are tired. 친구가 계속 하품을 하는 걸 보니 피곤한가 봐요. (Chinguga gyesok hapumeul haneun geol boni pigonhanga bwayo. – "Seeing my friend keep yawning, it seems they're tired.") (Note: 피곤하다 is an adjective, so -(으)ㄴ가 보다 is used).
  • Observing external conditions: You notice the street is wet, implying it rained recently. 밖에 길이 젖어 있는 걸 보니 비가 왔나 봐요. (Bakke giri jeojeo inneun geol boni biga watna bwayo. – "Seeing the road outside is wet, it seems it rained.")
  • Observing reactions: Someone is laughing loudly at their phone. 아주 재미있는 영상을 보나 봐요. (Aju jaemiitneun yeongsangeul bona bwayo. – "It seems they're watching a very funny video.")
2. Inferring a Past Event or Condition:
When you see the result of a past event, you can use -나 보다 with the past tense conjugation.
  • Seeing aftermath: You arrive at a party and see empty plates and people cleaning up. 파티가 끝났나 봐요. (Patiga kkeutnatna bwayo. – "It seems the party finished.")
  • Missing items/people: You go to the office and your colleague's desk is empty and dark. 김대리가 퇴근했나 봐요. (Gimdaeriga toegeunhaetna bwayo. – "It seems Assistant Manager Kim went home.")
  • Evidence of prior action: You notice a new dent on your car. 누가 제 차를 긁었나 봐요. (Nuga je chareul geulggeotna bwayo. – "It seems someone scratched my car.")
3. Making Polite Observations or Suggestions:
Because -나 보다 softens a statement, it can be used to make an observation about someone's state or a situation without sounding presumptuous or overly direct. This is particularly useful in workplace settings or when interacting with acquaintances.
  • Observing workload: If a colleague looks stressed and has many papers on their desk. 요즘 일이 많으신가 봐요. (Yojeum iri maneusinga bwayo. – "It seems you have a lot of work these days.") (Note: 많다 is an adjective, so -(으)ㄴ가 보다 is used).
  • Observing mood: Your friend is quiet and not eating much. 무슨 걱정 있나 봐요? (Museun geokjeong itna bwayo? – "Is there something you're worried about?")
This pattern allows for an indirect inquiry or comment, showing empathy and observation rather than making a blunt accusation or demand for information. It's a way of saying, "I've observed X, and my conclusion is Y. Am I right?" without explicitly asking the question.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter pitfalls with -나 보다, primarily due to its specific rules regarding adjectives and its inherent limitation concerning the speaker's own state.
1. Using for One's Own Internal States (Forbidden!)
This is perhaps the most fundamental error. You cannot use -나 보다 to describe your own feelings, intentions, or physical states because you do not "observe" these within yourself; you experience them directly. You know if you're hungry, tired, or happy – you don't need to deduce it.
  • Incorrect: 저는 배고프나 봐요. (Jeoneun baegopeuna bwayo. – "It seems I'm hungry.")
  • Correct: 저는 배고파요. (Jeoneun baegopayo. – "I'm hungry.") or 배가 고픈 것 같아요. (Baega gopeun geot gatayo. – "I think I'm hungry.")
Similarly, you wouldn't say 저는 가고 싶나 봐요. ("It seems I want to go.") when you know you want to go. This distinction is critical and stems from the evidential nature of -나 보다.
2. Confusing with Present Tense Adjectives (The -나 vs. -(으)ㄴ가 Rule)
This is the most common grammatical mistake. As established, adjectives (descriptive verbs) in the present tense do not use -나 보다. They use -(으)ㄴ가 보다.
  • 예쁘다 (to be pretty) is an adjective.
  • Incorrect: 그녀는 예쁘나 봐요. (Geunyeoneun yeppeuna bwayo. – "It seems she's pretty.")
  • Correct: 그녀는 예쁜가 봐요. (Geunyeoneun yeppeunga bwayo. – "It seems she's pretty.")
  • 바쁘다 (to be busy) is an adjective.
  • Incorrect: 친구가 바쁘나 봐요. (Chinguga bappeuna bwayo. – "It seems my friend is busy.")
  • Correct: 친구가 바쁜가 봐요. (Chinguga bappeunga bwayo. – "It seems my friend is busy.")
This rule applies strictly. Always remember: if you're describing a quality or state (adjective) in the present, use -(으)ㄴ가 보다. For action verbs, 있다/없다, and all past tense conjugations, use -나 보다.
3. Using Without Sufficient Observable Evidence
-나 보다 requires some form of direct observation. If you are making a purely speculative guess without any immediate evidence, -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 (It seems like it will be/is likely to be) is the more appropriate pattern.
  • Situation: You're looking at a clear sky and just feel like it might rain later.
  • Incorrect: 비가 오나 봐요. (Biga ona bwayo. – This implies you see signs of rain now).
  • Correct: 비가 올 것 같아요. (Biga ol geot gatayo. – "It seems like it will rain.")
  • Situation: You haven't seen a movie, but you heard a vague positive comment about it.
  • Incorrect: 그 영화가 재미있나 봐요. (Geu yeonghwaga jaemiitna bwayo. – This implies you observed someone enjoying it).
  • Correct: 그 영화가 재미있을 것 같아요. (Geu yeonghwaga jaemiisseul geot gatayo. – "That movie seems like it will be fun.")
4. Overlooking the Politeness Level
While the grammatical structure itself is neutral, the ending determines the politeness. For formal situations, use -나 봅니다. For polite informal, use -나 봐요. For casual speech with close friends or subordinates, use -나 봐.
  • 학생들이 벌써 왔나 봅니다. (Haksengdeuri beolsseo watna bomnida. – "It seems the students have already arrived." - Formal)
  • 친구들이 영화 보러 가나 봐요. (Chingudeuri yeonghwa boreo gana bwayo. – "It seems my friends are going to watch a movie." - Polite informal)
  • 야, 걔 늦나 봐. (Ya, gyae neunna bwa. – "Hey, it seems they're late." - Casual)

Real Conversations

-나 보다 is a ubiquitous pattern in everyday Korean, lending authenticity and naturalness to spoken language. It's often used to comment on situations, express empathy, or infer reasons behind observed phenomena.

E

Example 1

Discussing an absence
A

A

팀장님 오늘 회의에 안 오셨네. (Timjangnim oneul hoeuie an osyeotne. – "The team leader didn't come to today's meeting.")
B

B

아, 출장 가셨나 봐요. 아침에 급하게 짐 챙기시는 걸 봤어요. (A, chuljang gasyeonna bwayo. Achime geupage jim chaenggisineun geol bwasseoyo. – "Oh, it seems he went on a business trip. I saw him hurriedly packing his bags this morning.")

- Insight: B makes a deduction based on observing the team leader packing earlier, using the past tense for a completed action.

E

Example 2

Observing a situation
A

A

밖에 비 소리 들려? (Bakke bi sori deullyeo? – "Do you hear the sound of rain outside?")
B

B

응, 비 오나 봐. 우산 챙겨야겠다. (Eung, bi ona bwa. Usan chaenggyeoyagetda. – "Yeah, it seems to be raining. I should take an umbrella.")

- Insight: B deduces rain from hearing the sound, indicating direct sensory evidence. 오다 (to come/rain) is an action verb.

E

Example 3

Inferring a person's state

(A sees a colleague looking exhausted at their desk.)*

A

A

김 대리님, 얼굴이 많이 안 좋으시네요. (Gim Daerinim, eolguri mani an joeusineyo. – "Assistant Manager Kim, your face looks quite bad.")
B

B

네. 어제 밤새 야근했나 봐요. (Ne. Eoje bamsae yageunhaetna bwayo. – "Yes. It seems I worked overtime all night yesterday.")

- Insight: B is responding to A's observation and confirms A's likely deduction. Even though it's B's own experience, B is responding to A's observation, making the use natural. This implies B recognizes their own appearance leads to the deduction.

E

Example 4

Making a polite observation (with an adjective)

(A notices a friend has new glasses.)*

A

A

안경 바꾸셨네요? 아주 잘 어울리시나 봐요. (Angyeong bakkusyeotneyo? Aju jal eoullisina bwayo. – "You changed your glasses? They seem to suit you very well.")

- Insight: 잘 어울리다 (to suit well) acts like an adjective in this context. A uses -(으)ㄴ가 보다 to make a polite, observational compliment. This is technically an exception if treated as a compound action verb, but is typically treated in a similar way as adjectives.

E

Example 5

Texting/Social Media

(Friend posts a photo of food in a busy restaurant)

와~ 저기 진짜 맛있나 봐요! 사람 엄청 많네. (Wa~ jeogi jinja masitna bwayo! Saram eomcheong manne. – "Wow~ that place must be really delicious! There are so many people.")

- Insight: The deduction 맛있다 (delicious, adjective) + -(으)ㄴ가 보다 is made based on the visual evidence of many customers, a common cultural indicator of a good restaurant.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use -나 보다 for future tense deductions?
A: Generally, no. While Korean grammar is fluid, -나 보다 primarily expresses deductions about current or past situations based on present evidence. For future deductions, -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 (It seems likely that it will...) is the standard and more appropriate pattern.
For example, 내일 비가 올 것 같아요. (Naeil biga ol geot gatayo. – "It seems it will rain tomorrow.")
Q: Is -나 보다 always polite?
A: The pattern itself is grammatically neutral. Its politeness level is determined by the final ending. Use -나 봅니다 for formal contexts, -나 봐요 for polite informal speech, and -나 봐 for casual, informal conversations with close friends or those of lower status.
Q: What is the difference between -나 보다 and -(으)ㄹ 것 같다?
A: The key difference lies in the basis of the deduction:
  • -나 보다: Used for deductions based on direct, observable evidence (seeing, hearing, smelling, etc.). You have a concrete sign in front of you.
  • Example: (Seeing someone shiver) 추운가 봐요. (Chuunga bwayo. – "It seems it's cold.")
  • -(으)ㄹ 것 같다: Used for broader predictions, guesses, or probabilities, which can be based on general knowledge, intuition, or less immediate evidence. It implies a higher degree of subjectivity or uncertainty.
  • Example: (Feeling a chill, but no direct signs) 추울 것 같아요. (Chuul geot gatayo. – "I think it will be cold.")
Q: How does -나 보다 relate to -(으)ㄴ가 보다 and -(으)는가 보다?
A: These patterns are closely related and often confused:
  • -(으)ㄴ가 보다: Strictly used for descriptive verbs (adjectives) and the copula (이다) in the present tense. The -(으)ㄴ attaches to the adjective stem.
  • Example: 날씨가 좋은가 봐요. (Nalssiga joeunga bwayo. – "It seems the weather is good.") (좋다 is an adjective).
  • -나 보다: Used for action verbs and 있다/없다 in the present tense, and for ALL verbs and adjectives in the past tense.
  • Example: 친구가 공부하나 봐요. (Chinguga gongbuhana bwayo. – "It seems my friend is studying.") (공부하다 is an action verb).
  • -(으)는가 보다: This is essentially an older or more formal variant for action verbs in the present tense. In modern spoken Korean, for action verbs, -나 보다 has largely become the preferred and more natural-sounding option, simplifying from -(으)는가 보다. While you might encounter 공부하는가 보다 in writing or more formal speech, 공부하나 보다 is far more common in daily conversation.
Q: What about -모양이다? Is it similar to -나 보다?
A: Yes, -모양이다 (moyangida – "It looks like...", "It appears to be...") conveys a similar meaning of deduction based on appearance or observation. However, there are nuances:
  • Formality: -모양이다 is generally considered more formal and slightly more objective. It is often encountered in written Korean, news reports, or more formal conversations.
  • Usage: While -나 보다 is highly versatile and common in casual spoken language, -모양이다 can sound a bit stiff if overused in informal settings.
  • Conjugation: -모양이다 typically attaches directly to verb stems in present/past tense or after -(으)ㄴ for adjectives and -(으)ㄴ/는 for verbs.
Both express deduction, but -나 보다 is the everyday, conversational choice, while -모양이다 leans towards formality and a slightly more detached, reportorial tone.

Formation Rules

Type Present Past
Verb
Stem + 나 보다
Stem + 았/었나 보다
Adjective
Stem + (으)ㄴ가 보다
Stem + 았/었나 보다
Noun
Noun + 인가 보다
Noun + 이었/였나 보다

Common Contractions

Full Spoken
-나 보아요
-나 봐요

Meanings

This grammar is used to express a conjecture or inference based on a specific observation or piece of evidence.

1

Visual/Auditory Inference

Guessing based on sensory input.

“그 사람이 화가 났나 봐요.”

“음식이 맛있는가 봐요.”

2

Past Inference

Guessing about a past event based on current results.

“어제 잠을 못 잤나 봐요.”

“비가 많이 왔나 봐요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Logical Deductions: It must be... (-나 보다)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
V-나 보다
비가 오나 봐요
Negative
V-지 않나 보다
안 오나 봐요
Past
V-았/었나 보다
왔었나 봐요
Adjective
Adj-(으)ㄴ가 보다
예쁜가 봐요
Noun
N-인가 보다
학생인가 봐요
Question
V-나 봐요?
비가 오나 봐요?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
비가 오나 봅니다.

비가 오나 봅니다. (Weather report/chat)

Neutral
비가 오나 봐요.

비가 오나 봐요. (Weather report/chat)

Informal
비가 오나 봐.

비가 오나 봐. (Weather report/chat)

Slang
비 오나 봐.

비 오나 봐. (Weather report/chat)

Inference Logic

Evidence

Result

  • -나 보다 Logical Guess
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Examples by Level

1

비가 오나 봐요.

It looks like it's raining.

2

아기가 자나 봐요.

The baby must be sleeping.

3

친구가 바쁜가 봐요.

My friend must be busy.

4

맛있나 봐요.

It must be delicious.

1

어제 공부했나 봐요.

You must have studied yesterday.

2

가게가 문을 닫았나 봐요.

The store must have closed.

3

날씨가 추운가 봐요.

It must be cold outside.

4

영화를 좋아하나 봐요.

You must like movies.

1

그 사람이 화가 났나 봐요.

He must be angry.

2

열심히 연습했나 봐요.

You must have practiced hard.

3

집에 아무도 없나 봐요.

There must be nobody home.

4

어디가 아픈가 봐요.

You must be sick somewhere.

1

회의가 길어지나 봐요.

The meeting must be dragging on.

2

프로젝트가 잘 안 풀리나 봐요.

The project must not be going well.

3

그녀가 이 소식을 들었나 봐요.

She must have heard this news.

4

이 식당이 인기가 많은가 봐요.

This restaurant must be popular.

1

그가 이번 제안을 거절했나 봐요.

He must have rejected this proposal.

2

상황이 복잡하게 돌아가나 봐요.

The situation must be getting complicated.

3

그들은 이미 결정을 내렸나 봐요.

They must have already made a decision.

4

이 정책이 효과가 있는가 봐요.

This policy must be effective.

1

그의 침묵은 동의를 의미하나 봐요.

His silence must imply agreement.

2

역사적 맥락을 고려하면 결과가 달라졌나 봐요.

Considering the historical context, the outcome must have changed.

3

이 현상은 특정 지역에서만 나타나나 봐요.

This phenomenon must appear only in specific regions.

4

그의 태도는 불안감을 반영하나 봐요.

His attitude must reflect anxiety.

Easily Confused

Logical Deductions: It must be... (-나 보다) vs -는 것 같다

Both mean 'I think/guess'.

Common Mistakes

✗

배고프나 봐요 (for self)

✓

배고픈 것 같아요

Don't use for self-internal states.
✗

예쁘나 봐요

✓

예쁜가 봐요

Adjectives need -ㄴ가.
✗

비가 오다나 봐요

✓

비가 오나 봐요

Don't add -다.
✗

비가 오나 보아요

✓

비가 오나 봐요

Use the contraction.
✗

갔나 봐요 (present)

✓

가나 봐요

Tense mismatch.
✗

좋다나 봐요

✓

좋은가 봐요

Adjective conjugation.
✗

학생나 봐요

✓

학생인가 봐요

Noun requires -인가.
✗

먹었나 보았어요

✓

먹었나 봐요

Double past tense.
✗

슬픈나 봐요

✓

슬픈가 봐요

Adjective stem error.
✗

비가 왔었나 봐요 (when just 'came')

✓

비가 왔나 봐요

Simple past is sufficient.
✗

거절했었나 보았나 봐요

✓

거절했나 봐요

Redundant structures.
✗

의미하나 보나 봐요

✓

의미하나 봐요

Redundancy.
✗

나타나나 보나 봐요

✓

나타나나 봐요

Redundancy.

Sentence Patterns

___이/가 ___나 봐요.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

오늘 바쁘나 봐요!

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💡

Evidence is Key

Always have a reason for your guess.

Smart Tips

Check for evidence.

그냥 guess. → 증거가 있으니까 -나 봐요.

Pronunciation

bi-ga-o-na-bwa-yo

Linking

The 'ㄴ' in -나 often links smoothly to the next word.

Rising

비가 오나 봐요? ↑

Asking for confirmation of your guess.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '나 보다' as 'I see (보다) that it is (나)'.

Visual Association

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass looking at footprints. Every time he sees a clue, he says '-나 봐요!'

Rhyme

When you see a clue on the floor, use -나 보다 to guess more!

Story

Min-su sees a closed sign on the cafe door. He says, 'Oh, they must be closed.' He uses the pattern: '가게가 닫았나 봐요.' He feels like a detective solving a mystery.

Word Web

보다추측증거상황관찰결론

Challenge

Look around your room. Make 3 guesses about things you see using -나 보다.

Cultural Notes

Koreans use this to be polite and avoid sounding like they are making absolute claims.

Derived from the verb 보다 (to see).

Conversation Starters

“

오늘 날씨가 어때요?

Journal Prompts

Describe a place you visited today using inferences.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

비가 ___ 봐요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 오나
Verb + 나 보다.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

비가 ___ 봐요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 오나
Verb + 나 보다.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the deduction Fill in the Blank

식당에 사람이 없어요. 맛이 ___ 봐요. (없다 - not exist/tasteless)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 없나
Which translation is correct? Multiple Choice

They seem to be cleaning.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 청소하나 봐요.
Match the situation to the deduction Match Pairs

Connect the evidence to the guess.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Laughing loudly -> \uc7ac\ubbf8\uc788\ub098 \ubd10\uc694 (Must be fun)","Crying baby -> \ubc30\uace0\ud508\uac00 \ubd10\uc694 (Must be hungry)","Empty wallet -> \ub3c8\uc744 \ub2e4 \uc37c\ub098 \ubd10\uc694 (Must have spent it all)"]
Reorder the words Sentence Reorder

봐요 / 비가 / 많이 / 나 / 오

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 많이 오나 봐요
Fix the tense mistake Error Correction

아까 밥을 많이 먹었으니까 지금 배부르나 봐요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 배부른가 봐요
Conjugate 'to live' Fill in the Blank

한국에 오래 ___ 봐요. 한국말을 잘하네요. (살다 - to live)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 살았나
Select the correct conjugation for 'to open' Multiple Choice

백화점이 문을 열었나 봐요. (Check correctness)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Correct
Translate to Korean Translation

He seems to study hard.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 열심히 공부하나 봐요.
Complete the thought Fill in the Blank

길이 막히는 걸 보니 사고가 ___ 봐요. (나다 - to occur)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 났나
Identify the nuance Multiple Choice

Which implies you are looking at evidence right now?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 오나 봐요.

Score: /10

FAQ (1)

No, it's for external observations.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

parece que

Korean is more evidence-based.

French high

il semble que

French uses subjunctive.

German moderate

es scheint

German is more formal.

Japanese high

～みたい

Japanese is more colloquial.

Arabic moderate

يبدو أن

Arabic is more literary.

Chinese high

看起来

Chinese is more rigid.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Guessing Based on Signs: It Seems Like (-나 보다)
Next
Turns Out / I Found That... (-더라)

Learn These First

A1 Requires

Present Tense: The Polite 'Yo' Style (아/어/여요)

Overview Korean verbal conjugation might initially seem complex due to its multiple politeness levels and shifting endin...

Continue With

B1 Requires

Guessing Based on Signs: It Seems Like (-나 보다)

Overview Korean grammar offers nuanced ways to express uncertainty and inference. The pattern `-나 보다` (or `-ㄴ/은가...
B2 Builds On

The Inference Ending: It looks like... (-나/는가 보다)

Overview As you navigate the complexities of B2-level Korean, you encounter grammar that allows for more nuanced express...

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