Korean Experience: Have done / Haven't done
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -본 적이 있다 to talk about past experiences; add -지 않다 for things you haven't done.
- Attach -ㄴ/은 적이 있다 to the verb stem for affirmative experience: 가본 적이 있어요 (I have been there).
- Use -ㄴ/은 적이 없다 or -지 않은 적이 있다 for negative experience: 먹어본 적이 없어요 (I have never eaten it).
- For questions, simply add a question mark or -요 to the end: 가본 적이 있어요? (Have you ever been there?).
Overview
When discussing life experiences in Korean—whether you have ever done something or not—you utilize the grammatical pattern ~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다. This structure is distinct from the simple past tense (~았/었어요), which merely states that an action occurred. Instead, ~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 emphasizes the accumulation of an experience within one's personal history.
It addresses the question of whether a particular event or action is recorded in your past, regardless of the specific time it happened. Think of it as a way to check an item off your life's experiential checklist, affirming or denying its presence in your personal narrative.
This pattern is fundamental for sharing biographical details, engaging in conversational icebreakers, or recounting memorable moments. For instance, to state that you have visited a certain country, or to inquire if someone has tried a specific food, this is the go-to expression. It allows speakers to convey that an experience "exists" (있다) or "does not exist" (없다) within their lifetime, providing a nuanced layer of meaning beyond simple past tense narration.
How This Grammar Works
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 requires breaking down its components and appreciating their individual contributions to the overall meaning. The structure is formed by combining a verb stem with a past adnominal ending, followed by the noun 적 (jeok), the subject particle 이, and finally 있다 (to exist) or 없다 (to not exist). This seemingly complex combination literally translates to "the occasion/experience of having done [verb] exists/does not exist."적 (jeok), which carries the meaning of an "instance," "occasion," "record," or "trace." It is not merely an abstract concept; 적 refers to a concrete occurrence that has left an imprint. When paired with a verb, 적 becomes the nominalized representation of that completed action as a part of one's past. For example, in 간 적 (gan jeok), 간 (the past form of 가다, to go) modifies 적, creating the phrase "the occasion of having gone."~ㄴ/은 functions as a past adnominal ending. Its role is to transform a verb into an adjective-like modifier that describes a noun. In this grammatical construction, ~ㄴ/은 modifies 적, indicating that the 적 (experience/occasion) is one that has occurred in the past.적 inherently refers to something that has already taken place.있다 (itda) and 없다 (eopda) are appended. 있다 means "to exist" or "to be," and 없다 means "to not exist" or "to not be." When combined with ~ㄴ/은 적이, they convey whether the specified experience or occasion is present in one's life history. So, 간 적이 있어요 (gan jeogi isseoyo) means "the experience of having gone exists," functionally translating to "I have gone/been." Conversely, 먹은 적이 없어요 (meogeun jeogi eopseoyo) means "the experience of having eaten does not exist," or "I haven't eaten."저는 한국에 간 적이 있어요 (jeoneun hanguge gan jeogi isseoyo) unequivocally states that the speaker possesses the experience of visiting Korea, abstracting away the specific date or duration of the visit.Formation Pattern
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 involves attaching the correct past adnominal ending (~ㄴ or ~은) to the verb stem, followed by 적 and 이 있다/없다. The choice between ~ㄴ and ~은 depends on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant (batchim).
~ㄴ | 가다 (to go) | 가- | 가는 적이 있다 | 간 적이 있다 | gan jeogi itda | to have gone |
~ㄴ | 보다 (to see) | 보- | 보는 적이 있다 | 본 적이 있다 | bon jeogi itda | to have seen |
~은 | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹- | 먹는 적이 있다 | 먹은 적이 있다 | meogeun jeogi itda | to have eaten |
~은 | 입다 (to wear) | 입- | 입는 적이 있다 | 입은 적이 있다 | ibeun jeogi itda | to have worn |
~ㄴ directly to the stem. For example, 자다 (to sleep) becomes 잔 적이 있다 (jan jeogi itda).
~은 to the stem. For example, 읽다 (to read) becomes 읽은 적이 있다 (ilgeun jeogi itda).
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다.
ㄹ Irregular | Drop ㄹ from stem, then add ~ㄴ | 살다 (to live) | 살- → 사- | 산 적이 있다 | san jeogi itda | to have lived |
만들다 (to make) | 만들- → 만드- | 만든 적이 있다 | mandeun jeogi itda | to have made |
ㄷ Irregular | ㄷ in stem changes to ㄹ, then add ~은 | 듣다 (to listen) | 듣- → 들- | 들은 적이 있다 | deureun jeogi itda | to have listened |
걷다 (to walk) | 걷- → 걸- | 걸은 적이 있다 | georeun jeogi itda | to have walked |
ㅂ Irregular | ㅂ in stem changes to ㅜ (or 오), then add ~ㄴ | 춥다 (to be cold) | 춥- → 추우- | 추운 적이 있다 | chuun jeogi itda | to have been cold |
돕다 (to help) | 돕- → 도우- | 도운 적이 있다 | douun jeogi itda | to have helped |
ㅎ Irregular | ㅎ in stem drops when followed by vowels or ~ㄴ (for adjectives) | 빨갛다 (to be red) | 빨갛- → 빨간- | 빨간 적이 있다 | ppalgan jeogi itda | to have been red |
ㅎ irregular: This irregular primarily applies to descriptive verbs (adjectives). While 빨간 적이 있다 is grammatically possible, it's less common to speak of an "experience of being red" compared to actions. However, understanding the stem change is key for other grammatical patterns.
있다 or 없다 is conjugated to reflect the desired politeness level in your speech:
있습니다 (isseumnida) / 없습니다 (eopseumnida). Used in highly formal settings, presentations, or broadcasting.
그것을 해 본 적이 없습니다. (I have not tried that.)
있어요 (isseoyo) / 없어요 (eopseoyo). The most common and versatile form for everyday polite conversation.
일본에 가 본 적이 있어요. (I have been to Japan.)
있어 (isseo) / 없어 (eopseo). Used among close friends or when speaking to those younger than you.
그 영화 봤던 적 있어? (Have you ever seen that movie?)
When To Use It
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 when:- 1Emphasizing the existence of an experience: The primary use is to convey that you possess the record of having done something at some point in your life. The specific timing is secondary to the fact that it occurred.
저는 제주도에 가 본 적이 있어요.(jeoneeun jejudo-e ga bon jeogi isseoyo.) – "I have been to Jeju Island." (The fact of visiting Jeju is part of my experience.)이런 맛은 먹어 본 적이 없어요.(ireon maseun meogeo bon jeogi eopseoyo.) – "I haven't tasted this kind of flavor before." (This unique taste is not in my experience record.)
- 1Asking about someone's past experiences: This pattern is ideal for "Have you ever...?" questions.
김치를 만들어 본 적이 있으세요?(gimchi-reul mandeureo bon jeogi isseuseyo?) – "Have you ever made kimchi?"외국에서 살아 본 적이 있어요?(oeguk-eseo sara bon jeogi isseoyo?) – "Have you ever lived abroad?"
- 1Discussing food, travel, media, or new skills: These are common categories where personal experience is often highlighted.
저는 매운 음식을 잘 먹어요. 하지만 산 낙지는 아직 먹어 본 적이 없어요.(jeoneun maeun eumsik-eul jal meogeoyo. hajiman san nakji-neun ajik meogeo bon jeogi eopseoyo.) – "I eat spicy food well. But I haven't tried eating live octopus yet."이 드라마는 정말 재밌어요. 보신 적이 있으세요?(i deurama-neun jeongmal jaemisseoyo. bosin jeogi isseuseyo?) – "This drama is really interesting. Have you ever seen it?"
~아/어 보다 (~아/어 본 적이 있다)~아/어 보다 (to try doing something or to do something for experience). When ~아/어 보다 is used, the verb stem ends in 보-, which is a vowel, so it takes ~ㄴ. The combined form becomes ~아/어 본 적이 있다/없다 (~a/eo bon jeogi itda/eopda).~ㄴ/은 적이 있다 simply means "to have done," ~아/어 본 적이 있다 explicitly means "to have tried doing" or "to have experienced doing." This distinction is particularly important when discussing things that involve active engagement or exploration.번지점프를 한 적이 있어요.(beonjijeompeu-reul han jeogi isseoyo.) – "I have done bungee jumping." (Simple statement of completion.)번지점프를 해 본 적이 있어요.(beonjijeompeu-reul hae bon jeogi isseoyo.) – "I have tried bungee jumping / I have experienced bungee jumping." (Emphasizes the act of trying and the personal encounter with it. This is the more common and natural expression in such contexts.)
~아/어 본 적이 있다 when talking about travel, tasting new foods, or experiencing cultural activities because it better conveys the sense of personal engagement and the story behind the experience. It implicitly suggests that the speaker actively sought out or encountered the experience.프랑스 음식을 먹은 적이 있어요.(peurangseu eumsik-eul meogeun jeogi isseoyo.) – "I have eaten French food."프랑스 음식을 먹어 본 적이 있어요.(peurangseu eumsik-eul meogeo bon jeogi isseoyo.) – "I have tried eating French food." (This is the more natural phrasing when discussing culinary experiences.)
~아/어 본 적이 있다 often leads to more natural and idiomatic Korean.Common Mistakes
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying reasons is crucial for accurate and natural communication.- 1Using for Routine or Recent Events:
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 is reserved for experiences accumulated over one's lifetime, not for daily routines or events that just occurred. Using it for something mundane or recent creates an unnatural, almost alien impression, as if you are noting a surprising addition to your life's record.- Incorrect:
저는 오늘 아침에 밥을 먹은 적이 있어요.(jeoneun oneul achim-e bab-eul meogeun jeogi isseoyo.) – (Literally: "I have the experience of having eaten rice this morning.") This sounds highly awkward. Eating breakfast is a routine, not a notable life experience. - Correct:
저는 오늘 아침에 밥을 먹었어요.(jeoneun oneul achim-e bab-eul meogeosseoyo.) – "I ate rice this morning." (Simple past tense is appropriate for a completed, routine action.)
- 1Over-specifying Time:
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 focuses on the existence of an experience rather than its precise timing, it generally does not combine naturally with specific time markers like 작년에 (last year), 지난주에 (last week), or 2020년에 (in 2020). If you need to specify when something happened, the simple past tense (~았/었어요) is almost always more appropriate and natural.- Awkward:
작년에 한국에 간 적이 있어요.(jangnyeon-e hanguge gan jeogi isseoyo.) – (While grammatically permissible, it sounds less natural than the simple past when a specific year is given.) - Natural:
작년에 한국에 갔어요.(jangnyeon-e hanguge gasseoyo.) – "I went to Korea last year."
전에 (before) or 예전에 (a long time ago) can be used, as they align with the idea of a past, non-specific experience:예전에 이 영화를 본 적이 있어요.(yejeon-e i yeonghwa-reul bon jeogi isseoyo.) – "I have seen this movie before (a long time ago)."
- 1Confusing with the English Present Perfect Continuous:
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다 does not convey this ongoing meaning. It strictly refers to completed events that are part of one's past record. For ongoing actions, different grammatical structures are used, such as ~아/어 오다 or ~아/어 있다 with duration.- Incorrect (for ongoing):
저는 5년 동안 한국어를 배운 적이 있어요.(jeoneun onyeon dong-an hangugeo-reul baeun jeogi isseoyo.) – (This would mean "I have the experience of having learned Korean for 5 years," implying the learning is complete, not ongoing.) - Correct (for ongoing):
저는 5년 동안 한국어를 배우고 있어요.(jeoneun onyeon dong-an hangugeo-reul baeugo isseoyo.) – "I have been learning Korean for 5 years (and am still learning).". Alternatively,저는 한국어를 5년째 배우고 있어요.
- 1Omitting the Subject Particle
이with적:
이 after 적 is often omitted (본 적 있어요). While common and acceptable in informal speech, it is grammatically more complete and considered proper to include 이 in written contexts or more formal conversations. Always include 이 when writing or striving for precise grammar.- Casual Speech:
그 책 읽어 본 적 있어?(geu chaek ilgeojun jeok isseo?) – "Have you ever read that book?" - Standard/Written:
그 책을 읽어 본 적이 있어요?(geu chaeg-eul ilgeojun jeogi isseoyo?)
- 1Direct Translation Fallacies:
적. For instance, English might use "I have a car," which uses "have" but isn't an experience. In Korean, this would simply be 차가 있어요 (chaga isseoyo). ~ㄴ/은 적이 있다 is specific to actions and events that constitute an experience.적.Real Conversations
Understanding how ~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 is used in everyday Korean dialogues helps solidify its application. This pattern appears across various registers, from casual chats to more formal exchanges. The key is to adapt the politeness level of 있다/없다 accordingly.
1. Casual Conversation (해체 – ~어/아)
In informal settings among friends or family, the 이 particle after 적 is frequently omitted, and 있다/없다 is conjugated to 있어/없어.
- Scenario: Friends discussing vacation plans.
- A: 작년에 제주도 가 봤는데, 너도 제주도 가 본 적 있어? (jangnyeon-e jejudo ga bwanneunde, neodo jejudo ga bon jeok isseo?)
- "I went to Jeju Island last year, have you ever been to Jeju Island?"
- B: 응, 나는 어렸을 때 한 번 가 본 적 있어. (eung, naneun eoryeosseul ttae han beon ga bon jeok isseo.)
- "Yeah, I've been there once when I was little."
- C: 난 아직 한 번도 가 본 적 없어. 이번 여름에 갈까 생각 중이야. (nan ajik han beon-do ga bon jeok eopseo. ibeon yeoreum-e gal-kka saenggak jung-iya.)
- "I haven't been there even once yet. I'm thinking of going this summer."
- Scenario: Discussing food preferences.
- A: 민트초코 먹어 봤어? 난 그거 절대 못 먹어. (minteuchoko meogeo bwasseo? nan geugeo jeolda mot meogeo.)
- "Have you tried mint chocolate? I absolutely can't eat that."
- B: 응, 난 어릴 때부터 먹어 본 적이 많아. (eung, nan eoril ttae-buteo meogeo bon jeogi mana.)
- "Yeah, I've eaten it a lot since I was little."
2. Polite Conversation (해요체 – ~어요/아요)
This is the most common form you will encounter and use in general interactions with people you are not extremely close to, or who are older than you. The 이 particle is often included.
- Scenario: Coworkers chatting during lunch.
- A: 혹시 이 근처 맛집 가 본 적 있으세요? 새로 생긴 곳인데 어때요? (hoksi i geuncheo matjip ga bon jeogi isseuseyo? saero saenggin got-inde eottaeyo?)
- "Excuse me, have you ever been to a good restaurant near here? There's a new place, how is it?"
- B: 네, 지난주에 한 번 가 봤는데, 정말 맛있었어요. (ne, jinanju-e han beon ga bwanneunde, jeongmal masisseosseoyo.)
- "Yes, I went once last week, and it was really delicious."
- C: 아, 저는 아직 못 가 봤어요. 다음에 꼭 가 보고 싶어요. (a, jeoneun ajik mot ga bwasseoyo. daeum-e kkok ga bogo sipeoyo.)
- "Oh, I haven't been able to go yet. I definitely want to go next time."
- Scenario: A student asking a professor.
- 교수님, 혹시 해외에서 연구해 본 적이 있으세요? (gyosunim, hoksi haeoe-eseo yeonguhae bon jeogi isseuseyo?)
- "Professor, have you ever researched abroad?"
- 네, 예전에 미국에서 1년 정도 연구한 적이 있습니다. (ne, yejeon-e miguk-eseo ilnyeon jeongdo yeonguhan jeogi isseumnida.)
- "Yes, I have researched in the US for about a year before."
3. Formal Conversation (합니다체 – ~ㅂ니다/습니다)
Used in very formal settings, official announcements, news reports, or when addressing a large audience. This form is less common in direct personal experience sharing unless the context demands high formality.
- Scenario: A speaker at a conference.
- 저는 다양한 국가에서 근무하며 많은 경험을 한 적이 있습니다. (jeoneun dayanghan gukga-eseo geunmuhamyeo maneun gyeongheom-eul han jeogi isseumnida.)
- "I have worked in various countries and have had many experiences."
- 이러한 도전은 이전에는 경험해 본 적이 없는 새로운 것이었습니다. (ireohan dojeon-eun ijeoneneun gyeongheomhae bon jeogi eomneun saeroun geosieosseumnida.)
- "This challenge was something new that I had never experienced before."
Cultural Insight
못 ParticleIt's very common to use 못 (cannot/fail to) before the verb stem with ~아/어 본 적이 없다 to explicitly state that one has not had the opportunity or ability to experience something. This is more nuanced than simply ~ㄴ/은 적이 없다 which just states the absence of the experience.
- 번지점프를 못 해 본 적이 없어요. (beonjijeompeu-reul mot hae bon jeogi eopseoyo.) - This is double negative, meaning "There was no time I didn't try bungee jumping." Implies that the speaker has tried it (possibly multiple times). This type of complex negative structure is rare for simple experience. Stick to: 번지점프를 해 본 적이 없어요. (I haven't tried bungee jumping.) or 번지점프를 못 해 봤어요. (I haven't been able to try bungee jumping/I haven't gotten to try bungee jumping).
When expressing the negative "haven't done something," 아직 ~ㄴ/은 적이 없어요 (ajik ~n/eun jeogi eopseoyo) (haven't yet done) or 아직 못 ~아/어 봤어요 (ajik mot ~a/eo bwasseoyo) (haven't been able to try yet) are very natural and common alternatives.
- 저는 아직 파리에 가 본 적이 없어요. (jeoneun ajik parie ga bon jeogi eopseoyo.) – "I haven't been to Paris yet."
- 그 식당 음식은 아직 못 먹어 봤어요. (geu sikdang eumsik-eun ajik mot meogeo bwasseoyo.) – "I haven't been able to try the food at that restaurant yet."
Quick FAQ
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다 be used for future experiences?No. The particle 적 (jeok) fundamentally refers to an instance or record of a past event. You cannot have a past record of something that has not yet occurred. For future plans or intentions, use future tense endings like ~(으)ㄹ 거예요 (~(eu)l geoyeyo, will do) or expressions of desire such as ~고 싶어요 (~go sipeoyo, want to do).
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다 differ from ~아/어 보다 without 적?~아/어 보다 (~a/eo boda) directly means "to try doing something" or "to do something for the sake of experience." It is a directive or a statement about an attempt. When combined with ~ㄴ/은 적이 있다, forming ~아/어 본 적이 있다, it specifically speaks to the existence of that attempt or experience in one's past. For example, 김치를 먹어 보세요 (kimchireul meogeo boseyo) means "Please try eating kimchi." 김치를 먹어 본 적이 있어요 (kimchireul meogeo bon jeogi isseoyo) means "I have tried eating kimchi."
적 replaceable with other words meaning "experience"?While words like 경험 (gyeongheom) also mean "experience," they do not grammatically function interchangeably with 적 in this specific pattern. 경험 is a noun that can be used with ~하다 (to do) as in 경험하다 (to experience) or combined with 있다/없다 as 경험이 있다/없다 (to have/not have experience in general or with something). However, to express "have done something" as a past instance, 적 is the fixed and idiomatic choice with the past adnominal ~ㄴ/은.
저는 한국에서 일한 경험이 많아요.(jeoneun hanguk-eseo ilhan gyeongheom-i manayo.) – "I have a lot of experience working in Korea." (General experience/skill)저는 한국에서 일한 적이 있어요.(jeoneun hanguk-eseo ilhan jeogi isseoyo.) – "I have worked in Korea (at some point in my life)." (Specific instance of an experience)
Simply form the statement with ~ㄴ/은 적이 있어요 or ~아/어 본 적이 있어요 and raise your intonation at the end to turn it into a question. For more politeness, you can add -(으)시- (honorific infix) to 있다.
한국 드라마를 본 적이 있어요?(hanguk deurama-reul bon jeogi isseoyo?) – "Have you ever seen a Korean drama?"혹시 유럽 여행을 가 보신 적이 있으세요?(hoksi yurap yeohaeng-eul ga bosin jeogi isseuseyo?) – (More formal/polite) "By any chance, have you ever traveled to Europe?"
~ㄴ/은 적이 없다 to mean "I never do something" (habitually)?No. ~ㄴ/은 적이 없다 indicates that a specific experience has never occurred in your life. To express that you habitually "never do" something, or "don't do" something as a general practice, you would use other forms like 절대 안 ~아/어요 (jeolda an ~a/eoyo, never do) or ~지 않아요 (~ji anayo, don't do) for simple negation, or ~는 법이 없다 (~neun beob-i eopda, there is no way/rule that ~ happens) for a stronger emphasis on impossibility or non-occurrence. ~ㄴ/은 적이 없다 specifically denies the past existence of an action.
저는 술을 마신 적이 없어요.(jeoneun sul-eul masin jeogi eopseoyo.) – "I have never drunk alcohol (in my life)."저는 술을 안 마셔요.(jeoneun sul-eul an masyeoyo.) – "I don't drink alcohol (habitually)."
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다 implies the experience is completed and in your past record. If you want to say you have gone somewhere and are currently still there, you would typically use ~에 와 있다 (~e wa itda) for places or ~고 있다 (~go itda) for ongoing actions in a location.
저는 한국에 와 있어요.(jeoneun hanguk-e wa isseoyo.) – "I have come to Korea and am currently here." (Not한국에 온 적이 있어요if you are still there.)
~ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy in Korean communication.Experience Conjugation Table
| Verb | Stem | Conjugated Form |
|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
가본 적이 있다
|
|
먹다
|
먹어
|
먹어본 적이 있다
|
|
보다
|
보
|
본 적이 있다
|
|
하다
|
해
|
해본 적이 있다
|
|
읽다
|
읽어
|
읽어본 적이 있다
|
|
만나다
|
만나
|
만나본 적이 있다
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Shortened Form |
|---|---|
|
가본 적이 있어요
|
가본 적 있어요
|
Meanings
This structure is used to express whether or not an action has been performed at least once in the past.
Life Experience
Expressing that an event occurred at some point in the past.
“스키를 타본 적이 있어요.”
“비행기를 타본 적이 있어요.”
Lack of Experience
Expressing that an event has never occurred.
“거기에 가본 적이 없어요.”
“매운 음식을 먹어본 적이 없어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb-아/어 본 적이 있다
|
가본 적이 있어요
|
|
Negative
|
Verb-아/어 본 적이 없다
|
가본 적이 없어요
|
|
Question
|
Verb-아/어 본 적이 있어요?
|
가본 적이 있어요?
|
|
Past Tense
|
Verb-아/어 본 적이 있었다
|
가본 적이 있었어요
|
|
Honorific
|
Verb-아/어 본 적이 있으십니까?
|
가본 적이 있으십니까?
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Casual
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Verb-아/어 본 적 있어?
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가본 적 있어?
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Formality Spectrum
한국에 가본 적이 있으십니까? (Travel)
한국에 가본 적이 있어요? (Travel)
한국에 가본 적 있어? (Travel)
한국 가본 적 있냐? (Travel)
Experience Grammar Map
Usage
- Travel Places visited
- Food Tastes tried
Experience vs. Simple Past
Examples by Level
한국 음식을 먹어본 적이 있어요.
I have tried Korean food.
서울에 가본 적이 있어요.
I have been to Seoul.
영화를 본 적이 없어요.
I have never seen the movie.
한국어를 공부한 적이 있어요?
Have you ever studied Korean?
제주도에 가본 적이 있나요?
Have you ever been to Jeju Island?
매운 음식을 먹어본 적이 없어요.
I have never eaten spicy food.
그 사람을 만난 적이 있어요.
I have met that person.
비행기를 타본 적이 있어요.
I have ridden a plane.
이런 일을 해본 적이 없어서 걱정돼요.
I am worried because I have never done this kind of work.
어릴 때 피아노를 배워본 적이 있어요.
I learned the piano when I was young.
해외에서 살아본 적이 있나요?
Have you ever lived abroad?
그 책을 읽어본 적이 없어서 잘 몰라요.
I haven't read that book, so I don't know it well.
이 프로젝트를 총괄해본 적이 있습니다.
I have had the experience of overseeing this project.
그와 논쟁해본 적이 없어서 성격을 잘 모릅니다.
I have never argued with him, so I don't know his personality well.
그런 상황을 겪어본 적이 있습니까?
Have you ever experienced such a situation?
한 번도 실패해본 적이 없는 사람은 없습니다.
There is no one who has never failed.
그는 평생 거짓말을 해본 적이 없는 사람이다.
He is a person who has never told a lie in his life.
이토록 아름다운 풍경을 본 적이 없다.
I have never seen such a beautiful landscape.
그녀는 단 한 번도 불평해본 적이 없었다.
She had never once complained.
이런 제안을 받아본 적이 없어서 당황스럽다.
I am flustered because I have never received such a proposal.
인류 역사상 이와 같은 전염병을 겪어본 적이 없다.
In human history, we have never experienced an epidemic like this.
그는 자신의 신념을 굽혀본 적이 없는 강직한 인물이다.
He is an upright person who has never bent his beliefs.
어떠한 고난에도 굴복해본 적이 없는 그였다.
He was someone who had never yielded to any hardship.
이러한 방식의 접근을 시도해본 적이 없기에 결과는 미지수다.
Since we have never attempted this approach, the result is unknown.
Easily Confused
Learners use them interchangeably.
Common Mistakes
어제 가본 적이 있어요.
어제 갔어요.
먹은 적이 있어요.
먹어본 적이 있어요.
가본 적이 없었습니다.
가본 적이 없습니다.
가본 적이 안 있어요.
가본 적이 없어요.
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___을/를 먹어본 적이 있어요.
Real World Usage
제주도 가본 적 있는 사람?
Avoid Time Markers
Smart Tips
Use -본 적이 있다 to sound more natural.
Pronunciation
Linking sounds
The 'ㄴ' in '본' links to '적' smoothly.
Rising intonation for questions
가본 적이 있어요? ↑
Indicates a question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '본' as 'seen' (from 보다). You have 'seen' the experience in your life.
Visual Association
Imagine a photo album in your head. Every time you say '본 적이 있다', you are flipping to a page in that album.
Rhyme
Have you done it? Yes or no? Add -본 적이 있다, and you're good to go!
Story
I met a friend. I asked, 'Have you eaten octopus?' He said, 'No, I have never eaten it.' We decided to go try it together.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 things you have done and 3 things you have never done in Korean.
Cultural Notes
Asking about experiences is a common way to build rapport.
Derived from the verb 보다 (to see/try) and 적 (instance/time).
Conversation Starters
한국 음식을 먹어본 적이 있어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 스키를 ___ 적이 있어요.
Score: /1
Practice Exercises
1 exercises저는 스키를 ___ 적이 있어요.
Score: /1
Practice Bank
12 exercises그 영화를 ___ 적이 없어요. (보다 - to see)
저는 피자를 ___ 적이 있어요. (만들다 - to make)
어제 학교에 간 적이 있어요.
Select the correct translation.
이 책을 ___ 적이 있어요.
Translate into Korean (using 가다).
Match the correct pairs.
미국에 ___ 적이 있어요? (있다 - to be/stay)
저는 수영을 배운 적이 않아요.
Which sounds more natural for 'Have you ever tried eating sushi?'
영화 때문에 ___ 적이 있어요.
Translate the phrase.
Score: /12
FAQ (1)
Yes, most action verbs work.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Present Perfect (Have you ever...)
Korean does not allow specific time markers.
-ta koto ga aru
Korean uses -아/어 before the marker.
Pretérito perfecto (He hecho...)
Spanish can be used with time markers.
Perfekt (Ich habe... gemacht)
German is used for both specific and general past.
Guò (过)
Chinese places the particle after the verb.
Qad + past tense
Arabic is highly inflectional.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)
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To the Absolute Max: (-ㄹ/을 대로)
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Just/Only: Emphatic Limitation (-ㄹ/을 뿐이다)
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