Guessing Based on Signs: It Seems Like (-나 보다)
-나 보다 to make logical deductions about others based on visual or auditory evidence you've observed.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -나 보다 to express a guess based on visual evidence or a situation you have observed.
- Attach -나 보다 to the verb stem: 비가 오나 봐요 (It seems to be raining).
- For past tense, use -았/었나 보다: 어제 바빴나 봐요 (You seem to have been busy yesterday).
- For adjectives, use -(으)ㄴ가 보다: 배가 고픈가 봐요 (He seems hungry).
Overview
Korean grammar offers nuanced ways to express uncertainty and inference. The pattern -나 보다 (or -ㄴ/은가 보다 for adjectives) functions as a sophisticated tool for expressing a deductive conjecture — a conclusion drawn from observable evidence or acquired information. It translates to phrases like "it seems like," "it looks like," or "I guess." Unlike a mere subjective opinion, -나 보다 signals that the speaker has processed external cues, such as a sight, sound, or another person's statement, and formulated a logical deduction based on these observations.
This grammatical structure is essential for natural Korean communication because it allows speakers to express their understanding of a situation without claiming absolute certainty. It adds a layer of politeness and indirectness, which is valued in Korean culture, particularly when commenting on others' situations. For instance, observing a friend yawning frequently might lead you to conclude, 친구가 요즘 피곤한가 봐요 (Chin-gu-ga yo-jeum pi-gon-han-ga bwa-yo, "It seems like my friend is tired lately"), rather than directly stating 친구가 피곤해요 (Chin-gu-ga pi-gon-hae-yo, "My friend is tired").
This demonstrates empathy and observational skill without being intrusive.
How This Grammar Works
-나 보다 (and -ㄴ/은가 보다) operates as an epistemic modal expression. In linguistics, epistemic modality concerns the speaker's assessment of the likelihood or truth of a proposition. When you use -나 보다, you are indicating that your statement is not a definitive fact, but rather a reasoned inference.-나 보다 to describe your own immediate internal states, such as hunger or tiredness, as you are a direct participant in those experiences.비가 와요 (Bi-ga wa-yo, "It's raining") is a factual declaration. In contrast, 비가 오나 봐요 (Bi-ga o-na bwa-yo, "It looks like it's raining") conveys that the speaker has observed external signs (e.g., dark clouds, wet ground, the sound of rain) and concluded that rain is occurring or has occurred. This distinction allows for a more nuanced and polite expression, particularly when you lack complete information or wish to soften your statement.-나 보다 is primarily for action verbs (동사), while -ㄴ/은가 보다 is reserved for descriptive verbs/adjectives (형용사). This structural difference reflects how Korean traditionally categorizes actions versus states. However, modern colloquial Korean, especially among younger speakers, often simplifies this by using -나 보다 for both verb types.있다 (it-da, "to be present/to have") and 없다 (eop-da, "to not be present/to not have") consistently follow the verb conjugation pattern with -나 보다.Formation Pattern
-나 보다 requires careful attention to the type of verb (action vs. descriptive), tense, and the final consonant (batchim) of the verb stem. Mastering these patterns ensures grammatical accuracy in your inferences.
-나 보다 form across tenses.
가다 (ga-da, to go) | Example Verb: 먹다 (meok-da, to eat) |
-나 보다 | 가나 보다 (ga-na bo-da) | 먹나 보다 (meok-na bo-da) |
-았/었나 보다 | 갔나 보다 (gat-na bo-da) | 먹었나 보다 (meog-eot-na bo-da) |
-(으)려나 보다 | 가려나 보다 (ga-ryeo-na bo-da) | 먹으려나 보다 (meog-eu-ryeo-na bo-da) |
수진 씨가 책을 읽나 봐요. (Su-jin ssi-ga chaek-eul ilg-na bwa-yo, "It seems like Sujin is reading a book.") – Observed Sujin with a book.
어제 회식에 팀장님이 오셨나 봐요. (Eo-je hoe-sik-e tim-jang-nim-i o-syeot-na bwa-yo, "It seems like the team leader came to the staff dinner yesterday.") – Heard colleagues talking about it.
구름이 많아서 비가 오려나 봐요. (Gu-reum-i manh-a-seo bi-ga o-ryeo-na bwa-yo, "It's cloudy, so it seems like it's about to rain.") – Observed dark clouds.
-ㄴ/은가 보다 in the present tense.
바쁘다 (ba-ppeu-da, busy) | Example Adj: 좋다 (joh-da, good) |
-ㄴ/은가 보다 | 바쁜가 보다 (ba-ppeun-ga bo-da) | 좋은가 보다 (jo-eun-ga bo-da) |
-ㄴ가) | (예쁘다 -> 예쁜가 보다) | (길다 -> 긴가 보다) |
-은가) | | |
-았/었나 보다 | 바빴나 보다 (ba-ppat-na bo-da) | 좋았나 보다 (jo-at-na bo-da) |
이 영화가 정말 재미있는가 봐요. 사람들이 많이 보네요. (I yeong-hwa-ga jeong-mal jae-mi-it-neun-ga bwa-yo. Sa-ram-deul-i manh-i bo-ne-yo, "This movie seems really interesting. Many people are watching it.") – Obsensed many viewers.
팀 프로젝트가 생각보다 힘들었나 봐요. (Tim peu-ro-jek-teu-ga saeng-gak-bo-da him-deul-eot-na bwa-yo, "The team project seems to have been harder than expected.") – Noticed team members looking exhausted.
있다 (it-da) and 없다 (eop-da)
-나 보다.
있다 → 있나 보다 (it-na bo-da, seems to be/have)
없다 → 없나 보다 (eop-na bo-da, seems not to be/not to have)
지갑이 없어진 걸 보니 집에 두고 왔나 봐요. (Ji-gap-i eop-eo-jin geol bo-ni jib-e du-go wat-na bwa-yo, "My wallet is gone, so it seems like I left it at home.")
이다 (i-da, to be) and follow a similar pattern.
학생 (hak-saeng, student) | Example Noun: 의사 (ui-sa, doctor) |
-인가 보다 | 학생인가 보다 (hak-saeng-in-ga bo-da) | |
-ㄴ가 보다 | | 의산가 보다 (ui-san-ga bo-da) |
그분이 유명한 작가인가 봐요. 강연에 사람이 정말 많네요. (Geu-bun-i yu-myeong-han jak-ga-in-ga bwa-yo. Gang-yeon-e sa-ram-i jeong-mal manh-ne-yo, "That person seems to be a famous writer. There are so many people at the lecture.")
-나 보다 adapts to different formality levels:
-(으)나 봅니다 (e.g., 비가 오나 봅니다 - Used in news reports or very formal settings.)
-(으)나 봐요 (e.g., 비가 오나 봐요 - Most common in daily polite conversation.)
-(으)나 봐 (e.g., 비가 오나 봐 - Used with close friends and family.)
When To Use It
-나 보다 is to express an inference based on direct observation or indirect evidence. This grammatical pattern shines in situations where you are interpreting a situation, a person's behavior, or a prevailing condition. It is a tool for expressing a reasonable conclusion rather than a wild guess.- 1Based on Physical Observations: When you see, hear, or smell something that leads you to a conclusion.
바닥이 젖어 있는 것을 보니 비가 왔나 봐요.(Ba-dak-i jeot-jeo it-neun geol bo-ni bi-ga wat-na bwa-yo, "Seeing that the floor is wet, it seems like it rained.")옆집에서 좋은 냄새가 나요. 맛있는 음식을 만드나 봐요.(Yeop-jib-e-seo joh-eun naem-sae-ga na-yo. Mat-it-neun eum-sik-eul man-deu-na bwa-yo, "There's a nice smell from next door. It seems like they're making delicious food.")
- 1Based on Observing Others' Actions or Appearances: When someone's demeanor, actions, or words provide clues.
친구가 요즘 매일 밤늦게까지 일하나 봐요. 얼굴에 피곤한 기색이 역력해요.(Chin-gu-ga yo-jeum mae-il bam-neut-ge-kka-ji il-ha-na bwa-yo. Eol-gul-e pi-gon-han gi-saek-i yeok-nyeok-hae-yo, "It seems like my friend works late every night these days. The signs of tiredness are evident on their face.")그 학생이 시험에서 좋은 점수를 받았나 봐요. 얼굴에 미소가 가득하네요.(Geu hak-saeng-i si-heom-e-seo joh-eun jeom-su-reul bat-at-na bwa-yo. Eol-gul-e mi-so-ga ga-deuk-ha-ne-yo, "That student seems to have gotten a good score on the exam. Their face is full of smiles.")
- 1Based on Indirect Information or Hearsay: When you hear something from a third party, and you infer a related conclusion.
팀장님이 내일 휴가라고 하셨어요. 해외여행 가시려나 봐요.(Tim-jang-nim-i nae-il hyu-ga-ra-go ha-syeot-eo-yo. Hae-oe-yeo-haeng ga-si-ryeo-na bwa-yo, "The team leader said he's on vacation tomorrow. It seems like he's going on an overseas trip.") – The vacation is the evidence for the inferred trip.수미 씨가 이직 준비를 한다고 들었어요. 요즘 많이 바쁜가 봐요.(Su-mi ssi-ga i-jik jun-bi-reul han-da-go deul-eot-eo-yo. Yo-jeum manh-i ba-ppeun-ga bwa-yo, "I heard Sumi is preparing for a job change. She seems very busy these days.")
- 1For Predicting Immediate Future Events (with
-(으)려나 보다): When current signs strongly suggest something is about to happen.
하늘에 먹구름이 잔뜩 꼈어. 곧 비가 오려나 봐.(Ha-neul-e meok-gu-reum-i jan-tteuk kkiyeot-eo. Got bi-ga o-ryeo-na bwa, "The sky is full of dark clouds. It seems like it's about to rain soon.")벌써 직원들이 퇴근 준비를 하네. 회의가 끝나려나 봐요.(Beol-sseo jik-won-deul-i toe-geun jun-bi-reul ha-ne. Hoe-ui-ga kkeut-na-ryeo-na bwa-yo, "The employees are already preparing to leave. It seems like the meeting is about to end.")
Common Mistakes
-나 보다 is a highly useful structure, learners frequently make specific errors that diminish its naturalness and grammatical correctness. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for accurate usage.- 1Using it for Oneself: This is perhaps the most common and fundamental mistake. As an expression of external observation and inference,
-나 보다is generally unsuitable for describing your own immediate internal states or actions that you are directly experiencing. You know your own feelings and intentions; you don't need to infer them.
- Incorrect:
나는 배가 고프나 봐요.(Na-neun bae-ga go-peu-na bwa-yo, "I guess I'm hungry.") - Correct:
나는 배고파요.(Na-neun bae-go-pa-yo, "I am hungry.") or배고픈 것 같아요.(Bae-go-peun geot gat-a-yo, "I think I'm hungry.") - Rare Exception (Self-Reflection/Surprise): You might use it in a moment of surprised realization or ironic self-commentary, almost as if viewing yourself from an outside perspective. For example, waking up to find an empty cake box:
내가 밤새 케이크를 다 먹었나 봐.(Nae-ga bam-sae ke-i-keu-reul da meog-eot-na bwa, "I guess I ate all the cake last night.") – This implies a discovery of an action you weren't fully aware of. This use case is distinct from inferring a known internal state.
- 1Confusing Verb and Adjective Forms: While informal speech often blurs the distinction, formally and for clarity, it is crucial to use
-나 보다for action verbs and-ㄴ/은가 보다for descriptive verbs/adjectives.
- Incorrect:
날씨가 덥나 봐요.(Nal-ssi-ga deop-na bwa-yo, "The weather seems hot.") –덥다(to be hot) is an adjective. - Correct:
날씨가 더운가 봐요.(Nal-ssi-ga deo-un-ga bwa-yo, "The weather seems hot.") - Incorrect:
이 가방이 싸나 봐요.(I ga-bang-i ssa-na bwa-yo, "This bag seems cheap.") –싸다(to be cheap) is an adjective. - Correct:
이 가방이 싼가 봐요.(I ga-bang-i ssan-ga bwa-yo, "This bag seems cheap.")
- 1Using without Sufficient Evidence:
-나 보다implies a reasoned inference. If your guess is purely a hunch or a subjective feeling without any observable basis,-(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다(it seems like / I think) is more appropriate.-나 보다requires a tangible prompt for the deduction.
- Ambiguous:
그 사람이 거짓말을 하나 봐요.(Geu sa-ram-i geo-jit-mal-eul ha-na bwa-yo, "It seems like that person is lying.") – This is only correct if you observed specific signs of lying (e.g., shifty eyes, stuttering). - Better without clear evidence:
그 사람이 거짓말을 하는 것 같아요.(Geu sa-ram-i geo-jit-mal-eul ha-neun geot gat-a-yo, "I think that person is lying.") – This is a more subjective opinion.
- 1Confusing with
-(으)ㄹ까 봐: While both can relate to possibilities,-(으)ㄹ까 봐expresses fear, worry, or concern about a potential negative outcome. It is not an observation-based inference.
길이 막힐까 봐 일찍 출발했어요.(Gil-i mak-hil-kka bwa il-jjik chul-bal-haet-eo-yo, "I departed early because I was worried the road might be blocked.") – Expresses worry.길이 막히나 봐요. 차가 한 대도 안 움직이네요.(Gil-i mak-hi-na bwa-yo. Cha-ga han dae-do an um-jik-i-ne-yo, "It seems like the road is blocked. Not a single car is moving.") – Expresses inference based on observation.
-나 보다 more precisely and naturally, enhancing your ability to convey nuanced meaning in Korean.Real Conversations
-나 보다 is ubiquitous in daily Korean interactions, reflecting how speakers naturally process and comment on their surroundings. It's particularly common in casual observations, social media interactions, and when discussing others' situations. Here are examples illustrating its use in authentic contexts:
Casual Observation in a Café:
- A: 저 테이블에 있는 사람들, 얘기가 길어지네. (Jeo te-i-beul-e it-neun sa-ram-deul, yae-gi-ga gil-eo-ji-ne, "The people at that table, their conversation is getting long.")
- B: 응, 뭔가 진지하게 회의하나 봐. (Eung, mwol-ga jin-ji-ha-ge hoe-ui-ha-na bwa, "Yeah, it seems like they're having a serious meeting.")
Responding to a Friend's Busy Schedule:
- A: 요즘 철수가 너무 바빠서 얼굴 보기도 힘들어. (Yo-jeum Cheol-su-ga neo-mu ba-ppa-seo eol-gul bo-gi-do him-deul-eo, "Cheolsu is so busy these days it's hard to even see him.")
- B: 새로운 프로젝트 시작했나 봐. 야근도 많이 하는 것 같더라. (Sae-ro-un peu-ro-jek-teu si-jak-haet-na bwa. Ya-geun-do manh-i ha-neun geot gat-deo-ra, "He must have started a new project. I heard he's working a lot of overtime too.")
Social Media Context (commenting on a photo):
- (Seeing a friend's Instagram story from a tropical beach)
- 와, 제주도에 갔나 봐! 부럽다~ (Wa, Je-ju-do-e gat-na bwa! Bu-reop-da~, "Wow, you must have gone to Jeju Island! I'm jealous~")
Overhearing a Fragment of Conversation:
- (Hearing a colleague mention a broken computer)
- 김대리님 컴퓨터가 고장 났나 봐요. 아침부터 끙끙 앓으시던데요. (Kim-dae-ri-nim keom-pyu-teo-ga go-jang nat-na bwa-yo. A-chim-bu-teo kkeung-kkeung alh-eu-si-deon-de-yo, "It seems like Assistant Manager Kim's computer broke down. He's been groaning since morning.")
Inferring from Physical Clues in a Shared Space:
- 탕비실에 커피 냄새가 진동하네. 누가 방금 커피를 내렸나 봐. (Tang-bi-sil-e keo-pi naem-sae-ga jin-dong-ha-ne. Nu-ga bang-geum keo-pi-reul nae-ryeot-na bwa, "The pantry is filled with the strong smell of coffee. Someone must have just brewed coffee.")
These examples highlight the natural, unobtrusive way -나 보다 is woven into everyday dialogue. It enables speakers to share their interpretations of events without sounding accusatory or overly direct, aligning with subtle communication patterns in Korean.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can
있다and없다be used with-나 보다? - A: Yes, absolutely.
있다(it-da, to be present/to have) and없다(eop-da, to not be present/to not have) always follow the action verb conjugation rule, using-나 보다. - Example:
저기 차가 있나 봐요.(Jeo-gi cha-ga it-na bwa-yo, "It seems like there's a car over there.") - Example:
주머니에 돈이 없나 봐.(Ju-meo-ni-e don-i eop-na bwa, "It seems like there's no money in my pocket.") - This also applies to compound verbs like
재미있다(jae-mi-it-da, to be fun/interesting) or맛있다(mat-it-da, to be delicious):이 드라마 정말 재미있나 봐요.(I deu-ra-ma jeong-mal jae-mi-it-na bwa-yo, "This drama seems really interesting.")
- Q: What are the different formality levels for
-나 보다? - A: The pattern adapts to various speech levels:
- Formal/Reportive:
-(으)나 봅니다(e.g.,교수님께서 오시나 봅니다.) – Used in very formal settings, presentations, or when reporting objectively. - Polite:
-(으)나 봐요(e.g.,교수님께서 오시나 봐요.) – The most common form used in polite, everyday conversation. - Casual:
-(으)나 봐(e.g.,교수님이 오시나 봐.) – Used among close friends, family, or people of lower status.
- Q: How does the future tense
-(으)려나 보다differ from-(으)ㄹ 것 같다? - A: Both express future possibility, but with distinct nuances.
-(으)려나 보다implies a deduction about an event that is imminent or about to happen based on observable signs. - Example:
하늘이 갑자기 어두워지는 걸 보니 비가 오려나 봐요.(Ha-neul-i gap-ja-gi eo-du-wo-ji-neun geol bo-ni bi-ga o-ryeo-na bwa-yo, "The sky is suddenly getting dark, so it seems like it's about to rain.") – Strong visual evidence of immediate rain. -(으)ㄹ 것 같다is a more general, often subjective, guess about a future event without necessarily needing immediate, strong evidence. It can also express a less certain prediction.- Example:
일기예보를 보니 내일 비가 올 것 같아요.(Il-gi-ye-bo-reul bo-ni nae-il bi-ga ol geot gat-a-yo, "Looking at the weather forecast, I think it will rain tomorrow.") – Based on information, but not immediate observation.-(으)ㄹ 것 같다is more versatile for any kind of future prediction.
- Q: Why do I sometimes hear
바쁘나 봐for adjectives like바쁘다instead of바쁜가 봐in casual speech? - A: This is a phenomenon of language evolution and simplification in informal Korean. While the grammatically correct and formal form for adjectives is
-ㄴ/은가 보다(바쁜가 봐), in very casual, modern spoken Korean, particularly among younger generations, the distinction can sometimes be blurred, and-나 보다is used for both action and descriptive verbs. However, for formal communication, academic contexts, or to ensure clear and correct grammar, it is highly recommended to maintain the distinction and use-ㄴ/은가 보다for adjectives.
- Q: Can I use
-나 보다when someone tells me something, rather than me observing it directly? - A: Yes. The information you receive from another person can serve as your
Formation Table
| Category | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
|
Verb
|
-나 보다
|
-았/었나 보다
|
|
Adjective
|
-(으)ㄴ가 보다
|
-았/었나 보다
|
|
Noun + 이다
|
-인가 보다
|
-이었/였나 보다
|
Meanings
This grammar is used to make an inference or guess about a situation based on observable evidence or signs.
Visual/Auditory Inference
Guessing based on sensory input.
“아기가 자나 봐요.”
“사람들이 줄을 서 있나 봐요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + 나 보다
|
비가 오나 봐요
|
|
Past
|
Verb + 았/었나 보다
|
갔나 봐요
|
|
Adjective
|
Adj + (으)ㄴ가 보다
|
좋은가 봐요
|
|
Negative
|
Verb + 지 않나 보다
|
안 먹나 봐요
|
|
Question
|
Verb + 나 봐요?
|
자나 봐요?
|
|
Noun
|
Noun + 인가 보다
|
학생인가 봐요
|
Formality Spectrum
자나 봅니다. (Describing someone sleeping.)
자나 봐요. (Describing someone sleeping.)
자나 봐. (Describing someone sleeping.)
자나 보네. (Describing someone sleeping.)
Inference Logic
Visual
- 비가 와요 It is raining
Inference
- 비가 오나 봐요 It seems to be raining
Examples by Level
비가 오나 봐요.
It seems to be raining.
아기가 자나 봐요.
The baby seems to be sleeping.
배가 고픈가 봐요.
You seem hungry.
바쁜가 봐요.
You seem busy.
어제 영화를 봤나 봐요.
You seem to have watched a movie yesterday.
어디 갔나 봐요.
They seem to have gone somewhere.
피곤했나 봐요.
You seem to have been tired.
재미있었나 봐요.
It seems to have been fun.
그 식당이 맛있는가 봐요.
That restaurant seems to be delicious.
오늘 날씨가 추운가 봐요.
The weather seems cold today.
그 사람이 화가 났나 봐요.
That person seems to be angry.
준비가 다 됐나 봐요.
It seems everything is ready.
회의가 길어지나 봐요.
The meeting seems to be getting longer.
프로젝트가 잘 안 풀리나 봐요.
The project doesn't seem to be going well.
그녀가 이사를 가려나 봐요.
She seems to be planning to move.
다들 퇴근했나 봐요.
Everyone seems to have left work.
그가 진실을 숨기려나 봐요.
He seems to be trying to hide the truth.
상황이 심각하게 돌아가나 봐요.
The situation seems to be turning serious.
그들은 서로를 잘 아나 봐요.
They seem to know each other well.
그녀는 이미 결정을 내렸나 봐요.
She seems to have already made a decision.
그의 태도로 보아하니 마음이 바뀌었나 봐요.
Judging by his attitude, he seems to have changed his mind.
이 정책은 실패로 돌아가나 봐요.
This policy seems to be ending in failure.
그들은 이미 합의에 도달했나 봐요.
They seem to have already reached an agreement.
그의 말에는 진심이 담겨 있나 봐요.
His words seem to contain sincerity.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'seems'.
Both are inference.
Looks like.
Common Mistakes
비가 오다나 봐요
비가 오나 봐요
예쁘다나 봐요
예쁜가 봐요
먹나 봐요 (for myself)
먹어요
가나 봐요 (past)
갔나 봐요
좋다나 봐요
좋은가 봐요
바쁘나 봐요 (adj)
바쁜가 봐요
갔다나 봐요
갔나 봐요
비가 오는가 봐요
비가 오나 봐요
맛있나 봐요
맛있는가 봐요
학생이 나 봐요
학생인가 봐요
그가 알나 봐요
그가 아나 봐요
춥나 봐요 (for past)
추웠나 봐요
예쁜가 봐요 (for self)
예뻐요
Sentence Patterns
___(이/가) ___나 봐요.
___(이/가) ___은가 봐요.
___(이/가) ___았/었나 봐요.
___(이/가) ___려나 봐요.
Real World Usage
지금 자나 봐요?
회의가 길어지나 봅니다.
오늘 기분이 좋은가 봐요!
길이 막히나 봐요.
주문이 밀렸나 봐요.
이게 더 인기 있나 봐요.
Evidence First
Self-Reference
Adjective vs Verb
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use -나 봐요 to be polite.
Use -나 봐요.
Use -았/었나 봐요.
Use -인가 봐요.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㄴ' in -나 often links smoothly.
Rising
자나 봐요? ↑
Questioning an observation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '나' as 'I' and '보다' as 'see'. I see it, so I guess it.
Visual Association
Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass looking at a footprint. He says, '범인이 갔나 봐요' (The criminal seems to have left).
Rhyme
Evidence I see, -나 보다 for me.
Story
Min-su sees his friend holding an umbrella. He thinks, 'It must be raining outside.' He says to his friend, '비가 오나 봐요.' His friend nods and says, 'Yes, it started just now.'
Word Web
Challenge
Look out your window for 1 minute and write 3 sentences using -나 보다.
Cultural Notes
Used to avoid direct confrontation.
Used to hint at interest.
Used to show care for elders.
Derived from the verb 보다 (to see).
Conversation Starters
오늘 날씨가 어떤 것 같아요?
친구 기분이 안 좋아 보여요.
그 식당에 사람이 많네요.
그 사람이 왜 화가 났을까요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
비가 ___ 봐요.
그 사람이 ___ 봐요.
Find and fix the mistake:
예쁘다나 봐요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
It seems to be raining.
Answer starts with: 비가 ...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
먹다 -> ?
A: 왜 안 먹어요? B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises비가 ___ 봐요.
그 사람이 ___ 봐요.
Find and fix the mistake:
예쁘다나 봐요.
봐요 / 자나 / 아기가
It seems to be raining.
Match the sentence.
먹다 -> ?
A: 왜 안 먹어요? B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises그릇이 비어 있어요. 벌써 __.
공부하나 / 도서관에서 / 봐요 / .
학생__.
곧 시작__.
그 옷이 정말 예쁘나 봐요.
Match the forms:
대답이 없어요. 거기 __.
저 영화가 진짜 __.
자나 / 민수 씨가 / 봐요 / .
모르__.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Generally no, it's for observing others.
It can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Use -(으)ㄴ가 보다.
-나 보다 is for evidence, -는 것 같다 is for opinion.
Yes, use -았/었나 보다.
Yes, very common.
Use -인가 보다.
No, it's actually polite.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Parece que
Korean is suffix-based.
Il semble que
Korean is suffix-based.
Es scheint
Korean is suffix-based.
みたい
Korean is more formal.
好像
Chinese is a prefix/adverb.
يبدو أن
Arabic is a phrase.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
![[출산/육아]신생아 집에 오는날 해야할 일/신생아 돌보기/ 초보 엄마, 아빠가 꼭 알아야 할 것들/ 수유,수면,배변 일지기록하는 법 l민주선생님l](https://sublearn.com/storage/thumbnails/gG_2_TJhHhQ.jpg)
![[2025 레전드] 이건 더 이상 바다가 아니다.. 충격적이라는 제주 바다 확인해보니 | KBS 20230204 방송](https://sublearn.com/storage/thumbnails/xA7V2YtraQg.jpg)
Related Grammar Rules
No choice but to... (-ㄹ/을 수밖에 없다)
Overview The Korean grammar pattern `-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다` is a powerful expression of inevitability. It conveys that du...
Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)
Overview Korean, like English, distinguishes between habitual or general actions and actions that are actively in progre...
To the Absolute Max: (-ㄹ/을 대로)
Overview Korean grammar employs `-(ㄹ/을) 대로` to express that a state or action has reached its absolute **utmost limi...
Just/Only: Emphatic Limitation (-ㄹ/을 뿐이다)
Overview At the B2 CEFR level in Korean, you're moving beyond basic sentence construction to express nuanced ideas, subt...
Logically Likely: -ㄹ/을 법하다
Overview `-(으)ㄹ 법하다` is a Korean grammar pattern that expresses a logical likelihood, plausibility, or reasonable e...
