Try Doing & Experiences (아/어 보다)
아/어/여 보다 to turn simple actions into 'experiences' or 'attempts' in natural Korean conversation.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -아/어 보다 to describe trying an action or sharing an experience you've had before.
- Add -아 보다 to verbs ending in ㅏ or ㅗ (e.g., 가다 -> 가 보다).
- Add -어 보다 to verbs ending in other vowels (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹어 보다).
- Add -해 보다 to all 하다 verbs (e.g., 공부하다 -> 공부해 보다).
Overview
아/어 보다 (pronounced as a-eo bo-da) is a fundamental A2-level Korean grammar pattern that combines a verb with the auxiliary verb 보다 (to see). Its primary function is to express two related concepts: trying an action or having an experience. Unlike a simple statement of action, 아/어 보다 imbues the verb with a nuance of experimentation, testing, or having accumulated prior experience.
This pattern is indispensable for describing exploration, making suggestions, and recounting personal history in Korean. It transforms a bare action into a story of engagement and discovery.
At its core, this construction allows you to convey that you are doing something to see what happens, or that you have done something and thus perceived its outcome or nature. This perception then becomes an 'experience' you possess. For example, simply 먹다 means 'to eat,' but 먹어 보다 means 'to try eating' or 'to have the experience of eating.' This subtle yet significant difference makes your Korean sound far more natural and sophisticated.
How This Grammar Works
보다. While 보다 typically means 'to see,' in this construction, it acts as a bojo dongsa (보조 동사), an auxiliary verb that modifies the meaning of the preceding main verb. The 'seeing' aspect transforms into 'perceiving the outcome' or 'experiencing' the action, thereby conveying the idea of 'trying' or 'having tried.'아/어 보다 is used in the present or imperative mood, it suggests trying an action, often as a recommendation or a gentle command. The focus is on the initiation of the action with an intent to experience it. For instance, if you suggest to a friend, 이 책을 읽어 보세요. (Try reading this book.), you are encouraging them to engage with the book to see if they enjoy it.-아/어 봤어요/-아/어 봤습니다), 아/어 보다 denotes that the subject has performed the action at least once in the past, thereby gaining an experience. The emphasis here is not on the completion of the action itself, but on the acquisition of knowledge or memory through that action. When you say 저는 한국에 가 봤어요. (I have been to Korea.), you are not merely stating a past trip, but affirming that you possess the experience of having visited Korea.-아/어 볼 거예요/-아/어 보겠습니다), this pattern expresses an intention to try something in the future. It carries a sense of curiosity or a planned attempt. For example, 다음 주말에 등산을 가 볼 거예요. means 'I am going to try hiking next weekend.' This shows a proactive desire to experience the activity.Formation Pattern
아/어 보다 follows the standard Korean vowel harmony rules for connecting verbs, similar to how verbs are conjugated into the polite 아/어/요 form. You take the verb stem, attach either -아 or -어 based on the last vowel of the stem, and then append 보다. The 보다 part is then conjugated according to the desired tense and politeness level.
ㅏ or ㅗ, add -아 보다.
가다 (to go) -> 가- + 아 보다 -> 가 보다
찾다 (to find) -> 찾- + 아 보다 -> 찾아 보다
오다 (to come) -> 오- + 아 보다 -> 와 보다 (contraction of 오아 보다)
앉다 (to sit) -> 앉- + 아 보다 -> 앉아 보다
ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅐ, ㅔ, ㅟ, ㅚ), add -어 보다.
먹다 (to eat) -> 먹- + 어 보다 -> 먹어 보다
읽다 (to read) -> 읽- + 어 보다 -> 읽어 보다
배우다 (to learn) -> 배우- + 어 보다 -> 배워 보다 (contraction of 배우어 보다)
마시다 (to drink) -> 마시- + 어 보다 -> 마셔 보다 (contraction of 마시어 보다)
하다 (to do) verbs, they always transform to -해 보다.
공부하다 (to study) -> 공부하- + 여 보다 -> 공부해 보다 (contraction of 공부하여 보다)
운동하다 (to exercise) -> 운동하- + 여 보다 -> 운동해 보다 (contraction of 운동하여 보다)
아/어/해 to the main verb stem, the 보다 component is then conjugated for tense, politeness, and mood. Here are common conjugations:
해체) | Polite Declarative (해체) | Formal Declarative (하십시오체) | Polite Imperative (해체) | Formal Imperative (하십시오체) |
가- + 아 -> 가 봐 | 가 봐 (ga bwa) | 가 봐요 (ga bwa-yo) | 가 봅니다 (ga bom-ni-da) | 가 봐요 (ga bwa-yo) | 가 보십시오 (ga bo-sip-ssi-o) |
먹- + 어 -> 먹어 봐 | 먹어 봐 (meo-geo bwa) | 먹어 봐요 (meo-geo bwa-yo) | 먹어 봅니다 (meo-geo bom-ni-da) | 먹어 봐요 (meo-geo bwa-yo) | 먹어 보십시오 (meo-geo bo-sip-ssi-o) |
공부하- + 여 -> 공부해 봐 | 공부해 봐 (gong-bu-hae bwa) | 공부해 봐요 (gong-bu-hae bwa-yo) | 공부해 봅니다 (gong-bu-hae bom-ni-da) | 공부해 봐요 (gong-bu-hae bwa-yo) | 공부해 보십시오 (gong-bu-hae bo-sip-ssi-o) |
이 커피를 마셔 보세요. (Try drinking this coffee.) 작년에 독일에 가 봤어요. (I went to Germany last year [and experienced it]). 저는 한국어를 공부해 볼 거예요. (I will try studying Korean.)
When To Use It
아/어 보다 is a versatile pattern used in a variety of contexts to express attempts, suggestions, and past experiences. Understanding these specific scenarios will help you deploy it effectively.한번 (han-beon, 'once' or 'one time') to emphasize the singular act of trying.이 드라마 진짜 재밌어요. 한번 봐 보세요!(This drama is really interesting. You should try watching it once!)새로 생긴 맛집인데, 내일 같이 가 봐요.(It's a newly opened restaurant, shall we try going together tomorrow?)매운 음식 좋아하면, 닭발을 먹어 봐요.(If you like spicy food, try eatingdakbal[chicken feet].)
아/어 보다 indicates that the subject has performed an action at some point in their life, thus gaining an experience. This is crucial for discussing life experiences, travel, or having tried particular foods or activities.저는 제주도에 가 봤어요. 경치가 정말 아름다웠어요.(I have been to Jeju Island. The scenery was truly beautiful.)그 책을 읽어 봤는데 내용이 어려웠어요.(I read that book [and experienced it], but the content was difficult.)어릴 때 태권도를 배워 봤지만 지금은 다 잊어버렸어요.(When I was young, I tried learning Taekwondo, but now I've forgotten everything.)
다음에 한국에 가면 한복을 입어 볼 거예요.(Next time I go to Korea, I will try wearinghanbok[traditional Korean clothing].)이번 주말에 새로운 레시피로 요리를 해 볼까 해요.(This weekend, I'm thinking of trying to cook with a new recipe.)
이 신발 신어 봐도 돼요?(May I try on these shoes?)새로운 인공지능 번역기를 사용해 봤는데 아주 편리했어요.(I tried using a new AI translator, and it was very convenient.)
아/어 보다 is especially common in situations where one is encountering something for the first time or venturing into the unknown. It subtly adds a sense of curiosity and openness to new experiences, reflecting a common desire to explore and learn. However, avoid using it for actions that are daily habits or routine tasks, as it would sound unnatural (e.g., 매일 밥을 먹어 봐요 – I try eating rice every day – is incorrect; you simply 먹어요).Common Mistakes
아/어 보다 can present several pitfalls for learners. Being aware of these common errors will help you use the pattern more accurately and naturally.아/어 봤어요 with Simple Past Tense 았/었어요:먹었어요(I ate it.) – A simple statement that the action of eating was completed at a specific time in the past. It focuses solely on the completion of the action.먹어 봤어요(I have tried eating it / I have experienced eating it.) – Implies that you possess the experience of having eaten it. This experience adds to your personal knowledge or memory and can be drawn upon in conversation. It focuses on the experience gained from the action.
점심 먹었어요? (Did you eat lunch?), you respond 네, 먹었어요. (Yes, I ate.). If they ask, 김치찌개 먹어 봤어요? (Have you tried Kimchi stew?), you respond 네, 먹어 봤어요. (Yes, I have tried it.). You would not say 네, 먹었어요. in the latter context, unless you literally just finished eating it for the first time.아/어 보다 is for actions that can be performed experimentally or generate an experience. It is generally not compatible with verbs that describe states (이다 - to be, 있다 - to exist, 없다 - to not exist) or inherent qualities that cannot beConjugation Table
| Verb | Vowel | Form | Past Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
ㅏ
|
가 보다
|
가 봤어요
|
|
먹다
|
ㅓ
|
먹어 보다
|
먹어 봤어요
|
|
하다
|
하
|
해 보다
|
해 봤어요
|
|
읽다
|
ㅣ
|
읽어 보다
|
읽어 봤어요
|
|
오다
|
ㅗ
|
와 보다
|
와 봤어요
|
|
배우다
|
ㅐ
|
배워 보다
|
배워 봤어요
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
가 보아
|
가 봐
|
|
먹어 보아
|
먹어 봐
|
Meanings
This pattern is used to express an attempt at an action or to recount a past experience.
Attempt
Trying to do something to see what happens.
“이 옷을 입어 보세요.”
“한번 해 볼게요.”
Experience
Recounting that you have done something in the past.
“한국에 가 봤어요.”
“불고기를 먹어 봤어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
V-아/어 보다
|
먹어 봐요
|
|
Past
|
V-아/어 봤어요
|
먹어 봤어요
|
|
Negative
|
V-아/어 보지 않다
|
먹어 보지 않았어요
|
|
Question
|
V-아/어 봤어요?
|
먹어 봤어요?
|
|
Suggestion
|
V-아/어 보세요
|
먹어 보세요
|
|
Future
|
V-아/어 볼 거예요
|
먹어 볼 거예요
|
Formality Spectrum
이것을 드셔 보셨습니까? (Dining)
이거 먹어 봤어요? (Dining)
이거 먹어 봤어? (Dining)
이거 먹어 봄? (Dining)
The Two Faces of -아/어 보다
Suggestion
- 해 보세요 Please try it
Experience
- 해 봤어요 I have tried it
Examples by Level
김치를 먹어 봤어요.
I have tried eating kimchi.
한국에 가 봤어요.
I have been to Korea.
이거 해 보세요.
Try doing this.
책을 읽어 봤어요.
I have tried reading the book.
영화를 봐 봤어요?
Have you tried watching the movie?
이 옷을 입어 보세요.
Try wearing these clothes.
한국어를 공부해 봤어요.
I have tried studying Korean.
자전거를 타 봤어요.
I have tried riding a bike.
그 식당에 가 본 적이 있어요.
I have had the experience of going to that restaurant.
이 소프트웨어를 설치해 보셨나요?
Have you tried installing this software?
한번 시도해 보는 게 어때요?
How about trying it once?
그 사람은 일을 해 본 적이 없어요.
That person has never tried working.
이 문제를 해결해 보려고 노력했어요.
I tried to solve this problem.
그곳은 가 볼 만한 가치가 있어요.
That place is worth visiting.
직접 만들어 보니 정말 맛있네요.
Now that I've tried making it myself, it's delicious.
다시 한번 생각해 보세요.
Please try thinking about it again.
그 제안을 검토해 보시는 것이 좋겠습니다.
It would be good to try reviewing that proposal.
경험해 보지 않으면 알 수 없는 일이죠.
It's something you can't know unless you've experienced it.
이론을 실무에 적용해 본 사례입니다.
This is a case where we tried applying the theory to practice.
어떻게든 해결해 보려 했지만 실패했습니다.
I tried to resolve it somehow, but I failed.
그의 논리를 반박해 보려 했으나 역부족이었다.
I attempted to refute his logic, but it was insufficient.
시대를 앞서가 보려는 시도는 늘 위험을 동반한다.
Attempts to get ahead of the times always carry risks.
그는 평생을 진리를 탐구해 보며 살았다.
He lived his whole life trying to explore the truth.
이러한 현상을 분석해 봄으로써 원인을 찾을 수 있다.
By attempting to analyze this phenomenon, we can find the cause.
Easily Confused
Both express experience, but the latter is more formal and emphasizes the 'existence' of the experience.
Both use the 아/어 stem, but one is for experience, the other for doing a favor.
Both use the 아/어 stem, but one is for experience, the other for completion/regret.
Common Mistakes
먹어 보다요
먹어 봐요
가 봤다
가 봤어요
먹어 보았어요
먹어 봤어요
가다 봤어요
가 봤어요
먹어 보지 않았어요
먹어 본 적이 없어요
해 보다 했어요
해 봤어요
공부해 봐요 (past)
공부해 봤어요
가 보려고 했어요
가 봤어요
먹어 본다
먹어 본 적이 있다
입어 보게 했어요
입어 보게 했어요 (causative)
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___을/를 먹어 봤어요.
___에 가 봤어요?
이거 한번 ___해 보세요.
저는 ___를 배워 본 적이 있어요.
Real World Usage
이거 드셔 보세요.
거기에 가 봤어요.
이 프로젝트를 해 봤습니다.
먹어 봄?
입어 보세요.
재부팅해 보세요.
Vowel Harmony
Don't use with state verbs
Softening Requests
Food Culture
Smart Tips
Add '정말 맛있어요' before '먹어 보세요' to sound more natural.
Use '가 본 적이 있어요' for a more sophisticated tone.
Use '어떻게 생각하세요?' after suggesting.
Use '아쉽지만' to soften the blow.
Pronunciation
Vowel harmony
The '아' or '어' sound links smoothly to '보다'.
Question
가 봤어요↗?
Rising intonation for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Bo-da' as 'Bo-da-see' (I'll do it and see).
Visual Association
Imagine yourself standing in front of a giant menu, pointing at a dish and saying 'I'll try this' (eating it) and then looking back at a photo of yourself eating it (experience).
Rhyme
Try it once, see what you find, 아/어 보다 stays in your mind.
Story
Min-su wanted to learn to surf. He went to the beach. He decided to 'try' surfing. He 'surfed' (타다) and 'saw' (보다) what it was like. Now he says '서핑을 타 봤어요'.
Word Web
Challenge
For the next 5 minutes, look at 3 things in your room and say 'I have tried using this' in Korean.
Cultural Notes
Koreans often use this to suggest food. It is a sign of hospitality.
Derived from the verb '보다' (to see/look).
Conversation Starters
한국 음식을 먹어 봤어요?
제주도에 가 봤어요?
이 영화를 봐 봤어요?
어떤 새로운 취미를 시도해 봤어요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 한국에 ___.
이거 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
저는 김치를 먹어 보다.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Have you tried it?
Answer starts with: 해 봤...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use '입어 보다' for 'clothes'.
하다 -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 한국에 ___.
이거 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
저는 김치를 먹어 보다.
해 / 봤어요 / 이거 / 저는
Have you tried it?
가다 -> 가 보다, 먹다 -> ?
Use '입어 보다' for 'clothes'.
하다 -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises이 노래를 ____ 보세요.
이 옷을 입 봐도 돼요?
봤어요? / 드라마를 / 그 / 영화를 / 봐
Try calling him.
Choose the most natural suggestion:
Match the following:
제 친구를 ____ 봤어요?
여기 오아 봐요.
Select the 'I want to experience' sentence:
I have never eaten kimchi.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, only with action verbs. You cannot use it with descriptive verbs like 'pretty' or 'tall'.
No, it is very informal. Use '먹어 보세요' for polite speech.
All '하다' verbs follow the '해' rule.
Use '먹어 본 적이 없어요'.
Yes, but use the formal '보셨습니까' or '해 보았습니다'.
Yes, '먹어 볼 거예요' means 'I will try eating it'.
Literally yes, but in this pattern, it means 'to try'.
Use '먹어 보려고 했지만 못 먹었어요'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Probar + infinitive
Spanish uses the infinitive, while Korean uses the conjugated stem.
Essayer de
French does not have a direct equivalent for 'experience' in the same way.
Versuchen
German lacks the aspectual 'see' nuance.
~てみる (~te miru)
The conjugation rules for the stem are slightly different.
试一试 (shì yī shì)
Chinese does not have a specific 'experience' marker like '봤어요'.
جرب (jaraba)
Arabic does not use an auxiliary verb construction.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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