A2 Expressions & Patterns 14 min read Easy

Trying things out (아/어/여 보다)

Use 아/어/여 보다 to talk about trying things out or sharing your life experiences naturally.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use '아/어/여 보다' to describe trying an action or experiencing something for the first time.

  • Add '아 보다' to verbs with 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ' vowels (e.g., 가다 -> 가 보다).
  • Add '어 보다' to verbs with other vowels (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹어 보다).
  • Add '여 보다' to verbs ending in '하다' (e.g., 공부하다 -> 공부해 보다).
Verb Stem + 아/어/여 + 보다

Overview

The grammatical pattern 아/어/여 보다 (a/eo/yeo boda) serves as a crucial auxiliary verb construction in Korean, signifying either a tentative action or an experiential action. Its fundamental role is to convey the act of 'trying something out,' 'giving something a go,' or 'having the experience of doing something.' This construction adds a layer of politeness, curiosity, or uncertainty to an action, transforming a simple verb into a statement about engagement or discovery. It moves beyond merely performing an action to imply a purpose of assessment, exploration, or personal history with that action.

Linguistically, 보다 (boda), meaning 'to see,' is recontextualized here not as visual perception, but as a mental or experiential observation of an action's outcome. Understanding this pattern is essential for natural communication, as it softens suggestions, expresses past experiences, and enables inquiries about others' experiences.

아/어/여 보다 is frequently used in daily interactions, from offering food to recounting travel stories. It allows speakers to convey an openness to new experiences or to report on those already undertaken. For instance, 한국 음식을 먹어 봤어요? (hanguk eumsigeul meogeo bwasseoyo?) – 'Have you tried Korean food?' – illustrates its use for past experience.

Similarly, 이 옷을 입어 보세요. (i oseul ibeo boseyo.) – 'Try on this clothing.' – functions as a polite suggestion or invitation. This pattern is foundational for expressing a dynamic engagement with the world, making it indispensable for learners at the A2 level and beyond.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, 아/어/여 보다 attaches to a verb stem, indicating that the action is performed with an underlying intention to experience it or to test its outcome. The 아/어/여 component functions as a connective ending, similar to its use in the polite declarative 아요/어요 form, harmonizing with the final vowel of the verb stem. This auxiliary construction essentially frames the main verb's action as an 'experiment' or a 'venture.' When you say 가 봤어요 (ga bwasseoyo), you are communicating not just that you went, but that you have the experience of having been there, implying a direct, personal encounter.
This distinction is critical because it differentiates a factual report from a personal narrative.
The semantic shift from 'seeing' to 'trying' or 'experiencing' is a common linguistic phenomenon across languages, where sensory verbs acquire broader metaphorical meanings. In Korean, 보다 acts as a light verb, modifying the primary verb's nuance. In the present tense, such as 먹어 봐요 (meogeo bwayo), it often expresses a polite suggestion or an immediate invitation to try something.
In contrast, the past tense, 먹어 봤어요 (meogeo bwasseoyo), unequivocally refers to a completed experience, implying that the speaker has gained firsthand knowledge from performing the action. This structure allows for a nuanced expression of curiosity, encouragement, or shared history.
Consider the contrast between 책을 읽어요. (chaegeul ilgeoyo.) 'I read a book.' and 책을 읽어 봐요. (chaegeul ilgeo bwayo.) 'I'm trying to read a book / I read a book to see what it's like.' The latter implies a more exploratory or experimental engagement. Furthermore, in imperative or hortative forms, 아/어/여 보세요 or 아/어/여 봅시다 softens the command or suggestion, making it more invitational. This grammatical function is vital for politeness and building rapport in Korean conversations, moving beyond direct statements to imply shared participation or thoughtful consideration.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of 아/어/여 보다 strictly follows the principles of Korean vowel harmony, identical to the formation of the 아요/어요 polite ending. You take a verb stem, determine its final vowel, and then attach the appropriate connector (-아, -어, or -여) before adding 보다.
2
1. For verb stems ending in ㅏ (a) or ㅗ (o):
3
Attach -아 보다 (a boda). The ㅏ or ㅗ often merges with the -아 connector.
4
가다 (gada - to go) -> 가 + -아 보다 -> 가 보다 (ga boda)
5
오다 (oda - to come) -> 오 + -아 보다 -> 와 보다 (wa boda) [contraction of 오아 보다]
6
찾다 (chatda - to find) -> 찾 + -아 보다 -> 찾아 보다 (chaja boda)
7
2. For verb stems ending in any other vowel (e.g., ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅡ, ㅣ) or a consonant:
8
Attach -어 보다 (eo boda).
9
먹다 (meokda - to eat) -> 먹 + -어 보다 -> 먹어 보다 (meogeo boda)
10
읽다 (iktda - to read) -> 읽 + -어 보다 -> 읽어 보다 (ilgeo boda)
11
배우다 (baeuda - to learn) -> 배우 + -어 보다 -> 배워 보다 (baeweo boda) [contraction of 배우어 보다]
12
만들다 (mandeulda - to make) -> 만들 + -어 보다 -> 만들어 보다 (mandeureo boda)
13
3. For verb stems ending in 하다 (hada):
14
The 하다 verb stem always transforms into 해 보다 (hae boda). This is a consistent and important contraction.
15
공부하다 (gongbuhada - to study) -> 공부해 보다 (gongbuhae boda)
16
전화하다 (jeonhwahada - to call) -> 전화해 보다 (jeonhwahae boda)
17
운동하다 (undonghada - to exercise) -> 운동해 보다 (undonghae boda)
18
Conjugation Table Examples:
19
| Verb Stem | Vowel/Form | Connector | 보다 + Conjunction | Romanization (Polite) | Romanization (Casual) |
20
|:----------|:-----------|:----------|:--------------------|:----------------------|:----------------------|
21
| 가다 (go) | ㅏ | -아 | 가 봐요 | ga bwayo | 가 봐 |
22
| 먹다 (eat) | ㅓ | -어 | 먹어 봐요 | meogeo bwayo | 먹어 봐 |
23
| 하다 (do) | 하다 | -여 | 해 봐요 | hae bwayo | 해 봐 |
24
| 읽다 (read)| (consonant)| -어 | 읽어 봐요 | ilgeo bwayo | 읽어 봐 |
25
| 듣다 (listen, ㄷ irregular) | ㅡ | -어 | 들어 봐요 | deureo bwayo | 들어 봐 |
26
Irregular Verbs: Remember to apply irregular verb conjugations before adding 아/어/여 보다. For example, 듣다 (deutda - to listen) becomes 들어 before adding 보다, resulting in 들어 보다 (deureo boda). Similarly, 돕다 (dopda - to help) becomes 도와 (dowa), leading to 도와 보다 (dowa boda).

When To Use It

The utility of 아/어/여 보다 extends across several critical communicative functions, making it a highly versatile pattern in Korean.
1. Suggesting or Inviting Someone to Try Something:
This is one of the most common applications. By adding 아/어/여 보다 to an imperative, you soften a direct command into a gentle suggestion or invitation. This is particularly useful in social contexts where direct orders might sound impolite.
Instead of 이거 먹어요! (igeo meogeoyo! - Eat this!), which can sound forceful, 이거 먹어 봐요. (igeo meogeo bwayo. - Try eating this.) presents it as a recommendation or a shared experience.
This adds politeness and makes the listener feel more invited than commanded.
  • 새로 나온 영화 재미있대요. 한번 봐 보세요. (saero naon yeonghwa jaemiitdaeyo. hanbeon bwa boseyo.) – 'They say the new movie is interesting. Try watching it once.'
  • 이 카페 라떼 맛있어요. 마셔 보세요. (i kape latte masisseoyo. masyeo boseyo.) – 'This cafe latte is delicious. Try drinking it.'
2. Reporting a Past Experience:
When used in the past tense (-아/어/여 봤어요), 아/어/여 보다 indicates that the speaker has had the experience of performing a certain action. This differentiates it from a simple past tense statement (-았/었/였어요), which only states that an action occurred. The 아/어/여 봤어요 form emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge or a personal encounter through the action.
  • 제주도에 가 봤어요. (jejudoe ga bwasseoyo.) – 'I have been to Jeju Island (I have the experience of going there).'
  • 그 책을 읽어 봤는데, 정말 감동적이었어요. (geu chaegeul ilgeo bwanneunde, jeongmal gamdongjeogieosseoyo.) – 'I have read that book, and it was truly moving.'
3. Trying an Action to Observe the Outcome (Experimentation):
This nuance highlights the 'testing' aspect of 보다. The action is undertaken to see what happens, to gain information, or to ascertain a result. This is often used when a solution is uncertain or when exploring options.
  • 문이 안 열려요. 다시 한번 열어 봐요. (muni an yeollyeoyo. dasi hanbeon yeoreo bwayo.) – 'The door isn't opening. Try opening it again.'
  • 문제가 복잡하네요. 다른 방법을 찾아 봐요. (munjega bokjaphaneyo. dareun bangbeobeul chaja bwayo.) – 'The problem is complex. Let's try to find another method.'
4. Seeking Permission or Making a Request:
When combined with -(으)면 돼요? (eumyeon dwaeyo? - Is it okay if I...?), it forms a polite way to ask for permission to try something. This is common in retail settings or when attempting a new activity.
  • 이 신발을 신어 봐도 돼요? (i sinbareul sineo bwado dwaeyo?) – 'May I try on these shoes?'
  • 제가 먼저 해 봐도 될까요? (jega meonjeo hae bwado doelkkayo?) – 'May I try it first?'
This pattern is an invaluable tool for conversational fluency, enabling you to express curiosity, share personal history, and engage others politely in a wide range of everyday scenarios. Its flexibility in conveying subtle communicative intentions is why it appears so frequently in natural Korean speech and writing.

Common Mistakes

While 아/어/여 보다 is highly versatile, learners often make specific errors that can lead to unnatural or incorrect sentences. Being aware of these pitfalls is key to mastering the pattern.
1. Omitting the 아/어/여 Connector:
A frequent mistake is to directly attach 보다 to the verb stem without the necessary 아/어/여 connector. Korean vowel harmony is not optional; it is a fundamental aspect of word formation. You cannot say 가 보다 (ga boda) if you mean 가 보다 (ga boda) with the connector – it should always be 가 보다 (ga boda) after proper conjugation, or 먹 보다 (meok boda) instead of 먹어 보다 (meogeo boda). The connector is the grammatical 'glue' that links the main verb's action to the auxiliary 보다.
  • Incorrect: 저는 김치를 먹 보다. (jeoneun gimchireul meok boda.)
  • Correct: 저는 김치를 먹어 봐요. (jeoneun gimchireul meogeo bwayo. - I try eating kimchi.)
2. Confusing with -(으)려고 하다 (euryeogo hada - Intending to/Trying to):
These two patterns both involve 'trying,' but their meanings are distinct. 아/어/여 보다 refers to the actual performance of an action to gain experience or test an outcome. -(으)려고 하다, on the other hand, expresses an intention or an effort to do something, often implying that the action is not yet completed or successful.
  • 저는 한국어를 공부해 봤어요. (jeoneun hangugeoreul gongbuhae bwasseoyo.) – 'I have studied Korean (experienced studying it).'
  • 저는 한국어를 공부하려고 해요. (jeoneun hangugeoreul gongbuharyeogo haeyo.) – 'I am trying/intending to study Korean (but may not have started or completed it).'
The critical difference is that 아/어/여 보다 requires the action to have been initiated or completed, whereas -(으)려고 하다 focuses on the preceding mental state of intention.
3. Using with Adjectives:
아/어/여 보다 can only be attached to action verbs. It is grammatically incorrect to use it with descriptive verbs (adjectives) because you cannot 'try to be' a state or quality. You cannot 'try to be tall' (키가 커 봐요 - incorrect) or 'try to be beautiful' (예뻐 봐요 - incorrect). Adjectives describe states, not actions that can be experimentally performed or experienced.
4. Applying to Involuntary or Inevitable Actions:
This pattern implies a degree of volition or control over the action. Therefore, it is unnatural to use it for phenomena that occur independently of one's will or for inevitable processes. For example, you wouldn't say 늙어 봐요 (neulgeo bwayo - try getting old) or 비가 와 봐요 (biga wa bwayo - try raining) because these are not actions one 'tries.' The action must be something a person can consciously choose to perform or experience.
5. Overuse where Simple Past Tense is Sufficient:
While 아/어/여 보다 adds nuance, it shouldn't replace the simple past tense (-았/었/였어요) when merely stating a fact. If the experiential aspect is not relevant, a simpler construction is more appropriate. 어제 밥을 먹었어요. (eoje babeul meogeosseoyo. - I ate rice yesterday.) is a direct statement. 어제 밥을 먹어 봤어요. (eoje babeul meogeo bwasseoyo. - I tried eating rice yesterday.) implies there was something novel or experimental about eating rice that day, which might be odd if you eat rice daily. Use 아/어/여 보다 when the 'trying' or 'experiential' meaning truly adds value.

Real Conversations

In authentic Korean communication, 아/어/여 보다 permeates various registers, from casual chat to more formal discourse, reflecting its versatility. Its ability to soften suggestions and communicate personal experiences makes it indispensable. Pay attention to how native speakers use it to convey politeness, curiosity, or to share anecdotes.

1. Casual Suggestions (해체):

When recommending a new restaurant or activity to a friend, 아/어/여 봐 is often used.

- 친구: 점심 뭐 먹을까? (jeomsim mwo meogeulkka? - What should we eat for lunch?)

- 나: 저기 새로 생긴 파스타집 가 봐. 맛있더라! (jeogi saero saenggin paseutajip ga bwa. masitdeora! - Go try that new pasta place. It was delicious!)

Here, 가 봐 (ga bwa) is a friendly, inviting suggestion.

2. Formal Recommendations/Invitations (합니다체):

In a more formal or business setting, or when addressing someone older or of higher status, the polite imperative 아/어/여 보세요 is employed.

- 직원: 고객님, 이 제품 한번 사용해 보세요. 만족하실 거예요. (gogaeknim, i jephum hanbeon sayonghae boseyo. manjoghasil geoyeyo. - Customer, please try using this product. You'll be satisfied.)

This demonstrates a polite encouragement rather than a command, fitting for customer service or professional advice.

3. Sharing Past Experiences (해체 & 합니다체):

Whether in casual storytelling or more formal discussions about one's background, the past tense 아/어/여 봤어요 or 아/어/여 봤어 is crucial for conveying personal history.

- 선배: 혹시 해외여행 많이 다녀 봤어요? (hoksi haeoeyeohaeng mani danyeo bwasseoyo? - Have you traveled abroad a lot?)

- 후배: 네, 유럽 몇 군데는 가 봤어요. 선배님은요? (ne, yurap myeot gundeneun ga bwasseoyo. seonbaenim-eunyo? - Yes, I've been to a few places in Europe. How about you, senior?)

This dialogue naturally elicits and shares past experiences.

4. Expressing Curiosity or Testing a Situation:

This often occurs in problem-solving contexts or when considering different approaches.

- 동료: 이 서류 어떻게 정리할까요? (i seoryu eotteoke jeongnihalkkayo? - How should we organize these documents?)

- 나: 음… 먼저 날짜별로 한번 나눠 봐요. (eum… meonjeo naljjabyeollo hanbeon nanwo bwayo. - Hmm... First, try dividing them by date.)

나눠 봐요 (nanwo bwayo) suggests a tentative approach to see if it works.

5. Social Media & Digital Communication:

On platforms like Instagram or Twitter, people often share new experiences using 아/어/여 봤다 forms, similar to '#triedit' or '#experience'.

- 드디어 그 유명한 카페 가 봤다! 분위기 최고! (deudieo geu yumyeonghan kape ga bwatta! bunwigi choego! - Finally went to that famous cafe! The atmosphere is the best!)

This clearly indicates a recent, noteworthy personal experience shared with a broader audience.

Observing and imitating these real-world uses will significantly enhance your naturalness and fluency in Korean. The pattern is not merely a grammatical rule but a tool for nuanced social interaction.

Quick FAQ

Navigating the subtleties of 아/어/여 보다 often raises specific questions. Here are answers to common queries that learners frequently have.
Q1: Can I use 아/어/여 보다 with 보다 (to see) itself? For example, 봐 보세요?

Yes, absolutely. While it might sound redundant to a non-native speaker (보다 + 보다), 봐 보세요 (bwa boseyo) is a perfectly natural and common expression in Korean. It means 'try looking at this' or 'take a look.' The first 봐 (bwa) comes from 보다 (to see) conjugated with -아, and the second 보세요 (boseyo) is the imperative form of 보다 acting as the auxiliary verb. It emphasizes the suggestion to visually inspect something.

  • 이 사진 한번 봐 보세요. 정말 예쁘죠? (i sajin hanbeon bwa boseyo. jeongmal yeppeujyo? - Take a look at this photo. It's really pretty, isn't it?)
Q2: What is the difference between 해 봐 and 해 보세요?

The distinction lies purely in politeness level and formality. 해 봐 (hae bwa) is the casual, informal form (해체), typically used with close friends, family members, or people younger than you. 해 보세요 (hae boseyo) is the polite, formal form (해요체), appropriate for general polite conversation, with strangers, elders, or superiors. Always consider your relationship with the listener when choosing between these forms.

  • To a friend: 이거 해 봐! (igeo hae bwa! - Try this!)
  • To a teacher: 선생님, 제가 해 보세요? (seonsaengnim, jega hae boseyo? - Teacher, may I try it?)
Q3: How do I express 'try not to do something' using this pattern?

아/어/여 보다 is generally used for positive actions – actions you do or have done. To express 'try not to do something' or 'make an effort not to do something,' you would typically use other constructions involving negation and 노력하다 (noryeokhada - to make an effort). A common phrasing is -(으)려고 노력하다 (euryeogo noryeokhada) combined with negation markers like 안 (an) or 지 않다 (ji anta).

  • 늦지 않으려고 노력하고 있어요. (neutji aneuryeogo noryeokhago isseoyo. - I'm trying not to be late.)
  • 과자를 안 먹으려고 해 봤어요. (gwajareul an meogeuryeogo hae bwasseoyo. - I tried not to eat snacks.) (Here, 해 봤어요 is used with the intention to avoid, indicating the effort was made.)
Q4: Does 아/어/여 보다 always mean 'experience' in the past tense?

In the past tense (-아/어/여 봤어요), the primary nuance is indeed experience or having done something. It signifies that the speaker has gained firsthand knowledge or familiarity with the action. It implies a personal encounter rather than just a factual occurrence. While the act of 'trying' inherently leads to an experience, the past tense specifically highlights that experiential aspect. For instance, 여행해 봤어요 (yeohaenghae bwasseoyo) means 'I have experienced traveling' or 'I have traveled.'

Q5: What if the verb is irregular? Do the irregular conjugations apply before adding 아/어/여 보다?

Yes, absolutely. The irregular conjugations (for ㄷ irregulars, ㅂ irregulars, 르 irregulars, etc.) apply first when forming the 아/어/여 connector, just as they would for the 아요/어요 ending. Once the verb stem has undergone its irregular change and the 아/어/여 is attached, then 보다 is added.

  • 듣다 (deutda - to listen, ㄷ irregular) -> 들어요 -> 들어 보다 (deureo boda)
  • 돕다 (dopda - to help, ㅂ irregular) -> 도와요 -> 도와 보다 (dowa boda)
  • 모르다 (moreuda - not to know, 르 irregular) -> 몰라요 -> 몰라 보다 (molla boda - to try not knowing, or to try finding out one doesn't know, which is less common but grammatically possible in certain contexts like 'not recognizing someone at first glance').
Understanding these nuances helps in applying 아/어/여 보다 accurately and confidently in diverse communicative situations. The pattern is a cornerstone of natural Korean expression, reflecting how speakers engage with actions and share their personal journeys. By mastering its formation and various functions, you unlock a richer, more nuanced way to interact in Korean.

Conjugation Table

Verb Type Stem Suffix Result
ㅏ/ㅗ
가다
아 보다
가 보다
Other
먹다
어 보다
먹어 보다
하다
공부하다
여 보다
공부해 보다
Past
먹다
어 봤어요
먹어 봤어요
Polite
가다
아 보세요
가 보세요
Negative
먹다
어 보지 않다
먹어 보지 않다

Meanings

This pattern indicates that the subject has attempted or experienced an action. It is often used to suggest trying something new or to describe a past experience.

1

Attempt/Experience

To try doing an action to see what it is like.

“한국에 가 봤어요.”

“이 옷을 입어 보세요.”

2

Suggestion

Politely suggesting someone try an action.

“한번 해 보세요.”

“이거 마셔 보세요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Trying things out (아/어/여 보다)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
V-아/어/여 보다
먹어 봐요
Past
V-아/어/여 봤어요
먹어 봤어요
Negative
V-아/어/여 보지 않다
먹어 보지 않았어요
Question
V-아/어/여 봤어요?
먹어 봤어요?
Suggestion
V-아/어/여 보세요
먹어 보세요
Future
V-아/어/여 볼 거예요
먹어 볼 거예요

Formality Spectrum

Formal
이것을 드셔 보세요.

이것을 드셔 보세요. (Restaurant)

Neutral
이거 먹어 보세요.

이거 먹어 보세요. (Restaurant)

Informal
이거 먹어 봐.

이거 먹어 봐. (Restaurant)

Slang
이거 함 먹어봐.

이거 함 먹어봐. (Restaurant)

The 'Try' Concept

아/어/여 보다

Actions

  • 먹어 보다 try eating

Suggestions

  • 가 보세요 please try going
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

김치를 먹어 봤어요.

I tried eating kimchi.

2

한국에 가 봤어요.

I have been to Korea.

3

이거 해 보세요.

Please try doing this.

4

책을 읽어 봤어요.

I tried reading the book.

1

이 옷을 입어 보세요.

Please try on these clothes.

2

제주도에 가 본 적이 있어요?

Have you ever been to Jeju Island?

3

매운 음식을 먹어 본 적 없어요.

I have never tried spicy food.

4

한번 들어 보세요.

Please try listening to it once.

1

그 영화를 봐 봤는데 재미있었어요.

I tried watching that movie and it was fun.

2

선생님께 물어 보는 게 어때요?

How about trying to ask the teacher?

3

새로운 취미를 시작해 보세요.

Try starting a new hobby.

4

그 식당에 가 봤더니 사람이 많았어요.

I tried going to that restaurant and it was crowded.

1

이 문제를 다시 한번 풀어 보세요.

Please try solving this problem once more.

2

그곳에 가 본 사람들은 모두 좋아했어요.

Everyone who tried going there liked it.

3

직접 만들어 본 요리예요.

It is a dish I tried making myself.

4

그 제안을 검토해 보시는 건 어떨까요?

How about trying to review that proposal?

1

그는 자신의 한계를 시험해 보고 싶어 했다.

He wanted to try testing his limits.

2

다양한 관점에서 분석해 본 결과입니다.

This is the result after trying to analyze it from various perspectives.

3

그 상황을 겪어 보지 않으면 모릅니다.

You won't know unless you try experiencing that situation.

4

한번 시도해 볼 가치가 있습니다.

It is worth trying to attempt.

1

그는 평생을 바쳐 그 진리를 탐구해 보았다.

He spent his whole life trying to explore that truth.

2

이러한 현상을 사회학적으로 고찰해 볼 필요가 있다.

There is a need to try examining this phenomenon sociologically.

3

그는 실패를 거듭해 보면서 성장했다.

He grew by trying to repeat failures.

4

그의 제안을 수용해 본다면 어떨까?

What if we try accepting his proposal?

Easily Confused

Trying things out (아/어/여 보다) vs V-아/어/여 보다 vs V-아/어/여 주다

Both use the same conjugation but have different meanings.

Trying things out (아/어/여 보다) vs V-아/어/여 보다 vs V-아/어/여 버리다

Both use the same base.

Trying things out (아/어/여 보다) vs V-아/어/여 보다 vs 시도하다

Both mean 'try'.

Common Mistakes

✗

먹다 보다

✓

먹어 보다

You must use the conjugated stem.
✗

가 봤어요

✓

가 봤어요

Correct, but ensure you don't say '가다 봤어요'.
✗

공부하다 보다

✓

공부해 보다

하다 verbs change to 해.
✗

먹어 보았어요

✓

먹어 봤어요

Use the contraction for natural speech.
✗

가 본 적이 있어요

✓

가 본 적이 있어요

This is correct, but don't confuse with '가 봤어요'.
✗

먹어 보지 않아요

✓

먹어 보지 않았어요

Past tense is needed for experience.
✗

입어 보세요

✓

입어 보세요

Correct, but don't say '입어 보다하세요'.
✗

가 본다

✓

가 봤다

Experience is usually past tense.
✗

해 보았다

✓

해 봤다

Use contractions for natural flow.
✗

먹어 보게 하세요

✓

먹어 보세요

Don't use causative forms unnecessarily.
✗

시도해 봤다

✓

해 봤다

Don't use '시도' if it's just an experience.
✗

가 본 적이 없었다

✓

가 본 적이 없다

Maintain consistent tense.
✗

먹어 보아라

✓

먹어 봐라

Contractions are preferred.

Sentence Patterns

저는 ___을/를 먹어 봤어요.

___에 가 보세요.

___을/를 해 본 적이 있어요.

___을/를 읽어 보는 게 어때요?

Real World Usage

Restaurant constant

이거 드셔 보세요.

Travel very common

거기 가 봤어요?

Social Media common

오늘 처음 해 봄!

Shopping common

입어 봐도 돼요?

Study occasional

한번 읽어 보세요.

Job Interview rare

이 일을 해 본 적이 있습니다.

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Vowel Harmony

Remember: ㅏ/ㅗ = 아, others = 어.
⚠️

Don't use with states

Only use with action verbs.
🎯

Contractions

Use '봤어요' instead of '보았어요' for natural speech.
💬

Polite Suggestions

Use '보세요' to be polite.

Smart Tips

Always use the contracted form '봤어요' instead of '보았어요'.

김치를 먹어 보았어요. → 김치를 먹어 봤어요.

Use '보세요' to make it a polite suggestion.

가세요. → 가 보세요.

Use the past tense '봤어요' to confirm you've done it.

한국에 가 봐요. → 한국에 가 봤어요.

Remember '하다' becomes '해'.

공부하다 보세요. → 공부해 보세요.

Pronunciation

봐요 [bwa-yo]

Contraction

The '아/어/여' often merges with '보다' in fast speech.

Rising

가 봤어요? ↑

Questioning about experience.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '보다' as 'to see'. You are doing an action to 'see' what it is like.

Visual Association

Imagine yourself holding a pair of glasses. You put them on (the verb) to 'see' (보다) the experience clearly.

Rhyme

Vowel 'ㅏ/ㅗ' takes '아', others take '어', just add '보다' to make it clear!

Story

Min-su wanted to try kimchi. He took a bite (먹다). He wanted to see how it tasted (보다). Now he says, '김치를 먹어 봤어요!'

Word Web

가 보다먹어 보다입어 보다읽어 보다해 보다들어 보다

Challenge

Today, try one new thing and say it out loud: '[Action]해 봤어요!'

Cultural Notes

In restaurants, staff often say '드셔 보세요' (Please try eating) to suggest a dish.

Derived from the verb '보다' (to see).

Conversation Starters

“

한국 음식을 먹어 봤어요?

“

제주도에 가 본 적이 있어요?

“

새로운 운동을 시작해 본 적 있어요?

“

어떤 책을 읽어 보고 싶어요?

Journal Prompts

Write about a food you tried recently.
Describe a place you visited.
Recommend a hobby to a friend.
Reflect on a challenge you tried to overcome.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

김치를 먹어 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 봤어요
Past tense for experience.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

가다 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가 보다
ㅏ vowel takes 아.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

먹다 보다

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹어 보다
Must conjugate stem.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 한국에 가 봤어요
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Translate to Korean. Translation

I tried reading the book.

Answer starts with: 책을 ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 책을 읽어 봤어요
Past tense experience.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 이 옷 어때요? B: 한번 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 입어 보세요
Suggestion.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use '가다' and '보다' for a question.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가 봤어요?
Question form.
Sort by vowel. Grammar Sorting

Which takes '아'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가다
ㅏ vowel.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

김치를 먹어 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 봤어요
Past tense for experience.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

가다 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가 보다
ㅏ vowel takes 아.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

먹다 보다

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹어 보다
Must conjugate stem.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

봤어요 / 한국에 / 가

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 한국에 가 봤어요
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Translate to Korean. Translation

I tried reading the book.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 책을 읽어 봤어요
Past tense experience.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 이 옷 어때요? B: 한번 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 입어 보세요
Suggestion.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use '가다' and '보다' for a question.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가 봤어요?
Question form.
Sort by vowel. Grammar Sorting

Which takes '아'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가다
ㅏ vowel.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence: 'Try studying Korean.' Fill in the Blank

한국어를 공부__ 보세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 해
Fix the sentence: 'Try wearing this shirt.' Error Correction

이 셔츠를 입 봐요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이 셔츠를 입어 봐요.
Put the words in order: 'Have you seen that movie?' Sentence Reorder

그 / 봤어요 / 영화를 / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그 영화를 봤어요?
Translate to Korean: 'Try calling him.' Translation

Try calling him.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 전화해 보세요.
Which one is 'I have tried drinking soju'? Multiple Choice

Select the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 소주를 마셔 봤어요.
Match the verb to its 'try' form. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가다: 가 보다
Fill in the blank: 'Try reading this book.' Fill in the Blank

이 책을 __ 보세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 읽어
How do you ask 'Can I try it on?' in a store? Multiple Choice

Choose the best expression:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 입어 봐도 돼요?
Correct the mistake: 'I tried coming home.' Error Correction

집에 오 봤어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 집에 와 봤어요.
Translate: 'Try listening to this song.' Translation

이 노래를 들어 보세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이 노래를 들어 보세요.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, only action verbs. You cannot use it with state verbs like '있다' or '알다'.

They are very similar, but '가 본 적이 있어요' emphasizes the 'experience' aspect more strongly.

Because '하다' verbs follow the '여' rule, which becomes '해'.

No, it is very polite when used as a suggestion.

Yes, '먹어 볼 거예요' means 'I will try eating it'.

It is a contraction used for natural, spoken Korean.

Yes, '먹어 보지 않았어요' means 'I haven't tried eating it'.

Yes, but be careful with politeness levels.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

probar + infinitive

Korean uses a suffix, Spanish uses a separate verb.

French moderate

essayer de + infinitive

Korean '보다' is more about experience than just effort.

German moderate

versuchen + zu + infinitive

Korean is more flexible for casual experiences.

Japanese very_high

~te miru

Almost identical in function and nuance.

Arabic moderate

jaraba + an

Korean is a suffix, Arabic is a verb.

Chinese moderate

shì yí shì

Korean is more grammaticalized.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Try Doing & Experiences (아/어 보다)
Next
Have you ever...? (Expressing Experience with -은/ㄴ 적이 있다/없다)

Learn These First

A2 Requires

Try Doing & Experiences (아/어 보다)

Overview `아/어 보다` (pronounced as `a-eo bo-da`) is a fundamental A2-level Korean grammar pattern that combines a verb...

Related Grammar Rules

B2

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...
A2

Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)

Overview Korean, like English, distinguishes between habitual or general actions and actions that are actively in progre...
B2

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...
B2

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...
B2

Logically Likely: -ㄹ/을 법하다

Overview `-(으)ㄹ 법하다` is a Korean grammar pattern that expresses a logical likelihood, plausibility, or reasonable e...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!