Meaning
To access and browse the World Wide Web.
Cultural Background
Korea has the highest average internet connection speed in the world. This makes '인터넷을 하다' a constant part of life, even in subways and elevators. PC-bangs are social hubs where people go to 'do the internet' or play games together. It's a unique part of Korean youth culture. The Korean 'hurry-hurry' culture means that if a website takes more than 3 seconds to load, people might stop 'doing the internet' out of frustration. Korea has active programs to teach the elderly how to 'do the internet' to prevent social isolation.
Drop the particle
In 90% of casual conversations, just say '인터넷 해' instead of '인터넷을 해요'.
Avoid 'Go on'
Never say '인터넷에 가요'. It sounds like you are physically traveling inside the wires.
Meaning
To access and browse the World Wide Web.
Drop the particle
In 90% of casual conversations, just say '인터넷 해' instead of '인터넷을 해요'.
Avoid 'Go on'
Never say '인터넷에 가요'. It sounds like you are physically traveling inside the wires.
Use with '하다가'
Use '인터넷을 하다가' to describe things you found while browsing, e.g., '인터넷 하다가 이거 봤어' (I saw this while surfing).
PC-bang etiquette
If you go to a PC-bang to 'do the internet', it's often cheaper than using a high-end gaming PC for just browsing.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '인터넷을 하다'.
어제 너무 심심해서 밤늦게까지 ________.
The sentence starts with '어제' (yesterday), so the past tense '했어요' is required.
Which sentence is the most natural for a casual conversation with a friend?
What are you doing?
'인터넷 해' is the most natural, casual way to say 'I'm using the internet'.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 주말에 보통 뭐 해요? 나: 저는 집에서 ________.
This correctly expresses a preference for the activity of using the internet.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to tell your teacher you were researching for your homework.
The past progressive formal form is appropriate for explaining a past action to a teacher.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
하다 vs. 사용하다
Practice Bank
4 exercises어제 너무 심심해서 밤늦게까지 ________.
The sentence starts with '어제' (yesterday), so the past tense '했어요' is required.
What are you doing?
'인터넷 해' is the most natural, casual way to say 'I'm using the internet'.
가: 주말에 보통 뭐 해요? 나: 저는 집에서 ________.
This correctly expresses a preference for the activity of using the internet.
You want to tell your teacher you were researching for your homework.
The past progressive formal form is appropriate for explaining a past action to a teacher.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it's formal. Use it in reports or formal presentations.
Yes, it's very common and sounds a bit more 'active' than just '하다'.
You can still say '인터넷을 하다', but '폰 하다' is more common for mobile usage.
No, it just means 'to do' or 'to engage in'.
You can say '인터넷 중독이에요'.
Yes, but 'SNS를 하다' is more specific.
People often say '넷서핑' as a shortened version of 'Internet Surfing'.
You say '인터넷이 안 돼요' (The internet isn't working).
Yes, as long as you use the correct ending like '-해요' or '-합니다'.
Yes, it means 'to enjoy the internet', but it sounds a bit like an advertisement.
Related Phrases
웹서핑을 하다
synonymTo surf the web
검색하다
specialized formTo search
접속하다
similarTo connect/log in
눈팅하다
specialized formTo lurk
인터넷 서핑
synonymInternet surfing
