At the A1 beginner level, you are not expected to use the word 보도하다 in your own sentences, as it is a formal and specific term. However, it is highly beneficial to recognize it because you will hear it frequently if you turn on a Korean television or radio. When you hear '보도하다' or '보도합니다', you should immediately understand that you are listening to the news. The word is made of '보도' (news report) and '하다' (to do). As a beginner, focus on recognizing the sound of the word and associating it with news anchors, newspapers, and formal information. You might also see the noun form '보도' written on news websites or broadcasts. Do not worry about conjugating it yet; just know that it means 'reporting the news'.
At the A2 elementary level, you can start understanding simple sentences that use 보도하다. You will notice that it is almost always used with formal endings like 습니다/ㅂ니다 because news is a formal topic. You should learn to identify the subject (who is reporting) and the object (what is being reported). For example, '뉴스를 보도합니다' (They report the news). You will also start seeing the past tense '보도했습니다' (reported) and the future tense '보도할 것입니다' (will report). At this stage, you should also learn that you cannot use this word to talk about your personal life. If you want to tell a friend something, use 말하다 (to speak) or 이야기하다 (to talk). Keep 보도하다 strictly for media contexts.
At the B1 intermediate level, 보도하다 becomes an active part of your vocabulary. You should be able to use it to discuss current events, summarize news articles, and express opinions about the media. You must master the active form (보도하다) and the passive form (보도되다). Understanding the difference is crucial: '기자가 보도하다' (The reporter reports) vs. '사건이 보도되다' (The incident is reported). You should also be comfortable using the noun form in the phrase '보도에 따르면' (According to reports...), which is essential for writing essays or participating in debates. At this level, you should easily distinguish 보도하다 from similar words like 신고하다 (to report to police) and 보고하다 (to report to a boss).
At the B2 upper-intermediate level, your use of 보도하다 should become more nuanced and complex. You should be able to read full Korean news articles and understand how journalists use this word to frame stories. You will encounter it modified by various adverbs, such as 객관적으로 보도하다 (to report objectively), 상세히 보도하다 (to report in detail), or 왜곡해서 보도하다 (to report with distortion/bias). You should be able to construct complex sentences using relative clauses, such as '어제 9시 뉴스에서 보도한 사건' (The incident that was reported on the 9 o'clock news yesterday). You should also be familiar with related compound nouns like 보도자료 (press release), 보도국 (news department), and 오보 (false report).
At the C1 advanced level, you are expected to understand the subtle implications and journalistic ethics associated with 보도하다. You can engage in deep discussions about media bias, freedom of the press, and the societal impact of news reporting. You will encounter advanced phrasing such as '특종을 보도하다' (to report an exclusive scoop) or '심층 보도하다' (to report in-depth). You should be able to critically analyze how different media outlets '보도' the same event differently. Your writing should seamlessly incorporate '보도에 따르면' and other formal citation methods. You understand the legal and ethical weight of the word, recognizing that '보도' implies a level of verification and public responsibility that casual speech does not.
At the C2 mastery level, your comprehension and usage of 보도하다 are indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. You can navigate complex legal, political, and academic texts where the concept of '보도' is central. You understand terms like '보도 통제' (press censorship), '보도 윤리' (journalistic ethics), and '추측성 보도' (speculative reporting). You can debate the philosophical role of the media in a democracy using this vocabulary. You are fully aware of the Hanja roots (報導) and how they influence the word's connotation. You can effortlessly switch between active, passive, and causative forms, and you use the word with absolute precision in any professional, academic, or high-level communicative context.

보도하다 in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'to report' news.
  • Used only for mass media.
  • Formal tone (TV, newspapers).
  • Passive form is 보도되다.

The Korean verb 보도하다 (bo-do-ha-da) is a formal and essential vocabulary word used primarily in the context of journalism, media, and news broadcasting. It translates to 'to report' or 'to cover' news or information through mass media outlets such as television, newspapers, radio, and the internet. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone looking to comprehend Korean news broadcasts, read Korean newspapers, or discuss current events in a formal setting. The word is deeply rooted in formal communication and is rarely used in casual, everyday conversations about personal matters. Instead, it carries a weight of authority and public interest. When a news anchor or a journalist presents a story, they are engaging in the act of 보도하다. This term encompasses not just the act of speaking or writing about an event, but the entire journalistic process of gathering facts, verifying information, and presenting it to the public in a structured and objective manner. To fully grasp its meaning, one must look at its Hanja roots. The word is composed of two Chinese characters: 報 (알릴 보), which means 'to inform' or 'to report', and 導 (이끌 도), which means 'to guide' or 'to lead'. Together, they imply informing the public and guiding their understanding of current events. This etymological background highlights the responsibility that comes with reporting the news in Korean society. In modern usage, 보도하다 is often paired with nouns like 뉴스 (news), 사건 (incident), 사실 (fact), and 결과 (result). It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object, typically marked by the particle 을/를. For example, '뉴스를 보도하다' means 'to report the news'. The passive form, 보도되다 (to be reported), is also extremely common, often used when the focus is on the news itself rather than the person reporting it. For instance, '그 사건이 뉴스에 보도되었다' translates to 'The incident was reported on the news'. Learning this word opens up a significant portion of advanced Korean vocabulary, as it acts as a gateway to understanding media literacy in Korea.

Hanja Roots
報 (보) - To inform, 導 (도) - To guide.
Primary Usage
Used exclusively for mass media and public information, not personal news.
Grammar Context
Transitive verb requiring 을/를; passive form is 보도되다.

KBS 뉴스가 그 사건을 보도하다.

신문에서 선거 결과를 보도했습니다.

기자가 현장 상황을 실시간으로 보도하고 있습니다.

그 방송국은 항상 정확한 사실만 보도합니다.

내일 아침 뉴스에서 이 문제를 보도할 예정입니다.

Using 보도하다 correctly requires an understanding of formal Korean sentence structures and the specific contexts in which media vocabulary is applied. Because it is a formal word (CEFR B1 level), it is almost always conjugated using formal or polite speech levels, such as the 습니다/ㅂ니다 (deferential) form or the 아/어요 (polite) form, though the former is much more common in actual news broadcasts. The most basic sentence structure involves a subject (the media outlet or journalist), an object (the news or event), and the verb itself. For example: '방송국이(Subject) 뉴스를(Object) 보도합니다(Verb)'. The subject is often marked with 이/가 or 은/는, while the object must be marked with 을/를. It is crucial to remember that the subject performing the action of 보도하다 must be a recognized entity capable of mass communication—such as a newspaper (신문), a broadcasting station (방송국), a reporter (기자), or a specific news program (뉴스). You cannot say '우리 엄마가 보도했어요' (My mom reported it) unless your mother is literally a news anchor on television. Furthermore, the passive voice, 보도되다 (to be reported), is arguably just as common, if not more so, than the active voice. When using the passive form, the event or news becomes the subject. For example: '새로운 정책이 보도되었습니다' (The new policy was reported). This shifts the focus from who is doing the reporting to what is being reported, which is a common rhetorical device in journalism to maintain objectivity. Additionally, 보도하다 is frequently used with adverbs that describe the manner of reporting, such as 상세히 (in detail), 정확하게 (accurately), 신속하게 (swiftly), or 객관적으로 (objectively). You will often hear phrases like '신속하게 보도하다' (to report swiftly) during breaking news. Another critical grammatical structure is quoting. When you want to say 'According to a report...', you use the noun form '보도' combined with the particle '에 따르면', resulting in '보도에 따르면...'. This is an essential phrase for academic writing, debates, and formal discussions in Korean, allowing you to cite external sources credibly.

Active Voice
기자가 뉴스를 보도하다 (The reporter reports the news).
Passive Voice
뉴스가 보도되다 (The news is reported).
Noun Usage
보도에 따르면 (According to reports...).

경찰의 발표를 언론이 보도했습니다.

이 사건은 아직 언론에 보도되지 않았습니다.

외신들은 한국의 경제 성장을 집중적으로 보도하고 있다.

우리는 사실만을 객관적으로 보도해야 합니다.

어제 밤 9시 뉴스에서 그 사고를 보도하는 것을 보았습니다.

You will encounter the word 보도하다 almost exclusively in formal, public-facing contexts related to information dissemination. The most prominent place you will hear this word is during television and radio news broadcasts. News anchors frequently use it to introduce a segment, transition between stories, or conclude a report. For example, an anchor might say, '다음은 김기자가 보도합니다' (Next, Reporter Kim will report). It is a staple of the highly formalized register used in Korean broadcasting, known as '뉴스 말투' (news speech style), which is characterized by clear articulation, objective tone, and the strict use of the deferential 습니다/ㅂ니다 ending. Beyond broadcast media, you will see this word constantly in written journalism, including daily newspapers (신문), online news portals (인터넷 뉴스), and magazine articles. In written text, it often appears in the plain form (보도한다) or past tense plain form (보도했다), which is standard for Korean print media. Another common context is in press releases (보도자료) issued by government agencies, corporations, or public relations firms. These documents are explicitly designed to be 'reported' by the media, hence the name. You will also hear this word in academic settings, particularly in classes related to media studies, political science, sociology, or communications, where students and professors analyze how certain events were covered by the press. In everyday life, ordinary people use this word when discussing the news with colleagues or friends, though they are usually referencing the media's action rather than their own. For instance, a coworker might say, '오늘 아침에 뉴스에서 그 회사 파업을 보도하더라고요' (I saw the news reporting on that company's strike this morning). Understanding the contexts where 보도하다 is used helps learners distinguish between formal public discourse and informal private conversation, a critical skill for achieving fluency and cultural competence in Korean.

TV News
Used by anchors to introduce segments or summarize events.
Print Media
Appears in articles, often in the plain written form (보도한다).
Corporate/Gov
Used in the term 보도자료 (press release) for official announcements.

현장에 나가 있는 기자가 자세한 소식을 보도할 예정입니다.

정부는 내일 새로운 경제 정책에 대한 보도자료를 배포하고 언론이 이를 보도하도록 할 것입니다.

CNN은 한국의 선거 결과를 긴급 뉴스로 보도했습니다.

그 잡지는 유명 연예인의 스캔들을 최초로 보도하여 큰 화제가 되었습니다.

이러한 사실이 언론을 통해 보도되면서 국민들의 분노가 커졌습니다.

One of the most frequent mistakes Korean learners make with the word 보도하다 is applying it to inappropriate contexts, specifically personal or informal situations. Because English speakers use the word 'report' in a variety of ways—such as 'reporting to a boss', 'reporting a crime to the police', or 'reporting on a school project'—learners often assume 보도하다 shares this broad flexibility. It does not. 보도하다 is strictly reserved for mass media and journalism. If you want to say 'I reported the lost wallet to the police', you should use 신고하다 (to report to authorities), not 보도하다. Saying '경찰에 지갑을 보도했어요' sounds absurd to a Korean speaker, as it implies you broadcasted the loss of your wallet on national television. Similarly, if you are giving a presentation at school or work and want to say 'I will report on my findings', you should use 발표하다 (to present/announce) or 보고하다 (to report to a superior). Using 보도하다 in a business meeting to update your manager would sound incredibly pompous and incorrect. Another common grammatical mistake is confusing the active form 보도하다 with the passive form 보도되다. Learners often say '뉴스를 보도되었어요' (mixing the object marker with the passive verb) instead of the correct '뉴스가 보도되었어요' (The news was reported) or '뉴스를 보도했어요' (They reported the news). Remember that passive verbs in Korean generally cannot take the object marker 을/를. Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the pronunciation, pronouncing the '도' (do) too softly, making it sound like '보로하다'. It is important to articulate both syllables clearly: bo-do-ha-da. Mastering these distinctions will significantly improve the naturalness of your Korean and prevent awkward misunderstandings in both professional and casual environments.

Mistake 1: Police
Using 보도하다 for reporting crimes. Use 신고하다 instead.
Mistake 2: Work
Using 보도하다 for reporting to a boss. Use 보고하다 instead.
Mistake 3: Grammar
Using 을/를 with the passive 보도되다. Use 이/가 instead.

❌ 경찰에 사고를 보도했어요. (Incorrect)

✅ 경찰에 사고를 신고했어요. (Correct)

❌ 사장님께 결과를 보도했습니다. (Incorrect)

✅ 사장님께 결과를 보고했습니다. (Correct)

❌ 그 뉴스를 보도되었어요. (Incorrect grammar)

To fully master 보도하다, it is helpful to compare it with other Korean verbs that share similar meanings but are used in different contexts. The most common synonyms or related words are 알리다 (to inform/let know), 전하다 (to convey/deliver), 발표하다 (to announce/present), and 보고하다 (to report to a superior). 알리다 is the most general and versatile word for 'to inform'. You can use it in almost any situation, from telling a friend about a party to a company informing customers about a sale. While a news station does '알리다' the public, 보도하다 is the specific, professional term for that action. 전하다 means 'to convey' a message, feeling, or news. It has a slightly warmer, more personal nuance than 보도하다. For example, a news anchor might say '소식을 전해드립니다' (We convey the news to you) as a polite, slightly softer alternative to '보도합니다'. 발표하다 means 'to announce' or 'to make public'. It is used when an official entity, like a government or a company, releases new information, policies, or products. The media then takes that '발표' (announcement) and '보도하다' (reports) it to the public. Finally, 보고하다 means 'to report' in a hierarchical sense, such as an employee reporting to a manager or a soldier to a commander. It implies accountability and a flow of information from a lower rank to a higher rank, which is entirely absent in 보도하다. Another related phrase is '뉴스에 나오다' (to come out on the news), which is a much more casual and conversational way to say that something was reported. By understanding these nuances, you can choose the exact right word for your intended meaning, elevating your Korean from intermediate to advanced proficiency.

알리다
General 'to inform'. Can be used in personal or public contexts.
발표하다
To announce officially. Often the source material that gets reported.
보고하다
To report to a superior in a workplace or military setting.

친구에게 결혼 소식을 알렸어요. (Informed a friend)

정부가 새로운 교육 제도를 발표했습니다. (Government announced)

팀장님께 프로젝트 진행 상황을 보고했습니다. (Reported to manager)

앵커가 시청자들에게 안타까운 소식을 전했습니다. (Conveyed news)

어제 그 사건이 뉴스에 나왔어요. (Casual: came on the news)

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Passive Voice (이/히/리/기/되다) - 보도되다

Quoting/Reported Speech (다고 하다) - 보도했다고 하다

According to (에 따르면) - 보도에 따르면

Noun Modifying Form (은/는/을) - 보도한 뉴스

Formal Ending (습니다/ㅂ니다) - 보도합니다

Examples by Level

1

뉴스를 보도합니다.

Reports the news.

Formal present tense 습니다.

2

TV에서 보도해요.

They report it on TV.

Polite present tense 어요.

3

신문이 보도합니다.

The newspaper reports.

Subject marker 이.

4

기자가 보도해요.

The reporter reports.

Subject marker 가.

5

날씨를 보도합니다.

Reports the weather.

Object marker 를.

6

사고를 보도해요.

Reports the accident.

Object marker 를.

7

오늘 보도합니다.

Reports today.

Time word 오늘.

8

내일 보도해요.

Reports tomorrow.

Time word 내일.

1

어제 뉴스에서 그 사건을 보도했습니다.

Reported the incident on the news yesterday.

Past tense 았습니다/었습니다.

2

한국 방송국이 올림픽을 보도해요.

Korean broadcasting stations report on the Olympics.

Subject and object markers.

3

기자가 현장에서 직접 보도합니다.

The reporter reports directly from the scene.

Location particle 에서.

4

이 신문은 매일 아침 뉴스를 보도해요.

This newspaper reports the news every morning.

Frequency 매일.

5

아직 그 소식을 보도하지 않았습니다.

They haven't reported that news yet.

Negative form 지 않다.

6

인터넷 뉴스가 가장 빨리 보도합니다.

Internet news reports the fastest.

Adverb 빨리.

7

내일 아침에 날씨를 보도할 것입니다.

Will report the weather tomorrow morning.

Future tense ㄹ 것입니다.

8

유명한 아나운서가 뉴스를 보도했어요.

A famous announcer reported the news.

Adjective modifying noun.

1

언론은 사실을 객관적으로 보도해야 합니다.

The media must report facts objectively.

Obligation 아/어야 하다.

2

그 스캔들이 어제 신문에 대대적으로 보도되었다.

The scandal was reported extensively in the newspaper yesterday.

Passive voice 보도되다.

3

최근 보도에 따르면, 경제가 회복되고 있다고 합니다.

According to recent reports, the economy is recovering.

Noun form + 에 따르면.

4

경찰의 공식 발표가 있은 후에야 방송국들이 보도하기 시작했다.

Broadcasting stations started reporting only after the police's official announcement.

Verb + 기 시작하다.

5

우리는 그 사건을 최초로 보도한 언론사입니다.

We are the media company that reported the incident first.

Relative clause 은/는.

6

잘못된 정보를 보도하면 큰 문제가 생길 수 있습니다.

Reporting incorrect information can cause big problems.

Conditional (으)면.

7

시민들은 뉴스가 공정하게 보도되기를 원합니다.

Citizens want the news to be reported fairly.

Verb + 기를 원하다.

8

회사 측은 내일 오전 중에 보도자료를 배포할 예정입니다.

The company plans to distribute a press release tomorrow morning.

Compound noun 보도자료.

1

일부 언론이 자극적인 제목으로 사건을 과장 보도하고 있다.

Some media outlets are exaggerating the incident with provocative titles.

Compound verb 과장 보도하다.

2

사생활 침해 논란에도 불구하고 해당 매체는 보도를 강행했다.

Despite the privacy invasion controversy, the media outlet pushed ahead with the report.

Concession 에도 불구하고.

3

이 문제는 단순히 국내 뉴스로 보도될 사안이 아닙니다.

This issue is not a matter to be reported simply as domestic news.

Future relative clause ㄹ/을.

4

정확한 사실 확인 없이 추측성 기사를 보도하는 것은 위험하다.

It is dangerous to report speculative articles without accurate fact-checking.

Gerund ~는 것.

5

외신들은 한국의 빠른 대처 능력을 앞다투어 보도했습니다.

Foreign media competitively reported on Korea's quick response capability.

Adverb 앞다투어.

6

그 다큐멘터리는 환경 파괴의 심각성을 심층적으로 보도하여 호평을 받았다.

The documentary received favorable reviews for reporting in-depth on the seriousness of environmental destruction.

Causative/Reason 아/어서.

7

보도 통제로 인해 진실이 대중에게 알려지지 못했던 시절이 있었다.

There was a time when the truth could not be known to the public due to press censorship.

Noun 보도 통제.

8

언론중재위원회는 오보를 낸 신문사에 정정 보도를 요구했다.

The Press Arbitration Commission demanded a correction report from the newspaper that issued the false report.

Noun 정정 보도.

1

언론의 자유는 보도의 성역을 인정하지 않으나, 취재원의 보호는 필수적이다.

Freedom of the press does not recognize any sacred areas of reporting, but the protection of sources is essential.

Advanced vocabulary 성역, 취재원.

2

특정 정당에 편향된 보도 태도는 유권자들의 올바른 판단을 저해할 우려가 크다.

A reporting attitude biased towards a specific political party raises great concerns about hindering voters' correct judgment.

Formal phrasing 저해할 우려가 크다.

3

해당 방송사는 재난 주관 방송사로서 신속하고 정확한 특보를 보도할 책임이 있다.

As the primary disaster broadcasting station, the network has a responsibility to report swift and accurate special bulletins.

Role particle 로서.

4

알 권리 충족과 인권 보호 사이에서 언론이 어떤 수위로 보도해야 할지 딜레마에 빠졌다.

The media has fallen into a dilemma regarding what level to report at, balancing the fulfillment of the right to know and the protection of human rights.

Interrogative clause ~지.

5

엠바고가 해제되기 전까지는 어떠한 매체도 관련 내용을 보도해서는 안 된다는 합의가 있었다.

There was an agreement that no media outlet should report the related content until the embargo was lifted.

Prohibition ~아/어서는 안 되다.

6

탐사 보도 전문 프로그램이 권력형 비리를 파헤쳐 사회적 파장을 일으켰다.

An investigative reporting program uncovered power-related corruption, causing social repercussions.

Noun 탐사 보도 (Investigative reporting).

7

단독 보도라는 타이틀에 집착한 나머지 검증되지 않은 루머를 기사화하는 우를 범했다.

Obsessed with the title of 'exclusive report', they committed the folly of turning unverified rumors into articles.

Grammar ~은/는 나머지.

8

보도 가치가 있는 사안인지에 대한 데스크의 치열한 논의 끝에 결국 기사화가 결정되었다.

After fierce discussion at the news desk about whether the issue was newsworthy, it was finally decided to publish the article.

Noun 보도 가치 (Newsworthiness).

1

현대 저널리즘에서 알고리즘에 의한 기사 배열이 사실상 보도의 의제 설정 기능을 대체하고 있다는 지적이 일고 있다.

There are pointing outs that in modern journalism, article arrangement by algorithms is practically replacing the agenda-setting function of reporting.

Academic phrasing 의제 설정 (Agenda setting).

2

피의자의 신상 공개와 관련된 보도 가이드라인은 무죄 추정의 원칙과 국민의 알 권리라는 두 헌법적 가치의 충돌 지점에 서 있다.

Reporting guidelines related to disclosing suspects' identities stand at the collision point of two constitutional values: the presumption of innocence and the public's right to know.

Legal terminology 무죄 추정의 원칙.

3

선정주의에 매몰된 황색 언론의 무분별한 폭로성 보도는 공론의 장을 오염시키는 주범으로 지목된다.

The reckless, expository reporting of yellow journalism buried in sensationalism is pointed out as the main culprit polluting the public sphere.

Advanced vocabulary 선정주의, 황색 언론.

4

전쟁 발발 직후, 각국 언론은 자국의 국익에 부합하는 프레임으로 사태를 재구성하여 보도하는 양상을 띠었다.

Immediately after the outbreak of the war, media in each country showed a tendency to reconstruct and report the situation through frames aligning with their national interests.

Analytical phrasing 양상을 띠다.

5

디지털 시대의 '가짜 뉴스' 범람 속에서, 기성 언론의 팩트체크 보도는 저널리즘의 본령을 지키기 위한 최후의 보루로 여겨진다.

Amid the flood of 'fake news' in the digital age, fact-checking reports by legacy media are considered the last bastion for protecting the essence of journalism.

Metaphorical phrasing 최후의 보루.

6

명예훼손 소송의 위협이 이른바 '위축 효과'를 낳아 권력에 대한 비판적 보도를 위축시킬 수 있다는 우려가 제기된다.

Concerns are raised that the threat of defamation lawsuits could create a so-called 'chilling effect', shrinking critical reporting on power.

Legal/Sociological concept 위축 효과 (Chilling effect).

7

해당 보도는 단순한 사실의 나열을 넘어, 이면에 숨겨진 구조적 모순을 통찰력 있게 짚어냈다는 점에서 높은 평가를 받는다.

The report is highly evaluated in that it went beyond a simple listing of facts and insightfully pointed out the structural contradictions hidden behind the scenes.

Evaluative grammar ~다는 점에서.

8

언론의 보도 준칙은 시대의 변화와 대중의 윤리적 감수성에 발맞추어 끊임없이 개정되고 보완되어야 마땅하다.

It is only right that media reporting guidelines be constantly revised and supplemented in step with changes in the times and the public's ethical sensibilities.

Obligatory phrasing ~아/어야 마땅하다.

Antonyms

은폐하다

Common Collocations

뉴스를 보도하다
사건을 보도하다
사실을 보도하다
상세히 보도하다
객관적으로 보도하다
신속하게 보도하다
최초로 보도하다
집중적으로 보도하다
대대적으로 보도하다
왜곡해서 보도하다

Common Phrases

보도에 따르면
보도자료를 배포하다
뉴스에서 보도하다
오보를 내다
특종을 보도하다
정정 보도를 하다
생방송으로 보도하다
언론에 보도되다
추측성 보도
탐사 보도

Often Confused With

보도하다 vs 보고하다 (To report to a boss/superior)

보도하다 vs 신고하다 (To report a crime to the police)

보도하다 vs 발표하다 (To announce/present)

Easily Confused

보도하다 vs

보도하다 vs

보도하다 vs

보도하다 vs

보도하다 vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

Carries a strong sense of officialdom, verification, and public broadcast.

colloquial alternatives

뉴스에 나오다, 기사가 뜨다 (internet slang: an article popped up).

Common Mistakes
  • Using 보도하다 to report a crime to the police.
  • Using 보도하다 to report work progress to a boss.
  • Saying '뉴스를 보도되다'.
  • Using it for personal news (e.g., 'I reported my marriage to my friends').
  • Pronouncing it as '보로하다'.

Tips

Passive vs Active

Always check your particles. Use 을/를 with 보도하다 (active) and 이/가 with 보도되다 (passive). Mixing them up is a common mistake.

Workplace Reporting

Never use this word at work when talking to your manager. Use 보고하다 instead. Using 보도하다 will make you sound like a TV anchor.

Essay Transitions

Memorize '보도에 따르면' (According to reports). It is the perfect transition phrase for introducing facts in TOPIK writing tasks.

News Intros

Watch Korean news and listen to the first and last sentences of a segment. You will hear '보도합니다' or '보도했습니다' almost every time.

Press Releases

In Korean corporate culture, writing a good '보도자료' (press release) is a highly valued skill in PR departments.

Clear Articulation

News anchors speak very clearly. Practice saying '보-도-하-다' with distinct syllables to match the formal tone of the word.

Casual Alternative

If you are talking to a friend and forget this word, just say '뉴스에서 봤어' (I saw it on the news). It means the same thing in context.

Newspaper Headlines

In newspaper headlines, the '하다' is often dropped. You might just see '사건 보도' (Incident Report) to save space.

Hanja Connection

The '보' (報) means report/inform. You see it in words like 정보 (information), 예보 (forecast), and 경보 (warning).

Adverb Pairings

Learn adverbs that go with it. '상세히 보도하다' (report in detail) and '객관적으로 보도하다' (report objectively) are great chunks to memorize.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a news anchor wearing a BOW tie (보) doing (도) a report. Bow-do-ha-da = to report.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Companies rely heavily on '보도자료' (press releases) to manage their public image, sending them to journalists daily.

Korea has a highly connected digital society, meaning a '보도' can go viral and impact the stock market or political elections within minutes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"오늘 아침 뉴스 보셨어요? 무슨 내용을 보도하던가요?"

"그 사건이 왜 아직 언론에 보도되지 않았을까요?"

"최근 가장 인상 깊게 본 보도는 무엇입니까?"

"가짜 뉴스를 보도하는 언론을 어떻게 처벌해야 할까요?"

"한국 언론의 보도 태도에 대해 어떻게 생각하십니까?"

Journal Prompts

Write a short news report (보도) about something that happened in your city today.

Summarize a news article you read recently using '보도에 따르면'.

Explain the difference between '보도하다' and '말하다' with examples.

Write about a time when a media report (보도) changed your opinion on a topic.

Discuss the importance of objective reporting (객관적인 보도) in society.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. 보도하다 is only for mass media journalism. For reporting a bug, you should use 신고하다 (to report an issue/crime) or 제보하다 (to provide information).

보도하다 is for journalists reporting news to the public. 보고하다 is for employees or subordinates reporting information to a boss or superior in a hierarchy.

You can say '뉴스 보도에 따르면' or simply '보도에 따르면'. This is a very common and formal phrase used in writing and debates.

Rarely. In casual conversation, people usually say '뉴스에 나왔어' (It came out on the news) or '기사 떴어' (An article popped up). 보도하다 sounds very formal.

Only if that person is a journalist, reporter, or news anchor (e.g., 김 기자가 보도합니다). A regular citizen cannot be the subject.

보도자료 means 'press release'. It is a document sent by a company or government to journalists, hoping they will write an article (보도) about it.

The passive form is 보도되다 (to be reported). It is used when the focus is on the event itself, e.g., '그 사건이 보도되었다' (The incident was reported).

Generally, no. Unless the social media account belongs to an official news organization. For personal posts, use 올리다 (to post) or 공유하다 (to share).

오보 (誤報) means a false report or misinformation published by the media. It uses the same '보' (report) Hanja as 보도하다.

Breaking news is 속보. When breaking news is reported, you can say '속보를 보도하다' or '속보가 뜨다'.

Test Yourself 180 questions

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

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