It is a versatile verb used for both seeking information and recognizing familiar faces or objects.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To find out or investigate information.
- To recognize someone or something familiar.
- Used frequently in daily life for inquiries.
개요
'알아보다'는 '알다'와 '보다'가 결합된 단어로, 단순히 보는 것을 넘어 정보를 파악하거나 대상을 인지하는 행위를 뜻합니다. 2) 사용 패턴: 주로 목적어와 함께 쓰이며, '정보를 알아보다', '사람을 알아보다'와 같은 형태로 사용됩니다. 3) 공통 문맥: 여행 계획을 세울 때(숙소를 알아보다), 친구를 오랜만에 만났을 때(변한 모습에 못 알아보다), 정보를 찾을 때(방법을 알아보다) 자주 등장합니다. 4) 유의어 비교: '확인하다'는 사실 여부를 검증하는 느낌이 강하고, '조사하다'는 더 체계적으로 연구하는 느낌입니다. 반면 '알아보다'는 보다 일상적이고 개인적인 차원에서 정보를 찾는 과정에 가깝습니다.
Examples
오랜만에 만난 친구를 못 알아봤어요.
everydayI didn't recognize my friend I haven't seen in a while.
이번 주말에 갈 식당을 알아보고 있습니다.
formalI am looking into restaurants to go to this weekend.
그 사람은 나를 알아봤어.
informalThat person recognized me.
시장 조사를 통해 가격대를 알아보았다.
academicI looked into the price range through market research.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
잘 알아보세요
Please check carefully
못 알아봐서 죄송합니다
I'm sorry I didn't recognize you
알아보는 중이에요
I am in the middle of checking
Often Confused With
Confirming a fact vs. exploring or searching for information. '확인하다' is more about verifying truth.
Searching for an object vs. finding out information. '찾다' is physical, '알아보다' is cognitive.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '알아보다' when you are in the process of gathering info or trying to identify someone. It is neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal settings. Avoid using it if you have already definitively confirmed something; use '확인했다' instead.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '알다' when they mean they are searching for info. Also, confusing '못 알아보다' with '모르다' is common; '못 알아보다' implies a failed attempt at recognition, while '모르다' is a general lack of knowledge.
Tips
Use it to inquire about prices
When you want to check the price of something, use '가격을 알아보다'. It sounds natural and polite in most shopping situations.
Don't confuse with '알다'
Remember that '알다' means to know a fact, while '알아보다' is the active process of finding that fact out or recognizing someone.
Recognizing acquaintances
In Korea, if you see someone you know, it is polite to greet them immediately. If you don't recognize them, saying '못 알아봤어요' is a standard apology.
Word Origin
Derived from the verb '알다' (to know) and '보다' (to see). It literally means to look at something in order to know it.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, showing interest in someone's background or situation by '알아보다' can be seen as a sign of care or attention.
Memory Tip
Think of it as 'know' (알다) + 'see' (보다). You 'see' something to 'know' what it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions사람을 알아보다'는 외모를 보고 누구인지 식별하는 것입니다. '알아채다'는 어떤 상황이나 기미를 눈치채는 감각적인 인지를 의미합니다.
무언가를 조사하거나 탐색할 때 '알아보다'를 씁니다. 예를 들어 '비행기 표를 알아보고 있어요'처럼 사용합니다.
'못 알아보다'라고 하면 됩니다. 상대방이 변해서 누구인지 모르겠을 때 사용합니다.
네, '알아봤어요' 또는 '알아보았다' 형태로 사용합니다. 이미 조사를 마쳤거나 사람을 만났을 때 사용합니다.
Test Yourself
여행 가기 전에 숙소를 미리 ___.
과거의 경험을 말하는 문맥이므로 과거형이 적절합니다.
Score: /1
Summary
It is a versatile verb used for both seeking information and recognizing familiar faces or objects.
- To find out or investigate information.
- To recognize someone or something familiar.
- Used frequently in daily life for inquiries.
Use it to inquire about prices
When you want to check the price of something, use '가격을 알아보다'. It sounds natural and polite in most shopping situations.
Don't confuse with '알다'
Remember that '알다' means to know a fact, while '알아보다' is the active process of finding that fact out or recognizing someone.
Recognizing acquaintances
In Korea, if you see someone you know, it is polite to greet them immediately. If you don't recognize them, saying '못 알아봤어요' is a standard apology.
Examples
4 of 4오랜만에 만난 친구를 못 알아봤어요.
I didn't recognize my friend I haven't seen in a while.
이번 주말에 갈 식당을 알아보고 있습니다.
I am looking into restaurants to go to this weekend.
그 사람은 나를 알아봤어.
That person recognized me.
시장 조사를 통해 가격대를 알아보았다.
I looked into the price range through market research.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
To perceive with the eyes or watch something like a movie or...
알다To know or be aware of a fact, person, or information.
보다Than (comparison) marker (used to compare two items)
조사A systematic inquiry or examination to discover facts or inf...
확인The act of checking or verifying the truth, accuracy, or exi...
More general words
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
정도
A2An approximate amount or degree.
위에
A1on top of
절대적
B2Being unconditional, unlimited, or not relative to anything else. It describes something that is certain, total, or supreme without comparison.
절대로
A2Never, absolutely not.
우연적이다
B2To be accidental or coincidental; happening by chance.
우연히
B1By chance, accidentally, or unexpectedly. Often used in TOEFL listening narratives or history passages about accidental discoveries.
데리다
A1To take (a person); to pick up.
따라
A2Along, according to.
