Pattern V–아/어 보다: to try to V
The common pattern V-아/어 보다, meaning "to try to V," is used with a conjugated verb and is more frequent in conversations. See the sentences below for examples.
Formation
| Verb | Note | 아/어 form | V-아/어 보다 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 갚다 (to repay) | 갚아 | 갚아 보다 (갚아 봐요) | |
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹어 | 먹어 보다 (먹어 봐요) | |
| 씻다 (to wash clean) | 씻어 | 씻어 보다 (씻어 봐요) | |
| 가다 (to go) | 가 | 가 보다 (가 봐요) | |
| 매다 (to tie) | 매 | 매 보다 (매 봐요) | |
| 오다 (to come) | 와 | 와 보다 (와 봐요) | |
| 주다 (to give) | 줘 | 줘 보다 (줘 봐요) | |
| 이기다 (to win) | 이겨 | 이겨 보다 (이겨 봐요) | |
| 듣다 (to listen) | ㄷ/ㄹ irregular | 들어 | 들어 보다 (들어 봐요) |
| 짓다 (to build) | ㅅ/ㅇ irregular | 지어 | 지어 보다 (지어 봐요) |
| 부르다 (to sing) | ㄹ doubling irregular | 불러 | 불러 보다 (불러 봐요) |
| 놀다 (to play) | ㄹ dropping irregular | 놀아 | 놀아 보다 (놀아 봐요) |
| 눕다 (to lie down) | ㅂ/ㅜ verb | 누워 | 누워 보다 (누워 봐요) |
Sentence Examples
혹시 재고가 있는지 확인해 보고 오겠습니다. I will (try to) confirm (≈ I will check) if we have it in stock and come back.
착용해 보고 싶은 것이 있으신가요? Is there anything you want to try on (≈ try to wear)?
32사이즈 입어 봐도 될까요? Can I try (to wear) the one in size 32?
부산에 가 봤어요? Have you ever been to Busan? (≈ Have you tried to go to Busan?)
부산에 가 보셨어요? Have you ever been to Busan? (semi-polite with honorifics)
부산에 가 보셨습니까? Have you ever been to Busan? (polite with honorifics)
Notes
- Make sure to use correct spacing when using this pattern. The verb V and 보다 need to be separated by a space; e.g., "가 보다" (O) vs. "가보다" (X). Many Koreans write this pattern all attached, but points will be taken off during TOPIK.
- To convey the idea of trying but failing, consider using the pattern V-려고 하다 which may be more appropriate in some cases.
- If using honorifics, put the honorific marker -시- with 보다, not with verb V as it is overkill (you may still hear it from Koreans nonetheless). However, if verb V has an honorific form, use that one instead. E.g., "드셔 보세요" and not "먹어 보세요". Read more about honorifics.