ITOPIK 1-2

V-아/어 보다usage

try doing; have done before

In the present tense or as a suggestion, it means giving something a try. The past form -아/어 봤다 means having personally experienced doing something. It often appears with 한번, and -아/어 보세요 makes a gentle suggestion.

접속 conjugation

  • Stems whose final vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ + -아 보다
    • 가다가 보다
    • 살다살아 보다
  • All other stems + -어 보다
    • 먹다먹어 보다
    • 입다입어 보다
  • Verbs ending in 하다 → -해 보다
    • 운동하다운동해 보다

예문

EXAMPLES
저는 한국 음식을 만들어 봤어요.
I've tried making Korean food.from 2026.10.02 Fri the examples
네, 기술팀에 직접 가서 확인해 봤는데 오늘 오전에 복구됐습니다.
Yes. I went to the technical team to check, and the system was restored this morning.from 2026.10.02 Fri the business dialogue
저는 한국 지하철을 타 봤어요.
I’ve ridden the Korean subway before.from 2026.10.03 Sat the examples
이 모자를 한번 써 보세요.
Try this hat on.from 2026.10.03 Sat the examples
잠시만요, 확인해 보겠습니다. 미니바 주스 두 병 요금입니다.
One moment, please. I’ll check. It’s for two bottles of juice from the minibar.from 2026.10.03 Sat from.旅遊對話
※-(으)ㄴ 적이 있다 simply states the fact that someone has had an experience, while -아/어 봤다 has the more conversational feel of having tried it firsthand: 제주도에 가 본 적이 있어요 / 제주도에 가 봤어요

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