Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to believe" in Korean: 믿다
믿다mitda
to believe in Korean is 믿다 (mitda). 믿다 is regular and keeps ㄷ in 믿어요; do not apply the 듣다 change to it.
to believe: an everyday statement
저는 그 말을 믿어요.jeoneun geu mareul mideoyo.
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How to pronounce 믿다
Say it
mitda
/mit̚t͈a/
Read 믿다 as mitda. The spoken form 믿어요 is mideoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to believe" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 믿다mitda | to believe Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 믿어요mideoyo | to believe (polite present) Use 믿어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 믿어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 믿었어요mideosseoyo | to believe (polite past) Use 믿었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 믿었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 믿다 in real life
- 1to believe: an everyday statement
저는 그 말을 믿어요.
jeoneun geu mareul mideoyo.
I believe those words.
믿어요 is the present form of 믿다.
- 2to believe: a different situation
처음에는 그 사람을 믿었어요.
cheoeumeneun geu sarameul mideosseoyo.
At first I trusted that person.
믿었어요 is the past form of 믿다.
- 3to believe: a question or request
정말 그 이야기를 믿어요?
jeongmal geu iyagireul mideoyo?
Do you really believe that story?
믿어요 is the present form of 믿다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 믿다
Incorrect: 믿다.
Correct: 믿어요.
When practicing to believe, 믿다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 믿어요.
Incorrect: 어제 믿어요.
Correct: 어제 믿었어요.
When practicing to believe, for a completed event yesterday, use 믿었어요; the present form 믿어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
믿다 is regular and keeps ㄷ in 믿어요; do not apply the 듣다 change to it. 믿어요 is the polite conversational form of 믿다; 믿었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 믿다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
저는 그 말을 믿어요.
jeoneun geu mareul mideoyo.
I believe those words.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
처음에는 그 사람을 믿었어요.
cheoeumeneun geu sarameul mideosseoyo.
At first I trusted that person.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to believe" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to believe" in Korean
How do I use 믿다 in polite speech?
믿어요 is the polite conversational form of 믿다; 믿었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 믿다 in a past-tense sentence?
믿었어요 is the polite past form. 믿다 is regular and keeps ㄷ in 믿어요; do not apply the 듣다 change to it.
What does 믿어요 mean here?
믿어요 is used for to believe. For example, 저는 그 말을 믿어요. means “I believe those words.”
What should I remember about 믿다?
믿다 is regular and keeps ㄷ in 믿어요; do not apply the 듣다 change to it.
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