Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to do / to make" in Korean: 하다
하다hada
to do / to make in Korean is 하다 (hada). 하다 becomes 해요 in polite present speech; many activity nouns combine with 하다.
to do / to make: an everyday statement
지금 숙제를 해요.jigeum sukjereul haeyo.
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How to pronounce 하다
Say it
hada
/hata/
Read 하다 as hada. The spoken form 해요 is haeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to do / to make" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 하다hada | to do / to make Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 해요haeyo | to do / to make (polite present) Use 해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 했어요haesseoyo | to do / to make (polite past) Use 했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 하다 in real life
- 1to do / to make: an everyday statement
지금 숙제를 해요.
jigeum sukjereul haeyo.
I am doing homework now.
해요 is the present form of 하다.
- 2to do / to make: a different situation
어제 운동을 했어요.
eoje undongeul haesseoyo.
I exercised yesterday.
했어요 is the past form of 하다.
- 3to do / to make: a question or request
주말에 뭐 해요?
jumare mwo haeyo?
What do you do on weekends?
해요 is the present form of 하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 하다
Incorrect: 하다.
Correct: 해요.
When practicing to do / to make, 하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 해요.
Incorrect: 어제 해요.
Correct: 어제 했어요.
When practicing to do / to make, for a completed event yesterday, use 했어요; the present form 해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
하다 becomes 해요 in polite present speech; many activity nouns combine with 하다. 해요 is the polite conversational form of 하다; 했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
지금 숙제를 해요.
jigeum sukjereul haeyo.
I am doing homework now.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 운동을 했어요.
eoje undongeul haesseoyo.
I exercised yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to do / to make" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to do / to make" in Korean
How do I use 하다 in polite speech?
해요 is the polite conversational form of 하다; 했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 하다 in a past-tense sentence?
했어요 is the polite past form. 하다 becomes 해요 in polite present speech; many activity nouns combine with 하다.
What does 해요 mean here?
해요 is used for to do / to make. For example, 지금 숙제를 해요. means “I am doing homework now.”
What should I remember about 하다?
하다 becomes 해요 in polite present speech; many activity nouns combine with 하다.
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