Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to find" in Korean: 찾다
찾다chatda
to find in Korean is 찾다 (chatda). 찾다 can mean find or look for; a completed result is often expressed with 찾았어요.
to find: an everyday statement
지도에서 역을 찾아요.jidoeseo yeogeul chajayo.
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How to pronounce 찾다
Say it
chatda
/tɕʰat̚t͈a/
Read 찾다 as chatda. The spoken form 찾아요 is chajayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to find" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 찾다chatda | to find Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 찾아요chajayo | to find (polite present) Use 찾아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 찾아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 찾았어요chajasseoyo | to find (polite past) Use 찾았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 찾았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 찾다 in real life
- 1to find: an everyday statement
지도에서 역을 찾아요.
jidoeseo yeogeul chajayo.
I find the station on the map.
찾아요 is the present form of 찾다.
- 2to find: a different situation
잃어버린 열쇠를 찾았어요.
ireobeorin yeolsoereul chajasseoyo.
I found the lost key.
찾았어요 is the past form of 찾다.
- 3to find: a question or request
주소를 쉽게 찾아요?
jusoreul swipge chajayo?
Do you find the address easily?
찾아요 is the present form of 찾다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 찾다
Incorrect: 찾다.
Correct: 찾아요.
When practicing to find, 찾다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 찾아요.
Incorrect: 어제 찾아요.
Correct: 어제 찾았어요.
When practicing to find, for a completed event yesterday, use 찾았어요; the present form 찾아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
찾다 can mean find or look for; a completed result is often expressed with 찾았어요. 찾아요 is the polite conversational form of 찾다; 찾았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 찾다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
지도에서 역을 찾아요.
jidoeseo yeogeul chajayo.
I find the station on the map.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
잃어버린 열쇠를 찾았어요.
ireobeorin yeolsoereul chajasseoyo.
I found the lost key.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to find" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to find" in Korean
How do I use 찾다 in polite speech?
찾아요 is the polite conversational form of 찾다; 찾았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 찾다 in a past-tense sentence?
찾았어요 is the polite past form. 찾다 can mean find or look for; a completed result is often expressed with 찾았어요.
What does 찾아요 mean here?
찾아요 is used for to find. For example, 지도에서 역을 찾아요. means “I find the station on the map.”
What should I remember about 찾다?
찾다 can mean find or look for; a completed result is often expressed with 찾았어요.
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