Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to have" in Korean: 가지다
가지다gajida
to have in Korean is 가지다 (gajida). 가지다 means possess; everyday possession often uses 가지고 있어요 or 있다 rather than a bare dictionary form.
to have: an everyday statement
표를 가지고 있어요.pyoreul gajigo isseoyo.
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How to pronounce 가지다
Say it
gajida
/katɕita/
Read 가지다 as gajida. The spoken form 가지고 있어요 is gajigo isseoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to have" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 가지다gajida | to have Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 가지고 있어요gajigo isseoyo | to have (polite present) Use 가지고 있어요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 가지고 있어요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 가지고 있었어요gajigo isseosseoyo | to have (polite past) Use 가지고 있었어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 가지고 있었어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 가지다 in real life
- 1to have: an everyday statement
표를 가지고 있어요.
pyoreul gajigo isseoyo.
I have a ticket.
가지고 있어요 is the present form of 가지다.
- 2to have: a different situation
어제는 현금을 가지고 있었어요.
eojeneun hyeongeumeul gajigo isseosseoyo.
I had cash yesterday.
가지고 있었어요 is the past form of 가지다.
- 3to have: a question or request
여권을 가지고 있어요?
yeogwoneul gajigo isseoyo?
Do you have your passport?
가지고 있어요 is the present form of 가지다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 가지다
Incorrect: 가지다.
Correct: 가지고 있어요.
When practicing to have, 가지다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 가지고 있어요.
Incorrect: 어제 가지고 있어요.
Correct: 어제 가지고 있었어요.
When practicing to have, for a completed event yesterday, use 가지고 있었어요; the present form 가지고 있어요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
가지다 means possess; everyday possession often uses 가지고 있어요 or 있다 rather than a bare dictionary form. 가지고 있어요 is the polite conversational form of 가지다; 가지고 있었어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 가지다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
표를 가지고 있어요.
pyoreul gajigo isseoyo.
I have a ticket.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제는 현금을 가지고 있었어요.
eojeneun hyeongeumeul gajigo isseosseoyo.
I had cash 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 have" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to have" in Korean
How do I use 가지다 in polite speech?
가지고 있어요 is the polite conversational form of 가지다; 가지고 있었어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 가지다 in a past-tense sentence?
가지고 있었어요 is the polite past form. 가지다 means possess; everyday possession often uses 가지고 있어요 or 있다 rather than a bare dictionary form.
What does 가지고 있어요 mean here?
가지고 있어요 is used for to have. For example, 표를 가지고 있어요. means “I have a ticket.”
What should I remember about 가지다?
가지다 means possess; everyday possession often uses 가지고 있어요 or 있다 rather than a bare dictionary form.
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