Korean · Everyday Verbs
"must (to have to)" in Korean: …해야 하다
…해야 하다…haeya hada
must (to have to) in Korean is …해야 하다 (…haeya hada). The pattern -아/어야 하다 expresses necessity; 해야 해요 is the concrete form with 하다.
must (to have to): an everyday statement
오늘 일을 해야 해요.oneul ireul haeya haeyo.
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How to pronounce …해야 하다
Say it
…haeya hada
/hɛja hata/
Read …해야 하다 as …haeya hada. The spoken form 해야 해요 is haeya haeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"must (to have to)" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| …해야 하다…haeya hada | must (to have to) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 해야 해요haeya haeyo | must (to have to) (polite present) Use 해야 해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 해야 해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 해야 했어요haeya haesseoyo | must (to have to) (polite past) Use 해야 했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 해야 했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use …해야 하다 in real life
- 1must (to have to): an everyday statement
오늘 일을 해야 해요.
oneul ireul haeya haeyo.
I have to work today.
해야 해요 is the present form of …해야 하다.
- 2must (to have to): a different situation
어제 숙제를 해야 했어요.
eoje sukjereul haeya haesseoyo.
I had to do homework yesterday.
해야 했어요 is the past form of …해야 하다.
- 3must (to have to): a question or request
꼭 해야 해요?
kkok haeya haeyo?
Do I really have to do it?
해야 해요 is the present form of …해야 하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with …해야 하다
Incorrect: …해야 하다.
Correct: 해야 해요.
When practicing must (to have to), …해야 하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 해야 해요.
Incorrect: 어제 해야 해요.
Correct: 어제 해야 했어요.
When practicing must (to have to), for a completed event yesterday, use 해야 했어요; the present form 해야 해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
The pattern -아/어야 하다 expresses necessity; 해야 해요 is the concrete form with 하다. 해야 해요 is the polite conversational form of …해야 하다; 해야 했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with …해야 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
오늘 일을 해야 해요.
oneul ireul haeya haeyo.
I have to work today.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 숙제를 해야 했어요.
eoje sukjereul haeya haesseoyo.
I had to do homework yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
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FAQ
Common questions about "must (to have to)" in Korean
How do I use …해야 하다 in polite speech?
해야 해요 is the polite conversational form of …해야 하다; 해야 했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use …해야 하다 in a past-tense sentence?
해야 했어요 is the polite past form. The pattern -아/어야 하다 expresses necessity; 해야 해요 is the concrete form with 하다.
What does 해야 해요 mean here?
해야 해요 is used for must (to have to). For example, 오늘 일을 해야 해요. means “I have to work today.”
What should I remember about …해야 하다?
The pattern -아/어야 하다 expresses necessity; 해야 해요 is the concrete form with 하다.
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