Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to know (a fact)" in Korean: 알다
알다alda
to know (a fact) in Korean is 알다 (alda). 알다 means know a fact; 알아요 keeps ㄹ, but 아는 is the noun-modifying form.
to know (a fact): an everyday statement
저는 답을 알아요.jeoneun dabeul arayo.
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How to pronounce 알다
Say it
alda
/alta/
Read 알다 as alda. The spoken form 알아요 is arayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to know (a fact)" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 알다alda | to know (a fact) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 알아요arayo | to know (a fact) (polite present) Use 알아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 알아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 알았어요arasseoyo | to know (a fact) (polite past) Use 알았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 알았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 알다 in real life
- 1to know (a fact): an everyday statement
저는 답을 알아요.
jeoneun dabeul arayo.
I know the answer.
알아요 is the present form of 알다.
- 2to know (a fact): a different situation
그 사실을 이미 알았어요.
geu sasireul imi arasseoyo.
I already knew that fact.
알았어요 is the past form of 알다.
- 3to know (a fact): a question or request
이 길을 알아요?
i gireul arayo?
Do you know this road?
알아요 is the present form of 알다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 알다
Incorrect: 알다.
Correct: 알아요.
When practicing to know (a fact), 알다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 알아요.
Incorrect: 어제 알아요.
Correct: 어제 알았어요.
When practicing to know (a fact), for a completed event yesterday, use 알았어요; the present form 알아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
알다 means know a fact; 알아요 keeps ㄹ, but 아는 is the noun-modifying form. 알아요 is the polite conversational form of 알다; 알았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 알다
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 답을 알아요.
jeoneun dabeul arayo.
I know the answer.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 사실을 이미 알았어요.
geu sasireul imi arasseoyo.
I already knew that fact.
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 "to know (a fact)" in Korean
How do I use 알다 in polite speech?
알아요 is the polite conversational form of 알다; 알았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 알다 in a past-tense sentence?
알았어요 is the polite past form. 알다 means know a fact; 알아요 keeps ㄹ, but 아는 is the noun-modifying form.
What does 알아요 mean here?
알아요 is used for to know (a fact). For example, 저는 답을 알아요. means “I know the answer.”
What should I remember about 알다?
알다 means know a fact; 알아요 keeps ㄹ, but 아는 is the noun-modifying form.
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