Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to know (a person or place)" in Korean: 알다
알다alda
to know (a person or place) in Korean is 알다 (alda). 알다 also means know a person; 누구를 알아요? asks whom you know, unlike 누구인지 알아요? which asks identity.
to know (a person or place): an everyday statement
저는 민수를 알아요.jeoneun minsureul 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 person or place)" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 알다alda | to know (a person or place) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 알아요arayo | to know (a person or place) (polite present) Use 알아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 알아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 알았어요arasseoyo | to know (a person or place) (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 person or place): an everyday statement
저는 민수를 알아요.
jeoneun minsureul arayo.
I know Minsu.
알아요 is the present form of 알다.
- 2to know (a person or place): a different situation
그 사람을 예전부터 알았어요.
geu sarameul yejeonbuteo arasseoyo.
I knew that person from before.
알았어요 is the past form of 알다.
- 3to know (a person or place): a question or request
이 선생님을 알아요?
i seonsaengnimeul arayo?
Do you know this teacher?
알아요 is the present form of 알다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 알다
Incorrect: 알다.
Correct: 알아요.
When practicing to know (a person or place), 알다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 알아요.
Incorrect: 어제 알아요.
Correct: 어제 알았어요.
When practicing to know (a person or place), for a completed event yesterday, use 알았어요; the present form 알아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
알다 also means know a person; 누구를 알아요? asks whom you know, unlike 누구인지 알아요? which asks identity. 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 민수를 알아요.
jeoneun minsureul arayo.
I know Minsu.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
그 사람을 예전부터 알았어요.
geu sarameul yejeonbuteo arasseoyo.
I knew that person from before.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to know (a person or place)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to know (a person or place)" 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 also means know a person; 누구를 알아요? asks whom you know, unlike 누구인지 알아요? which asks identity.
What does 알아요 mean here?
알아요 is used for to know (a person or place). For example, 저는 민수를 알아요. means “I know Minsu.”
What should I remember about 알다?
알다 also means know a person; 누구를 알아요? asks whom you know, unlike 누구인지 알아요? which asks identity.
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