Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to learn" in Korean: 배우다
배우다baeuda
to learn in Korean is 배우다 (baeuda). 배우다 takes a skill or subject as its object; -에게 or -한테 can mark the teacher.
to learn: an everyday statement
요리를 배워요.yorireul baewoyo.
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How to pronounce 배우다
Say it
baeuda
/pɛuta/
Read 배우다 as baeuda. The spoken form 배워요 is baewoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to learn" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 배우다baeuda | to learn Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 배워요baewoyo | to learn (polite present) Use 배워요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 배워요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 배웠어요baewosseoyo | to learn (polite past) Use 배웠어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 배웠어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 배우다 in real life
- 1to learn: an everyday statement
요리를 배워요.
yorireul baewoyo.
I learn cooking.
배워요 is the present form of 배우다.
- 2to learn: a different situation
학교에서 한국어를 배웠어요.
hakgyoeseo hangugeoreul baewosseoyo.
I learned Korean at school.
배웠어요 is the past form of 배우다.
- 3to learn: a question or request
누구에게 배워요?
nuguege baewoyo?
Who do you learn from?
배워요 is the present form of 배우다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 배우다
Incorrect: 배우다.
Correct: 배워요.
When practicing to learn, 배우다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 배워요.
Incorrect: 어제 배워요.
Correct: 어제 배웠어요.
When practicing to learn, for a completed event yesterday, use 배웠어요; the present form 배워요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
배우다 takes a skill or subject as its object; -에게 or -한테 can mark the teacher. 배워요 is the polite conversational form of 배우다; 배웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 배우다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
요리를 배워요.
yorireul baewoyo.
I learn cooking.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
학교에서 한국어를 배웠어요.
hakgyoeseo hangugeoreul baewosseoyo.
I learned Korean at school.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to learn" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to learn" in Korean
How do I use 배우다 in polite speech?
배워요 is the polite conversational form of 배우다; 배웠어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 배우다 in a past-tense sentence?
배웠어요 is the polite past form. 배우다 takes a skill or subject as its object; -에게 or -한테 can mark the teacher.
What does 배워요 mean here?
배워요 is used for to learn. For example, 요리를 배워요. means “I learn cooking.”
What should I remember about 배우다?
배우다 takes a skill or subject as its object; -에게 or -한테 can mark the teacher.
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