Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to look / to watch" in Korean: 보다
보다boda
to look / to watch in Korean is 보다 (boda). 보다 can mean look at; direct the gaze with an object or a direction, rather than importing English at.
to look / to watch: an everyday statement
메뉴를 봐요.menyureul bwayo.
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How to pronounce 보다
Say it
boda
/pota/
Read 보다 as boda. The spoken form 봐요 is bwayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to look / to watch" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 보다boda | to look / to watch Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 봐요bwayo | to look / to watch (polite present) Use 봐요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 봐요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 봤어요bwasseoyo | to look / to watch (polite past) Use 봤어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 봤어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 보다 in real life
- 1to look / to watch: an everyday statement
메뉴를 봐요.
menyureul bwayo.
I look at the menu.
봐요 is the present form of 보다.
- 2to look / to watch: a different situation
사진을 자세히 봤어요.
sajineul jasehi bwasseoyo.
I looked closely at the photograph.
봤어요 is the past form of 보다.
- 3to look / to watch: a question or request
지도를 같이 봐요?
jidoreul gachi bwayo?
Shall we look at the map together?
봐요 is the present form of 보다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 보다
Incorrect: 보다.
Correct: 봐요.
When practicing to look / to watch, 보다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 봐요.
Incorrect: 어제 봐요.
Correct: 어제 봤어요.
When practicing to look / to watch, for a completed event yesterday, use 봤어요; the present form 봐요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
보다 can mean look at; direct the gaze with an object or a direction, rather than importing English at. 봐요 is the polite conversational form of 보다; 봤어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 보다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
메뉴를 봐요.
menyureul bwayo.
I look at the menu.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
사진을 자세히 봤어요.
sajineul jasehi bwasseoyo.
I looked closely at the photograph.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to look / to watch" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to look / to watch" in Korean
How do I use 보다 in polite speech?
봐요 is the polite conversational form of 보다; 봤어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 보다 in a past-tense sentence?
봤어요 is the polite past form. 보다 can mean look at; direct the gaze with an object or a direction, rather than importing English at.
What does 봐요 mean here?
봐요 is used for to look / to watch. For example, 메뉴를 봐요. means “I look at the menu.”
What should I remember about 보다?
보다 can mean look at; direct the gaze with an object or a direction, rather than importing English at.
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