Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to look for" in Korean: 찾다
찾다chatda
to look for in Korean is 찾다 (chatda). 찾다 also means search for; 찾고 있어요 emphasizes an ongoing search before finding it.
to look for: an everyday statement
가방을 찾아요.gabangeul chajayo.
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How to pronounce 찾다
Say it
chatda
/tɕʰat̚t͈a/
Read 찾다 as chatda. The spoken form 찾아요 is chajayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to look for" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 찾다chatda | to look for Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 찾아요chajayo | to look for (polite present) Use 찾아요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 찾아요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 찾았어요chajasseoyo | to look for (polite past) Use 찾았어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 찾았어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 찾다 in real life
- 1to look for: an everyday statement
가방을 찾아요.
gabangeul chajayo.
I look for my bag.
찾아요 is the present form of 찾다.
- 2to look for: a different situation
어제 새 집을 찾았어요.
eoje sae jibeul chajasseoyo.
I looked for a new home yesterday.
찾았어요 is the past form of 찾다.
- 3to look for: a question or request
무엇을 찾아요?
mueoseul chajayo?
What are you looking for?
찾아요 is the present form of 찾다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 찾다
Incorrect: 찾다.
Correct: 찾아요.
When practicing to look for, 찾다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 찾아요.
Incorrect: 어제 찾아요.
Correct: 어제 찾았어요.
When practicing to look for, for a completed event yesterday, use 찾았어요; the present form 찾아요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
찾다 also means search for; 찾고 있어요 emphasizes an ongoing search before finding it. 찾아요 is the polite conversational form of 찾다; 찾았어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 찾다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
가방을 찾아요.
gabangeul chajayo.
I look for my bag.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 새 집을 찾았어요.
eoje sae jibeul chajasseoyo.
I looked for a new home yesterday.
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 for" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to look for" in Korean
How do I use 찾다 in polite speech?
찾아요 is the polite conversational form of 찾다; 찾았어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 찾다 in a past-tense sentence?
찾았어요 is the polite past form. 찾다 also means search for; 찾고 있어요 emphasizes an ongoing search before finding it.
What does 찾아요 mean here?
찾아요 is used for to look for. For example, 가방을 찾아요. means “I look for my bag.”
What should I remember about 찾다?
찾다 also means search for; 찾고 있어요 emphasizes an ongoing search before finding it.
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