Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to study" in Korean: 공부하다
공부하다gongbuhada
to study in Korean is 공부하다 (gongbuhada). 공부하다 names studying; 배워요 focuses on learning something rather than the activity of study.
to study: an everyday statement
한국어를 공부해요.hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.
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How to pronounce 공부하다
Say it
gongbuhada
/koŋpuhata/
Read 공부하다 as gongbuhada. The spoken form 공부해요 is gongbuhaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to study" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 공부하다gongbuhada | to study Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 공부해요gongbuhaeyo | to study (polite present) Use 공부해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 공부해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 공부했어요gongbuhaesseoyo | to study (polite past) Use 공부했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 공부했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 공부하다 in real life
- 1to study: an everyday statement
한국어를 공부해요.
hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.
I study Korean.
공부해요 is the present form of 공부하다.
- 2to study: a different situation
도서관에서 공부했어요.
doseogwaneseo gongbuhaesseoyo.
I studied at the library.
공부했어요 is the past form of 공부하다.
- 3to study: a question or request
하루에 얼마나 공부해요?
harue eolmana gongbuhaeyo?
How much do you study each day?
공부해요 is the present form of 공부하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 공부하다
Incorrect: 공부하다.
Correct: 공부해요.
When practicing to study, 공부하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 공부해요.
Incorrect: 어제 공부해요.
Correct: 어제 공부했어요.
When practicing to study, for a completed event yesterday, use 공부했어요; the present form 공부해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
공부하다 names studying; 배워요 focuses on learning something rather than the activity of study. 공부해요 is the polite conversational form of 공부하다; 공부했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 공부하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
한국어를 공부해요.
hangugeoreul gongbuhaeyo.
I study Korean.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
도서관에서 공부했어요.
doseogwaneseo gongbuhaesseoyo.
I studied at the library.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to study" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to study" in Korean
How do I use 공부하다 in polite speech?
공부해요 is the polite conversational form of 공부하다; 공부했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 공부하다 in a past-tense sentence?
공부했어요 is the polite past form. 공부하다 names studying; 배워요 focuses on learning something rather than the activity of study.
What does 공부해요 mean here?
공부해요 is used for to study. For example, 한국어를 공부해요. means “I study Korean.”
What should I remember about 공부하다?
공부하다 names studying; 배워요 focuses on learning something rather than the activity of study.
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