Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to tell" in Korean: 이야기하다
이야기하다iyagihada
to tell in Korean is 이야기하다 (iyagihada). 이야기하다 means tell or talk; name the listener with 에게 and the topic with 에 대해.
to tell: an everyday statement
친구에게 여행 이야기를 이야기해요.chinguege yeohaeng iyagireul iyagihaeyo.
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How to pronounce 이야기하다
Say it
iyagihada
/ijakihata/
Read 이야기하다 as iyagihada. The spoken form 이야기해요 is iyagihaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to tell" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 이야기하다iyagihada | to tell Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 이야기해요iyagihaeyo | to tell (polite present) Use 이야기해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 이야기해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 이야기했어요iyagihaesseoyo | to tell (polite past) Use 이야기했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 이야기했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 이야기하다 in real life
- 1to tell: an everyday statement
친구에게 여행 이야기를 이야기해요.
chinguege yeohaeng iyagireul iyagihaeyo.
I tell my friend about the trip.
이야기해요 is the present form of 이야기하다.
- 2to tell: a different situation
어제 그 문제에 대해 이야기했어요.
eoje geu munjee daehae iyagihaesseoyo.
We talked about that problem yesterday.
이야기했어요 is the past form of 이야기하다.
- 3to tell: a question or request
무엇에 대해 이야기해요?
mueose daehae iyagihaeyo?
What are you talking about?
이야기해요 is the present form of 이야기하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 이야기하다
Incorrect: 이야기하다.
Correct: 이야기해요.
When practicing to tell, 이야기하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 이야기해요.
Incorrect: 어제 이야기해요.
Correct: 어제 이야기했어요.
When practicing to tell, for a completed event yesterday, use 이야기했어요; the present form 이야기해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
이야기하다 means tell or talk; name the listener with 에게 and the topic with 에 대해. 이야기해요 is the polite conversational form of 이야기하다; 이야기했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 이야기하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
친구에게 여행 이야기를 이야기해요.
chinguege yeohaeng iyagireul iyagihaeyo.
I tell my friend about the trip.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 그 문제에 대해 이야기했어요.
eoje geu munjee daehae iyagihaesseoyo.
We talked about that problem 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 tell" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to tell" in Korean
How do I use 이야기하다 in polite speech?
이야기해요 is the polite conversational form of 이야기하다; 이야기했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 이야기하다 in a past-tense sentence?
이야기했어요 is the polite past form. 이야기하다 means tell or talk; name the listener with 에게 and the topic with 에 대해.
What does 이야기해요 mean here?
이야기해요 is used for to tell. For example, 친구에게 여행 이야기를 이야기해요. means “I tell my friend about the trip.”
What should I remember about 이야기하다?
이야기하다 means tell or talk; name the listener with 에게 and the topic with 에 대해.
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