Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to win" in Korean: 이기다
이기다igida
to win in Korean is 이기다 (igida). 이기다 means win or defeat; 지다 is its opposite, lose a game or contest.
to win: an everyday statement
우리 팀이 이겨요.uri timi igyeoyo.
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How to pronounce 이기다
Say it
igida
/ikita/
Read 이기다 as igida. The spoken form 이겨요 is igyeoyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to win" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 이기다igida | to win Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 이겨요igyeoyo | to win (polite present) Use 이겨요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 이겨요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 이겼어요igyeosseoyo | to win (polite past) Use 이겼어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 이겼어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 이기다 in real life
- 1to win: an everyday statement
우리 팀이 이겨요.
uri timi igyeoyo.
Our team wins.
이겨요 is the present form of 이기다.
- 2to win: a different situation
어제 경기에서 이겼어요.
eoje gyeonggieseo igyeosseoyo.
We won the game yesterday.
이겼어요 is the past form of 이기다.
- 3to win: a question or request
이번에도 이겨요?
ibeonedo igyeoyo?
Are we winning again this time?
이겨요 is the present form of 이기다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 이기다
Incorrect: 이기다.
Correct: 이겨요.
When practicing to win, 이기다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 이겨요.
Incorrect: 어제 이겨요.
Correct: 어제 이겼어요.
When practicing to win, for a completed event yesterday, use 이겼어요; the present form 이겨요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
이기다 means win or defeat; 지다 is its opposite, lose a game or contest. 이겨요 is the polite conversational form of 이기다; 이겼어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 이기다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
우리 팀이 이겨요.
uri timi igyeoyo.
Our team wins.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 경기에서 이겼어요.
eoje gyeonggieseo igyeosseoyo.
We won the game 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 win" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to win" in Korean
How do I use 이기다 in polite speech?
이겨요 is the polite conversational form of 이기다; 이겼어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 이기다 in a past-tense sentence?
이겼어요 is the polite past form. 이기다 means win or defeat; 지다 is its opposite, lose a game or contest.
What does 이겨요 mean here?
이겨요 is used for to win. For example, 우리 팀이 이겨요. means “Our team wins.”
What should I remember about 이기다?
이기다 means win or defeat; 지다 is its opposite, lose a game or contest.
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