Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-아/어 보다
try doing; have done (experience)
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
1) Try doing something to see what it's like: 입어 보세요 ('try it on'). 2) In the past, -아/어 봤어요 means you have done or experienced it.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가 보다 |
| 먹다 | → 먹어 보다 |
| 입다 | → 입어 보다 |
| 하다 | → 해 보다 |
It means 'try out, give it a go', not 'make an effort'. Verbs only.
Examples
이 옷을 한번 입어 보세요.
Try this on.
저는 한국 음식을 다 먹어 봤어요.
I've tried all kinds of Korean food.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)ㄴ 적이 있다 focuses on whether the experience ever happened; the two are often combined: 가 본 적이 있어요.