Korean verb · regular · first needed at beginner level (A1)
보다
boda
to see, to watch
보- + -아요 merge into (bwayo). After another verb, -아/어 보다 means “to try”: (meogeo bwayo), try it. The honorific is (bosida).
Present
현재
Now, habits and the near future. Polite is the everyday default; formal is for speeches, announcements and service; casual is for close friends and family.
| polite | 봐요bwayo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 봅니다bomnida | |
| casual | 봐bwa | |
| polite negative | 안 봐요an bwayo |
Past
과거
Something that happened or is finished; also “have done”.
| polite | 봤어요bwasseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 봤습니다bwatseumnida | |
| casual | 봤어bwasseo | |
| polite negative | 안 봤어요an bwasseoyo |
Future
미래
Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.
| polite | 볼 거예요bol geoyeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 볼 겁니다bol geomnida | |
| casual | 볼 거야bol geoya | |
| polite negative | 안 볼 거예요an bol geoyeyo |
Progressive
진행
Doing right now, or an ongoing situation these days (-고 있다).
| polite | 보고 있어요bogo isseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 보고 있습니다bogo itseumnida | |
| casual | 보고 있어bogo isseo | |
| polite negative | 안 보고 있어요an bogo isseoyo |
Request
명령
Asking someone to do something. The formal form is for announcements and signs; -지 마세요 means “please don't”.
| polite | 보세요boseyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 보십시오bosipsio | |
| casual | 봐bwa | |
| don't (polite) | 보지 마세요boji maseyo |
Suggestion
청유
Let's … The polite form is the same as the present. The formal -(으)ㅂ시다 is for a group or equals, not for a superior.
| polite | 봐요bwayo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 봅시다bopsida | |
| casual | 보자boja |
Examples
- 어제 영화를 봤어요.Eoje yeonghwareul bwasseoyo.I watched a film yesterday.
- 이거 보세요.Igeo boseyo.Look at this.
- 내일 봐요!Naeil bwayo!See you tomorrow!