Korean verb · regular · first needed at elementary level (A2)
찾다
chatda
to look for, to find
The past (chajasseoyo) usually means “found”. It is also used for taking money out: (doneul chajayo).
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 | 찾아요chajayo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 찾습니다chatseumnida | |
| casual | 찾아chaja | |
| polite negative | 안 찾아요an chajayo |
Past
과거
Usually “found”: (deudieo chajasseoyo), I finally found it.
| polite | 찾았어요chajasseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 찾았습니다chajatseumnida | |
| casual | 찾았어chajasseo | |
| polite negative | 안 찾았어요an chajasseoyo |
Future
미래
Plans and intentions with -(으)ㄹ 거예요; with other people or things as the subject, often a guess.
| polite | 찾을 거예요chajeul geoyeyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 찾을 겁니다chajeul geomnida | |
| casual | 찾을 거야chajeul geoya | |
| polite negative | 안 찾을 거예요an chajeul geoyeyo |
Progressive
진행
Looking for something right now: (jigabeul chatgo isseoyo), I'm looking for my wallet.
| polite | 찾고 있어요chatgo isseoyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 찾고 있습니다chatgo itseumnida | |
| casual | 찾고 있어chatgo isseo |
Request
명령
Asking someone to do something. The formal form is for announcements and signs; -지 마세요 means “please don't”.
| polite | 찾으세요chajeuseyo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 찾으십시오chajeusipsio | |
| casual | 찾아chaja | |
| don't (polite) | 찾지 마세요chatji 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 | 찾아요chajayo | |
|---|---|---|
| formal | 찾읍시다chajeupsida | |
| casual | 찾자chatja |
Examples
- 뭘 찾으세요?Mwol chajeuseyo?What are you looking for? (shop staff)
- 지갑을 찾고 있어요.Jigabeul chatgo isseoyo.I'm looking for my wallet.
- 드디어 열쇠를 찾았어요!Deudieo yeolsoereul chajasseoyo!I finally found the key!