Korean Language Hacks: How to Tell Apart the Different Meanings of ‘보다’ – Try vs. See
보다(to see, to watch, to look at)
‘보다‘ meaning ‘to see’ is a verb used to describe the action of physically looking at something with one’s eyes.
For example:
“저는 한국에서 아름다운 풍경을 많이 봤어요
I saw many beautiful landscapes in Korea”
“한국여행을계획하고있다면, 먼저여행가이드북을보세요.
If you’re planning a trip to Korea, first take a look at a travel guidebook”
“이번주말에는친구들과함께영화를보러갈예정이에요.
I’m planning to go watch a movie with my friends this weekend”
“새로운프로젝트를시작하려면기존의자료들을먼저보는것이좋아요.
When starting a new project, it’s a good idea to look at existing materials first.”
보다(to try)
‘보다‘ meaning ‘to try’ is a verb used to describe the action of attempting to do something or trying out something new.
When 보다 has the meaning of ‘to try,’ it is often used in combination with other verbs in front of it to express the action being attempted. Here are some examples:
For example:
“집 근처에는 공원이 없지만, 건너편 동네에는 예쁜 공원이 있어요. 한번 가보세요(가다 to go + 보다 to try)
There’s no park near my house, but there’s a pretty park in the neighborhood across the street. Go take a look”
“한번더해보자(하다 to do + 보다 to try
Let’s try it one more time”
“이식당음식을처음먹어봤어요(먹다 to eat + 보다 to try).
I tried this restaurant’s food for the first time.”
“이문제를풀어보세요(to solve + 보다 to try).
Try solving this problem.”
RECAP
보다 = to see, to look at, to watch
“밤을봤어요
I saw Bam”
보다 = to try
“한번먹어봐
Try(eat) it”