Korean

Verb

보다 • ‎(boda) ‎(infinitive 봐 or 보아, sequential 보니)

1. to see, look at
2. to look after (a baby, child, house, etc.)

   아이를 보다‎ ― ai-reul boda ― to look after a child

3. to watch (a film, TV, etc.)

   영화를 보다‎ ― yeonghwa-reul boda ― to watch a film

4. to read (a book, newspaper, etc.)
5. to examine (a document, patient, disorder, etc.)
6. to take (an examination)

   시험을 잘 보면 좋겠습니다.‎

   Siheom-eul jal bomyeon joketseumnida.

   I hope to do well on the test. (literally: It will be good if I take the test well.)

7. to experience (a profit, loss, etc.)
8. to relieve oneself
9. to try something; requires a main verb with "-아/어" suffix or use attributively with "적".

   한번 생각해 볼게요.‎

   Hanbeon saenggakhae bolgeyo.

   I will consider it. (Literally, "I will try thinking about it.")

   한국에 가 본 적이 있어요?‎

   Han-gug-e ga bon jeog-i isseoyo?

   Have you ever been to (South) Korea?

Usage notes

Note: it doesn't mean "to try hard" (e.g., "I tried to pass the exam."). For that, you can use "-려(고) 하다" or "-려고 노력하다". Compare Japanese 見る.

Conjugation

Derived terms

• 보이다 (boida, “to be seen, see”) (intransitive)
• 여보세요 (yeoboseyo, “hello”)

Related terms

• 비치다 (bichida, “to shine; to be seen, shown”)
• 빛 (bit, “light”)

Adverb

보다 • ‎(boda)

1. more
   • 보다 열심히‎ ― boda yeolsimhi ― more enthusiatically
2. rather

Particle

보다 • ‎(boda)

1. than, rather than
   • 지리산보다 한라산이 더 높다.‎

     Jirisanboda hallasani deo nopda.

     Mount Halla is taller than Mount Jiri.

   • 어제보다 오늘이 손님이 더 많다.‎

     Eojeboda oneuri sonnimi deo manta.

     There are more customers today than yesterday.