V + 아/어 본 적 있다/없다 Korean Grammar 

 September 20, 2025

By  Pooja Madane

Let's learn how to use the  V + 아/어 본 적 있다/없다 [Korean Grammar] with some simple and easy-to-understand example sentences.

 V + 아/어 본 적이 있다/없다 [Korean Grammar:]

USE:


This structure is used to talk about experiences, whether you have ever tried/done something or not.

  • V + 아/어 본 적(이) 있다I have experienced / tried … before.
  • V + 아/어 본 적(이) 없다I have never experienced/tried… before.

Think of it as English “have (ever) done” and “have never done.”


हिंदी में:
यह संरचना अनुभव (experience) बताने के लिए प्रयोग की जाती है।

  • V + 아/어 본 적이 있다 → मैंने पहले … किया है / अनुभव किया है।
  • V + 아/어 본 적이 없다 → मैंने पहले कभी … नहीं किया है / अनुभव नहीं किया है।

CONJUGATION RULE


  1. Take the verb stem.
  2. Conjugate with 아/어 보다 depending on the vowel:
    • If stem has ㅏ or ㅗ → -아 보다
      가다 → 가 보다 (to try going)
    • Otherwise → -어 보다
      먹다 → 먹어 보다 (to try eating)
    • 하다 → 해 보다 (special case)
  3. Attach -ㄴ 적 있다/없다 after 보다.
    • 가 보다 → 가 본 적이 있다 (have gone)
    • 먹어 보다 → 먹어 본 적이 없다 (have never eaten)

Note that 이 after 적 is optional in the grammar V + 아/어 본 적(이) 없다.

EXAMPLE SENTENCES:


  • 저는 방탄소년단 콘서트를 가 본 적 있어요.
    (I have been to a BTS concert before. / मैं पहले बीटीएस कॉन्सर्ट में गया हूँ।)
  • 저는 김치를 먹어 본 적 있어요.
    (I have eaten kimchi before. / मैंने पहले किमची खाई है।)
  • 저는 일본에 가 본 적 없어요.
    (I have never been to Japan. / मैं कभी जापान नहीं गया।)저는 
  • 한국 드라마를 본 적이 있었어요.
    (I had watched a Korean drama before. / मैंने पहले कोरियन ड्रामा देखा था।)

Summary 

  • V + 아/어 본 적 있다 = have done / tried something before (पहले किया है)
  • V + 아/어 본 적 없다 = have never done / tried something (कभी नहीं किया है)
  • Rule:
    • Verb stem + 아/어 보다 + ㄴ 적 있다/없다
    • 가다 → 가 본 적 있다 (गया हूँ)
    • 먹다 → 먹어 본 적 없다 (कभी नहीं खाया)
  • Mostly used for experiences.

Pooja Madane


Pooja Madane is a passionate Korean language learner and educator who aims to make Korean simple, engaging, and accessible for beginners. She has experience in creating interactive content, explaining grammar in easy ways, and connecting language learning with culture. At LKI, she is dedicated to guiding students step by step, building confidence, and helping them enjoy their journey of learning Korean.

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