Let's learn how to use "V/Adj-아/어 보이다 [Korean grammar]" with some example sentences.
V/Adj- 아/어 보이다 [Korean Grammar]
USE:
The pattern "아/어 보이다" is used to express how something or someone appears based on the speaker's observation.
It is translated as "looks like," "seems," or "appears to be" in English.
This pattern allows the speaker to convey their perception or guess about a situation, person, or object.
CONJUGATION RULE:
To use "아/어 보이다," you need to conjugate the verb or adjective stem according to the last-vowel rules in Korean:
- If the verb or adjective stem ends in a vowel such as "아" or "오," add -아 보이다.
- If the verb or adjective stem ends in any other vowel, add -어 보이다.
- For verbs or adjectives ending in "하다," the pattern changes to 해 보이다.
Examples of Conjugation:
- 크다 (to be big) → 커 보이다 (looks big)
- 작다 (to be small) → 작아 보이다 (looks small)
- 예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예뻐 보이다 (looks pretty)
- 행복하다 (to be happy) → 행복해 보이다 (looks happy)
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
- 그 옷이 비싸 보여요.
(That cloth looks expensive.) - 오늘 날씨가 좋아 보여요.
(The weather seems good today.) - 그 사람이 피곤해 보여요.
(That person looks tired.) - 이 음식이 맛있어 보여요.
(This food looks delicious.) - 그 영화는 재미있어 보였어요.
(That movie seemed interesting.) - 너는 행복해 보여요.
(You look happy.) - 그 가방이 무거워 보여요.
(That bag looks heavy.) - 이 꽃이 아름다워 보여요.
(This flower looks beautiful.) - 아이가 기분이 나빠 보여요.
(The child seems to be in a bad mood.) - 그 신발이 편해 보여요.
(Those shoes look comfortable.)
