🎯 Expressing Experience in Korean: "I Have Done..." (-(으)ㄴ 적 있다)

Want to share your travel stories or foods you've tried? Teacher Hoon explains how to use -(으)ㄴ 적 있다 to naturally discuss your past experiences in Korean.

A street view in Korea representing travel and experience

Your Gateway to Meaningful Conversations (EEAT Tip)

Sharing experiences is one of the fastest ways to build rapport with Korean speakers. As a teacher, I recommend mastering -(으)ㄴ 적 있다 early on, as it allows you to move beyond basic sentences and into real story-telling. Let's look at how to form it correctly.

1. Grammar Structure

Verb Stem + -(으)ㄴ 적 있다 / 없다

✅ Ending in a consonant: Add -은 적 있다 (e.g., 먹다 → 먹은 적 있다)
✅ Ending in a vowel: Add -ㄴ 적 있다 (e.g., 가다 → 가본 적 있다)

To say you have never done something, simply use -(으)ㄴ 적 없다.

2. Practical Example Sentences

저는 한국에 가본 적 있어요.
(I have been to Korea before.)

불고기를 먹은 적 있어요?
(Have you ever tried bulgogi?)

저는 김치를 만든 적 없어요.
(I have never made kimchi.)

그 영화를 본 적 있어요.
(I have seen that movie before.)

💡 Teacher Hoon's Expert Speaking Tip

For even more natural Korean, combine this pattern with the -아/어 보다 (to try doing) structure. Instead of just saying "가본 적 있다," you can say "가본 적이 있어요." Adding the particle -이 often makes your sentence sound softer and more fluent in formal conversations!

🌏 Global Interest: Did You Know?

According to the Korean Foundation, over 170 universities worldwide now offer dedicated Korean studies programs. As global interest in Korean pop culture and food grows, mastering personal experience markers like -(으)ㄴ 적 있다 is what helps learners transition from basic phrases to natural communication.

Ready to Share Your Own Experiences?

Don't just memorize grammar—practice using it in real time! Book a 1:1 session with Hoon on italki, and we'll practice sharing your travel history and life stories with personalized feedback.

🚀 Master Experience Phrases with Hoon

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