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🟠 "Should" & "Must" in Korean: Mastering -아/어야 하다 (TOPIK 3–4)

Need to give advice or talk about responsibilities? Teacher Hoon explains how to use -아/어야 하다 naturally to express necessity in your daily life.

Navigating Obligation with Nuance (EEAT Tip)

Using -아/어야 하다 correctly is a sign of an Intermediate learner. As a teacher, I've noticed that students often wonder if this sounds too "bossy." The secret lies in your tone and context! Whether it's a soft suggestion or a hard deadline, this pattern covers it all. Let's look at the breakdown.

📑 Tap to view Table of Contents

• 1. Key Concept: Should vs. Must
• 2. Sentence Patterns & Conjugation
• 3. Practice Dialogue: Exam Prep
• 4. 💡 Cultural Insight: Coffee Culture

1. Key Concept: It is Necessary

This pattern is used when an action is essential or morally right. The intensity changes depending on the ending:

• 해야 합니다 (Formal): Strong obligation, business contexts.
• 해야 해요 (Polite): General duty or friendly advice.
• 하지 말아야 해요 (Negative): "Should not do."

2. Sentence Patterns & Examples

지금 숙제해야 해요.
(You should do your homework now.)

내일까지 보고서를 제출해야 합니다.
(I must submit the report by tomorrow.)

건강을 위해 야채를 먹어야 해요.
(You should eat vegetables for your health.)

3. Practice Dialogue: Talking About Exams

A: 내일 시험이 있어요.
(I have a test tomorrow.)

B: 그럼 오늘 공부해야 해요!
(Then you should study today!)

A: 맞아요. 그리고 일찍 자야겠어요.
(Right. And I must sleep early too.)

🗯 Expert Word: "Kkul-tip" (꿀팁)

In Korea, when giving advice, we often use the word 꿀팁 (Honey Tip), which means a "golden tip" or "super useful advice." Using this word before giving a suggestion with -아/어야 해요 makes you sound very trendy and helpful!

💡 Did You Know? Korean Coffee Obsession

Koreans drink an average of 350 cups of coffee per year! Because of this intense lifestyle, you'll constantly hear office workers sighing, "오늘도 커피를 마셔야 해요..." (I must drink coffee today too...). It's the fuel that keeps the nation running!

Want to Practice Giving Advice Naturally?

Textbooks can be stiff. Book a 1:1 intermediate session with Hoon on italki. We'll practice role-playing real-life situations like workplace deadlines or giving 꿀팁 to friends using -아/어야 하다!

🚀 Level Up Your Korean with Hoon

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