🔍 Korean Descriptive Verb Practice: A/V-아/어 보이다
.jpg "A/V-아/어 보이다 Korean Grammar Explained")
Want to say someone looks happy or food seems delicious? Today you’ll learn one of the most useful Korean patterns: A/V-아/어 보이다. It helps you describe impressions, appearances, and feelings naturally.
📘 Table of Contents
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🧠 1. Meaning: What Is A/V-아/어 보이다?
A/V-아/어 보이다 means “to look / seem / appear” based on visual or emotional impression.
You are not stating a fact — you're expressing what you guess or feel.
📝 2. How to Use It
Descriptive verb stem + 아/어 보이다
- 행복하다 → 행복해 보여요 (looks happy)
- 맛있다 → 맛있어 보여요 (looks delicious)
- 피곤하다 → 피곤해 보여요 (looks tired)
It is mainly used with adjectives because we are describing appearance or feeling.
🏃♂️ 3. Using It with Verbs
You cannot attach “보이다” directly to action verbs.
Instead, use a noun clause:
- 운동을 자주 하는 것처럼 보여요. (He seems to exercise often.)
🗣️ 4. Real-Life Examples
- 그 사람이 친절해 보여요. She looks kind.
- 오늘 날씨가 좋아 보여요. The weather looks nice today.
- 그 음식 정말 맛있어 보여요! That food looks really delicious!
- 그는 조금 피곤해 보여요. He looks a little tired.
❌ 5. Common Mistakes
Mistake: 맛있어 보여요 → 맛있어 보여요 (OK)
Students often drop 요 but don’t realize tone becomes casual.
Mistake: 예쁘다 → “예뻐 보여요” OK
But “예뻐 보이는 것 같아요” adds extra guess — avoid duplication.
📝 6. Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank:
- 그분이 오늘 특히 행복해 ____.
Answer
보여요 - 이 음식 정말 맛있어 ____!
Answer
보여요 - 너 오늘 조금 피곤해 ____?
Answer
보여?
💡 7. Did You Know?
Koreans often express empathy by commenting on someone’s appearance:
- 힘들어 보여요 (You look tired)
- 기뻐 보여요 (You look happy)
It’s a culturally warm and natural way to show care.
📚 8. Self-Study Ideas
- Describe photos on your phone using A/V-아/어 보이다.
- Watch a Korean vlog and write down 3 expressions with 보이다.
- Ask your partner: “저는 어떻게 보여요?”
🎓 9. Learn Korean with Me
Want to sound more natural when describing people and situations?
👉 Book a personalized lesson on italki
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- 💬 Leave a comment: 오늘 뭐가 “~해 보여요”?
