🚨 Korean Emergency Numbers and What to Do

Have you ever wanted to say “I’ve visited Jeju Island” or “I’ve eaten tteokbokki before” in Korean? The grammar pattern -아/어 본 적 있다 is perfect for describing past experiences you’ve had at least once. This expression will help you sound natural when sharing travel memories, food you’ve tried, or cultural experiences in Korea.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to:

• Use -아/어 본 적 있다 to describe experiences you’ve had at least once
• Differentiate between experiences you’ve had and things you’ve never tried
• Create sentences about travel, food, and cultural activities naturally
• Combine this pattern with other expressions to enrich your storytelling

📚 Table of Contents

• Key Concept: -아/어 본 적 있다
• Example Sentences
• Practice Dialogue
• Grammar Insight
• Pop Quiz
• Did You Know?
• Final Thoughts

💡 Key Concept: -아/어 본 적 있다

-아/어 본 적 있다 is used to express that you have experienced something at least once in the past.
Example: 한국에 가 본 적 있어요. (I’ve been to Korea before.)

For negative experiences (never done something), use -아/어 본 적 없다:
Example: 한국 음식을 먹어 본 적 없어요. (I’ve never tried Korean food.)

📝 Example Sentences

• 서울에 가 본 적 있어요.
  Seoul-e ga bon jeok isseoyo.
  I’ve been to Seoul before.
• 김치를 만들어 본 적 있어요.
  Gimchi-reul mandeureo bon jeok isseoyo.
  I’ve made kimchi before.
• 한국 드라마를 본 적 없어요.
  Hanguk deurama-reul bon jeok eopseoyo.
  I’ve never watched a Korean drama.

🗣 Practice Dialogue

A: 한국에 가 본 적 있어요?
Hanguk-e ga bon jeok isseoyo?
Have you ever been to Korea?

B: 네, 두 번 가 본 적 있어요. 서울하고 부산에 갔어요.
Ne, du beon ga bon jeok isseoyo. Seoul hago Busan-e gasseoyo.
Yes, I’ve been there twice. I went to Seoul and Busan.

A: 김치를 만들어 본 적도 있어요?
Gimchi-reul mandeureo bon jeok do isseoyo?
Have you ever made kimchi?

B: 아니요, 만들어 본 적 없어요. 하지만 먹어 본 적은 많아요.
Aniyo, mandeureo bon jeok eopseoyo. Hajiman meogeo bon jeok-eun manayo.
No, I’ve never made it, but I’ve eaten it many times.

📘 Grammar Insight

When teaching this grammar, I’ve noticed students often confuse it with simple past tense (“갔어요”) or experience markers like “해봤어요.” Remember: -아/어 본 적 있다 emphasizes **having tried or experienced something at least once**, not just having done it in the past.

Also, use time expressions to make it richer: - 예전에… (in the past) - 한 번도… (not even once)

🎯 Pop Quiz

1. How do you say “I’ve tried Korean barbecue” in Korean?

Answer

한국 바비큐를 먹어 본 적 있어요.

2. How do you say “I’ve never visited Jeju Island” in Korean?

Answer

제주도에 가 본 적 없어요.

3. How do you say “I’ve seen that movie before” in Korean?

Answer

그 영화를 본 적 있어요.

🌏 Did You Know?

Many Koreans use this grammar pattern when talking about popular foods or places. For example, you might hear: “한강에서 자전거 타 본 적 있어요?” (“Have you ever ridden a bike along the Han River?”) — a common weekend activity for locals.

📦 Final Thoughts

Mastering -아/어 본 적 있다 will help you share experiences naturally and ask others about theirs. Try using it when talking about travel, food, or any new activities you’ve tried in Korea!

📘 More Posts You’ll Find Helpful!

❶ Making Comparisons in Korean – Intermediate Level

❷ Talking About Food You Like – Beginner Level

❸ How to Commute in Korea (Subway, Buses, and Apps)

Keep exploring more posts like these and grow your Korean skills step by step!

📚 Want to practice using -아/어 본 적 있다 in real conversation?
Book a lesson with me on italki and get personalized feedback on your sentences. Let’s make your storytelling skills shine!

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