-아/어 보다 / -아/어 보이다
Try vs. Seem
-아/어 보다 = 'try doing' (Action)
-아/어 보이다 = 'seem/look' (Appearance)
How It Works
These two patterns look similar but have distinct meanings based on whether they describe an action or an appearance. The key is to identify if you are talking about doing something or observing something.
1. -아/어 보다: Trying an Action
This pattern attaches to verb stems to express trying or experiencing an action. The '보다' part literally means 'to see', so the combined meaning is like 'do something and see what happens'.
- Usage 1: Suggestion. Often used with -세요 to recommend an action to someone.
(e.g., 이 책을 읽어 보세요. - Please try reading this book.) - Usage 2: Experience. Used to talk about whether you have done something before.
(e.g., 제주도에 가 봤어요. - I have been to Jeju Island before.)
2. -아/어 보이다: Describing an Appearance
This pattern attaches to adjective stems to express how something or someone looks or seems based on the speaker's observation. The '보이다' part means 'to be seen' or 'to appear'.
- Usage: Impression. Used to give your impression of a person, object, or situation based on its appearance.
(e.g., 그 가방은 비싸 보여요. - That bag looks expensive.)
(e.g., 오늘 피곤해 보여요. - You look tired today.)
Key Distinction Summary:
- Use -아/어 보다 with verbs for actions you try.
- Use -아/어 보이다 with adjectives for appearances you observe.
Examples (5)
- 이 김치찌개를 한번 먹어 보세요.
Please try eating this Kimchi Jjigae.
Word by Word: This Kimchi Jjigae one time eat-try please.
Here, 먹다 (to eat) is a verb. The speaker is suggesting the listener perform the action of eating. So, -어 보다 is used.
- 이 김치찌개는 맛있어 보여요.
This Kimchi Jjigae looks delicious.
Word by Word: This Kimchi Jjigae delicious-seems.
Here, 맛있다 (to be delicious) is an adjective. The speaker is describing the appearance of the food, not trying an action. So, -어 보이다 is used.
- 새로 나온 게임을 해 봤는데 정말 재미있었어요.
I tried playing the new game, and it was really fun.
Word by Word: Newly released game do-tried but really was fun.
해 보다 (from 하다) describes the action of trying/playing the game.
- 그는 항상 행복해 보여요.
He always seems happy.
Word by Word: He always happy-seems.
행복하다 (to be happy) is an adjective. This sentence describes his outward appearance or the impression he gives.
- 그 옷을 입으니까 더 젊어 보여요.
You look younger wearing those clothes.
Word by Word: Those clothes wear-since more young-seem.
젊다 (to be young) is an adjective. The speaker is commenting on the listener's appearance, so -어 보이다 is used.
Common Mistakes
Using -아/어 보이다 (seem) with action verbs.
Not Quite한국 음식을 먹어 보여요.Better한국 음식을 먹어 봐요.'-아/어 보이다' is used with adjectives to describe appearance ('looks delicious', 'seems tired'). To talk about trying an action like 'eating' (먹다), you must use '-아/어 보다'.
Using -아/어 보다 (try) with descriptive adjectives.
Not Quite오늘 좀 피곤해 봐요.Better오늘 좀 피곤해 보여요.'-아/어 보다' is for trying an action. To describe someone's state or appearance, like 'seeming tired' (피곤하다 is an adjective), you must use '-아/어 보이다'.
Learn This First
This comparison helps you understand the differences between -아/어 보다 and -아/어 보이다. Study each pattern individually first.
Related Patterns
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다Seems Like, Looks Like
Similar to '-아/어 보이다' as it also means 'seems like'. However, '-ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다' is broader and can be based on any kind of evidence or feeling, while '-아/어 보이다' is primarily based on visual appearance.
- -게 보이다Seem, Appear
This is related to '-아/어 보이다' and also means 'to seem/look', but the two are not interchangeable. '맛있어 보여요' is the usual phrase. '-게 보이다' stresses how something comes across or is made to look, as in '예쁘게 보이려고 화장했어요' (I put on makeup to look pretty).
- -아/어 보세요Please Try
This is a very common and practical application of '-아/어 보다', used to politely suggest that someone try doing something.
- -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다/없다Have/haven't Done
This pattern, meaning 'to have/have not done something', is frequently used with the past tense of '-아/어 보다' (i.e., -아/어 봤다) to talk about past experiences. For example, '먹어 본 적이 있어요' (I have tried eating it before).