-아/어 보니
After Trying/experiencing
-아/어 보니 is used when you do something and then discover or realize something new as a result of that experience.
How It Works
The grammar pattern -아/어 보니 is used to express a realization, discovery, or new judgment that the speaker comes to after directly experiencing or trying something. It's formed by combining the verb stem with -아/어 followed by 보니.
Conjugation:
It follows the same conjugation rules as the -아/어 (informal present tense) ending.
- Verbs with a final vowel of ㅏ or ㅗ: + -아 보니 (e.g., 가다 → 가 보니, 오다 → 와 보니)
- Verbs with other final vowels: + -어 보니 (e.g., 먹다 → 먹어 보니, 만들다 → 만들어 보니)
- 하다 verbs: → 해 보니 (e.g., 공부하다 → 공부해 보니)
Key Nuances:
The main point of this pattern is the discovery. The second clause is not just a result, but a new piece of information, a changed opinion, or an unexpected feeling that the speaker gained from the action in the first clause.
Comparison with Similar Patterns:
Understanding the subtle differences is key for advanced learners.
- -아/어 보니 vs. -고 나니까:
-아/어 보니 emphasizes the discovery or realization from an experience.
Example: 한국어를 공부해 보니 생각보다 재미있어요. (After trying to study Korean, I found it's more fun than I thought.)
-고 나니까 emphasizes the resulting state or feeling after an action is completed.
Example: 숙제를 다 하고 나니까 마음이 편해요. (Now that I've finished all my homework, I feel relieved.) - -아/어 보니 vs. -았/었더니:
-아/어 보니 is about the speaker's own internal realization or judgment.
Example: 그 식당에 가 보니 음식이 정말 맛있었어요. (After going to that restaurant, I found the food was really delicious.)
-았/었더니 is used when the speaker does something and then observes an external result. The subject of the second clause can be different.
Example: 창문을 열었더니 시원한 바람이 들어왔어요. (I opened the window, and then a cool breeze came in.) - -아/어 보니 vs. -다가 보니까:
-아/어 보니 usually follows a single, completed trial or experience.
Example: 이 약을 한번 먹어 보니 효과가 바로 나타났어요. (After trying this medicine once, I found the effect appeared immediately.)
-다가 보니까 implies a realization that occurs while an action is ongoing or repeated over time.
Example: 매일 한국 드라마를 보다가 보니까 한국어 듣기 실력이 늘었어요. (As I kept watching Korean dramas every day, I realized my Korean listening skills improved.)
Examples (5)
- 한국에서 살아 보니 생각보다 물가가 비싸요.
After living in Korea, I found that the cost of living is higher than I thought.
Word by Word: In Korea live-try so/when than thought cost of living is expensive.
The experience of 'living in Korea' led to the discovery that 'the cost of living is high'.
- 그 옷을 입어 보니 저한테 잘 어울렸어요.
After trying on those clothes, I found they looked good on me.
Word by Word: Those clothes wear-try so/when to me well suited.
- 직접 김치를 만들어 보니 생각보다 어렵지 않았어요.
After trying to make kimchi myself, I found it wasn't as difficult as I thought.
Word by Word: Directly kimchi make-try so/when than thought not difficult.
This expresses a discovery that contradicts a previous assumption.
- 자세히 들어 보니 제가 오해한 부분이 있었네요.
After listening carefully, I realize there was a part I misunderstood.
Word by Word: In detail listen-try so/when I misunderstood part there was.
- 한 달 동안 그 약을 먹어 보니 효과가 확실히 있었어요.
After taking that medicine for a month, I found it was definitely effective.
Word by Word: One month during that medicine eat-try so/when effect certainly there was.
The experience over a period of time ('taking medicine for a month') led to a firm conclusion ('it was effective').
Common Mistakes
Using -아/어 보니 for a simple sequence of actions where no new discovery is made.
Not Quite밥을 먹어 보니 숙제를 했어요.Better밥을 먹고 나서 숙제를 했어요.-아/어 보니 implies a realization or discovery. The incorrect sentence nonsensically implies that eating led to a discovery about doing homework. For a simple sequence of events (A then B), use -고 나서.
Learn This First
To express realization after trying, you need the 'try' pattern and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)니까So, Because
-니까 provides the 'reason' or 'basis' for the discovery. The action in the first clause is the reason or context for the realization in the second clause. -아/어 보니 carries this nuance of 'because I tried it...'.
- -고 나니까After Doing, Now That
Both express something that happens after an action. However, -아/어 보니 emphasizes a new discovery or realization from the experience, while -고 나니까 focuses more on the state or situation that results from the completion of an action.
- -았/었더니When I Did, After Doing
Both are used when the speaker does something and then something else happens. -았/었더니 is for observing an external result, which can have a different subject. -아/어 보니 is for the speaker's own internal realization, feeling, or judgment.
- -다가 보니까After Doing for a While
Similar in that both involve realization through action. -다가 보니까 implies a realization that dawns on the speaker while an action is repeated or ongoing over time. -아/어 보니 typically follows a more discrete, completed trial or experience.