보이다
To Be Visible, To Seem
보이다 has two main uses: 1. Something is visible or can be seen. 2. Something or someone seems or appears a certain way.
How It Works
보이다 is a versatile verb with two distinct but related meanings. Understanding both is key to using it correctly.
1. To be seen / To be visible
This is the passive form of 보다 (to see). It describes something that is in one's field of vision. The object or person that is visible acts as the subject of the sentence and is marked with the subject particle 이/가.
- 여기에서 남산타워가 보여요. (Namsan Tower is visible from here.)
- 안개가 껴서 길이 잘 안 보여요. (Because it's foggy, the road isn't visible well.)
2. To seem / To appear / To look
This usage describes the appearance or impression of a person, object, or situation. It's how something 'looks' to the speaker. This is most commonly used by attaching it to adjectives in two main ways:
A) Adjective Stem + -아/어 보이다
This is the most common way to say something 'looks' or 'seems' a certain way based on visual impression.
- 그 옷을 입으니까 더 젊어 보여요. (You look younger because you're wearing those clothes.)
- 음식이 맛있어 보여요. (The food looks delicious.)
B) Adjective Stem + -게 보이다
This form is very similar to -아/어 보이다 and is often interchangeable. It can sometimes carry a nuance of appearing a certain way to others or having a more objective quality.
- 그는 항상 자신감 있게 보여요. (He always appears confident.)
- 어떻게 하면 더 똑똑하게 보일 수 있을까요? (How can I appear smarter?)
Examples (5)
- 창문 밖으로 산이 보여요.
The mountain is visible outside the window.
Word by Word: Window outside-through mountain is-visible.
- 오늘 피곤해 보여요. 무슨 일 있어요?
You look tired today. Is something wrong?
Word by Word: Today tired-seem. What matter is-there?
This uses the -아/어 보이다 pattern to comment on someone's appearance.
- 이 드레스는 비싸게 보여요.
This dress looks expensive.
Word by Word: This dress expensively seems.
This uses the -게 보이다 pattern to describe the impression the dress gives.
- 하늘에 별이 많이 보여요.
Many stars are visible in the sky.
Word by Word: In-the-sky stars many are-visible.
- 그 배우는 실제보다 더 어려 보여요.
That actor looks younger than his real age.
Word by Word: That actor real-age-than more young seems.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 보이다 (to be seen) with 보다 (to see).
Not Quite제가 산을 보여요.Better제가 산을 봐요.보다 is an active verb meaning 'to see'. The subject is the one doing the seeing. 보이다 is a passive verb meaning 'to be seen'. The subject is the thing that is visible. '제가 산을 봐요' means 'I see the mountain'. '산이 보여요' means 'The mountain is visible'.
Using the object particle 을/를 instead of the subject particle 이/가 for the thing that is visible.
Not Quite남산타워를 보여요.Better남산타워가 보여요.When something is visible, it is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, you must use the subject particle 이/가, not the object particle 을/를.
Learn This First
To use 보이다 (be visible/seem), you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -아/어 보이다Seem to, Appear to
This pattern is a direct and very common application of 보이다's second meaning ('to seem'). It combines with adjectives to describe how something or someone appears visually (e.g., 'looks tired', 'seems happy').
- -게 보이다Seem, Appear
Similar to -아/어 보이다, this pattern also uses 보이다 to mean 'to seem'. It attaches to adjectives to describe an appearance and is often interchangeable with -아/어 보이다.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다Seems Like, Looks Like
This also means 'it seems like'. While 보이다 is primarily based on visual appearance, -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다 is a broader expression of conjecture that can be based on any kind of evidence, feeling, or thought.
- 이/가Subject Marker
When using 보이다 to mean 'to be visible', the thing that is seen is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, it is always marked with the subject particle 이/가.
- -아/어지다Become, Turn into
This pattern can create passive verbs, similar to how 보이다 is the passive form of 보다. For example, 쓰다 (to write) becomes 써지다 (to be written). Both patterns shift the focus from the actor to the object receiving the action.