하다
To Do, To Make
하다 means 'to do' and is used to describe actions or create new verbs from nouns.
How It Works
하다 is an essential verb for every Korean learner.
1. Meaning 'To Do'
In its most basic sense, 하다 means 'to do'. It is used with an object to specify what action is being done.
- 숙제를 하다: to do homework
- 일을 하다: to do work
2. Creating Verbs from Nouns
A very common use of 하다 is to attach it to nouns (especially those of Chinese origin) to create a new action verb. In these cases, the noun and 하다 function as a single verb.
- 공부 (study) + 하다 → 공부하다 (to study)
- 요리 (cooking) + 하다 → 요리하다 (to cook)
- 운동 (exercise) + 하다 → 운동하다 (to exercise)
- 전화 (phone call) + 하다 → 전화하다 (to make a phone call)
Conjugation
하다 is an irregular verb. When you add the -아/어 ending, it becomes 해 instead of 하아. The most common present tense form you will see is 해요.
- 하다 + -아요 → 하여요 → 해요 (I do / you do / etc.)
Examples (4)
- 숙제를 해요.
I do my homework.
Word by Word: homework do.
- 저는 요리해요.
I cook.
Word by Word: I cook.
- 지금 뭐 해요?
What are you doing now?
Word by Word: now what do?
- 친구하고 전화해요.
I'm talking on the phone with a friend.
Word by Word: friend with phone call do.
Common Mistakes
Using the regular conjugation instead of the irregular form.
Not Quite숙제하아요.Better숙제해요.하다 is irregular. When conjugating with the -아/어 ending, it always becomes 해, not 하아. So, the polite present tense is 해요.
Incorrectly placing the object particle after the full 'Noun+하다' verb.
Not Quite저는 공부하다를 좋아해요.Better저는 한국어를 공부해요.공부하다 is a verb meaning 'to study'. It cannot be the object of another verb like '좋아하다' (to like) in this simple form. To express that you are studying something, use 공부하다 as the main verb and specify the object with 을/를, such as '한국어를 공부해요' (I study Korean). Alternatively, you can say '공부를 해요' (I do studying).
Learn This First
To use 하다, you need to understand how verbs conjugate.
Related Patterns
- -요Politeness Marker
The most common polite ending attached to verbs. You will almost always see 하다 used as 해요 in everyday conversation.
- 을/를Object Marker
The object particle. It marks the noun that is being 'done' by 하다, as in '숙제를 하다' (to do homework).
- 이다To Be
A key verb to contrast with 하다. 이다 means 'to be' (a noun), while 하다 means 'to do' (an action). Differentiating between being something and doing something is a core concept.
- 되다Become, Be Allowed
Often contrasted with 하다. 하다 is an active verb ('to do'), while 되다 is a passive verb ('to become' or 'to be done'). For example, '시작하다' (to start something) vs. '시작되다' (to be started).
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- -고 싶어하다Want to Do
- -(으)려고 하다Intend to, Plan to
- -아/어야 하다Must/should
- -(으)ㄹ까 하다Wonder if, Think About
- -곤 하다Used to, Often Do
- -기는 하다It Is True That, Although
- -기도 하다Sometimes, Even
- -기로 하다Decide to, Plan to
And 8 more in the full list.