-나 보다
It Seems/looks Like
Use -나 보다 to guess something based on what you see or hear. It's like saying 'It looks like...' or 'I guess...' after observing some evidence.
How It Works
This pattern is used when you make a guess or assumption after observing a situation or seeing some evidence. It's a common expression in spoken Korean.
Conjugation Rules:
The form changes depending on whether you are using a verb, an adjective, or a noun.
1. Verbs: Verb Stem + -나 보다
This form is used for all action verbs, regardless of whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.
- 가다 (to go) → 가나 보다 (It seems they are going)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹나 보다 (It seems they are eating)
- 있다 (to exist) → 있나 보다 (It seems there is/are)
2. Adjectives: Adjective Stem + -(으)ㄴ가 보다
This form is used for descriptive verbs (adjectives).
- If the stem ends in a vowel: -ㄴ가 보다
예쁘다 (to be pretty) → 예쁜가 보다 (She seems pretty) - If the stem ends in a consonant: -은가 보다
좋다 (to be good) → 좋은가 보다 (It seems good)
3. Nouns: Noun + -인가 보다
This form is used for all nouns, regardless of whether they end in a vowel or a consonant.
- 의사 (doctor) → 의사인가 보다 (He seems to be a doctor)
- 학생 (student) → 학생인가 보다 (She seems to be a student)
4. Past Tense: Verb/Adjective Stem + -았/었나 보다
For past events, you attach -았/었- to the stem first, and then add -나 보다. This single form is used for both verbs and adjectives.
- 오다 (to come) → 왔나 보다 (It seems they came)
- 바쁘다 (to be busy) → 바빴나 보다 (It seems they were busy)
Comparison with Similar Patterns:
- vs. -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다: Both mean 'it seems like'. However, -나 보다 is typically used when you have more direct, observable evidence for your guess. -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다 is more general and can be based on a subjective feeling or less concrete evidence.
- vs. -는 모양이다: This is very similar to -나 보다 and is also based on observation. However, -는 모양이다 often has a stronger nuance of judging from the outward appearance or 'shape' (모양) of the situation.
Examples (4)
- 비가 오나 봐요. 사람들이 우산을 쓰고 있어요.
It seems like it's raining. People are holding umbrellas.
Word by Word: Rain comes I guess. People umbrellas are using.
The evidence (people using umbrellas) leads to the guess (it's raining). 오다 is a verb, so -나 보다 is used.
- 민준 씨는 요즘 많이 바쁜가 봐요. 연락이 잘 안 돼요.
It seems Minjun is very busy these days. It's hard to get in touch with him.
Word by Word: Minjun these days very busy I guess. Contact well isn't happening.
바쁘다 is an adjective, so its stem 바쁘- combines with -ㄴ가 보다 to become 바쁜가 보다.
- 저 두 사람은 연인인가 봐요. 손을 잡고 걷고 있어요.
Those two people seem to be a couple. They are walking while holding hands.
Word by Word: Those two people a couple I guess. Hands holding are walking.
연인 is a noun, so it becomes 연인인가 보다.
- 어젯밤에 눈이 많이 왔나 봐요. 온 세상이 하얘요.
It seems it snowed a lot last night. The whole world is white.
Word by Word: Last night snow a lot came I guess. The whole world is white.
This is a guess about a past event. The past tense stem 왔- is combined with -나 보다.
Common Mistakes
Using the verb form (-나 보다) with adjectives.
Different Meaning날씨가 춥나 봐요.Better날씨가 추운가 봐요.For verbs, you use -나 보다 (e.g., 오나 보다). For adjectives, you must use -(으)ㄴ가 보다. Since 춥다 is an adjective, the correct form is 추운가 보다.
Learn This First
To express supposition 'it seems/looks like', you need supposition particles and conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다Seems Like, Looks Like
Both mean 'it seems like', but -나 보다 is based on stronger, more direct evidence you are observing, while -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 것 같다 can be a more general or subjective guess.
- -는 모양이다It Seems, Appears
Very similar to -나 보다, as both are based on observation. -는 모양이다 specifically emphasizes that the guess is based on the outward appearance ('모양') of the situation.
- -(으)ㄹ지도 모르다Might, May Possibly
Both express a guess, but -ㄹ지도 모르다 ('might', 'may possibly') implies a lower level of certainty than -나 보다. -나 보다 is a conclusion drawn from evidence, whereas -ㄹ지도 모르다 is more speculative.
- -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 텐데I Expect, It's Likely to
Both involve supposition. -ㄴ/는/ㄹ 텐데 expresses an expectation or assumption, often providing background for a following suggestion or contrast. -나 보다 is a direct conclusion about a current or past state based on evidence.