Key Expressions 1

The expression we will learn today is: “Have you ever had Tteok-bokki?” you could say, “I’ve had Tteok-bokki before.” or “I haven’t had Tteok-bokki yet.”

-ㅓ/-ㅏ/-해 + 본 적이 있다/없다

In Korean, you can say what you have done or what you actually did using the following expressions: “-ㅓ/-ㅏ/-해 + 본 적이 있다/없다”. This expression is used with a verb.

1) – “ㅏ” or “ㅗ,”

When this expression is used with a verb that contains the vowel sounds – “ㅏ” or “ㅗ,” just like “가다 (= to go)” or “오다 (= to come)” then you can say “ㅏ + 본 적이 있어요 (= have done/have not done before).”

2) except “ㅏ” or “ㅗ,” .

In instances when the verb doesn’t have “ㅏ” or “ㅗ”, such as “먹다 (= to eat)” or “마시다 (= to drink)”, you can say “-ㅓ +본 적이 있어요 (= have done/have not done before).”

And then, if you’re using verbs like “-하다,” such as “요리하다 (= to cook),” you can say “-해 + 본 적이 있어요 (= have done/have not done before)”.

Let’s say whether you’ve had it or haven’t had it before.

• 떡볶이 먹어 본 적 있어요?
• 갈비탕 먹어 본 적 있어요?
• 막걸리 마셔 본 적이 있어요?

Let’s Practice Korean together.