-어 보이다Korean expression · TOPIK 3

-eo boida

An expression used to indicate that one feels or guesses something by appearance as mentioned in the preceding statement.

형태Forms

-어 보이다-아보이다-여 보이다

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

An expression used to indicate that one feels or guesses something by appearance as mentioned in the preceding statement.

겉으로 볼 때 앞말이 나타내는 것처럼 느껴지거나 추측됨을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.

끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

지수는 또래보다 다섯 살은 어려 보여서 가끔 오해를 샀다.

Jisu looks five years younger than her peers, which sometimes caused misunderstandings.

민준이는 얌전하고 말이 적어 또래보다 어른스러워 보였다.

Minjun seemed more mature than his peers because he was quiet and spoke little.

부러울 것이 없어 보이는 유민이도 실제로는 외로운 아이였다.

Yumin, who seemed to have nothing to envy, was actually a lonely child.

대화In conversation

이 케이크가 정말 맛있어 보인다.

This cake looks really delicious.

그렇지? 지금 방금 구운 거라서 진짜 맛있을 거야.

Right? It was just baked, so it will be really tasty.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 하다 -ge hada An expression used to order someone to do a certain thing or to make something work. TOPIK 3 -고 나다 -go nada An expression used to indicate that the act denoted in the preceding statement has finished. TOPIK 3 -고 말다 -go malda An expression used to state that it is regrettable that the act mentioned in the preceding statement finally occurred. TOPIK 3 -고 싶어 하다 -go sipeo hada An expression used to indicate that the speaker wants to do an action or fall into the state mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 3 -기 위해 -gi wihaeseo -기 위해서 · -기 위한 · 을 위해 An expression used to indicate the intention, which is the goal for doing a certain thing. TOPIK 3 -기는 -gineun -긴 · -기는요 · -긴요 A sentence-final ending used when gently denying or refuting the other person's statement. TOPIK 3

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -어 보이다 mean in Korean?

-어 보이다 is a expression introduced at 3급 (TOPIK 3). An expression used to indicate that one feels or guesses something by appearance as mentioned in the preceding statement.

When do you use -어 보이다?

Attaches after adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ. The other shape is -아보이다, -여 보이다 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -어 보이다 and -아보이다?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -어 보이다?

3급 — TOPIK 3, lower intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.