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-고 보다Korean expression · TOPIK 4

-go boda

TOPIK 4 4급Expressions 표현2 senses

One expression with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

An expression indicating that the action implied by the preceding word is done first and the subsequent events are thought about later.

앞말이 뜻하는 행동을 먼저 하고서 그 뒷일은 나중에 생각함을 나타내는 표현.

예문Examples

일단 밥부터 먹고 봅시다.

Let's eat first and think about the rest later.

민준이는 어려운 단어를 일단 외우고 본다.

Minjun memorizes difficult words first and thinks about them later.

승규는 모든 일을 깊이 고려하지 않고 저지르고 보는 편이다.

Seunggyu tends to act first without thinking things through deeply.

대화In conversation

일주일 동안 집안일을 안 했더니 할 일이 많네.

I haven't done any housework for a week, so there's a lot to do.

그러게 말이야.일단 청소부터 하고 보자.

You said it. Let's start with cleaning first.

An expression indicating that after the action implied by the preceding word is done, a new fact implied by the following word is realized, or the state implied by the following word is reached.

앞말이 뜻하는 행동을 하고 난 후에 뒤의 말이 뜻하는 사실을 새로 깨닫게 되거나, 뒤의 말이 뜻하는 상태로 됨을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

동사 뒤에 붙여 쓰고, 주로 ‘-고 보니’, ‘-고 보면’으로 쓴다.

예문Examples

차가 막혀 도착하고 보니 벌써 약속 시간이 지난 후였다.

By the time I arrived after the traffic jam, the appointment time had already passed.

음식점에서 밥을 먹고 보니 지갑이 없어 승규는 몹시 당황했다.

After eating at the restaurant, Seunggyu realized he had no wallet and was very flustered.

영어는 알고 보면 별것 아닌데 왠지 어렵게 느껴진다.

English, once you get to know it, is not a big deal, but it somehow feels hard.

대화In conversation

너는 형이니까 동생에게 화를 내기 전에 동생을 우선 달래야 하지 않겠니?

Since you're the older brother, shouldn't you comfort your younger sibling before getting angry?

엄마 말씀을 듣고 보니 제가 좀 성급했던 것 같아요.

After hearing what you said, I think I was a bit hasty.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-고 들다 -go deulda An expression used to press someone to do the preceding act. TOPIK 4 -고 해서 -go haeseo An expression used to state that the content of the preceding statement is one of several reasons for doing the act mentioned in the following… TOPIK 4 -나 싶다 -na sipda An expression used to indicate that the speaker is making a subjective and uncertain guess about the preceding statement. TOPIK 4 -는 김에 -neun gime -ㄴ 김에 · -은 김에 An expression used to indicate that one is doing a certain act, after the act mentioned in the preceding statement or while doing a similar behavior… TOPIK 4 -는 대로 -neun daero -ㄴ 대로 · -은 대로 An expression used to indicate that something is the same as the present act or state mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 4 -는 듯 -neun deut -ㄴ 듯 · 은 듯 -ㄹ 듯 · -을 듯 An expression used to guess that something said might be similar to the preceding state or situation. TOPIK 4

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -고 보다 mean in Korean?

-고 보다 is a expression introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). An expression indicating that the action implied by the preceding word is done first and the subsequent events are thought about later. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

What TOPIK level is -고 보다?

4급 — TOPIK 4, upper 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.