Example Sentences#

1. 이번엔 좀 색다르게 놀아보자.¹
   Let’s try to do something a bit different this time.

   • 놀다 means ‘to play’ or ‘to have fun’.
   • -아 보다 is used to indicate that one attempts or tests the action described in the preceding statement, meaning ‘to try doing something’.
   • -자 is an informal sentence ending used to suggest, propose, or encourage an action, often translated as ‘let’s’.

2. 앨리스: 앨리스는 이 말을 부정할 수 없다고 느껴서 다른 질문을 해 보았다.²
   Alice: Feeling that she couldn’t deny this, Alice asked another question.

   • 보다 means ‘to see’ or ‘to try’.
   • -여 보다 is used to indicate that one attempts or tests the action described in the preceding statement.
   • 았 is a past tense marker.
   • 다 is a plain narrative form used in writing to state facts or narrate events.

3. 아니면 살짝 웃어볼까³
   Or should I give a soft smile?

   • 웃다 means ‘to smile’.
   • -어 보다 is a grammatical construction where 보다 (to see) is used as an auxiliary verb to indicate that one attempts or tests the action described in the preceding statement.
   • -ㄹ까 is a sentence ending used to ask for a suggestion or propose an action, expressing uncertainty or contemplation, often used when speaking to oneself.

4. 네가 원하는 쪽으로 가 봐.²
   Go whichever way you want.

   • 보다 means ‘to see’ or ‘to try’.
   • -아 보다 is used to indicate that one attempts or tests the action described in the preceding statement.
   • 아 is the imperative ending used in informal speech.

5. 조금만 더 내게 다가와 봐³
   Come a little closer to me

   • 보다 means ‘to see’ or ‘to try’.
   • -아 보다 is used to indicate that one attempts or tests the action described in the preceding statement.
   • 아 is the imperative ending used in informal speech.

6. 너와 나, 웃으며 춤춰 봐³
   You and I, let’s smile and dance

   • 보다 means ‘to see’ or ‘to try’.
   • -어 보다 is used to indicate that one attempts or tests the action described in the preceding statement.
   • 아 is the imperative ending used in informal speech.