Example Sentences#

1. 오른쪽과 왼쪽 멀리서 벽이 보이기 시작했을 때 기뻤어.¹
   I was glad when I saw walls far away to the right and left.
   • 보이다 means ‘to be seen’ or ‘to appear’ and is formed by adding the passive suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • -기 is a nominalizing suffix, turning the verb into a noun form.
2. 걷고 나면 보이는 길은 왜일까²
   Why do the roads only reveal themselves after I walk?
   • 보이다 means ‘to be seen’ or ‘to appear’ and is formed by adding the passive suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • -는 is a present tense modifier that turns the preceding statement into a phrase describing the following noun.
3. 지수: 그치, 그 두 사람 다 상처가 많았는데, 그냥 옆에 있어 주는 것만으로도 힘이 되는 게 보여서 좋았어.³
   Jisoo: Right, both of those people had many wounds, but it was good to see that just being by their side was enough to give them strength.
   • 보이다 means ‘to be seen’ or ‘to appear’ and is formed by adding the passive suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • -어서 is a connective ending that indicates a sequence of related events, cause and effect, or ways or means.
4. 알 수 없는 길이지만 재밌어 보여⁴
   It’s an unknown path, yet it looks fun
   • 보이다 means ‘to be seen’ or ‘to appear’ and is formed by adding the passive suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
5. 적의 눈 속에 내가 보였어⁵
   I saw myself in my enemy’s eyes.
   • 보이다 means ‘to be seen’ or ‘to appear’ and is formed by adding the passive suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • 었 is a past tense marker.
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
6. 아름다움 보여 줘, 사라지기 전에²
   Show me beauty before it fades away
   • 보이다 means ‘to show’ or ‘to reveal’ and is formed by adding the causative suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • 어 is part of the pattern -어 주다, which indicates that the action is done for someone else.
7. 진실을 보여 줘, 길을 잃기 전에²
   Show me truth before I lose my way
   • 보이다 means ‘to show’ or ‘to reveal’ and is formed by adding the causative suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • 어 is part of the pattern -어 주다, which indicates that the action is done for someone else.
8. 눈을 감아야 진짜가 보여²
   Close your eyes to see what’s real
   • 보이다 means ‘to be seen’ or ‘to appear’ and is formed by adding the passive suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.
9. 눈을 뜨면 진짜가 보여²
   Open your eyes to see what’s real
   • 보이다 means ‘to be seen’ or ‘to appear’ and is formed by adding the passive suffix -이- to the verb 보다 (to see).
   • 어 is a casual ending used in informal speech.