What's the difference between '-아/어 보다' and '-은 적이 있다'? [ENG sub]

Summary

This video explains the difference between two Korean expressions used to talk about past experiences: '-아/어 보다' and '-은 적이 있다.' The former focuses on intentional actions or experiences that the speaker wanted to try, while the latter simply refers to any past experience, regardless of intention. The video breaks down the usage of both expressions in detail, providing examples of when to use each and highlighting key differences such as subject restrictions, the use of adjectives, and how both forms can sometimes be combined. Viewers are encouraged to practice forming sentences with these expressions.

Takeaways

• 😀 '-아/어 보다' and '-은 적이 있다' are both used to talk about past experiences.
• 😀 '-아/어 보다' emphasizes a personal attempt, typically showing that the speaker wanted to try something.
• 😀 '-은 적이 있다' simply indicates that someone has had a certain experience, regardless of whether they wanted it or not.
• 😀 '-아/어 보다' cannot be used with negative experiences unless the speaker considers them special or interesting.
• 😀 '-은 적이 있다' can be used with both positive and negative experiences, with no emotional or intention-based restriction.
• 😀 '-아/어 보다' must have a person as the subject, as it refers to something the person has actively tried.
• 😀 '-은 적이 있다' can have both people and non-people as subjects (e.g., a computer or rain).
• 😀 '-아/어 보다' is only used with verbs, not adjectives.
• 😀 '-은 적이 있다' can also be used with adjectives when forming '-았/었던 적이 있다'.
• 😀 The combination of '-아/어 보다' and '-은 적이 있다' in the form of '-아/어 본 적이 있다' emphasizes both the act of trying and the experience.
• 😀 The key difference between the two expressions is that '-아/어 보다' highlights the attempt or intention, while '-은 적이 있다' simply refers to having had the experience, whether by intention or circumstance.

Q & A

What is the difference between '-아/어 보다' and '-은 적이 있다'?

The expression '-아/어 보다' emphasizes an attempt or a desire to experience something, indicating that the speaker wanted to try it. In contrast, '-은 적이 있다' simply refers to having experienced something in the past, without focusing on whether the speaker wanted to experience it.

Can '-아/어 보다' be used for both positive and negative experiences?

'-아/어 보다' is typically not used for negative experiences, unless the speaker considers it a special or fun experience, even if objectively negative, like getting into a police car.

How can '-은 적이 있다' be used in relation to positive and negative experiences?

'-은 적이 있다' can be used for both positive and negative experiences, as it doesn't depend on whether the speaker wanted to experience it or not.

What is the meaning of '보다' in '-아/어 보다'?

The '보다' in '-아/어 보다' means 'to try,' so it emphasizes the action of attempting or wanting to experience something.

Can '-아/어 보다' be used with non-human subjects?

No, '-아/어 보다' can only be used with human subjects because it implies an action that the speaker themselves wanted to try or experience.

Can '-은 적이 있다' be used with both people and non-people subjects?

Yes, '-은 적이 있다' can be used with both human and non-human subjects, unlike '-아/어 보다.'

What is the difference in usage between '-아/어 보다' and '-은 적이 있다' when combined with adjectives?

'-아/어 보다' can only be used with verbs, while '-은 적이 있다' can also be used with adjectives, such as in the form '-았/었던 적이 있다.'

What does the combined form '-아/어 본 적이 있다' mean?

The combined form '-아/어 본 적이 있다' emphasizes both the attempt and the special nature of an experience, highlighting that the speaker not only tried something but also considers it noteworthy.

Can you use '-아/어 보다' with repetitive or daily experiences?

No, '-아/어 보다' is not used for repetitive or daily events. It is reserved for special or unique experiences the speaker wanted to try.

How can '-아/어 보다' be used with negative experiences?

Although '-아/어 보다' typically isn't used with negative experiences, it can be used if the speaker finds the experience special or fun, even if it was objectively negative, such as losing a phone or getting hurt.