공부했어?
gongbuhaesseo?
The English phrase "did you study?" is translated into Korean as 공부했어? (gongbuhaesseo?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone has completed their studies or spent time learning.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the level of respect required: 공부했어? is the casual version, 공부했어요? is the polite version and 공부하셨어요? is the honorific version used for superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To make the question polite for use with strangers or elders, add the polite ending '-요' to get 공부했어요? In a formal or highly respectful context, such as asking a teacher or a superior, use 공부하셨어요?
How do you pronounce it?
gongbuhaesseo?
Did you know?
- While 공부하셨어요? is the grammatically correct honorific form, using it to ask a professional about their studies can actually sound condescending. It is often better to focus on their professional expertise instead of their personal learning.
- The word 공부 (gongbu) originates from Chinese characters meaning 'effort' and 'merit'. In its original sense, it referred to the effort put into a task rather than just academic schooling.
- In Korean culture, 공부 can describe the act of observing a person or a life experience to learn from it, extending far beyond textbooks.
Examples in context
- 공부하셨나요?Have you studied?
- 얼마나 공부했어?How much did you study?
- 어제 공부했어?Did you study yesterday?
- 시험 때문에 공부했어?si-heom ttae-mun-e gong-bu-haess-eo?Did you study because of the exam?
- 어제 집에서 공부했어?eo-je jip-e-seo gong-bu-haess-eo?Did you study at home yesterday?
- 오늘 수학 공부했어?o-neul su-hak gong-bu-haess-eo?Did you study math today?
Example conversation
Jihoon asks Jieun about her afternoon.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은아, 오늘 공부했어?Ji-eun-a, o-neul gong-bu-haess-eo?Jieun, did you study today?
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 도서관에서 공부했어.eung, do-seo-gwan-e-seo gong-bu-haess-eo.Yes, I studied at the library.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 열심히 했구나.jeong-mal yeol-sim-hi haess-gu-na.You really studied hard.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워, 지훈아.go-ma-wo, Ji-hun-a.Thanks, Jihoon.
