해봐
haebwa
In Korean, 'do it' can be translated as 해봐 (haebwa).
While 'do it' can refer to performing any action such as 공부하다 (to study), 요리하다 (to cook), 청소하다 (to clean), 도와주다 (to help) or 수리하다 (to repair), the specific form 해봐 is often used to suggest that someone 'give it a try'.
Meaning: to have sex (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 해봐 is a combination of the verb 하다 (to do) and the auxiliary verb -어 보다 (to try doing something).
Which one should you use?
The form 해봐 is used when suggesting someone 'give it a try' or 'do it'. Other forms include the casual 해 for a direct 'do it', and the informal request 해줘 used among friends or close acquaintances when asking them to do something for you.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For polite requests, you can use 해주세요 to ask someone to 'do it' politely or 해봐요 to make the suggestion polite. If you wish to indicate that you will kindly do a task for someone else, use 해 드릴까요.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase 해봐 into a polite form, you add the suffix -요 to the end, resulting in 해봐요.
How do you pronounce it?
haebwa
Did you know?
- The auxiliary verb -어 보다 used in 해봐 literally translates to 'to see', so the phrase functions as if you are saying 'do it and see'.
- When asking someone to 'do' something for you using 해줘, the ending -줘 comes from the verb 'to give'. You are essentially asking the person to 'give' you the act of doing the task.
- In many contexts, the phrase 해봐 might be used to suggest 'trying' a provocative sexual act rather than just a general task, depending on the tone and setting.
Examples in context
- 이것을 해주세요Please do this.
- 해 드릴까요?Shall I do it for you?
- 이거 좀 해줘Do this for me, please.
- 이거 좀 해봐Give this a try.
- 학교 숙제 좀 해주세요Please do my school homework.
- 운동을 좀 해봐Give exercising a try.
- 이거 사주지마, 직접 해Don't buy this, do it yourself.
Example conversation
A couple is talking privately in the bedroom.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현, 우리 이제 해봐.Dohyeon, uri ije haebwa.Dohyeon, let's do it now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아, 수빈. 나도 원해.joa, Subin. nado wonhae.Okay, Subin. I want to too.
- 수빈 Su-bin불을 꺼줄래?bureul kkeojullae?Can you turn off the light?
- 도현 Do-hyeon응, 바로 끌게.eung, baro kkeulge.Yes, I'll turn it off right now.
