해야 해
haeya hae
The English phrase "I have to" is expressed in Korean as 해야 해 (haeya hae).
This phrase is used to express that something is necessary or required.
Which one should you use?
In spoken Korean, 해야 돼 is often used interchangeably with 해야 해 to express necessity. To sound less blunt or forceful, Koreans often use 해야 할 것 같아 (it seems like I should do) instead of the direct 해야 해.
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression 제가 [Verb Stem] -아/어야 해요 is a polite way to express 'I have to' that emphasizes the speaker as the subject. The expression 나는 [Verb Stem] -아/어야 돼 is an informal way to say 'I have to' that emphasizes the speaker as the subject. The form 해야 한다 is used in written texts, news reports or when speaking in a plain, non-honorific style to oneself or in a diary.
How do you pronounce it?
haeya hae
Did you know?
- The phrase 해야 돼 uses a verb that literally means 'to become'. This implies that the situation must 'become' a certain way for the requirement to be met.
- Using 해야 해 without any polite endings to a superior is considered a significant social mistake and can be perceived as an order rather than a statement of necessity.
- The syllable 해 is a linguistic chameleon that can represent many different Chinese characters, such as 'sea' or 'harm', depending on the context.
Examples in context
- 먹-어야 해I have to eat
- 숙제를 해야 해.sukjereul haeya hae.I have to do my homework.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their homework.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 같이 놀자!Subin-a, gati nolja!Subin, let's hang out together!
- 수빈 Su-bin미안해, 숙제를 해야 해.mianhae, sukjereul haya hae.I'm sorry, I have to do my homework.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo언제 다 끝나?eonje da kkeun-na?When will you be finished?
- 수빈 Su-bin한 시간 정도 걸릴 것 같아.han sigan jeongdo geollil geot gata.I think it will take about an hour.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 해, CC BY-SA 4.0.
