What does it mean word for word?
The term is derived from the noun 독학, which is a compound noun consisting of the characters for 'alone/self' and 'study'. The base verb is 독학하다, where the component –하다 means 'to do'.
Which one should you use?
You may also use 자습으로 배웠습니다. to say 'I learned through self-study' or 혼자서 배웠습니다. to say 'I learned by myself'. In informal settings, you can use 내가 스스로 배웠어. to say 'I taught myself' or 혼자서 배웠어. to say 'I learned by myself'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 독학했어요 uses the polite ending –어요, making it suitable for most social situations and speaking to people you are not close with. For highly formal situations, such as professional settings, presentations or when speaking to superiors, use 독학했습니다. In casual settings with close friends or people younger than you, use the informal version 독학했어.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 독학했어요 uses the past tense suffix –었/았어요 to indicate the action of self-studying is completed. If you want to say 'by self-studying', you can add the particle –으로 to the noun to create 독학으로.
How do you pronounce it?
dokhakhaesseoyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, those who 독학 a skill like a musical instrument or a language are often viewed with a high degree of respect because the culture traditionally emphasizes formal mentorship and certificates.
- The word 독학 shares its root for 'alone' with 독립, which means 'independence'. Both words use the same character for 'alone' to describe a state of standing or studying by oneself.
- While 독학 refers to learning a subject on your own, the term 자습 used in 자습으로 배웠습니다 often specifically refers to the mandatory 'self-study hours' students spend in classrooms after formal lessons end.
Examples in context
- 한국어를 독학했어요.I taught myself Korean.
- 그건 독학했어요.geugeon dokhakhaesseoyo.I taught myself that.
- 저는 피아노를 독학했어요.jeoneun piano-reul dokhakhaesseoyo.I taught myself the piano.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are talking about their hobbies.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨는 스페인어를 정말 잘하시네요.Seoyeon ssineun seupeineoreul jeongmal jalhasineyo.Seoyeon, you are really good at Spanish.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사해요. 그냥 독학했어요.Gamsahaeyo. Geunyang dokhakhaesseoyo.Thank you. I just taught myself.
- 지훈 Ji-hun혼자서 공부하기 힘들지 않았어요?Honjaseo gongbuhagi himdeulji anasseoyo?Wasn't it hard studying alone?
- 서연 Seo-yeon조금 힘들었지만 재미있었어요.Jogeum himdeureotjiman jaemiisseosseoyo.It was a bit hard, but it was fun.
