Hello dear Korean language enthusiast! Today, we will delve into the different ways of expressing “did” in Korean, both formally and informally. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, this guide will provide you with various tips, examples, and insights. So get ready to enhance your Korean language skills!
Table of Contents
1. Saying “Did” in Korean
In Korean, the word “did” is commonly translated as “했다 (haetda)” when talking about past actions. This form can be used in both formal and informal situations.
1.1 Informal Way:
When speaking informally to friends, peers, or family members, you should use the casual form of “했다 (haetda)” by dropping the “요 (yo)” ending. For instance:
Examples:
- 뭐 했어? (Mwo haesseo?) – What did you do?
- 영화 봤어. (Yeonghwa bwaesseo.) – I watched a movie.
- 저녁 먹었어? (Jeonyeok meogeosseo?) – Did you have dinner?
- 그림 그렸어요? (Geurim geuryeosseoyo?) – Did you draw a picture?
1.2 Formal Way:
In formal situations, it is important to use the polite speech level. This means you have to add the polite ending “습니다 (seumnida)” after “했다 (haetda)”. Here are a few examples:
Examples:
- 무엇을 하셨습니까? (Mueoseul hasyeossseumnikka?) – What did you do? (polite)
- 영화를 보셨습니까? (Yeonghwareul boshyeossseumnikka?) – Did you watch a movie? (polite)
- 저녁을 드셨습니까? (Jeonyeogeul deusyeossseumnikka?) – Did you have dinner? (polite)
- 그림을 그리셨습니까? (Geurimeul geurisyeossseumnikka?) – Did you draw a picture? (polite)
2. Alternative Ways to Say “Did” in Korean
Although “했다 (haetda)” is the most common way to express “did” in Korean, there are a few alternatives worth mentioning. These alternatives have similar meanings but add specific nuances to your conversation.
2.1 Using “하셨어요? (hasyeosseoyo?)”
If you want to convey more politeness or respect, you can use the honorific form to ask someone what they did. The honorific form of “했다 (haetda)” is “하셨어요 (hasyeosseoyo)”. Here are some examples:
Examples:
- 하루 동안 무엇을 하셨어요? (Haru dong-an mueoseul hasyeosseoyo?) – What did you do all day? (polite)
- 어제 뭐 하셨어요? (Eoje mwo hasyeosseoyo?) – What did you do yesterday? (polite)
- 저번 주말에는 뭐 하셨어요? (Jeobeon jumareneun mwo hasyeosseoyo?) – What did you do last weekend? (polite)
2.2 Using “했던 (haetdeon)”
Another way to express “did” in Korean is by using the past tense form “했던 (haetdeon)”. This form is often used when reminiscing or to emphasize that an action was done in the past. Here are some examples:
Examples:
- 그 때 뭐 했던 거야? (Geu ttae mwo haetdeon geoya?) – What did you do back then? (casual)
- 지난 주에 뭐 했던 거예요? (Jinan ju-e mwo haetdeon geoyeyo?) – What did you do last week? (polite)
3. Regional Variations
Usually, the expressions for “did” in Korean remain consistent across regions. However, there might be slight differences in pronunciation or specific dialects that could affect the intonation. It’s worth noting that the examples provided in this guide are based on standard Korean language.
4. Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully learned various ways to say “did” in Korean. Remember to adapt your usage depending on the formality and politeness required in each situation. Whether speaking informally or formally, you can now confidently navigate conversations and express past actions in Korean.
