배우다
bae'uda[pɛuda̠]
The English verb 'to learn' is expressed in Korean as 배우다 (bae'uda).
배우다 is used when you are receiving instruction or learning from a person or a specific source.
Meaning: to acquire knowledge or ability (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 배우다 implies receiving instruction from a teacher or source, the word 익히다 is used when referring to mastering a skill through practice.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 배우다 changes to 배워요 in standard polite conversational style. To express the past tense, use 배웠다. If you want to turn the verb into a noun meaning 'the act of learning' or 'learning something', add the suffix 는 것 to form 배우는 것.
How do you pronounce it?
bae'uda
Did you know?
- In Korean, the noun for an 'actor' is spelled exactly the same as the verb stem for 'to learn', written as 배우.
- Korean distinguishes between 배우다 (learning from someone) and 알게 되다 (coming to know something), meaning you cannot use 배우다 for a discovery you made by accident.
- In Korea, the cultural emphasis on education is so strong that 배우다 is often used in the context of 'learning' a social hierarchy or the 'correct' way to behave toward elders.
Examples in context
- 매일 새로운 것을 배우다To learn something new every dayThis sentence shows how to use 배우다 when talking about learning something new every day.
- 운전을 배우다To learn to driveThis sentence illustrates how to use 배우다 when expressing the intent to learn how to drive.
- 제임스 씨는 한국어를 배우고 있습니다.James is learning Korean.
- 그 학생들은 새로운 지식을 학습하고 있습니다.Those students are learning new knowledge.
- 나는 피아노를 배워요.I am learning the piano.
- 난 지금 한국어를 배우고 있어요.I am learning Korean now.
- 저는 대학에서 수학을 배웁니다.I learn mathematics at university.
- 그녀는 독일어를 배우고 싶어요.She wants to learn German.
- 우리는 문화와 역사를 배워요.We learn about culture and history.
- 한국어를 배우다.hangugeoreul baeuda.To learn Korean.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “learn” translations and entries 배우다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
