보다
boda[po̞da̠]
To say see in Korean, use 보다 (boda), the everyday verb for perceiving with the eyes. When you are seeing a person you must show respect to, use the humble 뵙다. If unsure, use 보다.
Meaning: perceive with the eyes (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보다 | boda | [po̞da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 뵙다 | boepda | [ˈpwe̞(ː)p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈpø̞(ː)p̚t͈a̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
humble |
보다 is used for seeing things and people, and it is the normal choice in casual conversation among friends and acquaintances.
Which one should you use?
보다 is the general verb. 뵙다 is a humble verb used when you are the one seeing or meeting a person of higher social status or someone you must show respect to.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
보다 is used in informal, casual conversation. 뵙다 is humble, and 뵙겠습니다 is a polite, formal way to say I will see you or I will visit you, often used when ending a conversation or meeting.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 보다 is 봤다.
How do you pronounce it?
보다 is romanized as boda.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 보다 when you are meeting a teacher, a boss or an elder. Switch to 뵙다 to show respect.
When do people say it?
뵙겠습니다 is often said when closing a conversation or meeting with someone you respect.
Did you know?
- The word 보다 can also function as a particle meaning 'than' to compare two things. While it is most commonly known as the verb 'to see', its use in comparisons is incredibly frequent in daily speech.
- In Korean, 보다 is used for activities like watching a movie, watching TV or even taking an exam. The English 'see' is much more limited in these specific contexts.
- Korean uses 보다 to mean 'trying' something out, such as trying on clothes or tasting a dish. It suggests a visual or experiential inspection.
Examples in context
- 내일 뵙겠습니다.See you tomorrow.뵙겠습니다 is the humble, formal way to say see you tomorrow to someone you respect.
- 저와 만나고 싶으신가요?Would you like to meet with me?
- 프로젝트 계획을 다시 보았습니다.I reviewed the project plan.
- 오늘 영화를 볼래?Do you want to watch a movie today?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “see” translations and entries 보다, 뵙다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
