-아야/어야 하다
-aya/eoya hada
In Korean, "should" is expressed using the form -아야/어야 하다 (-aya/eoya hada).
This expression is used to convey obligation.
Meaning: expressing obligation (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice between -아야 and -어야 depends on the last vowel of the verb stem. To speak about a past obligation or something you "should have" done, use the past tense form -아야/어야 했다. In written texts, journals or when stating general truths, the plain form -아야/어야 한다 is used. To soften the directness of an obligation, Koreans often use the phrase -아야/어야 할 것 같다, which translates to "it seems like I/one should".
How do you pronounce it?
-aya/eoya hada
Did you know?
- In Korean, the phrase -아야/어야 하다 can be used to describe events that happen as a matter of fate or natural order, making it sound like 'it is meant to be'.
- Depending on the social hierarchy between the speaker and listener, the formality level of -아야/어야 하다 changes to signal their relative status.
- The irregular form 하여 exists because the ancient stem of 하다 is believed to have been ᄒᆡ-.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
