배우다
bae'uda[pɛuda̠]
To learn in Korean is 배우다 (bae'uda).
배우다 is used when acquiring a skill or knowledge through instruction.
Which one should you use?
배우다 is used when acquiring a skill or knowledge through instruction, whereas 배우다 is not used for the act of studying a specific textbook or curriculum, which would use 공부하다.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 배우다 is 배웠다. Depending on the level of politeness required, you can use the formal polite conjugation 배웁니다 or the polite informal conjugation 배워요.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [bae'uda].
Did you know?
- In Korean, the word for 'actor' is 배우, which is the same word used for 'to learn' when stripped of its verb ending. This linguistic overlap means an actor is literally one who 'learns' or 'performs' a role.
- In Korean culture, the act of learning 배우다 is often framed as 'receiving' knowledge from a master, reflecting a Confucian emphasis on the hierarchy between teacher and student.
- While 배우다 covers learning from a person, Korean uses the term 익히다 to describe the process of 'learning' through repetitive practice until a skill becomes second nature.
Examples in context
- 매일 새로운 것을 배우다To learn something new every dayThis example shows how to use 배우다 in the context of learning something new every day.
- 운전을 배우다To learn to driveThis example shows how to use 배우다 in the context of learning to drive.
- 저는 한국어를 배우고 있어요.I am learning Korean.
- 제가 새로운 언어를 배우는데 도움이 필요해요.I need help with learning a new language.
- 오늘은 새로운 단어를 배웠어.I learned a new word today.
- 우리 함께 일본어를 배워볼래?Do you want to learn Japanese together?
- 한국어를 배우다.hangugeoreul baeuda.To learn Korean.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 배우다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
