공부하다
gongbuhada[ko̞ŋbuɦa̠da̠]
To study in Korean is 공부하다 (gongbuhada).
공부하다 refers to the act of studying, which is often academic or self-directed.
Which one should you use?
While 공부하다 is used for the act of studying, the verb 배우다 is used for the process of learning a skill or a subject from someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite present tense form of 공부하다 is 공부해요. For a formal/honorific present tense, use 공부합니다. In the past tense, the informal/casual form is 공부했어.
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific term, 벼락치기, which describes the act of 'thunder-strike studying' or cramming for an exam at the last minute.
- In South Korea, 스터디 카페 or 'study cafes' are specialized businesses where people pay for quiet space to 공부하다, distinct from regular coffee shops.
- The word 공부 is derived from the Chinese characters meaning 'effort' or 'hard work'. It suggests that studying is not just an intellectual pursuit but a strenuous process of applying oneself.
Examples in context
- 저는 대학생입니다. 매일 열심히 공부합니다.I am a university student. I study hard every day.
- 친구들과 같이 학교에서 공부해요.I study at school with my friends.
- 저는 한국어를 공부해요.I study Korean.
- 저는 도서관에서 공부해요.I study at the library.
- 저는 시험을 위해 많이 공부해요.I study a lot for exams.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 공부하다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공부하다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
