Let's study about Korean grammar "-아/어 보이다" today. This grammar is used to describe someone's appearance or to express an assumption based on how something or someone looks. After this class, you'll understand when and how to use this grammar naturally.
"-아/어 보이다"
Definition:
"-아/어 보이다" is attached to the stem of a verb (usually descriptive verbs, or adjectives) and is used to express that something or someone appears or seems a certain way based on visual observation.
Usage:
This structure is typically used when you want to describe how something looks to you, without confirming the actual state.
The verb stem is followed by "-아 보이다" if the last vowel of the verb stem is either "ㅏ" or "ㅗ", and "-어 보이다" for all other vowels.
Example Sentences:
1. 그 사람이 피곤해 보여요.
(That person looks tired.)
2. 이 옷이 비싸 보여요.
(This clothes look expensive.)
3. 날씨가 추워 보여요.
(The weather looks cold.)
4. 이 음식이 맛있어 보여요.
(This food looks delicious.)
Similar Grammar Structures:
1. -(으)ㄴ 것 같다: While "-아/어 보이다" is based on visual perception, "-(으)ㄴ 것 같다" expresses assumption or guessing without necessarily relying on appearance.
Example: "그 사람이 피곤한 것 같아요." (I think that person is tired.)
2. -처럼 보이다: This means "appears like" or "looks like," and often compares something directly to another.
Example: "그 사람이 선생님처럼 보여요." (That person looks like a teacher.)
Considerations for Use:
The key point of "-아/어 보이다" is that it's subjective and based on what the speaker sees or perceives. It doesn’t guarantee the truth but reflects what seems to be the case from the speaker’s perspective.
Very helpful!