Korean Grammar Point
아/어/여 하다 [a/eo/yeo hada] (Do something)

아/어/여 하다 [a/eo/yeo hada] (Do something)

Short explanation:

Used to signify making an effort or taking an action to make something happen.

Formation:

Verb stem + 아/어/여 + 하다

Examples:

우리가 창문을 열어두고 한밤중에 야외 파티를 해하면서 이웃들로부터 불만을 유발했습니다.
Uriga changmuneul yeoleodugo hanbamjunge yaoe patireul haehamyeonseo iutdeullobuteo bulmaneul yubalhaetseubnida.
By leaving the window open and having an outdoor party in the middle of the night, we caused complaints from our neighbors.
그녀는 재미있는 이야기를 들려 하여 사람들을 웃게 만드는데 매력이 있습니다.
Geunyeoneun jaemiinneun iyagireul deullyeo hae yeo saramdeuleul utge mandeuneunde maeryeogi isseumnida.
She has the charm of making people laugh by telling interesting stories.
동생에게 숙제를 도와 해준 후에야 저는 제 방에 들어갈 수 있었습니다.
Dongsaengege sukje reul dowahae jun hueya jeoneun je bange deuleogal su isseotseumnida.
Only after helping my younger sibling with his homework, I could finally go to my room.
경량 기계 운동을 해 하여 체력을 향상시키는 것이 필요한 최근의 일입니다.
gyeongryang gige undongeul haehae cheryeogeul hyangsang sikineun geosi piryo han choegeunui irida.
Doing lightweight machine exercises to improve physical fitness is a recent necessity.

Long explanation:

"아/어/여 하다 [a/eo/yeo hada]" is a Korean grammar construction used to imply the act of responding or acting with the purpose of creating a reaction or outcome. It gives the nuance of actively doing something or taking the necessary steps to achieve a certain result. It’s mostly used with subjective experience verbs. The verb form that is used depends on the preceding vowel in the verb stem and it is usually attached to native Korean verbs.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: 아/어/여 하다 [a/eo/yeo hada] (Do something)

Korean Grammar Point: 아/어/여 하다 [a/eo/yeo hada] (Do something)

Korean Grammar Lesson: 아/어/여 하다 [a/eo/yeo hada] (To Feel/Act)

1. Introduction

Welcome to today's lesson on the Korean grammar point 아/어/여 하다. This structure is essential for expressing feelings, emotions, and perceptions in Korean. By mastering this grammar point, you'll enhance your ability to describe not just states of being but also how someone exhibits or feels those emotions.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The suffix 아/어/여 하다 is added to adjectives (descriptive verbs) to:

  • Express that someone feels a certain way.
  • Indicate that someone shows signs of a particular emotion or state.
  • Convert adjectives into action verbs, allowing them to be conjugated in various tenses.

Structure

Formation

  1. Take the stem of an adjective (remove 다).
  2. Add:
    • 아 하다 if the stem's last vowel is or .
    • 어 하다 if the stem's last vowel is anything else.
    • 여 하다 for verbs ending with , which often contracts to 해 하다.

Diagram

[Adjective Stem] + 아/어/여 하다

Conjugation Rules

1. Adjective Ending with Vowel or

  • Example: 좋아하다 (to like)

2. Adjective Ending with Other Vowels

  • Example: 슬퍼하다 (to feel sad)

3. Adjectives Ending with

  • Example: 편안해하다 (to feel comfortable)

3. Comparative Analysis

Adjective vs. 아/어/여 하다 Form

  • Adjective Alone: Describes a state or quality.
    • 그 여자는 예쁘다.
      • The woman is pretty. (State of being)
  • Adjective + 아/어/여 하다: Expresses someone's feelings or actions regarding that state.
    • 그 여자는 예뻐한다.
      • She considers (someone/something) pretty. or She acts pretty.

Nuance Differences

  • 예쁘다 vs. 예뻐하다
    • 예쁘다: Simply states that someone is pretty.
    • 예뻐하다: Indicates that someone finds someone else pretty or treats them affectionately.

4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

  1. 학생들은 수업을 즐거워합니다.
    • The students enjoy the class.
  2. 그는 새로운 직장을 두려워합니다.
    • He fears the new job.

Informal Speech

  1. 너는 그녀를 정말 사랑해하는구나!
    • You really love her!
  2. 아이들이 그 놀이기구를 무서워해.
    • The kids are scared of that ride.

Written Context

  1. 그들은 이별을 아쉬워했다.
    • They felt sad about the farewell.
  2. 그녀는 친구의 성공을 부러워했다.
    • She envied her friend's success.

Spoken Context

  1. 왜 그렇게 불안해해?
    • Why are you so anxious?
  2. 그가 시험 결과를 걱정해했어.
    • He was worried about the exam results.

5. Cultural Notes

Emotional Expression in Korean Culture

  • Koreans often express emotions indirectly.
  • Using 아/어/여 하다 softens the statement, making it less direct and more about observed behavior.

Levels of Politeness

  • Conjugate 하다 to match the speech level:
    Speech Level Ending Example
    Informal Low -해 슬퍼해
    Informal Polite -해요 슬퍼해요
    Formal Polite -합니다 슬퍼합니다

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

  1. Using Adjective Instead of 아/어/여 하다 Form
    • Incorrect: 그는 영화를 무섭다.
      • (He movie is scary. - Doesn't make sense.)
    • Correct: 그는 영화를 무서워한다.
      • He is afraid of the movie.
  2. Forgetting to Conjugate 하다
    • Incorrect: 그녀는 기뻐.
      • (Missing 하다, so it just means "She is glad.")
    • Correct: 그녀는 기뻐한다.
      • She feels glad.

Tips

  • Mnemonic Device: Think of 하다 as "to do" – you're expressing that someone "does" the feeling.
  • Remember the Vowel Harmony:
    • 아 하다 for / endings.
    • 어 하다 for other vowels.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • 아/어/여 하다 transforms adjectives into action verbs.
  • It expresses observable feelings or behaviors.
  • Proper conjugation depends on the adjective's stem vowel.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Convert to 아/어/여 하다 form: 외롭다 (to be lonely)
    • Answer: 외로워하다 (to feel lonely)
  2. What does the sentence mean? 그들은 너를 자랑스러워해.
    • Answer: They are proud of you.
  3. Is this sentence correct? Why or why not? 아이들은 피자를 좋아다.
    • Answer: Incorrect. It should be 좋아한다 since 좋아하다 is the correct verb form meaning "to like."

By understanding and practicing 아/어/여 하다, you'll be able to express emotions more naturally and accurately in Korean.

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