Korean Grammar Point
아/어/여 하다 [a/eo/yeo hada] (To feel or show a certain emotion)

Used mainly to convert adjectives (descriptive verbs) into active verbs that show one’s feeling or reaction.

Formation

Descriptive verb stem + 아/어/여 + 하다

Examples

그는 영화가 너무 슬퍼서 울기도 하고 슬퍼해요.

Geuneun yeonghwaga neomu seulpeoseo ulgido hago seulpeohaeyo.

He finds the movie so sad that he cries and expresses his sadness.

아이가 무서워해서 혼자 자는 것을 싫어해요.

Aiga museowohaeseo honja janeun geoseul sil-eohaeyo.

The child is scared, so he dislikes sleeping alone.

그녀는 부끄러워하여 사람들 앞에 나서길 망설였어요.

Geunyeoneun bukkeureowohayeo saramdeul ape naseogil mangseoryeosseoyo.

She felt embarrassed and hesitated to stand in front of people.

사람들은 그 소식을 듣고 몹시 놀라워했어요.

Saramdeureun geu sosigeul deutgo mopsi nollawohaesseoyo.

People were very astonished when they heard the news.

Long Explanation

In Korean, some descriptive verbs (adjectives) become active verbs when combined with '아/어/여 하다'. For example, '슬프다' (to be sad) → '슬퍼하다' (to feel or show sadness). It indicates that the subject actively experiences or outwardly shows the emotion/state. This pattern is especially common with psychological or emotional adjectives.

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)

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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