Language/Korean/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have

Korean Grammar - How to Use "Have"

Hi Korean learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn how to use the verb "to have" in Korean. We will go through the different forms and contexts in which it can be used. By the end of the lesson, you will be able to use "to have" confidently in your Korean conversations. Don't forget to practice with native speakers on the Polyglot Club and ask them any questions.

Basic usage

"To have" in Korean is the verb "가지다" (gajida). Its basic usage is to indicate possession. It is conjugated differently depending on the tense and formality of the sentence.

Here are some examples:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
나는 고양이를 가지고 있다.	naneun goyangireul gajigo itda.	I have a cat. (formal)
우리는 시간이 없다.	urineun sigani eopsda.	We don't have time. (informal)
나는 돈이 많이 있어.	naneun doni mani isseo.	I have a lot of money. (informal)

In these examples, the verb "가지다" (gajida) is conjugated to match the subject of the sentence (I, we, etc.) and the formality level. "가지고 있다" (gajigo itda) is the formal way to say "have" in Korean. "있다" (itda) can also be used in informal situations, but "가지다" (gajida) is preferred in most cases.

Describing something you have

You can use descriptive words to talk about things you have. It's important to note that in Korean, adjectives come before the noun.

Here are some examples:

• Person 1: 내일은 비가 올 것 같아. (naeireun biga ol geot gata.) - I think it will rain tomorrow.
• Person 2: 우산을 있어? (usaneul isseo?) - Do you have an umbrella?
• Person 1: 네, 오래된 파란색 우산이 있어. (ne, oraedoen paransaek usani isseo.) - Yes, I have an old blue umbrella.

In this example, Person 1 uses the descriptive words "오래된" (oraedoen) meaning old and "파란색" (paransaek) meaning blue before the noun "우산" (usaneul) meaning umbrella.

Expressing obligation or necessity

The verb "가지다" (gajida) can also be used to express obligation or necessity. In these cases, it is often used in the negative form.

Here are some examples:

• Person 1: 내일 우리 모임 있잖아? (naeil uri moim itjanha?) - We have a meeting tomorrow, don't we?
• Person 2: 음, 이번 주말에 다른 일이 있어서 어려울 것 같아. (eum, ibeon jumare dareun iri isseoseo eoryeoul geot gata.) - Um, I have something else going on this weekend, so it seems difficult.
• Person 1: 근데 참석해야 돼, 중요한 일이야. (geunde chamsukhaeya dwae, jungyohan iriya.) - But you have to attend, it's an important event.
• Person 2: 그럼 우리 회사에서 새로 온 사원한테 부탁해. (geureom uri hoesaeseo saero on sawonhante butakhae.) - Then let's ask the new employee at our company to do it.

In this example, Person 1 uses the phrase "참석해야 돼" (chamsukhaeya dwae) meaning "have to attend" to express the obligation to attend the meeting. Person 2 responds with the phrase "부탁해" (butakhae) meaning "ask for a favor" to suggest a solution.

Expressing experience

The verb "가지다" (gajida) can also be used to express experience in the past. In this case, it is often used in the present perfect form.

Here are some examples:

• Person 1: 너 일본에 가봤어? (neo ilbone gaboasseo?) - Have you been to Japan?
• Person 2: 네, 여름에 일본 여행 갔을 때 가봤어. (ne, yeoreume ilbon yeohaeng gasseul ttae gaboasseo.) - Yes, I went to Japan during the summer and have been there.
• Person 1: 어때? (eottae?) - How was it?
• Person 2: 일본은 매우 아름다웠어! (ilboneun maeu areumdawosseo!) - It was very beautiful!

In this example, Person 1 uses the expression "가봤어?" (gaboasseo?) meaning "have you been?" to ask about Person 2's experience. Person 2 responds in the present perfect form using "갔을 때 가봤어" (gasseul ttae gaboasseo) meaning "have been there before."

Conclusion

In this lesson, you learned how to use the verb "to have" in Korean to indicate possession, obligation, necessity, and experience. Remember to practice these forms with native speakers on the Polyglot Club and ask them any questions. Using "to have" can make your Korean conversations more natural and help you express yourself more accurately.

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Related Lessons

• Questions
• Future Tense
• Plurals
• How to Use Be
• Gender
• Give your Opinion
• Conditional Mood
• Negation
• Adjectives