Table of Contents
물어보다 meaning
The Korean verb 물어보다 meaning is “to ask”—specifically, it carries the nuance of “to try asking” or “to ask and see.” It’s formed by combining two verbs:
- 묻다 = to ask
- 보다 = to try (literally “to see,” but often used as “to try doing something”)
So 물어보다 literally means “ask and see” and is used in everyday Korean to simply mean “to ask.” It is often more polite or gentle than just using 묻다.
물어보다 vs 묻다: What’s the Difference?
Both verbs mean “to ask,” but there’s a small nuance:
- 묻다 = to ask (basic form, sometimes used in formal or written language)
- 물어보다 = to try asking (more common in speech, softer, polite tone)
For example:
- 기자가 질문을 묻다. (A reporter asks a question.) — Slightly more formal.
- 친구에게 질문을 물어보다. (Try asking a friend a question.) — More natural in casual conversation.
물어보다 Example 1
Original Korean Sentence
모르면 그냥 물어보세요.
Pronunciation Guide
모르면 (mo-reu-myeon) 그냥 (geu-nyang) 무러보세요 (mu-reo-bo-se-yo)?
Meaning and Context
모르 (to not know) 면 (if) 그냥 (just) 물어보 (to ask) 세요 (I’m telling you to do this in a polite way)
English Translation
If you don’t know, just ask.
Literal Translation
If (you) don’t know, just ask.
Conjugating 물어보다
- Since it’s made of two verbs, we conjugate 물어보다 like any other regular -다 ending verb. Here are a few forms:
| Tense | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 물어봐요 | 지금 물어봐요. (I’m asking now.) |
| Past | 물어봤어요 | 어제 물어봤어요. (I asked yesterday.) |
| Future | 물어볼 거예요 | 나중에 물어볼 거예요. (I’ll ask later.) |
| Formal | 물어봅니다 | 선생님께 물어봅니다. (I ask the teacher.) |
What About 물어요?
물어요 is the present tense of 묻다 (to ask). It’s conjugated by changing the irregular verb stem 묻- to 물-, then adding -어요.
So:
- 묻다 → 물어요 = (I) ask
- Not to be confused with 물다 (to bite)!
물어보다 Example 2
Original Korean Sentence
그 사람한테 뭐라고 물어봤어요?
Pronunciation Guide
그 (geu) 사람한테 (sa-ram-han-te) 뭐라고 (mwo-ra-go) 무러봣써요 (mu-reo-bwat-sseo-yo)?
Meaning and Context
그 (that) 사람 (person) 한테 (to) 뭐 (what) 라고 (a quoting particle; used to quote speech or thoughts) 물어보 (to ask) 았 (past tense) 어요? (I’m asking you polite and friendly).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 보 + 았 = 봤
When rapidly pronounced, ‘보’ and ‘았’ naturally combine to form ‘봤’.
Grammar
* 라고 is a quoting particle. It’s used after a quoted phrase when reporting or referring to speech. Think of it like saying “someone said…” or “someone asked…” in English.
English Translation
What did you ask that person?
Literal Translation
What (you) asked to that person?
물어보다 Example 3
Original Korean Sentence
선생님께 물어봐도 돼요?
Pronunciation Guide
선생님께 (seon-saeng-nim-kke) 무러봐도 (mu-reo-bwa-do) 돼요 (dwae-yo)?
Meaning and Context
선생님 (teacher) 께 (to; honorific) 물어보 (to ask) 아도 돼요? (Is it okay; in a polite and friendly).
Pronunciation Patterns for Conjugations
⊳ 보 + 아 = 봐
When rapidly pronounced, ‘보’ and ‘아’ naturally combine to form ‘봐’.
Grammar
* 아/어도 돼요 = is it okay to / can I?
English Translation
Can I ask the teacher?
Literal Translation
Can (I) ask to teacher?
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Conclusion: Mastering 물어보다 Meaning
If you’re learning Korean, try using 물어보다 in real conversations—it’s one of the most useful and natural-sounding verbs for asking questions politely. Understanding the subtle difference between 묻다 and 물어보다 meaning can help you sound more fluent and natural in Korean.
Whether you’re wondering how to conjugate 물어보다 in the present tense like 물어요, or past tense like 물어봤어요, this verb will come up again and again in daily life. So don’t hesitate—물어봐도 돼요 (It’s okay to ask)! Practice it, speak it, and get comfortable with the structure. Knowing when to use 묻다 vs 물어보다 is a great step forward in your Korean learning journey.
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