V-고 보니/고 보니까 Mastering Korean Grammar 185
이야기를 듣고 보니 이해됐어요.
When learning Korean, one often encounters expressions that beautifully capture the essence of realization and discovery.
One such gem is 'V-고 보니,' a phrase that conveys the enlightenment or understanding that comes after performing an action. Its versatility allows for an extension to 'V-고 보니까,' further emphasizing the nuance of the realization.
This blog post will explore the usage, structure, and practical application of 'V-고 보니' for Korean language learners.
If you want to watch the lesson in Korean with English subtitles, please click the link below.
Usage of V-ㄴ/는다면, A-다면, N-이라면/라면
• Realization: An expression used to state that the speaker did the act mentioned in the preceding statement, then realized the fact in the following statement.
• 'V-고 보니' iIt is often translated as "upon doing X, I realized Y" in English, reflecting on an outcome that wasn't apparent before the action was taken.
• A useful variation is 'V-고 보니까,' which serves the same function and can be used interchangeably.
Explanation with Examples: -고 보니 (Final consonant O)
Miso: 나나 씨, 지안 씨랑 오해는 풀었어요? (Nana, Did you resolve the misunderstanding with Ji-an?)
Nana: 네, 지안 씨 이야기를 듣고 보니 그 상황이 이해되더라고요. (듣다 + 고 보니) (Yes, after listening to Ji-an, I understood the situation.)
→ Here, '듣고 보니' is a combination of the verb '듣다' and '-고 보니.'
→ What action did Nana do? - She listened to Jian's story. → 지안 씨의 이야기를 듣고 보니 (After listening to Jian's story,)
→ What did she come to know new? - She came to understand Jian's situation.
→ '듣고 보니' expresses that listening led to her newfound understanding.
Explanation with Examples: -고 보니 (Final consonant X)
Miso: 왜 이렇게 늦었어요? (Why are you so late?)
Nana: 미안해요. 지하철을 타고 보니 반대쪽으로 탔더라고요. (타다 + 고 보니) (I'm sorry. After getting on the subway, I realized I was on the train going in the opposite direction.)
→ Here, ''타고 보니' is a combination of the verb '타다' and '-고 보니.'
→ What action did Nana take? - She got on the subway. → 지하철을 타고 보니 (After getting on the subway)
→ What did she come to know new? - She realized that she had boarded a subway going in the opposite direction.
→ '타고 보니' highlights the realization after the action of boarding the subway.
Grammar Tips: '-았/었/했-' and '-겠-' (X)
• '-고 보니' cannot be used with the past tense '-았/었/했-' or with future/speculative expressions '-겠-.'
① Avoiding Past Tense Marker '-았/었/했-'
- 지하철을 탔고 보니 반대쪽으로 탔더라고요. (타다 + 았 + 고 보니) (X)
→ Here, '탔고 보니' is a combination of the verb '타다,' the past form '-았-' and '-고 보니.' It is wrong.
② Avoiding Future/Speculative Marker '-겠-'
- 이야기를 듣겠고 보니 이해되더라고요. (듣다 + 겠 + 고 보니) (X)
→ Here, '듣겠고 보니'' is a combination of the verb '듣다,' the future/speculative expression '-겠-' and '-고 보니.' This expression is incorrect.
Combination Information V-고 보니
① With Final Consonant: - 고 보니
→ 먹다 + 고 보니 → 먹고 보니
② Without Final Consonant: -고 보니
→ 가다 + 고 보니 → 가고 보니
Practice with Real-life Examples
Let's practice forming sentences with 'V-고 보니.'
1. 옷을 (입다) 거꾸로 입었더라고요.
→ 옷을 입고 보니 거꾸로 입었더라고요. (입다 + 고 보니)
(After putting on clothes, I realized they were on backward.)
2. (알다) 두 사람 사귀는 사이래요.
→ 알고 보니 두 사람 사귀는 사이래요. (알다 + 고 보니)
(Upon knowing, I realized the two were dating.)
3. 약속 장소에 (도착하다) 아무도 없었어요. .
→ 약속 장소에 도착하고 보니 아무도 없었어요.
(Upon arriving at the meeting place, I realized no one was there.)
'-고 보니' in Contexts: Dialogues for Better Understanding
미소: 나나 씨, 뭐 그리고 있어요?
나나: 원래는 호랑이를 그리려고 했는데, 그리고 보니 고양이가 됐네요.
미소: 그러게요. 호랑이치고는 너무 귀여운데요?
나나: 아무래도 다시 그려야겠어요.
→ Here, '그리고 보니' is a combination of the verb '그리다' and '-고 보니.'
→ '그리고 보니' (after drawing, I realized) illustrates the realization Nana comes to after her drawing activity.
(in English)
Miso: Nana, what are you drawing there?
Nana: I intended to draw a tiger, but after drawing, it turned out to be a cat.
Miso: Right? It's too cute for a tiger, isn't it?
Nana: I guess I'll have to redraw it.
Challenge Yourself: '-고 보니 ' Korean Grammar Quiz
Quiz 1: Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form of -고 보니.
(example) 먹다 (v. eat) → 먹고 보니
1. 사다 (v. buy)
2. 걷다 (v. walk)
3. 열다 (v. open)
4. 읽다 (v. read)
5. 만들다 (v. make)
6. 공부하다 (v. study)
Quiz 2) Attempt to complete the sentences using ‘-고 보니.’
7. 버스에서 (내리다) 한 정거장 먼저 내렸더라고요.
8. 전화를 (걸다) 다른 사람한테 걸었더라고요.
9. 한국어 공부를 (시작하다) 생각보다 어려웠어요.
10. (듣다) 네 말이 맞는 거 같아.
11. 콜라인 줄 알고 마셨는데 (마시다) 커피였어요.
(English)
7. I got off the bus and realized I had gotten off a stop too early.
8. I made a call and then realized I had dialed the wrong person.
9. I started studying Korean and it turned out to be harder than I thought.
10. After listening, it seems like you were right.
11. I thought it was cola and drank it, but after drinking, I realized it was coffee.
★ Answer
1. 사고 보니 (사다 + 고 보니)
2. 걷고 보니 (걷다 + 고 보니)
3. 열고 보니 (열다 + 고 보니)
4. 읽고 보니 (읽다 + 고 보니)
5. 만들고 보니 (만들다 + 고 보니)
6. 공부하고 보니 (공부하다 + 고 보니)
7. 버스에서 내리고 보니 한 정거장 먼저 내렸더라고요, (내리다 + 고 보니).
8. 전화를 걸고 보니 다른 사람한테 걸었더라고요. (걸다 + 고 보니)
9. 한국어 공부를 시작하고 보니 생각보다 어려웠어요. (시작하다 + 고 보니)
10. 듣고 보니 네 말이 맞는 거 같아. (듣다 + 고 보니)
11. 콜라인 줄 알고 마셨는데 마시고 보니 커피였어요. (마시다 + 고 보니)
❣️ Click the image to download the Quiz Pdf file.
Conclusion
"V-고 보니" is a reflective expression that adds depth to spoken and written Korean.
Its ability to convey the process of coming to an understanding after an action enriches communication and provides learners with a tool to express the change in perception or unexpected outcomes.
With practice, this structure can become a natural part of your Korean language repertoire, offering a nuanced way to share your realizations with others.
감사합니다~!
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