V-다 보면 | Korean Grammar 188

살다 보면 쥐구멍에도 볕 들 날이 있어. 

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Introduction

Today, we will learn about the Korean grammar pattern ‘-다 보면’. This expression is used after a verb stem and describes how a continuous or repeated action can lead to discovering a new fact or reaching a new state. It is a shortened form of ‘-다가 보면’, and both expressions have the same meaning. Let’s break it down and learn how to use it properly.

If you want to watch this lesson in Korean with English subtitles, please click the link below.

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1. Usage

The grammar pattern ‘-다 보면’ is attached to a verb stem. It is used when you want to express that by continuing or repeating an action, you may eventually discover something new or enter a new state.

• Tense Rules:
  • The verb in the first clause must be in the present tense.
  • The second clause can be in the present or future tense, and it often includes expressions like:
    • ‘-(으)ㄹ 수 있다’ (can)
    • ‘-(으)ㄹ 것이다’ (will/probably)
    • ‘-게 되다’ (to become)
    • ‘-아지다/어지다/해지다’ (to change state).

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2. Example Sentences

2.1 Example Sentence 1

미소: 이 일은 처음 하는 건데 잘할 수 있겠죠?
나나: 그럼요. 열심히 하다 보면 잘하게 될 거예요. (하다 + 다 보면) = 하다가 보면

Miso: I’m new to this task. Do you think I can do it well?
Nana: Of course! If you keep working hard, you’ll get better at it.

• In this sentence, ‘-다 보면’ is used after the verb ‘하다’ (to do).
  It implies that by continuously working hard, Mi-so will eventually get better at her task.

2.2 Example Sentence 2

나나: 한국 음식은 너무 매워요.
미소: 처음에는 매운데 계속 먹다 보면 익숙해질 거예요. (먹다 + 다 보면) = 먹다가 보면

Nana: Korean food is too spicy for me.
Miso: At first, it’s spicy, but if you keep eating it, you’ll get used to it.

• Here, ‘-다 보면’ is used after ‘먹다’ (to eat).
  It means that by repeatedly eating spicy Korean food, Nana will eventually become accustomed to it.

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3. Grammar Point

Let’s review the grammatical structure of ‘-다 보면’:

• First Clause: Present tense only
• Second Clause: Present or future tense only

Correct Usage:

• 열심히 하다 보면 잘하게 될 거예요.
  (If you keep working hard, you’ll get better.)

Incorrect Usage:

• 열심히 했다 보면 X
• 열심히 하겠다 보면 X

In the second clause, present tense expressions like ‘돼요’ or future tense expressions '될 거예요' are acceptable, while past tense expressions like ‘됐어요’ are incorrect.

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4. Combination Information

The pattern ‘-다 보면’ is used after verb stems, regardless of whether the stem has a final consonant or not.

• With a final consonant: 

  • 먹다 (to eat) → Remove ‘다’ → Add ‘다 보면’ → 먹다 보면

• Without a final consonant:

  • 가다 (to go) → Remove ‘다’ → Add ‘다 보면’ → 가다 보면

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5. Practice

Let’s practice using ‘-다 보면’ with some example sentences!

1. 매일 (걷다) 건강해져요.
   → 매일 걷다 보면 건강해져요. (걷다 + 다 보면)
   (If you walk every day, you’ll become healthier.)

2. (살다) 쥐구멍에도 볕 들 날이 있겠지.
   → 살다 보면 쥐구멍에도 볕 들 날이 있겠지. (살다 + 다 보면)
   (If you keep living, good things will eventually happen.)

3. 하루 종일 같이 (지내다) 싸울 수도 있지.
   → 하루 종일 같이 지내다 보면 싸울 수도 있지. (지내다 + 다 보면)
   (If you spend the whole day together, you might fight.)

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6. Practice with Dialogue

Here’s a sample dialogue using ‘-다 보면’:

미소: 영어는 언제쯤 늘까요?
나나: 계속 공부하다 보면 언젠가는 늘겠죠.
미소: 새로운 언어를 배우는 건 정말 어려운 일인 것 같아요.
나나: 그래도 꾸준히 계속 연습하다 보면 잘하게 될 거예요.

미소: When will my English improve?
나나: If you keep studying, you’ll get better someday.
미소: Learning a new language seems really hard.
나나: Even so, if you keep practicing, you’ll eventually become good at it.

→ 연습하다 보면 (연습하다 + 다 보면)

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Conclusion

Today, we learned about the Korean grammar pattern ‘-다 보면’ and how it is used to express that continuous or repeated actions can lead to new states or realizations. Make sure to practice and apply this pattern in your conversations. See you in the next lesson! 😊

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