How to use 은/ㄴ 적 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)ㄴ 적

-(으)ㄴ 적 (-(eu)ㄴjeok, (eu)ㄴjeok)

-(으)ㄴ 적 is a Korean grammar pattern used to express past experiences. It often appears with '한 적 있다/없다' to say whether someone has done something before.

Korean grammar pattern -(으)ㄴ 적 usage guide

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)ㄴ 적(-(eu)ㄴjeok, (eu)ㄴjeok)

Indicates that someone has experienced something in the past.

When to use

Talking about past experiences, Confirming if something has been done before, Recollection and reminiscing

The nuance

Attach '-(으)ㄴ 적' to the verb stem to express past experience. Use '-은 적' if the stem ends with a consonant, '-ㄴ 적' if it ends with a vowel. It is commonly used with '있다' or '없다' to say 'have done' or 'have never done' something before.

Real-world examples

  • 한국 음식을 먹은 적 있어요.

    han-guk eum-sik-eul meok-eun jeok iss-eo-yo., han guk eum sik eul meok eun jeok iss eo yo.

    The verb '먹다' ends in a vowel stem, so '-ㄴ 적' is correct.

  • 영화를 본 적 없어요.

    yeong-hwa-reul bon jeok eop-eo-yo., yeong hwa reul bon jeok eop eo yo.

    The verb '보다' ends with a vowel stem, so '-ㄴ 적' is correct and fits with '없어요'.

  • 운동한 적이 많아요.

    un-dong-han jeok-i man-a-yo., un dong han jeok i man a yo.

    '운동하다' ends with a vowel stem, so '-ㄴ 적' is correct.

  • 책을 읽은 적이 없어요.

    chaek-eul ik-eun jeok-i eop-eo-yo., chaek eul ik eun jeok i eop eo yo.

    The verb '읽다' ends with a consonant stem, so '-은 적' is correct.

  • 한국에 가은 적 있어요.

    han-guk-e ga-eun jeok iss-eo-yo., han guk e ga eun jeok iss eo yo.

    The verb '가다' ends with a vowel stem, so '-ㄴ 적' should be used, not '-은 적'.

  • 운동한 적이 없어요.

    un-dong-han jeok-i eop-eo-yo., un dong han jeok i eop eo yo.

    '운동하다' ends with a vowel stem, so '-ㄴ 적' is correct.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)
  2. What is the purpose of '-(으)ㄴ 적'?

    '-(으)ㄴ 적'의 용도는?('-(eu)ㄴjeok'uiyong-do-neun?, '(eu)ㄴjeok'uiyongdoneun?)

More usage guides

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