concept rows · concept, grammar, modality
Must vs should in Korean
When to use must vs should in Korean? 🔴 해야 해요 [haeya haeyo] - must / have to
How these words work together
In Korean, 'must' and 'should' express different levels of obligation or advice. '해야 해요' means you have to do something, showing a strong necessity. '하는 게 좋아요' suggests that it is better or advisable to do something, but it is not mandatory. There are also expressions like '안 해도 돼요' meaning you don't have to do something, and '하는 편이 좋아요' which means it is better to do something, often used for polite advice.
Words in this chart
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 해야 해요 | haeya haeyo | must / have to |
| 하는 게 좋아요 | haneun ge joayo | should |
| 안 해도 돼요 | an haedo dwaeyo | don't have to |
| 하는 편이 좋아요 | haneun pyeoni joayo | had better |
Example sentences
숙제를 해야 해요.
You must do your homework.
운동하는 게 좋아요.
You should exercise.
오늘은 안 해도 돼요.
You don't have to do it today.
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