Difference between to see and to be seen in Korean

보다·보이다

to see

보다to see

(보다) means to see, look at, or watch with your eyes. You use it when you notice something, look at a person or thing, or watch TV or a movie. In daily conversation, you will often hear forms like 봐요 or 봤어요.

to be seen

보이다to be seen

"보이다" means that something can be seen with your eyes. Use it when something is visible from a place, like from a window, a classroom, or the street. In English, it is often translated as "can be seen" or "is visible."

The difference

to see (보다) and to be seen (보이다) are nearby Korean vocabulary items learners often meet together. Use “to see” when (보다) means to see, look at, or watch with your eyes. You use it when you notice something, look at a person or thing, or watch TV or a mo… Use “to be seen” when "보이다" means that something can be seen with your eyes. Use it when something is visible from a place, like from a window, a classroom, or…