-(으)ㄴ 적이 있다: have you ever…?
Talk about your experiences — the K-drama you watched, the food you tried, the place you’ve never been.
Eonni··4 min read
-(으)ㄴ 적
적 means “a time, an occasion.” So -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다 = “there is a time I did it” → I have done it before. And -(으)ㄴ 적이 없다 = I have never done it.
A: 한국 드라마를 본 적이 있어요? Have you ever watched a Korean drama?
B: 네, 많이 봤어요! 그런데 한국에 간 적은 없어요. Yes, lots! But I’ve never been to Korea.
How to make it
| Verb stem | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| No 받침 | + ㄴ 적이 있다 | 보다 → 본 적이 있어요 가다 → 간 적이 있어요 |
| 받침 | + 은 적이 있다 | 먹다 → 먹은 적이 있어요 |
| ㄹ stem | ㄹ drops + ㄴ 적 | 만들다 → 만든 적이 있어요 |
The super-natural combo: -아/어 본 적
Koreans very often add -아/어 보다 (“to try”) — it makes the sentence sound more natural, especially for things you’ve tried or experienced.
떡볶이 먹어 본 적이 있어요? Have you ever tried tteokbokki?
제주도에 가 본 적이 없어요. I’ve never been to Jeju Island.
Common mistake
✗ UNNATURAL저는 아침에 커피를 마신 적이 있어요.
Not for daily habits — you drink coffee every day!
Not for daily habits — you drink coffee every day!
✓ NATURAL저는 아침마다 커피를 마셔요.
Use the present tense for habits.
Use the present tense for habits.
Quick check
“Have you ever eaten 삼계탕?” → 삼계탕을 ____ 적이 있어요?
Practice it live
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Say it out loud with Eonni.
This lesson is part of Beginner 2 · Everyday Conversations.
