-아/어 보이다

Build it

When to use it

The vowel follows the -아요/어요 rule with the usual merges: 좋아 보이다, 예뻐 보이다, 피곤해 보이다.

It attaches to adjectives, not action verbs. 가 보여요 does not mean “seems to go” — 보이다 there is the ordinary verb “be visible.” For a verb, use -는 것 같다.

The judgement rests on what you can see. Looking at someone’s face you say 피곤해 보여요; reasoning from their schedule you would say 피곤한 것 같아요.

It is also the standard way to pay a compliment about appearance: 오늘 좋아 보이세요, 젊어 보이세요.

How to attach it

In use

1. 오늘 기분이 좋아 보여요.

   You look like you’re in a good mood today.

2. 많이 피곤해 보이는데 좀 쉬세요.

   You look tired — get some rest.

3. 이 옷을 입으니까 젊어 보이세요.

   You look younger in these clothes.

4. 그 음식이 정말 맛있어 보여요.

   That food looks really delicious.

5. 사진보다 실물이 더 예뻐 보여요.

   You look prettier in person than in photos.

6. 어제는 좀 아파 보였어요.

   You looked a bit unwell yesterday.

Compared with

• -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다

  -아/어 보이다 rests on what you can see; 것 같다 covers any kind of reasoning. Only 것 같다 works with action verbs.

  피곤해 보여요. (you look tired)  /  피곤한 것 같아요. (I think you’re tired)

• -겠-

  Both react to something in front of you. -겠어요 leans toward taste and imagination; -아/어 보여요 reports the visual impression itself.

  맛있겠어요. (that must taste good)  /  맛있어 보여요. (that looks good)

• 보이다 as a plain verb

  On its own 보이다 means “be visible.” The construction only carries the “seem” meaning when an adjective precedes it.

  산이 보여요. (I can see the mountain)  /  높아 보여요. (it looks tall)

Watch out

• 많이 피곤하어 보여요.

  많이 피곤해 보여요.

  Adjectives ending in 하다 become 해 before 보이다, as everywhere else.

• 그 사람이 가 보여요. — meaning “seems to be leaving”

  그 사람이 가는 것 같아요.

  This construction takes adjectives. With an action verb, 보이다 reverts to its literal meaning.

• 그 사람은 한국 사람이어 보여요.

  그 사람은 한국 사람인 것 같아요.

  Nouns cannot take -아/어 보이다 either. Use 인 것 같다 for a guess about what someone is.

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