LESSON 36

“Ever,” “Never” and “Sometimes”

The modifier forms are used in a number of handy expressions best learned as units:

-eun jeogi isseoyo

-은 적이 있어요

has done, (once) did, has done indeed

-eun jeogi isseosseoyo

-은 적이 있었어요

had ever, once had done

-eun jeogi eopseoyo

-은 적이 없어요

has never, never did

-eun jeogi eopseosseoyo

-은 적이 없었어요

had never, never had done

The noun il means work, job but it also means act, experience—so the literal meaning of the above expressions is something like the act or experience of having done something exists (or doesn’t exist). Here are some examples:

Hanguk eumsik-eul meogeo bon jeok-i isseoyo?

한국 음식을 먹어 본 적이 있어요?

Have you ever tried eating Korean food?

Isseoyo.

있어요

Yes, I have.

Hanguk eumsikjeom-eseo meogeun jeok isseoyo.

한국 음식점에서 먹은 적 있어요.

Yes, I have. I’ve been to a Korean restaurant to eat.

Geu gongwon-e sanchaek gan jeok isseoyo?

그 공원에 산책 간 적 있어요?

Have you ever taken a walk in that park?

Another, much less common way to say this is -eun il-i isseoyo/ eopseoyo (-은 일이 있어요/없어요).

Miguk yeonghwa-reul bon ll-i eopseoyo?

미국 영와를 본 일이 없어요?

Haven’t you ever seen an American movie?

Geureoke joeun eumak-eul deureun ll-i eopseoyo.

그렇게 좋은 음악을 들은 일이 없어요.

I’ve never heard such pretty music.