Korean edit

Etymology edit

First attested in the Seokbo sangjeol (釋譜詳節 / 석보상절), 1447, as Middle Korean 잘ᄒᆞ다 (Yale: cal-hota). Univerbation of (jal, well) +‎ 하다 (hada, to do).

Pronunciation edit

Romanizations
Revised Romanization?jalhada
Revised Romanization (translit.)?jalhada
McCune–Reischauer?charhada
Yale Romanization?cal.hata

Verb edit

잘하다 (jalhada) (infinitive 잘해 or 잘하여, sequential 잘하니)

  1. (transitive) to do something well, to be good at
    Antonym: 못하다 (mothada)
  2. (intransitive) to be kind, to treat well

Usage notes edit

  • It is very commonly confused with 하다 (jal hada).
공부 잘해요.
Gongbu-reul jalhaeyo.
He is good at studying.
공부 하고 있어요.
Gongbu-reul jal hago isseoyo.
I am studying well now.

Conjugation edit