알다
alda
to know (existing knowledge)
알아보다
araboeda
to find out / to look into / to investigate
알다 vs 알아보다: Knowing vs Finding Out in Korean
알다 means to possess existing knowledge about something, while 알아보다 means to actively find out, look into, or investigate something you don't yet know.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 알다 (alda) | 알아보다 (araboeda) | |
|---|---|---|
| State vs. Action | State — you already know | Action — you are discovering or checking |
| Implies Prior Knowledge? | Yes — knowledge already exists | No — knowledge is being sought |
| English Equivalent | To know, to be aware of | To find out, to look into, to research |
| Example | 그 사람 알아? (Do you know that person?) | 한번 알아볼게 (Let me look into it) |
| Progressive Form | 알고 있어 (I know — ongoing state) | 알아보고 있어 (I'm looking into it) |
Examples in Context
Confirming you know someone — using 알다
응, 그 사람 알아.
Yeah, I know that person.
Saying you will look up some information — using 알아보다
내가 한번 알아볼게.
Let me look into it.
Saying you already know the answer — using 알다
저 이미 알고 있었어요.
I already knew that.
Asking someone to find out flight information — using 알아보다
비행기 시간 좀 알아봐 줄 수 있어?
Can you look up the flight times for me?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 알다 when you need to find something out — if you don't know and need to check, 알아보다 is correct.
- ✗Confusing 알아보다 with 알아듣다 — 알아보다 means to find out, while 알아듣다 means to understand or comprehend (especially speech).
- ✗Forgetting that 알다 in present tense often uses 알고 있어 rather than 알아 to convey an ongoing state of knowing.
- ✗Using 알다 to mean 'I'll find out' — that requires 알아보다, as 알다 only expresses existing knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Koreans say 알고 있어 instead of just 알아 for 'I know'?
알고 있어 emphasizes the ongoing state of knowing, similar to 'I am aware.' 알아 is also natural but can sound more casual or spontaneous.
Is there a difference between 알아보다 and 찾아보다?
They are similar. 알아보다 implies checking or inquiring into something, while 찾아보다 implies actively searching for something. Both can often be used interchangeably.
What does 알아듣다 mean and how is it different from 알다?
알아듣다 means to understand spoken language or a message — it combines 알다 (know) and 듣다 (to hear/listen). It's specifically about comprehension, not general knowledge.
Master Korean with AI Practice
Practice using 알다 and 알아보다 in real conversations with AI.
