하다
hada
to do (active verb)
되다
doeda
to become / to happen / to be allowed (passive/resultant verb)
하다 vs 되다: Active Doing vs Passive Becoming in Korean
하다 indicates an active action performed by the subject, while 되다 indicates a passive change, result, or becoming that happens to the subject.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 하다 (hada) | 되다 (doeda) | |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Type | Active — subject performs action | Passive/resultant — subject undergoes change |
| Common Use | 공부하다, 일하다, 요리하다 | 선생님이 되다, 완성이 되다 |
| Object Marker | Takes 을/를 object | Takes 이/가 subject; no object marker |
| Permission Meaning | 해도 돼 (it's okay to do — with 되다) | 되다 alone can mean 'it works' or 'it's okay' |
| Negation Pattern | 하지 마 (don't do it) | 안 돼 (it's not okay / won't work) |
Examples in Context
Saying you are working right now — using 하다
저는 지금 일하고 있어요.
I am working right now.
Saying something became possible or worked out — using 되다
드디어 됐어!
It finally worked! / It finally happened!
Asking someone to do their homework — using 하다
숙제 해!
Do your homework!
Saying it is not allowed or won't work — using 되다
그건 안 돼요.
That won't work / That's not allowed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Confusing '해도 돼요' (it's okay to do) with '하면 돼요' (you just need to do) — both use 되다, but the grammar pattern differs.
- ✗Trying to use 하다 in passive contexts where 되다 is required, e.g., saying '완성하다' instead of '완성이 되다' for 'to be completed.'
- ✗Misusing 안 돼 (not okay/not working) as the negation of 하다 — the negation of 하다 is 안 해 or 하지 않다.
- ✗Forgetting that 되다 can mean 'to become' (선생님이 되다) and not always implies passivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Koreans say 안 돼 instead of 안 해 when refusing or saying something is not allowed?
안 돼 comes from 되다 and means 'it doesn't work' or 'it's not permitted.' 안 해 means 'I won't do it,' which is a personal refusal. The two carry different meanings.
What does 됐어 mean exactly?
됐어 can mean 'it's done,' 'it worked out,' or sarcastically 'forget it / I'm good' depending on tone and context.
Is -하다 in compound words like 공부하다 the same 하다?
Yes, compound verbs formed with 하다 follow the same active verb rules. The noun before 하다 acts as the object concept.
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