Core Pattern Rule: Expressing Past Experience
This pattern is used to talk about whether you have or have not had a particular experience in the past. It's the equivalent of the English "I have (ever)..." or "I have never...".
Meaning & Usage
Meaning: It attaches to a verb to indicate the existence (or lack thereof) of a past experience.
있다: Used to say you have had the experience.
없다: Used to say you have not had the experience.
Formation
Attach -ㄴ/은 적이 있다/없다 to the verb stem.
Verb stems ending in a vowel (or ㄹ): Add -ㄴ 적이 있다/없다.
보다 (to see) → 본 적이 있다 (have seen)
만들다 (to make) → 만든 적이 있다 (have made)
Verb stems ending in a consonant: Add -은 적이 있다/없다.
먹다 (to eat) → 먹은 적이 있다 (have eaten)
받다 (to receive) → 받은 적이 있다 (have received)
*Note: The particle 이 in 적이 is often omitted in casual speech, becoming 본 적 있어.
본 적 있어. / 성공한 적이 없어. / 지갑을 잃어버린 적 있어요. / 아이돌을 길에서 만난 적이 있어.
Common Combinations: -아/어 본 적이 있다
You'll frequently see this pattern combined with -아/어 보다, which means "to try doing" or "to do something once to see what it's like."
Meaning & Nuance
-아/어 보다: Adds the nuance of trying or experiencing something firsthand.
-아/어 본 적이 있다/없다: This combination is extremely common for talking about life experiences. It translates to "I have/haven't had the experience of trying..." or more naturally, "I have/haven't ever..."
For example, 한국에 간 적이 있다 means "I have been to Korea," which is a simple fact. However, 한국에 가 본 적이 있다 is more common and natural, meaning "I have had the experience of going to Korea."
Examples
김치 만들어 봤어? (Have you tried making Kimchi?)
김치 만들어 본 적 있어. (I have the experience of making Kimchi before.)
사랑해 본 적 있어? (Have you ever been in love?)