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Korean grammar - Have done, have tried - (본) 적이 있다

Have done, have tried - (본) 적이 있다

Pattern: Verb stem + () 적이 있다/없다

The pattern Verb stem + () 적이 있다/없다 is used to express a one-off past experience or lack there of - 'to have/have not done something'.

-- The means 'time' or 'occurrence' or 'experience'

This pattern not used for describing things that are often repeated or are every day occurrences.

It is common to use it in the form Verb stem + / 적이 있다/없다 which means 'to have/have not tired something'.

-- The is + from the pattern Verb form + 보다 which means 'to try something' or 'to give something a go'.

The particle can be, and is frequently, omitted.

Examples:
한국 드라마를 본 적이 있어요?
Have you ever watched a Korean drama?
절대 그런 말을 한 적이 없어요.
(I) never said anything like that.

절대 means 'never'

회사에 지각한 적이 없어요.
(I) have never been late to the company/office.
한국에 와서 병원에 간 적이 있어요?
Have (you) ever been to a hospital after coming to Korea?
한국말을 몰라서 실수한 적이 있어요.
(I) made a mistake because (I) didn't know Korean.
사고를 내서 벌금을 낸 적이 딱 한 번 있어요.
(I) have had an accident and paid a fine just once.

In this context expresses a requirement to do something without fail

means 'once' or 'one time'

부산에 오월에 눈이 온 적 있어요.
It has snowed in May in Busan.
뉴욕에 토네이도가 온 적 한 번 있죠?
There was once a tornado in New York, wasn't there?
저는 평생 한 번도 거짓말한 적 없어요.
In my (whole) life (I) have never once told a lie.

평생 means 'one's entire life' or 'lifetime'

중국에 가 본 적 있어요?
Have (you) gone (to see) to China?
한국 음식을 먹어 본 적이 없어요.
(I) have never eaten Korean food.
노래방 가 본 적 있어요?
Have (you) ever been to a karaoke room?
한국 노래 불러 본 적 있어요?
Have (you) ever sang Korean songs?
라스베가스에 가 본 적 있어요?
Have (you) been to Las Vegas?
사랑해 본 적 있어요?
Have (you) ever been in love?
이 화장품을 써 본 적이 없어요.
(I) have never used this make-up before.
아직 기저귀 갈아 본 적이 없어요.
(I) still haven't ever tried to change a nappy.