Korean grammar - To look like - 보이다

To look like - 보이다

The verb 보이다 (to be seen) is the passive version of 보다 (to see).

보이다 can be attached to a descriptive verb to mean 'to appear' or 'to look like'.

The pattern is Descriptive Verb stem + 아/어/여 보이다.

This pattern is often re-enforced with the word 처럼 which is an particle meaning 'similar', 'like' or 'as if'.

Examples:
	그녀의 얼굴은 한국 사람처럼 보여요. Her face looks like a Korean's face. 처럼 means 'like' or 'as if'
	그건 나에게 너무나 어려운 문제처럼 보였어요. It seemed like a very difficult question to me.
	그는 왜 그렇게 행복해 보여요? Why does he look so happy?
	그 남자의 다리는 꽤 튼튼해 보여요. The man's legs look pretty strong. 튼튼하다 means 'to be strong' or 'to be sturdy'
	호텔 객실은 깨끗해 보여요. The hotel room looks clean.
	그녀는 의욕이 많아 보여요. She seems to have a lot of will power. 의욕 means 'will' or 'ambition'
	수진이는 전보다 많이 말라 보이죠? Sujin looks a lot thinner than before, doesn't she?
	저의 남동생은 너무나 기뻐 보였어요. My little brother looked so happy.
	그것은 나무처럼 보였지만 사실은 사람이었어요. It looked like a tree, but it was actually a person.
	그 사람은 마치 화가 난 것처럼 보였어요. The man looked angry.
	그 한식 식당은 항상 손님으로 붐벼 보여요. That Korean restaurant seems to be crowded with customers all the time.
	그녀는 정말 불고기를 좋아하는 것처럼 보여요. It looks like she really likes bulgogi.
	현경이는 모범생처럼 보이는군요. (I am surprised that) Hyunkyung looks like a model student.
	하늘에서 곧 눈이 올 것처럼 보이네요. It looks like it will snow from the sky soon.