Describing Results Of Continued Actions In Korean (다가 보면)

V + 다가 보면 (often shortened to 다 보면) is a key Korean grammar structure used to indicate that if an action continues over a period of time, it is very likely to lead to a certain outcome.

This pattern highlights a natural progression or consequence of sustained actions. The result is not guaranteed, but highly probable.

Grammar Rule: Verb stem + 다가 보면

Examples of 다가 보면 in use

Let’s look at how this grammar is used in various contexts:

준비 운동 안 하고 달리기를 하다 보면 부상할 거예요.
If you keep running without doing any warmup exercises, you'll injure yourself.
어렸을 때 우리 부모님께서 학교에서 열심히 공부하다 보면 우리가 원하는 어떤 것이든 될 수 있다고 말씀하셨는데...
Our parents told us that if we worked really hard at school, we could be anything we wanted...
이 길을 계속 따라가다 보면 국민은행을 볼 수 있을 거예요.
If you keep going along this road, you'll see the bank.
아침마다 수영하다 보면 가슴 근육을 더 키울 수 있을 거예요.
After going swimming every morning (for a long time), my chest muscles started to grow bigger.
너는 한국어에 대해 쓰다만 보면 한국어를 말하는 법을 잊어 버릴 거예요!
If you continue to only write about Korean, you will forget how to speak!

Conclusion

The 다가 보면 structure in Korean is a powerful way to express the likelihood of a consequence or result after continuously engaging in an action. Understanding and using this pattern can greatly enhance your ability to express nuanced ideas about cause and effect in Korean.

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