The Korean grammar pattern ‘-다시피 하다’ is a useful way to express approximation and emphasis. It shows actions or states that are almost complete, obvious, or well-known. Mastering ‘-다시피 하다’ makes your Korean sound more natural and precise in everyday and formal contexts.
Contents
1. Definition
The grammar pattern ‘-다시피 하다’ is an intermediate to advanced Korean expression used to express approximation, emphasis, or shared knowledge. Its main English equivalents include:
- “almost (do)”
- “just like,” “as you can see,” “as you already know”
- “nearly…”
The core meaning is to indicate that an action or state is almost complete, widely known, or practically true. It is commonly used in formal writing, conversations, and everyday situations to emphasize how close or intense something is.
📌 Note: The grammar pattern ‘-다시피 하다’ is an intermediate to advanced Korean expression. It should not be confused with ‘-다시피’ (without 하다), which has different functions and will be covered separately. While ‘-다시피 하다’ means “almost, practically, as you know,” ‘-다시피’ alone appears mainly in fixed expressions with distinct meanings.
2. Form (Structure)
With ‘-다시피 하다’, simply attach ‘-다시피 하다’ directly to the verb stem without worrying about special changes.
- For all verbs, use the verb stem + 다시피 하다 form.
- There is no need to drop or change final consonants like ㄹ because ‘-다시피 하다’ is a fixed expression combining the verb stem and ‘하다’.
- Present tense: ‘-다시피 한다’ (e.g., 운동하다시피 한다 — “practically exercises”)
- Past tense: ‘-다시피 했다’ (e.g., 숙제를 하다시피 했다 — “practically did the homework”)
- Future tense: ‘-다시피 할 것이다’ or ‘-다시피 할 거다’ (e.g., 계속 운동하다시피 할 것이다 — “will practically continue exercising”)
Examples with Verb Types:
- 먹다 → 먹다시피 하다 (to eat → to practically/almost eat)
- 가다 → 가다시피 하다 (to go → to practically/almost go)
- 알다 → 알다시피 하다 (to know → as you know)
- 자다 → 자다시피 하다 (to sleep → to practically sleep)
- 일하다 → 일하다시피 하다 (to work → to practically work)
- 공부하다 → 공부하다시피 하다 (to study → to practically/almost study)
- 듣다 → 듣다시피 하다 (to listen → as you heard)
- 보다 → 보다시피 하다 (to see → as you see)
- 말하다 → 말하다시피 하다 (to speak → as you say)
- 쓰다 → 쓰다시피 하다 (to write/use → to practically use)
- 걷다 → 걷다시피 하다 (to walk → to practically walk)
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing approximation or near-completeness
Used when an action or state is almost fully done or happens to a great extent.
- 시험이 다가와서 그는 숙제를 하다시피 했다.
(As the exam approached, he practically did his homework.) - 우리는 마감 시간 전에 일을 하다시피 했다.
(We practically finished the work before the deadline.) - 아이들은 장난감을 다 갖고 있다시피 했다.
(The kids practically have all the toys.) - 그녀는 편지를 읽다시피 했다.
(She practically read the entire letter.) - 나는 오늘 집안일을 끝냈다시피 했다.
(I practically finished all the housework today.)
2. Indicating intense or frequent action
Used to emphasize that an action is done very often or intensely.
- 그는 요즘 건강을 위해 매일 운동하다시피 한다.
(These days, he practically exercises every day for his health.) - 우리는 바빠서 매주 만나서 이야기하다시피 한다.
(We are busy, so we practically meet every week to talk.) - 시험 기간이라 그녀는 밤새 공부하다시피 했다.
(Since it was exam period, she practically studied all night.) - 휴가 때 아이들은 하루 종일 놀다시피 했다.
(During the vacation, the children practically played all day.) - 부모님은 걱정이 많아서 항상 걱정하다시피 하신다.
(Parents worry a lot, so they practically worry all the time.)
3. Highlighting a shared or obvious understanding
Used to acknowledge something already known or agreed upon by speaker and listener, with context or background.
- 어제 회의가 길게 이어졌다시피 해서 모두가 지쳤다.
(The meeting practically went on for a long time yesterday, so everyone got tired.) - 최근 프로젝트를 거의 마무리하다시피 해서 모두가 힘들어한다.
Everyone is struggling because the recent project is practically nearing completion. - 요즘 그는 바빠서 거의 일을 다 하다시피 한다.
(He’s been busy lately, so he practically gets all the work done.) - 사람들은 상황을 거의 다 지켜본다시피 하여 신속히 대응하고 있다.
(People have practically observed the situation and are responding quickly.) - 모두가 변화를 거의 경험하다시피 하면서 빠르게 적응하고 있다.
(Everyone has practically experienced the change and is adapting quickly.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Always attach ‘-다시피 하다’ directly to the verb stem.
- Used exclusively with verbs, not adjectives or nouns.
- Expresses approximation, emphasis on intensity/frequency, or acknowledgement of shared knowledge.
- Mostly used in formal spoken or written Korean and at an intermediate to advanced level.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “-다시피 하다” expression.
- 그는 매일 아침 조깅을 _________.
(He practically goes jogging every morning.) - 친구들과 만나서 수다를 _________.
(I practically spent the whole time chatting with friends.) - 아이들은 숙제를 _________ 하고 놀러 나갔다.
(The kids practically finished their homework and went out to play.) - 우리는 이번 프로젝트를 거의 다 _________.
(We practically prepared everything for this project.) - 그는 집안일을 혼자 다 _________.
(He practically did all the housework alone.) - 그는 보고서를 혼자 거의 다 _________.
(He practically wrote the report all by himself.) - 우리는 여행 준비를 거의 다 _________.
(We practically finished all the preparations for the trip.) - 친구는 나를 _________ 하며 계속 물어봤다.
(My friend practically kept worrying about me and kept asking questions.) - 학생들은 수업 내용을 거의 다 _________ .
(The students practically understood all the lesson content.) - 요즘 그녀는 일을 쉬지 않고 _________ .
(She has been practically working without a break lately.)
6. Answers
- 하다시피 한다
- 떨다시피 했다
- 끝냈다시피
- 준비하다시피 했다
- 하다시피 했다
- 작성하다시피 했다
- 끝내다시피 했다
- 걱정하다시피 하며
- 이해하다시피 했다
- 하다시피 한다
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Attaching to the wrong form
- Incorrect: 공부했다 다시피 하다 ❌
- Correct: 공부하다시피 하다 ✅
💡 Tip: Attach directly to the verb stem, not the past tense ending.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using with inappropriate words
Incorrect: 집 다시피 하다 ❌
Correct: ‘-다시피 하다’ only attaches to verbs, not to nouns or adjectives.
💡 Tip: Attach ‘-다시피 하다’ only to verb stems for correct usage.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Confusing with similar pattern
- Incorrect: 다 알아도 하다 ❌
- Correct: 다 알다시피 하다 ✅
💡 Tip: ‘-다시피 하다’ emphasizes extent or obviousness, unlike just ‘-아/어도.’
Mastering ‘-다시피 하다’ allows you to express certainty, approximation, and similarity naturally in Korean. Using it correctly enhances your fluency and makes your speech sound more precise and native-like. Practice this pattern regularly to improve both your writing and speaking skills.