Grammar · Verb endings

-아야 / 어야 해요, have to

Pattern

[stem] + 아야 / 어야 해요

This follows the same vowel rule as -아요/-어요: 가야 해요, 먹어야 해요, and 하다 verbs become 해야 해요. Literally it says 'only if I do it, it works', which is how Korean expresses 'must'. 돼요 can replace 해요 with the same meaning.

The mistake to avoid

'Do not have to' is not the negative of this. Say 안 -아도/-어도 돼요: 안 가도 돼요 'you do not have to go'.

Examples

Romanisation help

지금 가야 해요.

jigeum gaya haeyo.

I have to go now.

약을 먹어야 해요.

yageul meogeoya haeyo.

I have to take my medicine.

숙제를 해야 해요.

sukjereul haeya haeyo.

I have to do my homework.

내일 일찍 일어나야 해요.

naeil iljjik ireonaya haeyo.

I have to get up early tomorrow.