생각하다 vs 생각해 보다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 생각하다
Listen to 생각해 보다
| 생각하다 | 생각해 보다 |
|---|---|
saeng-GAK-ha-da verb | saenggakhae boda verb |
| to think; to consider; to have an idea or opinion | to try to think about; to think over; to consider (with the nuance of trying or attempting) |
How they differ
생각해 보다 combines 생각하다 with 보다 ('to try') and therefore implies attempting to think something over or trying an idea; 생각하다 is a neutral statement of thinking without the 'try' nuance.
When to use each
When to use 생각하다: Prefer 생각하다 for neutral declarations about what someone thinks or believes.
When to use 생각해 보다: Prefer 생각해 보다 when suggesting someone should try thinking about something, or when indicating a tentative or exploratory consideration.
Side-by-side examples
- 그 문제에 대해 생각했어?
(Did you think about that problem?) - 그 문제에 대해 한 번 생각해 봐.
(Try thinking about that problem once / Think it over.)
Register & nuance: 생각해 보다 is colloquial and commonly used in spoken Korean, often in imperatives or suggestions; it feels more casual and action-oriented than plain 생각하다.