Korean Elementary: Expressing External Obligation with -eoya haeyo (Have To / Has To)
Learn to say you have to do something in Korean using the -eoya haeyo pattern, and understand how it differs from stronger internal must. Includes 5 phrases, a dialogue, and practice.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Korean, one of the most useful elementary patterns for talking about plans and responsibilities is -eoya haeyo (also written -아야 해요 / -어야 해요). It means 'have to' or 'has to' and usually describes an external obligation: work, school, appointments, family expectations, or rules. This lesson teaches the pattern with common verbs, shows how it differs from the stronger, more internal -eumyeon andweyo (must not / must) style of obligation, and gives you phrases you can use right away. Korean does not change the verb for 'I' versus 'he/she,' so the same -eoya haeyo form works for all subjects.
By the end, you can…
- form 'have to / has to' sentences in Korean using -eoya haeyo.
- distinguish external obligation (-eoya haeyo) from stronger internal must or prohibition (-eumyeon andweyo).
- talk about tomorrow's plans and daily responsibilities with common verbs.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
내일 일해야 해요.
I have to work tomorrow.
nae-il il-ha-ya hae-yo
External obligation from a job or schedule. The verb 일하다 (to work) changes to 일해야 해요.
지금 가야 해요.
I have to go now.
ji-geum ga-ya hae-yo
Used when leaving because of an appointment, curfew, or ride. 가다 (to go) becomes 가야 해요.
숙제를 해야 해요.
I have to do my homework.
suk-je-reul hae-ya hae-yo
School obligation. 하다 (to do) becomes 해야 해요. 를 marks 숙제 as the object.
약을 먹어야 해요.
I have to take medicine.
ya-geul meo-geo-ya hae-yo
Health obligation. 먹다 (to eat/take) becomes 먹어야 해요. Useful for doctor's instructions.
주말에 가족을 만나야 해요.
I have to meet my family on the weekend.
ju-ma-re ga-jo-geul man-na-ya hae-yo
Family or social obligation. 만나다 (to meet) becomes 만나야 해요. 주말에 means 'on the weekend.'
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make 'have to' with a verb, take the verb stem and add -eoya haeyo. If the stem's last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, use -aya haeyo; otherwise use -eoya haeyo. Examples: 가다 → 가야 해요 (I have to go), 먹다 → 먹어야 해요 (I have to eat), 하다 → 해야 해요 (I have to do). The subject is optional: (저는) 내일 일해야 해요 means 'I have to work tomorrow.' Because Korean verbs do not change for person, the same form means 'he has to,' 'she has to,' or 'they have to' depending on context.
When to use it
Use -eoya haeyo for external obligations: work shifts, homework, appointments, medicine, family events, and rules. It often answers 'Why can't you come?' with a reason like 일해야 해요 (I have to work). For a strong internal 'must' or a prohibition, Korean commonly uses -eumyeon andweyo: 여기서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요 (You must not smoke here). So -eoya haeyo is usually 'have to' from outside pressure, while -eumyeon andweyo is 'must not' or 'must' from a rule or strong necessity. In polite conversation, both are fine, but -eoya haeyo is the natural choice for everyday plans.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
주말에 시간 있어요?
Do you have time on the weekend?ju-ma-re si-gan i-sseo-yo?토요일에는 일해야 해요.
On Saturday, I have to work.to-yo-il-e-neun il-ha-ya hae-yo.그럼 일요일은 어때요?
Then how about Sunday?geu-reom il-yo-il-eun eo-ttae-yo?일요일에는 가족을 만나야 해요. 미안해요.
On Sunday, I have to meet my family. Sorry.il-yo-il-e-neun ga-jo-geul man-na-ya hae-yo. mi-an-hae-yo.A little context goes a long way
Korean often softens obligation with a reason or an apology, especially among friends and coworkers. Saying 일해야 해요 alone can sound blunt, so many speakers add 미안해요 (sorry) or a short reason like 회사에 가야 해요 (I have to go to the company). In formal settings, use the polite -eoya haeyo ending rather than the casual -eoya hae with strangers or elders.
One thing to watch for
Using -eoya haeyo for a prohibition, as in 여기서 담배를 피워야 해요 to mean 'You must not smoke here.'
Try this instead: For prohibition or strong 'must not,' use -eumyeon andweyo: 여기서 담배를 피우면 안 돼요 (You must not smoke here). Use -eoya haeyo for positive obligations like 오늘 숙제를 해야 해요 (I have to do homework today).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I have to go now' in polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
지금 가야 해요. (ji-geum ga-ya hae-yo.)
가다 (to go) has the stem 가-, which ends in ㅏ, so it takes -aya haeyo: 가야 해요. The polite ending -yo makes it suitable for most situations. 지금 means 'now.'
2Choose the better sentence for 'You must not park here': (a) 여기서 주차해야 해요 (b) 여기서 주차하면 안 돼요.
Show a sample answer
(b) 여기서 주차하면 안 돼요.
This is a prohibition, so Korean uses -eumyeon andweyo (하면 안 돼요). Sentence (a) would mean 'You have to park here,' which is the opposite meaning.
3Make 'I have to take medicine' using 먹다.
Show a sample answer
약을 먹어야 해요. (ya-geul meo-geo-ya hae-yo.)
먹다 has the stem 먹-, whose last vowel is ㅓ, so it takes -eoya haeyo: 먹어야 해요. 약을 marks 'medicine' as the object. You could also say 약을 먹어야 돼요; both are correct.
Use -eoya haeyo for everyday external obligations like work, school, and appointments. Remember the vowel rule: -aya haeyo after ㅏ/ㅗ, -eoya haeyo otherwise. For 'must not' or strong internal must, switch to -eumyeon andweyo.
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