-아/어야 하다
Quick answer: -아/어야 하다 means have to — something you must do.
How to form it
Same stem rule as -아/어요 + 야 해요 · 가다 → 가야 해요
In Korean: -아/어요와 같은 규칙 + 야 해요 가다 → 가야 해요
What to know
-아/어야 하다 is have to; you met 못 - for cannot in 11-1. Korean keeps obligation and ability in completely separate shapes, so there is no one word like English must covering both.
Examples
- 병원에 가야 해요.I have to go to the doctor.
- 약을 먹어야 해요.I have to take medicine.
- 오늘은 쉬어야 해요.I have to rest today.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 29: 어디가 아프세요? — Where does it hurt?. Also in the Level 1 book.
Learned in the same lesson: -아/어서.
Practise -아/어야 하다 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 29 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.