V + -아/어 오다 – Have Been Doing (From Past to Present)

Conjugation & Pattern

• Verb stem ending in ㅏ, ㅗ: + -아 오다 (살다 -> 살아 오다, 참다 -> 참아 오다)
• Verb stem ending in other vowels: + -어 오다 (믿다 -> 믿어 오다, 지키다 -> 지켜 오다)
• Verb stem ending in 하다: -> 해 오다 (노력하다 -> 노력해 오다)

Detailed Usage

Expresses an action that started at some point in the past and has continued steadily up to the present. Most commonly conjugated in the past form '-아/어 왔다' ('have been doing').

Example Sentences

1. 1

   그 과학자는 10년 동안 유전공학을 연구해 왔습니다.

   Geu gwahakjaneun 10nyeon dongan yujeongonghageul yeonguhae watseumnida.

   That scientist has been researching genetic engineering for 10 years.

2. 2

   저는 어렸을 때부터 매일 아침 우유를 마셔 왔어요.

   Jeoneun eoryeosseul ttaebuteo maeil achim uyureul masyeo wasseoyo.

   I have been drinking milk every morning since I was a child.

3. 3

   지금까지 살아오면서 깨달은 점은 실패가 성공의 어머니라는 것입니다.

   Jigeumkkaji saraomyeonseo kkaedareun jeomeun silpaega seonggongui eomeoniraneun geosimnida.

   What I have realized living up until now is that failure is the mother of success.