Decoded Slug: ~했어야 했다 [haesseoya haetda] (Had to)
Korean Grammar Point
~했어야 했다 [haesseoya haetda] (Had to)
~했어야 했다 [haesseoya haetda] (Had to)
Short explanation:
This expression is used to indicate that something 'had to' be done in the past.
Formation:
Verb stem + 았/었어야 했다
Examples:
어제 그 일을 끝냈어야 했는데, 시간이 부족해서 끝내지 못했어요.
Eoje geu ileul kkeutnesseoya haetneunde, sigani bujokhaeseo kkeutnaeji motaesseoyo.
I should have finished that work yesterday, but I couldn't because I didn't have enough time.
학원에 가서 공부했어야 했는데, 게임을 하느라고 갈 수 없었어요.
Hagwone gaseo gongbuhaesseoya haetneunde, geimeul haneurago gal su eopseosseoyo.
I should have gone to the academy and studied, but I couldn't because I was playing games.
커피 대신 물을 마셨어야 했는데, 카페인이 많아서 잠이 안 왔어요.
Keopi daesin mureul masyeosseoya haetneunde, kapeini manhaseo jami an wasseoyo.
I should have drunk water instead of coffee, but I couldn't sleep because there was a lot of caffeine.
전화를 받았어야 했는데, 전화기를 못 봐서 받지 못했어요.
Jeonhwaleul badesseoya haetneunde, jeonhwagireul mot bwaseo badji motaesseoyo.
I should have answered the phone, but I didn't because I couldn't see the phone.
Long explanation:
'~했어야 했다 [haesseoya haetda]' is a Korean grammar structure that expresses something that 'had to' happen or 'should have' been done in the past, but it's unclear whether it was actually done or not. This structure is usually used to express regret, missed opportunities, or lamenting about what one did not do but should have done in the past.
