Korean grammar patterns › Level 4
-아/어 내다
manage to …, finally accomplish (through effort)
Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Emphasizes that something difficult was done or endured to the end through effort. Common with 참다, 견디다, 이기다, 버티다.
Forming it
| 참다 | → 참아 내다 |
| 이기다 | → 이겨 내다 |
| 견디다 | → 견뎌 내다 |
Some combinations have become single words written without a space: 해내다, 찾아내다, 알아내다.
Examples
그는 어려움을 이겨 내고 꿈을 이루었어요.
He overcame his difficulties and achieved his dream.
아이는 주사가 아팠지만 울지 않고 끝까지 참아 냈어요.
The shot hurt, but the child endured it to the end without crying.
Compared with similar patterns
-고 말다 (G3-049) emphasizes the final result, often with regret; -아/어 내다 stresses effort and accomplishment. -아/어 버리다 (G2-023) means completion with relief or regret, not effort.