-(으)ㄴ 적이 있다/없다
Used to express whether or not one has had the experience of doing something at any point in the past.
Summary
Equivalent
Have (n't) done before / Have (no) experience of doing
Also: -아/어 본 적이 있다 (Have tried doing... — '-아/어 보다' adds the nuance of trying)
Example
Have you ever gone skydiving? What does it feel like?
스카이다이빙을 한 적이 있어요? 어떤 느낌이에요?
Grammar rules
- Different from simple past tense: '먹었어요' (I ate it) vs '먹은 적 있어요' (I've had the experience of eating it).
- The focus is on having had the experience, not when it happened.
Patterns
Verbs (Have Experience)
Past · Verb Stem + (으)ㄴ 적이 있다
Verbs (No Experience)
Past · Verb Stem + (으)ㄴ 적이 없다
Example sentences
Have you ever gone skydiving? What does it feel like?
스카이다이빙을 한 적이 있어요? 어떤 느낌이에요?
I've never been to Korea yet but I really want to go.
아직 한국에 가 본 적이 없는데 꼭 가 보고 싶어요.
I've made bibimbap before. It wasn't as difficult as I expected.
비빔밥을 만들어 본 적 있어요. 생각보다 어렵지 않았어요.
Conversation
A: Have you ever watched a Korean drama?
한국 드라마를 본 적이 있으세요?
B: Yes, I've watched them several times. I got completely hooked.
네, 여러 번 본 적이 있어요. 완전 빠져들었어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Express your experience or lack thereof.
Never late.
Tried the dish.