편지을 보다

You simply take the noun 편지 (letter) and add the verb 보다. Don't forget the object particle 를 to make it 편지를 보다. In spoken Korean, people often drop the particle and just say 편지 봐요. You can use it in the past tense as 편지를 봤어요 or the future as 편지를 볼 거예요.

Use this when you receive a physical letter in the mail. It is perfect for talking about a love letter or a letter from a friend. You can also use it when you find an old letter in a box. It works for digital messages if they are long and letter-like, such as a heartfelt email.

Avoid using this for very short text messages or DMs. For those, just say 메시지를 보다. Also, don't use it if you are just glancing at the envelope without reading the inside. If you are studying a document for work, 서류를 검토하다 (to review documents) is more professional.

In Korea, handwriting letters is a significant gesture of 'Jeong' (deep affection). Even in the digital age, people write letters for Parents' Day or to soldiers in the military. Receiving a letter is seen as receiving a piece of someone's heart. This phrase carries a touch of nostalgia and warmth because of that effort.

You will frequently hear 편지를 읽다, which is the more formal 'to read a letter.' Another common one is 편지를 부치다, which means to mail a letter. If you are writing one, you say 편지를 쓰다. If you are waiting for one, use 편지를 기다리다.