Question

공부를 더 열심히 했어야 했어요 The -아/어야 되/하- structure attaches to verb stems and coveys the meaning of 'must' or 'have to'. The pattern combines the -아/어야 ('only if') ending and the verb 되/하- ('become'/'do'). The literal meaning of -아/어야 되/하-, which does not pass into translation in its original form, is 'only if you do ... it will do'.The pattern can occur preceded by the past tense marker changing the meaning to 'should have done' used when talking about failed obligations.

Accepted Answer

I should have studied harder

Front	공부를 더 열심히 했어야 했어요
Back	I should have studied harder
Notes	The -아/어야 되/하- structure attaches to verb stems and coveys the meaning of 'must' or 'have to'. The pattern combines the -아/어야 ('only if') ending and the verb 되/하- ('become'/'do'). The literal meaning of -아/어야 되/하-, which does not pass into translation in its original form, is 'only if you do ... it will do'. The pattern can occur preceded by the past tense marker changing the meaning to 'should have done' used when talking about failed obligations.

아/어야 Meaning 되/하 Verb Pattern 공부를 더 열심히