1. What is 보고?

보고 is a particle used to indicate the receiver of speech, such as someone being spoken to, asked, or given a command.

It usually attaches to animate nouns—mostly people or animals.

2. Usage

보고 is used when identifying to whom something is said or who is being asked or commanded.

It’s most commonly used with speech-related verbs such as:
말하다 (to speak), 이야기하다 (to talk), 묻다 (to ask), 부탁하다 (to request)

당신이 먼저 나보고 도와달라고 했으니까요.
(Because you were the one who asked me to help first.)
내가 너보고 만나서 반갑다고 했었지.
(I told you I was glad to meet you.)
정 팀장은 박 대리보고 이메일 보내달라고 요청하세요.
(Manager Jeong, please ask Assistant Manager Park to send the email.)
이 책은 누구보고 달라고 하면 될까요?
(Who should I ask to get this book?)
학생들이 교수님보고 시험 범위를 줄여달라고 하더군요.
(The students asked the professor to reduce the scope of the exam.)

보고 is commonly used in spoken Korean, especially in casual conversation.

It is rarely used in formal writing.

저 애가 너보고 반갑다고 인사했었어.
(That kid said hi to you and said he was glad to see you.)

→ Very natural in everyday speech

보고 can combine with other particles for more specific meaning:

보고 + 는 → 왜 나보고는 그런 말을 안 해주셨을까?
(Why didn’t you say that to me?)
보고 + 도 → 그 사람은 아내보고도 도와주겠다고 하지 않았다.
(He didn’t even say he’d help his wife.)
보고 + 만 → 선생님은 제일 열심히 한 학생보고만 잘했다고 칭찬했다.
(The teacher praised only the most hardworking student.)

Choose the correct particle to complete each sentence.

당신이 먼저 나_____ 도와달라고 했으니까요.
(Because you were the one who asked me to help first.)
내가 너_____ 만나서 반갑다고 했었지.
(I told you I was glad to meet you.)
정 팀장은 박 대리_____ 이메일 보내달라고 요청하세요.
(Manager Jeong, please ask Assistant Manager Park to send the email.)
저 애가 너_____ 반갑다고 인사했었어.
(That kid said hi to you and said he was glad to see you.)
그 사람은 아내_____ 도와주겠다고 하지 않았다.
(He didn’t even say he’d help his wife.)
선생님은 제일 열심히 한 학생_____ 잘했다고 칭찬했다.
(The teacher praised only the most hardworking student.)