Grammar
-아/어 버리다
to do completely; end up doing
Form
Verb stem + -아/어 버리다 (“finish doing”, sometimes with regret or relief).
Function
Presents an action as carried through to completion; any emotional reaction depends on context and is not always negative.
Why this form?
-고 말다 — “end up doing (despite oneself)”: emphasizes an outcome that finally happens, often unwanted; -아/어 버리다 focuses on completion.
How to build it
-아 버리다 follows stems with ㅏ/ㅗ; -어 버리다 follows other stems.
Forms not to confuse
-고 말다
결국 울고 말았어요. — I ended up crying.
Examples
그냥 빨리 죽어 버렸으면 좋겠어!! — I just wish you would die soon!
숙제를 다 해 버렸어요. — I finished all my homework.