Understanding how to express the verb “to go” in Korean is fundamental for basic communication. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the various ways to say “go” in Korean, covering different formality levels, nuances, and grammatical structures.
Mastering these expressions will significantly enhance your ability to navigate conversations and express yourself accurately in Korean. This guide is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced students, providing clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises to solidify your understanding.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Go” in Korean
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of “Go” in Korean
- Examples of “Go” in Korean
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “Go” in Korean
The primary Korean verb for “to go” is 가다 (gada). This verb is used in various forms and conjugations to express different tenses, levels of politeness, and nuances of meaning. Understanding gada and its variations is crucial for expressing movement and direction in Korean. The verb can also be used in compound verbs to create more complex meanings.
Gada functions as an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. It is often accompanied by particles that indicate the destination or direction of movement. The flexibility of gada allows it to be used in numerous contexts, from simple statements of direction to more complex expressions of intent and purpose.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure for using “go” in Korean involves the verb 가다 (gada) and appropriate particles to indicate the destination or purpose of going. The verb is typically placed at the end of the sentence, following the subject and any modifying phrases.
The general structure is: Subject + Destination/Purpose + 가다 (gada) conjugated to the appropriate tense and politeness level.
For example:
- 저는 학교에 가요. (Jeoneun hakgyoe gayo.) – I go to school.
- 그는 공원에 갔어요. (Geuneun gongwone gasseoyo.) – He went to the park.
Types of “Go” in Korean
가다 (Gada) – The Basic Form
가다 (gada) is the dictionary form of the verb “to go.” It is the most basic and informal form and is typically used when speaking to close friends, family members, or younger individuals. It is rarely used in formal or polite situations.
Example: “나는 집에 가.” (Naneun jibe ga.) – “I’m going home.”
가세요 (Gaseyo) – Polite Form
가세요 (gaseyo) is a polite form of “go,” used when speaking to someone older, of higher status, or someone you don’t know well. It’s a common and versatile form suitable for most everyday situations. It is the 하세요 (haseyo) form.
Example: “어디에 가세요?” (Eodie gaseyo?) – “Where are you going?”
갑시다 (Gapsida) – Suggestive Form
갑시다 (gapsida) is the suggestive form, meaning “Let’s go.” It’s used to propose or suggest going somewhere together with the listener. It is a formal and polite way to make a suggestion.
Example: “영화 보러 갑시다!” (Yeonghwa boreo gapsida!) – “Let’s go see a movie!”
가고 있다 (Gago Itta) – Present Progressive
가고 있다 (gago itta) means “is going” or “am going,” expressing the present progressive tense. It indicates an action that is currently in progress. This form is created by adding 고 있다 (-go itta) to the verb stem.
Example: “지금 학교에 가고 있어요.” (Jigeum hakgyoe gago isseoyo.) – “I am going to school now.”
갔어요 (Gasseoyo) – Past Tense
갔어요 (gasseoyo) is the past tense form of “go,” meaning “went.” It’s used to describe an action that happened in the past. This is also a polite form.
Example: “어제 공원에 갔어요.” (Eoje gongwone gasseoyo.) – “I went to the park yesterday.”
Examples of “Go” in Korean
The following tables provide various examples of how to use “go” in Korean, categorized by tense, politeness level, and context.
The table below shows basic examples of using “go” in different tenses and politeness levels.
| Korean | Romanization | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 나는 집에 가. | Naneun jibe ga. | I go home. (Informal) |
| 저는 학교에 가요. | Jeoneun hakgyoe gayo. | I go to school. (Polite) |
| 우리는 영화를 보러 갑시다. | Urineun yeonghwaleul boreo gapsida. | Let’s go see a movie. (Suggestive) |
| 그는 지금 회사에 가고 있어요. | Geuneun jigeum hoesae gago isseoyo. | He is going to the company now. (Present Progressive) |
| 어제 친구 집에 갔어요. | Eoje chingu jibe gasseoyo. | I went to my friend’s house yesterday. (Past Tense) |
| 내일 여행을 갈 거예요. | Naeil yeohaengeul gal geoyeyo. | I will go on a trip tomorrow. (Future Tense) |
| 언제 한국에 가십니까? | Eonje Hanguge gasimnikka? | When are you going to Korea? (Formal) |
| 빨리 가! | Ppalli ga! | Go quickly! (Informal imperative) |
| 어서 가세요. | Eoseo gaseyo. | Please go quickly. (Polite imperative) |
| 비가 오니까 빨리 집에 가자. | Biga onikka ppalli jibe gaja. | Since it’s raining, let’s go home quickly. (Informal Suggestive) |
| 만약 시간이 있으면 같이 갈까요? | Manyak sigani isseumyeon gachi galkkayo? | If you have time, shall we go together? (Polite Question) |
| 기차역에 가려면 어떻게 해야 해요? | Gichayeoge garyeomyeon eotteoke haeya haeyo? | How do I get to the train station? (Asking for directions) |
| 콘서트에 같이 가지 않을래요? | Konseoteue gachi gaji aneullaeyo? | Would you like to go to the concert together? (Polite Invitation) |
| 나는 매일 아침 학교에 걸어 가. | Naneun maeil achim hakgyoe georeo ga. | I walk to school every morning. (Habitual action) |
| 숙제를 다 하면 놀러 가도 돼요. | Sukjereul da hamyeon nolleo gado dwaeyo. | If you finish your homework, you can go play. (Permission) |
| 그녀는 슬픈 영화를 보러 갔어. | Geunyeoneun seulpeun yeonghwaleul boreo gasseo. | She went to see a sad movie. (Past action) |
| 시간이 늦었으니까 택시를 타고 가세요. | Sigani neujeosseunikka taeksireul tago gaseyo. | Since it’s late, please take a taxi. (Reason and suggestion) |
| 다음 주에 부산에 갈 계획이에요. | Daeum jue Busane gal gyehoegieyo. | I am planning to go to Busan next week. (Future plan) |
| 저녁 먹으러 같이 갈 사람? | Jeonyeok meogeureo gachi gal saram? | Anyone want to go to dinner together? (Invitation) |
| 여행 가기 전에 준비를 많이 해야 해요. | Yeohaeng gagi jeone junbileul mani haeya haeyo. | You need to prepare a lot before going on a trip. (Advice) |
This table focuses on examples using different particles with “go,” illustrating how particles change the meaning and context of the sentence.
| Korean | Romanization | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 집에 가요. | Jibe gayo. | I go to home. |
| 학교로 가세요. | Hakgyoro gaseyo. | Please go towards the school. |
| 공원까지 갑시다. | Gongwonkkaji gapsida. | Let’s go until the park. |
| 바다를 향해 가고 있어요. | Badareul hyanghae gago isseoyo. | I am going towards the sea. |
| 친구 집으로 갔어요. | Chingu jibeuro gasseoyo. | I went to my friend’s house. |
| 서울에서 부산으로 갈 거예요. | Seouleseo Busaneuro gal geoyeyo. | I will go from Seoul to Busan. |
| 산으로 등산하러 가요. | Saneuro deungsanharro gayo. | I go to the mountain for hiking. |
| 미래를 향해 나아가자! | Miraereul hyanghae naagaja! | Let’s go forward towards the future! |
| 고향으로 돌아가고 싶어요. | Gohyangeuro doragago sipeoyo. | I want to go back to my hometown. |
| 무대로 걸어갔다. | Mudaero georeogatta. | I walked to the stage. |
| 숲속으로 들어가세요. | Supsogeuro deureogaseyo. | Please go into the forest. |
| 천국으로 가는 길은 험난하다. | Cheongugeuro ganeun gireun heomnanada. | The road to heaven is difficult. |
| 운동장으로 달려갔다. | Undongjangeuro dallyeogatta. | I ran to the playground. |
| 강을 따라 걸어갔어요. | Gangeul ttara georeogasseoyo. | I walked along the river. |
| 집에서 학교까지 멀어요. | Jibeseo hakgyokkaji meoreoyo. | It’s far from home to school. |
| 역을 지나서 가세요. | Yeogeul jinaseo gaseyo. | Please go past the station. |
| 바다가 보이는 곳으로 가고 싶다. | Badaga boineun goseuro gago sipda. | I want to go to a place where I can see the sea. |
| 꿈을 향해 달려가세요. | Kkumeul hyanghae dallyeogaseyo. | Run towards your dreams. |
| 성공을 향한 여정을 가다. | Seonggongeul hyanghan yeojeongeul gada. | To go on a journey towards success. |
| 다음 정류장으로 이동합니다. | Daeum jeongnyujangeuro idonghamnida. | Moving to the next stop. |
This table provides examples of “go” used in different contexts, such as travel, daily routines, and social activities.
| Korean | Romanization | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 여행을 가요. | Yeohaengeul gayo. | I go on a trip. |
| 학교에 가세요. | Hakgyoe gaseyo. | Please go to school. |
| 파티에 갑시다. | Patie gapsida. | Let’s go to the party. |
| 운동하러 가고 있어요. | Undonghareo gago isseoyo. | I am going to exercise. |
| 식사하러 갔어요. | Siksahareo gasseoyo. | I went to have a meal. |
| 출근하러 가요. | Chulgeunhareo gayo. | I’m going to work. |
| 퇴근하고 집에 가세요. | Toegeunhago jibe gaseyo. | After work, please go home. |
| 쇼핑하러 갑시다. | Syopinghareo gapsida. | Let’s go shopping. |
| 영화를 보러 가고 있어요. | Yeonghwaleul boreo gago isseoyo. | I am going to see a movie. |
| 콘서트에 갔어요. | Konseoteue gasseoyo. | I went to the concert. |
| 낚시하러 가요. | Naksihareo gayo. | I go fishing. |
| 등산하러 산에 가세요. | Deungsanhareo sane gaseyo. | Please go to the mountain for hiking. |
| 바닷가에 놀러 갑시다. | Badatgae nolleo gapsida. | Let’s go to the beach. |
| 친구 만나러 가고 있어요. | Chingu mannareo gago isseoyo. | I am going to meet a friend. |
| 결혼식에 갔어요. | Gyeolhonsige gasseoyo. | I went to the wedding. |
| 병원에 진찰받으러 가요. | Byeongwone jinchalbaddeureo gayo. | I go to the hospital for a checkup. |
| 미용실에 머리하러 가세요. | Miyongsire meorihareo gaseyo. | Please go to the hair salon to get your hair done. |
| 박물관에 구경하러 갑시다. | Bangmulgwane gugyeonghareo gapsida. | Let’s go to the museum to look around. |
| 도서관에 공부하러 가고 있어요. | Doseogwane gongbuhareo gago isseoyo. | I am going to the library to study. |
| 고향에 돌아갔어요. | Gohyange doragasseoyo. | I went back to my hometown. |
Usage Rules
Formality Levels
Korean has different levels of formality that must be considered when using verbs. The choice of formality level depends on your relationship with the person you are speaking to.
Using the wrong formality level can be considered rude or disrespectful.
- Informal (해체): Used with close friends, family members, and younger individuals. Example: 가 (ga).
- Polite (해요체): The most common and versatile form, used in most everyday situations. Example: 가요 (gayo).
- Formal (하십시오체): Used in formal settings, such as presentations, speeches, or when speaking to someone of very high status. Example: 갑니다 (gamnida).
Honorifics
Honorifics are used to show respect to the person you are speaking to or about. When referring to someone older or of higher status, you should use honorific verb forms. For “go,” the honorific form is 가시다 (gasida). This is conjugated as 가세요 (gaseyo) in the polite form and 가십니다 (gasimnida) in the formal form.
Example: “선생님께서 학교에 가세요.” (Seonsaengnimkkeseo hakgyoe gaseyo.) – “The teacher is going to school.”
Particle Usage
Particles are essential for indicating the destination or direction of movement. The most common particles used with “go” are 에 (e), 로/으로 (ro/euro), and 까지 (kkaji).
- 에 (e): Indicates a specific location. Example: “집에 가요.” (Jibe gayo.) – “I go to home.”
- 로/으로 (ro/euro): Indicates direction or route. Example: “학교로 가세요.” (Hakgyoro gaseyo.) – “Please go towards the school.”
- 까지 (kkaji): Indicates a destination point. Example: “공원까지 갑시다.” (Gongwonkkaji gapsida.) – “Let’s go until the park.”
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes learners make when using “go” in Korean, along with corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 나 학교 가. | 나는 학교에 가. | The particle 에 is needed to indicate the destination. |
| 선생님, 어디 가? | 선생님, 어디 가세요? | Using the informal form with someone older or of higher status is impolite. |
| 우리 같이 가! | 우리 같이 갑시다! | 갑시다 is a better way to say “let’s go” politely. |
| 지금 학교에 간다. | 지금 학교에 가고 있다. | 간다 means “go,” but 가고 있다 means “is going” (present progressive). |
| 어제 공원에 가. | 어제 공원에 갔어요. | The past tense form 갔어요 is required to indicate that the action happened in the past. |
| 나는 내일 미국에 가. (to someone older) | 저는 내일 미국에 가요. | Using the informal form “가” to someone older is improper. Use “가요” to be polite. |
| 집으로 갑니다. (when talking to a close friend) | 집에 가. | 갑니다 is too formal when speaking to a close friend. Use the informal “가.” |
| 공원에 가자! (to a stranger) | 공원에 갑시다! | 가자 is too informal to use with a stranger. Use 갑시다 to be polite. |
| 어디 가고? | 어디 가세요? | 가고 is not a proper ending for a question. Use 가세요 for a polite question. |
| 나는 어제 영화를 보다 갔어요. | 나는 어제 영화를 보러 갔어요. | The correct form is “보러 갔어요” (went to see) rather than “보다 갔어요.” |
Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “go” in Korean.
Exercise 1: Choose the correct form of “go” (가다) based on the context.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. (친구에게) “나 지금 집에 ____.” (To a friend: “I’m going home now.”) | 가 |
| 2. (선생님께) “저는 학교에 ____.” (To a teacher: “I go to school.”) | 가요 |
| 3. (함께) “영화 보러 ____!” (Together: “Let’s go see a movie!”) | 갑시다 |
| 4. (현재) “그는 지금 회사에 ____.” (Currently: “He is going to the company now.”) | 가고 있어요 |
| 5. (과거) “어제 친구 집에 ____.” (Past: “I went to my friend’s house yesterday.”) | 갔어요 |
| 6. (계획) “내일 여행을 ____.” (Plan: “I will go on a trip tomorrow.”) | 갈 거예요 |
| 7. (존경) “언제 한국에 ____?” (Respect: “When are you going to Korea?”) | 가십니까 |
| 8. (명령) “빨리 ____!” (Command: “Go quickly!”) | 가 |
| 9. (정중한 명령) “어서 ____.” (Polite command: “Please go quickly.”) | 가세요 |
| 10. (제안) “비가 오니까 빨리 집에 ____.” (Suggestion: “Since it’s raining, let’s go home quickly.”) | 가자 |
Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Korean using the appropriate form of “go.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I am going to the library. | 저는 도서관에 가고 있어요. |
| 2. Let’s go to the park this weekend. | 이번 주말에 공원에 갑시다. |
| 3. He went to the restaurant last night. | 그는 어젯밤에 식당에 갔어요. |
| 4. Are you going to school tomorrow? | 내일 학교에 가세요? |
| 5. I will go to Korea next year. | 내년에 한국에 갈 거예요. |
| 6. Please go straight ahead. | 앞으로 똑바로 가세요. |
| 7. She is going to meet her friend. | 그녀는 친구를 만나러 가고 있어요. |
| 8. Let’s go shopping together. | 같이 쇼핑하러 갑시다. |
| 9. He went to the concert yesterday. | 그는 어제 콘서트에 갔어요. |
| 10. I go to work every day. | 저는 매일 회사에 가요. |
Exercise 3: Rewrite the following sentences to be more polite.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. 어디 가? (Where are you going?) | 어디 가세요? |
| 2. 밥 먹으러 가자! (Let’s go eat!) | 밥 먹으러 갑시다! |
| 3. 빨리 가! (Go quickly!) | 빨리 가세요! |
| 4. 내일 학교에 가? (Are you going to school tomorrow?) | 내일 학교에 가세요? |
| 5. 집에 가! (Go home!) | 집에 가세요! |
| 6. 같이 놀러 가자. (Let’s go hang out together.) | 같이 놀러 갑시다. |
| 7. 영화 보러 가? (Are you going to see a movie?) | 영화 보러 가세요? |
| 8. 숙제 다 했으면 가. (If you finished your homework, go.) | 숙제 다 했으면 가세요. |
| 9. 커피 마시러 가자. (Let’s go drink coffee.) | 커피 마시러 갑시다. |
| 10. 지금 출발해. (I’m leaving now.) | 지금 출발해요. |
Advanced Topics
Idiomatic Expressions with “Go”
Korean has several idiomatic expressions that use the verb “go.” Understanding these expressions can add depth to your understanding of the language.
- 돌아가다 (doragada): To return, to go back. Example: “고향에 돌아가고 싶어요.” (Gohyange doragago sipeoyo.) – “I want to go back to my hometown.”
- 나가다 (nagada): To go out, to leave. Example: “지금 나가야 해요.” (Jigeum nagaya haeyo.) – “I have to go out now.”
- 들어가다 (deureogada): To go in, to enter. Example: “집에 들어가세요.” (Jibe deureogaseyo.) – “Please go into the house.”
Compound Verbs with “Go”
Compound verbs are formed by combining “go” with other verbs to create new meanings. These are commonly used in Korean and can express various nuances.
- 가져가다 (gajyeogada): To take (something) away. Example: “이 책을 가져가세요.” (I chaegeul gajyeogaseyo.) – “Please take this book.”
- 들어가다 (deureogada): To enter, to go inside. Example: “방에 들어가세요.” (Bange deureogaseyo.) – “Please go into the room.”
- 내려가다 (naeryeogada): To go down, to descend. Example: “계단으로 내려가세요.” (Gyedaneuro naeryeogaseyo.) – “Please go down the stairs.”
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “go” in Korean:
- What is the most basic way to say “go” in Korean?
The most basic form is 가다 (gada), which is the dictionary form of the verb. However, it’s informal and should be used with close friends or family members. The polite form, 가요 (gayo), is more versatile for everyday use.
- How do I say “Let’s go” in Korean politely?
The polite way to say “Let’s go” is 갑시다 (gapsida). This form is used to suggest going somewhere together with the listener in a respectful manner.
- What’s the difference between 에 and 로/으로 when used with 가다?
에 (e) indicates a specific location or destination. For example, “집에 가요” (jibe gayo) means “I go to home.” 로/으로 (ro/euro) indicates the direction or route. For example, “학교로 가세요” (hakgyoro gaseyo) means “Please go towards the school.”
- How can I use honorifics with the verb “go”?
To use honorifics, use the verb 가시다 (gasida). In the polite form, it becomes 가세요 (gaseyo), and in
the formal form, it is 가십니다 (gasimnida). Use these forms when speaking about or to someone you need to show respect to, such as elders or superiors.
Conclusion
Mastering the verb “go” in Korean involves understanding its various forms, formality levels, and nuances. By learning the basic conjugations, usage rules, and idiomatic expressions, you can effectively communicate movement and direction in Korean.
Practice the examples and exercises provided in this guide to reinforce your understanding and improve your fluency. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to confidently use “go” in a wide range of contexts, enhancing your overall Korean language skills.
Keep practicing and exploring more advanced topics to further refine your abilities and deepen your understanding of the Korean language.