나가다(na-ga-da, nagada)
To move out from a certain place or space.
When to use
Moving outside, Passing exit, Leaving a place
The nuance
Use 나가다 when the subject moves outward from a space relative to the speaker or a reference point.
나가다 vs 나오다: Difference Between Going Out and Coming Out
나가다 (na-ga-da, nagada) · 나오다 (na-o-da, naoda)
나가다 means to move out from a place, while 나오다 means to come out or appear from inside a space.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
나오다(na-o-da, naoda)
To come out or appear from inside a space.
When to use
Emerging inside, Appearance of person/object, Moving from inside out
The nuance
Use 나오다 when something or someone emerges from inside a space or appears from a state.
Real-world examples
나는 방에서 나갔다.
na-neun bang-e-seo na-gass-da., na neun bang e seo na gass da.
The subject moves out of the room relative to the speaker, so 나가다 is appropriate.
나는 방에서 나왔다.
na-neun bang-e-seo na-wass-da., na neun bang e seo na wass da.
Describes coming out from inside the room, so 나오다 fits well.
그는 집 밖으로 나왔다.
geu-neun jip bakk-eu-ro na-wass-da., geu neun jip bakk eu ro na wass da.
Using 나오다 with 'outside the house' is unnatural; 나가다 should be used.
그는 집에서 나갔다.
geu-neun jip-e-seo na-gass-da., geu neun jip e seo na gass da.
Expresses going out of the house, so 나가다 is correct.
문이 나갔다.
mun-i na-gass-da., mun i na gass da.
Door is not a space to move out from; 나가다 is incorrect here.
사람들이 무대 위로 나왔다.
sa-ram-deul-i mu-dae wi-ro na-wass-da., sa ram deul i mu dae wi ro na wass da.
People appear from the stage, so 나오다 is appropriate.
사람들이 무대에서 나갔다.
sa-ram-deul-i mu-dae-e-seo na-gass-da., sa ram deul i mu dae e seo na gass da.
Saying 나갔다 suggests leaving the stage area, but 나오다 is used when coming down from stage.
그는 방에서 나왔다가 다시 들어갔다.
geu-neun bang-e-seo na-wass-da-ga da-si deul-eo-gass-da., geu neun bang e seo na wass da ga da si deul eo gass da.
Describes someone coming out of the room and then going back in naturally.
Quick quiz
Which sentence should use '나가다'?
다음 중 '나가다'를 써야 하는 문장은?(da-eumjung'na-ga-da'reulsseo-yaha-neunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'nagada'reulsseoyahaneunmunjangeun?)Which sentence is appropriate with '나오다'?
다음 중 '나오다'가 적절한 문장은?(da-eumjung'na-o-da'gajeok-jeol-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'naoda'gajeokjeolhanmunjangeun?)Which sentence cannot use '나가다'?
'나가다'를 쓸 수 없는 문장은?('na-ga-da'reulsseulsueop-neunmun-jang-eun?, 'nagada'reulsseulsueopneunmunjangeun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 듣다 vs 들리다: Subjectivity and Sensory Difference in Hearing
- 말하다 vs 이야기하다: Nuance Differences in Speaking
- 주다 vs 드리다: Honorific Nuances in Giving
- 줄 vs 수: Expressing Possibility vs Intention
- 올라가다 vs 올라오다: Direction and Reference Point Differences
- 가다 vs 오다: Understanding Directional Differences
- 알다 vs 모르다: Knowing vs Not Knowing
- 생각하다 vs 생각나다: Subject and Occurrence of Thoughts