올라가다 (ol-ra-ga-da, olragada) · 올라오다 (ol-ra-o-da, olraoda)
올라가다 and 올라오다 differ based on movement direction relative to the speaker's position.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A verb used when moving upward from a lower place to a higher place, away from the speaker's current position
When to use
Moving upward from speaker's position, Going to upper floors, Climbing mountain peak
The nuance
Use 올라가다 when moving upward from a point lower than the speaker or reference point, indicating movement away and upward.
A verb used when moving upward from a lower place toward the speaker or reference point's position
When to use
Moving upward toward speaker, Coming down from upper floor into room, Approaching speaker's location upward
The nuance
Use 올라오다 when moving upward from a lower place toward the speaker or reference point, indicating movement closer and upward.
나는 산꼭대기로 올라갔다.
na-neun san-kkok-dae-gi-ro ol-ra-gass-da., na neun san kkok dae gi ro ol ra gass da.
Speaker is below the mountain peak and moves upward, so 올라가다 is correct.
나는 산꼭대기로 올라왔다.
na-neun san-kkok-dae-gi-ro ol-ra-wass-da., na neun san kkok dae gi ro ol ra wass da.
올라오다 is used when moving toward the speaker; here, the speaker is below the peak, so 올라가다 is correct.
친구가 2층으로 올라왔다.
chin-gu-ga 2cheung-eu-ro ol-ra-wass-da., chin gu ga 2cheung eu ro ol ra wass da.
Friend moves upward toward speaker's location, so 올라오다 is correct.
친구가 2층으로 올라갔다.
chin-gu-ga 2cheung-eu-ro ol-ra-gass-da., chin gu ga 2cheung eu ro ol ra gass da.
올라가다 implies moving upward away from speaker; here, friend moves toward speaker, so 올라오다 is correct.
나는 집으로 올라왔다.
na-neun jip-eu-ro ol-ra-wass-da., na neun jip eu ro ol ra wass da.
Speaker moves upward toward the house (reference point), so 올라오다 is correct.
나는 집으로 올라갔다.
na-neun jip-eu-ro ol-ra-gass-da., na neun jip eu ro ol ra gass da.
Moving toward the house (speaker's reference), 올라오다 is correct, not 올라가다.
그는 지하철역에서 언덕 위로 올라갔다.
geu-neun ji-ha-cheol-yeok-e-seo eon-deok wi-ro ol-ra-gass-da., geu neun ji ha cheol yeok e seo eon deok wi ro ol ra gass da.
Moving upward away from reference point, 올라가다 is correct.
그는 지하철역에서 언덕 위로 올라왔다.
geu-neun ji-ha-cheol-yeok-e-seo eon-deok wi-ro ol-ra-wass-da., geu neun ji ha cheol yeok e seo eon deok wi ro ol ra wass da.
올라오다 implies movement toward reference point; here, movement is away, so 올라가다 is correct.
If a friend moves from 1st to 3rd floor and the speaker is on the 3rd floor, which verb is correct?
If the speaker is at the bottom of a mountain and goes to the peak, which verb is correct?
If the speaker is on the 2nd floor and someone moves from 1st to 2nd floor, which verb is correct?
