가다(ga-da, gada)
To move away from the speaker or reference point.
When to use
Away from speaker, Leaving place, Future planned movement
The nuance
Used when moving away from the speaker or a reference location.
가다 vs 오다: Understanding Directional Differences
가다 (ga-da, gada) · 오다 (o-da, oda)
가다 and 오다 are verbs that differ based on movement direction, distinguishing whether the action moves away from or towards the speaker.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
오다(o-da, oda)
To move towards the speaker or reference point.
When to use
Towards speaker, Arriving destination, Approaching current location
The nuance
Used when moving toward the speaker or a reference location.
Real-world examples
나는 학교에 가요.
na-neun hak-gyo-e ga-yo., na neun hak gyo e ga yo.
The speaker is away from school, so 가다 is appropriate.
친구가 우리 집에 와요.
chin-gu-ga u-ri jip-e wa-yo., chin gu ga u ri jip e wa yo.
The friend moves toward the speaker's house, so 오다 is correct.
저는 지금 집에 와요.
jeo-neun ji-geum jip-e wa-yo., jeo neun ji geum jip e wa yo.
Since the speaker is already home, 오다 is awkward; 가다 is correct.
우리는 공원에 와요.
u-ri-neun gong-won-e wa-yo., u ri neun gong won e wa yo.
If the speaker is outside the park, 가다 is correct; 오다 is inappropriate.
내일 서울에 가요.
nae-il seo-ul-e ga-yo., nae il seo ul e ga yo.
For future movement from speaker's location to Seoul, 가다 is used.
친구가 우리 사무실에 가요.
chin-gu-ga u-ri sa-mu-sil-e ga-yo., chin gu ga u ri sa mu sil e ga yo.
The friend is coming to the speaker's office, so 오다 is correct.
그는 지금 집에 가고 있어요.
geu-neun ji-geum jip-e ga-go iss-eo-yo., geu neun ji geum jip e ga go iss eo yo.
Since the speaker is outside home, 가다 fits the movement toward home.
나는 회사에 와요.
na-neun hoe-sa-e wa-yo., na neun hoe sa e wa yo.
If the speaker is outside the company, 가다 is correct; 오다 is inappropriate.
Quick quiz
Which verb to use when a friend moves to the speaker's home where the speaker is?
화자가 집에 있을 때 친구가 집으로 움직일 때 어떤 동사를 써야 할까요?(hwa-ja-gajip-eiss-eulttaechin-gu-gajip-eu-roum-jik-ilttaeeo-tteondong-sa-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, hwajagajipeisseulttaechingugajipeuroumjikilttaeeotteondongsareulsseoyahalkkayo?)Which verb to use when the speaker is at school and leaves it?
화자가 지금 학교에 있는데, 학교를 떠날 때 어떤 동사를 써야 할까요?(hwa-ja-gaji-geumhak-gyo-eiss-neun-de,hak-gyo-reultteo-nalttaeeo-tteondong-sa-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, hwajagajigeumhakgyoeissneunde,hakgyoreultteonalttaeeotteondongsareulsseoyahalkkayo?)Which verb is appropriate for future movement to Seoul?
미래에 서울로 이동할 때 적절한 동사는?(mi-rae-eseo-ul-roi-dong-halttaejeok-jeol-handong-sa-neun?, miraeeseoulroidonghalttaejeokjeolhandongsaneun?)
What does it mean?
More comparisons to explore
- 올라가다 vs 올라오다: Direction and Reference Point Differences
- 들어가다 vs 들어오다: Direction and Location Differences
- 데려가다 vs 데려오다: Directional Nuance of Taking Someone
- 들고가다 vs 들고오다: Directional Nuance Explained
- 따라가다 vs 따라오다: Direction and Position Differences
- 나가다 vs 나오다: Difference Between Going Out and Coming Out
- 돌아가다 vs 돌아오다: The Difference Between Going Back and Coming Back
- 달려가다 vs 달려오다: Running with Direction