돌아가다 (dol-a-ga-da, dolagada) · 돌아오다 (dol-a-o-da, dolaoda)
돌아가다 means to go back to the starting point, while 돌아오다 means to come back to the starting point.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To go back to the original place or starting point
When to use
Going to starting point, Moving away from current location, Going back to place left behind
The nuance
Used when the subject goes back to the original place from their current location, emphasizing the action of going back.
To come back to the original place or starting point
When to use
Coming back to starting point, Returning from a place left, Visiting the place again
The nuance
Used when the subject returns to the original place, emphasizing the action of coming back toward the speaker or the starting point.
학교에 돌아가다.
hak-gyo-e dol-a-ga-da., hak gyo e dol a ga da.
Appropriate when the subject left school and is going back there.
학교에 돌아오다.
hak-gyo-e dol-a-o-da., hak gyo e dol a o da.
Fits when the subject left school and is coming back there.
집에 돌아가다.
jip-e dol-a-ga-da., jip e dol a ga da.
Used when the subject is not at home and goes back home.
집에 돌아오다.
jip-e dol-a-o-da., jip e dol a o da.
Appropriate when the subject left home and comes back.
친구 집에 돌아가다.
chin-gu jip-e dol-a-ga-da., chin gu jip e dol a ga da.
돌아가다 implies going back to starting point; if friend's house is not starting point, this is wrong.
친구 집에 돌아오다.
chin-gu jip-e dol-a-o-da., chin gu jip e dol a o da.
돌아오다 means coming back to starting point; if friend's house isn't starting point, it's incorrect.
서울에서 부산으로 돌아가다.
seo-ul-e-seo bu-san-eu-ro dol-a-ga-da., seo ul e seo bu san eu ro dol a ga da.
돌아가다 means going back to starting point; if Busan isn't starting point, this is wrong.
서울에서 부산으로 돌아오다.
seo-ul-e-seo bu-san-eu-ro dol-a-o-da., seo ul e seo bu san eu ro dol a o da.
돌아오다 means coming back to starting point; if Busan isn't starting point, this is wrong.
Which sentence correctly uses '돌아가다'?
Which sentence correctly uses '돌아오다'?
Which sentence is incorrect?
