들고가다 (deul-go-ga-da, deulgogada) · 들고오다 (deul-go-o-da, deulgooda)
들고가다 and 들고오다 differ based on the direction of carrying an object relative to the speaker's position.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Used when carrying an object from the current location to another place, typically moving away from the speaker or reference point.
When to use
Moving away from speaker, Carrying from home to school, Carrying from office to external meeting
The nuance
Used when carrying an object away from the speaker or reference point to another location. The verb '가다' implies movement away from the starting point.
Used when carrying an object from another place to the current location, typically moving toward the speaker or reference point.
When to use
Moving toward speaker, Carrying from school to home, Carrying from external meeting to office
The nuance
Used when carrying an object from another location toward the speaker or reference point. The verb '오다' implies movement toward the destination.
나는 책을 들고 학교에 갔다.
na-neun chaek-eul deul-go hak-gyo-e gass-da., na neun chaek eul deul go hak gyo e gass da.
Moving away from speaker's location (home) toward school, so '들고가다' is correct.
나는 책을 들고 학교에 왔다.
na-neun chaek-eul deul-go hak-gyo-e wass-da., na neun chaek eul deul go hak gyo e wass da.
School is away from speaker's reference point, so using '들고오다' is incorrect; '들고가다' should be used.
친구가 집에 음식을 들고 왔다.
chin-gu-ga jip-e eum-sik-eul deul-go wass-da., chin gu ga jip e eum sik eul deul go wass da.
Friend is moving toward speaker's home from elsewhere, so '들고오다' is correct.
친구가 집에 음식을 들고 갔다.
chin-gu-ga jip-e eum-sik-eul deul-go gass-da., chin gu ga jip e eum sik eul deul go gass da.
Speaker's home is reference point; friend is moving toward it, so '들고가다' is incorrect; '들고오다' should be used.
나는 회사에서 카페로 커피를 들고 갔다.
na-neun hoe-sa-e-seo ka-pe-ro keo-pi-reul deul-go gass-da., na neun hoe sa e seo ka pe ro keo pi reul deul go gass da.
Moving away from speaker's location (company) toward cafe, so '들고가다' is appropriate.
나는 카페에서 회사로 커피를 들고 왔다.
na-neun ka-pe-e-seo hoe-sa-ro keo-pi-reul deul-go wass-da., na neun ka pe e seo hoe sa ro keo pi reul deul go wass da.
Moving toward speaker's location (company) from cafe, so '들고오다' is correct.
나는 친구 집에서 내 집으로 선물을 들고 갔다.
na-neun chin-gu jip-e-seo nae jip-eu-ro seon-mul-eul deul-go gass-da., na neun chin gu jip e seo nae jip eu ro seon mul eul deul go gass da.
Moving toward speaker's home, so '들고가다' is incorrect; '들고오다' should be used.
나는 친구 집에서 내 집으로 선물을 들고 왔다.
na-neun chin-gu jip-e-seo nae jip-eu-ro seon-mul-eul deul-go wass-da., na neun chin gu jip e seo nae jip eu ro seon mul eul deul go wass da.
Moving toward speaker's home, so '들고오다' is correct.
Which verb is used when carrying something away from the speaker's location?
What is the correct expression when a friend carries a book from school to home?
Which expression fits carrying documents from the office to an external meeting?
What is the correct expression for carrying a drink from a cafe to home?
