따라가다 (tta-ra-ga-da, ttaragada) · 따라오다 (tta-ra-o-da, ttaraoda)
따라가다 and 따라오다 both mean 'to follow someone,' but differ based on the starting point and direction.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To follow someone or something from behind, starting point is different from the speaker or listener.
When to use
Following someone from behind, Different starting point from speaker, Being guided on a route (following ahead)
The nuance
Used when the person or object being followed is ahead, and the speaker or listener follows from behind.
To follow someone or something from behind, starting point is the same as the speaker or listener or the object follows from behind.
When to use
Someone follows from behind, Same starting point as speaker or object starts behind, Someone follows behind me
The nuance
Used when the speaker or listener is ahead and the person or object follows from behind.
나는 친구를 따라가서 공연장에 도착했다.
na-neun chin-gu-reul tta-ra-ga-seo gong-yeon-jang-e do-chak-haess-da., na neun chin gu reul tta ra ga seo gong yeon jang e do chak haess da.
Appropriate when the speaker follows the friend from behind to the venue.
나는 친구를 따라와서 공연장에 도착했다.
na-neun chin-gu-reul tta-ra-wa-seo gong-yeon-jang-e do-chak-haess-da., na neun chin gu reul tta ra wa seo gong yeon jang e do chak haess da.
Incorrect because the speaker should be ahead and the friend following behind for 따라오다.
강아지가 나를 따라와서 집까지 왔다.
gang-a-ji-ga na-reul tta-ra-wa-seo jip-kka-ji wass-da., gang a ji ga na reul tta ra wa seo jip kka ji wass da.
Correct because the dog follows the speaker from behind.
강아지가 나를 따라가서 집까지 왔다.
gang-a-ji-ga na-reul tta-ra-ga-seo jip-kka-ji wass-da., gang a ji ga na reul tta ra ga seo jip kka ji wass da.
Incorrect because the dog follows from behind and 따라오다 is the proper verb.
나는 선생님을 따라가며 수업을 들었다.
na-neun seon-saeng-nim-eul tta-ra-ga-myeo su-eop-eul deul-eoss-da., na neun seon saeng nim eul tta ra ga myeo su eop eul deul eoss da.
Suitable when the teacher is ahead and the speaker follows behind.
나는 선생님을 따라와서 수업을 들었다.
na-neun seon-saeng-nim-eul tta-ra-wa-seo su-eop-eul deul-eoss-da., na neun seon saeng nim eul tta ra wa seo su eop eul deul eoss da.
Incorrect because the speaker should be behind and following for 따라가다.
학생들이 선생님을 따라와서 교실에 들어갔다.
hak-saeng-deul-i seon-saeng-nim-eul tta-ra-wa-seo gyo-sil-e deul-eo-gass-da., hak saeng deul i seon saeng nim eul tta ra wa seo gyo sil e deul eo gass da.
Correct since students follow the teacher from behind.
학생들이 선생님을 따라가서 교실에 들어갔다.
hak-saeng-deul-i seon-saeng-nim-eul tta-ra-ga-seo gyo-sil-e deul-eo-gass-da., hak saeng deul i seon saeng nim eul tta ra ga seo gyo sil e deul eo gass da.
Incorrect because students follow from behind and 따라오다 is correct here.
Which word fits when the speaker follows someone from behind?
Which expression fits when a dog follows me from behind?
Which word fits when the speaker is ahead and someone follows from behind?
