What does 오다 mean?

오다 (o-da, oda)

The Korean verb '오다' basically means 'to come or arrive at a place.' It's a key word used in daily life and business contexts.

Korean verb 오다 meaning to come or arrive

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

오다(o-da, oda)

'오다' is a verb meaning 'to move toward and arrive at a place.'

Nuances

  • Emphasizes movement toward the speaker or reference point.
  • Used to express the approach of time.
  • Can metaphorically indicate the arrival of a situation or state.

When to use

Everyday conversation, Business meeting, Weather expressions

In context

'오다' expresses the subject moving toward the speaker or a reference point. It is used to indicate arrival in time, place, or situation, and is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 친구가 집에 왔어요.

    chin-gu-ga jip-e wass-eo-yo., chin gu ga jip e wass eo yo.

    '오다' correctly indicates movement toward the speaker's location.

  • 비가 많이 와요.

    bi-ga man-i wa-yo., bi ga man i wa yo.

    Using '오다' for weather phenomena like rain is natural in Korean.

  • 내일 시험이 와요.

    nae-il si-heom-i wa-yo., nae il si heom i wa yo.

    '오다' is used to express the approach of a time event.

  • 나는 학교에 가요.

    na-neun hak-gyo-e ga-yo., na neun hak gyo e ga yo.

    '가다' is correct; '오다' indicates movement toward the speaker, so it's wrong here.

  • 회의가 오후 3시에 와요.

    hoe-ui-ga o-hu 3si-e wa-yo., hoe ui ga o hu 3si e wa yo.

    '오다' can metaphorically indicate the arrival of scheduled events.

  • 그가 나에게 편지를 보냈어요.

    geu-ga na-e-ge pyeon-ji-reul bo-naess-eo-yo., geu ga na e ge pyeon ji reul bo naess eo yo.

    The verb '오다' does not mean 'send'; '보내다' is correct.

Quick quiz

  1. What is the basic meaning of '오다'?

    '오다'의 기본 의미는 무엇인가요?('o-da'uigi-bonui-mi-neunmu-eos-in-ga-yo?, 'oda'uigibonuimineunmueosingayo?)
  2. What does '오다' mean in '비가 오다' (it rains)?

    '비가 오다'에서 '오다'는 어떤 의미인가요?('bi-gao-da'e-seo'o-da'neuneo-tteonui-mi-in-ga-yo?, 'bigaoda'eseo'oda'neuneotteonuimiingayo?)
  3. Which sentence uses '오다' incorrectly?

    다음 중 '오다'를 잘못 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjung'o-da'reuljal-mossa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjung'oda'reuljalmossayonghanmunjangeun?)

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