Pattern: -(으)러 가다
-(으)러 가다 (-(eu)reoga-da, (eu)reogada)
-(으)러 가다 expresses purpose, meaning 'go to do something' in Korean.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
It means moving to a place for a specific action or purpose.
When to use
purposeful movement, planned action, daily conversation
The nuance
Attach -(으)러 to the verb stem followed by 가다 or 오다 to express going/coming for the purpose of doing that action. For example, 먹다 → 먹으러 가다. Use when the purpose of movement is clear. The choice of 가다 or 오다 depends on direction of movement.
친구를 만나러 카페에 갔어요.
chin-gu-reul man-na-reo ka-pe-e gass-eo-yo., chin gu reul man na reo ka pe e gass eo yo.
The verb stem '만나' plus '-러 가다' correctly expresses purpose of going.
영화를 보러 집에 갔어요.
yeong-hwa-reul bo-reo jip-e gass-eo-yo., yeong hwa reul bo reo jip e gass eo yo.
Attaching '-러 가다' to '보' properly shows the purpose of going.
운동하러 공원에 갑니다.
un-dong-ha-reo gong-won-e gap-ni-da., un dong ha reo gong won e gap ni da.
Using '운동하러 가다' correctly indicates going to exercise.
책 읽으러 도서관에 왔어요.
chaek ik-eu-reo do-seo-gwan-e wass-eo-yo., chaek ik eu reo do seo gwan e wass eo yo.
Combining '읽으' + '-러 오다' correctly expresses coming to read.
밥 먹으러 학교에 왔어요.
bap meok-eu-reo hak-gyo-e wass-eo-yo., bap meok eu reo hak gyo e wass eo yo.
'먹으러 오다' properly shows coming somewhere for eating.
영어 공부하러 도서관에 갔어요.
yeong-eo gong-bu-ha-reo do-seo-gwan-e gass-eo-yo., yeong eo gong bu ha reo do seo gwan e gass eo yo.
'공부하러 가다' correctly expresses going for study purpose.
친구 만나러 집에 왔어요.
chin-gu man-na-reo jip-e wass-eo-yo., chin gu man na reo jip e wass eo yo.
'만나러 오다' properly indicates coming to meet.
영화를 보러 학교에 왔어요.
yeong-hwa-reul bo-reo hak-gyo-e wass-eo-yo., yeong hwa reul bo reo hak gyo e wass eo yo.
'보러 오다' correctly shows coming to watch.
Which sentence correctly uses -(으)러 가다 to show purpose?
Which sentence is incorrect?
What is the correct verb form before -(으)러 가다?
