How to use 으러/러 왔어요 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)러 왔어요

-(으)러 왔어요 (-(eu)reowass-eo-yo, (eu)reowasseoyo)

-(으)러 왔어요 expresses purpose, meaning 'came to do something.'

Explanation of how to use 으러 왔어요 in Korean

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)러 왔어요(-(eu)reowass-eo-yo, (eu)reowasseoyo)

‘-러 왔어요’ means 'came to do (something)' indicating purpose of coming.

When to use

explaining purpose, reason for visit, action plan

The nuance

Attach ‘-(으)러 왔어요’ to the verb stem: use ‘으러’ if stem ends with a consonant, ‘러’ if vowel. It expresses the purpose of coming, meaning 'came to do ~.'

Real-world examples

  • 도서관에 책을 읽으러 왔어요.

    do-seo-gwan-e chaek-eul ik-eu-reo wass-eo-yo., do seo gwan e chaek eul ik eu reo wass eo yo.

    ‘읽다’ stem ends with vowel, so use ‘러’ not ‘으러’.

  • 친구를 만나러 왔어요.

    chin-gu-reul man-na-reo wass-eo-yo., chin gu reul man na reo wass eo yo.

    ‘만나다’ stem ends with vowel, so use ‘러’.

  • 편의점에 음식을 사러 왔어요.

    pyeon-ui-jeom-e eum-sik-eul sa-reo wass-eo-yo., pyeon ui jeom e eum sik eul sa reo wass eo yo.

    ‘사다’ stem ends with vowel, so use ‘러’.

  • 영화를 보러 왔어요.

    yeong-hwa-reul bo-reo wass-eo-yo., yeong hwa reul bo reo wass eo yo.

    ‘보다’ stem ends with vowel, so use ‘러’.

  • 학교에 공부하러 왔어요.

    hak-gyo-e gong-bu-ha-reo wass-eo-yo., hak gyo e gong bu ha reo wass eo yo.

    ‘하다’ stem ends with vowel, so use ‘러’.

  • 시장에 물건을 사으러 왔어요.

    si-jang-e mul-geon-eul sa-eu-reo wass-eo-yo., si jang e mul geon eul sa eu reo wass eo yo.

    ‘사다’ stem ends with vowel, so ‘사으러’ is wrong; must be ‘사러’.

  • 은행에 돈을 찾으러 왔어요.

    eun-haeng-e don-eul chaj-eu-reo wass-eo-yo., eun haeng e don eul chaj eu reo wass eo yo.

    ‘찾다’ stem ends with consonant, so use ‘으러’.

  • 카페에 커피를 마시러 왔어요.

    ka-pe-e keo-pi-reul ma-si-reo wass-eo-yo., ka pe e keo pi reul ma si reo wass eo yo.

    ‘마시다’ stem ends with vowel, so use ‘러’.

Quick quiz

  1. Which is correct for '공부하다'?

    ‘공부하다’에 맞는 표현은?(‘gong-bu-ha-da’emaj-neunpyo-hyeon-eun?, ‘gongbuhada’emajneunpyohyeoneun?)
  2. Which is correct for '찾다'?

    ‘찾다’에 맞는 표현은?(‘chaj-da’emaj-neunpyo-hyeon-eun?, ‘chajda’emajneunpyohyeoneun?)
  3. Which is correct for '먹다'?

    ‘먹다’에 맞는 표현은?(‘meok-da’emaj-neunpyo-hyeon-eun?, ‘meokda’emajneunpyohyeoneun?)

More usage guides

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