How to use 으려/려다가 in Korean

Pattern: -(으)려다가

-(으)려다가 (-(eu)ryeo-da-ga, (eu)ryeodaga)

-(으)려다가 is used when you were about to do something but changed plans due to something else.

Example of 으려다가 usage

Usage guide

When and how native speakers actually use it.

-(으)려다가(-(eu)ryeo-da-ga, (eu)ryeodaga)

An expression used when intending to do something but stopping or changing plans midway.

When to use

changing plans, stopping an action, unexpected situations

The nuance

Attach -(으)려다가 to the verb stem: use '-으려다가' after verbs with a final consonant, '-려다가' after vowels. It indicates that an intended action was stopped or changed due to another event. Usually used in past contexts, followed by another action or result.

Real-world examples

  • 집에 가려다가 친구를 만났어요.

    jip-e ga-ryeo-da-ga chin-gu-reul man-nass-eo-yo., jip e ga ryeo da ga chin gu reul man nass eo yo.

    '가려다가' correctly combines '가다' (no final consonant) + 려다가.

  • 밥을 먹으려다가 전화를 받았어요.

    bap-eul meok-eu-ryeo-da-ga jeon-hwa-reul bat-ass-eo-yo., bap eul meok eu ryeo da ga jeon hwa reul bat ass eo yo.

    '먹으려다가' correctly combines '먹다' (final consonant) + 으려다가.

  • 공부하려다가 친구를 만났어요.

    gong-bu-ha-ryeo-da-ga chin-gu-reul man-nass-eo-yo., gong bu ha ryeo da ga chin gu reul man nass eo yo.

    '공부하려다가' correctly combines '공부하다' (no final consonant) + 려다가.

  • 운동하러다가 비가 왔어요.

    un-dong-ha-reo-da-ga bi-ga wass-eo-yo., un dong ha reo da ga bi ga wass eo yo.

    '하러다가' is incorrect; the correct form is '하려다가'.

  • 영화를 보려다가 잠들었어요.

    yeong-hwa-reul bo-ryeo-da-ga jam-deul-eoss-eo-yo., yeong hwa reul bo ryeo da ga jam deul eoss eo yo.

    '보려다가' correctly combines '보다' (no final consonant) + 려다가.

  • 운전하려다가 차가 고장 났어요.

    un-jeon-ha-ryeo-da-ga cha-ga go-jang nass-eo-yo., un jeon ha ryeo da ga cha ga go jang nass eo yo.

    '운전하려다가' correctly combines '운전하다' (no final consonant) + 려다가.

Quick quiz

  1. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)
  2. What does -(으)려다가 mean in this sentence? "집에 가려다가 친구를 만났어요."

    다음 문장에서 -(으)려다가의 의미는?(da-eummun-jang-e-seo-(eu)ryeo-da-ga-uiui-mi-neun?, daeummunjangeseo(eu)ryeodagauiuimineun?)
  3. Which sentence is incorrect?

    다음 중 틀린 문장은?(da-eumjungteul-rinmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungteulrinmunjangeun?)

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