Signification
To descend a flight of steps.
Contexte culturel
In Korean cinema, stairs are a recurring motif for class struggle. The 'upstairs/downstairs' dynamic is central to many urban thrillers. Subway etiquette: On long staircases, Koreans generally keep to the right to allow people to pass, though this is sometimes ignored in rush hour. Health culture: 'Stair climbing' (계단 오르기) is a popular free workout in apartment buildings, but 'going down' is often cautioned against for elderly people to protect their knees. Traditional Architecture: Traditional Hanok houses have very few stairs, as they are mostly single-story. The concept of 'going down stairs' is largely a modern, urban one.
Use '로' for emphasis
If you want to say 'Go by the stairs (not the elevator)', use '계단으로 내려가세요'.
Knee health
In Korea, it's common to hear that going down stairs is bad for your knees, so don't be surprised if people suggest the elevator.
Signification
To descend a flight of steps.
Use '로' for emphasis
If you want to say 'Go by the stairs (not the elevator)', use '계단으로 내려가세요'.
Knee health
In Korea, it's common to hear that going down stairs is bad for your knees, so don't be surprised if people suggest the elevator.
The '가다/오다' rule
Always imagine where the listener is. If they are 'down there', you are 'coming down' (내려오다) to them.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '내려가다'.
엘리베이터가 고장 나서 {계단|階段}을 ( ).
Since the elevator is broken, you 'went down' the stairs. '내려갔어요' is the past tense.
Which sentence is the most natural for giving directions?
How do you tell someone to go down the stairs to find the exit?
The polite imperative '-세요' is best for directions, and '내려가다' is used as the person is moving away from you.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are on the 1st floor. Your friend is on the 2nd floor and is walking down to meet you.
Because the friend is coming toward your location (1st floor), you use '내려오다'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 화장실이 어디예요? B: 저 ( )을 ( ) 왼쪽으로 가세요.
The sequence '-아서/어서' is used to connect two actions in order: 'Go down the stairs and then go left.'
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices엘리베이터가 고장 나서 {계단|階段}을 ( ).
Since the elevator is broken, you 'went down' the stairs. '내려갔어요' is the past tense.
How do you tell someone to go down the stairs to find the exit?
The polite imperative '-세요' is best for directions, and '내려가다' is used as the person is moving away from you.
Situation: You are on the 1st floor. Your friend is on the 2nd floor and is walking down to meet you.
Because the friend is coming toward your location (1st floor), you use '내려오다'.
A: 화장실이 어디예요? B: 저 ( )을 ( ) 왼쪽으로 가세요.
The sequence '-아서/어서' is used to connect two actions in order: 'Go down the stairs and then go left.'
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it's more common to say '에스컬레이터를 타고 내려가다'.
Korean nouns don't usually mark plural. '계단' can mean one step or the whole flight.
계단으로 내려가 주시겠습니까? (Would you please go down by the stairs?)
'을' marks the stairs as the object of the movement. '에서' would mean you are starting the action *at* the stairs.
계단을 뛰어 내려가다.
Not a specific slang word, but '계단 고' (Stairs go) is used among friends.
Only if there are stairs. Otherwise, use '산에서 내려가다'.
It's an older, more formal word for stairs. You might see it in old books.
한 칸씩 내려가다.
Yes, '경제가 내려가다' can be used, but '하락하다' is more professional.
Expressions liées
{계단|階段}을 올라가다
contrastTo go up the stairs
{계단|階段}을 내려오다
similarTo come down the stairs
사다리를 내려가다
specialized formTo go down a ladder
에스컬레이터를 타다
similarTo ride the escalator
