Signification
To return to one's residence after being elsewhere.
Contexte culturel
The 'Ondol' (floor heating) system makes 'coming home' a sensory experience of warmth. People often say '집에 오니까 따뜻하다' (It's warm since I came home). The greeting '다녀왔습니다' is mandatory. Even if no one is home, some Koreans say it out of habit to acknowledge the spirits of the house or simply to mark their return. Inviting someone to your home (집에 오라고 하다) is a major step in a friendship. Most social interactions happen in public spaces like cafes or 'pojangmacha' (street stalls). The 'delivery culture' means '집에 오다' is often timed with food arrival. People often coordinate their commute so they and the chicken arrive at the same time.
The 'Come' Rule
Always use '오다' if you are texting someone who is already at the house you are going to.
Particle Importance
Don't forget '에'. While natives skip it, using it makes you sound much more educated at the A1-A2 level.
Signification
To return to one's residence after being elsewhere.
The 'Come' Rule
Always use '오다' if you are texting someone who is already at the house you are going to.
Particle Importance
Don't forget '에'. While natives skip it, using it makes you sound much more educated at the A1-A2 level.
Natural Greeting
Instead of just saying '집에 왔어요', try '다녀왔습니다' when you enter. It's the 'pro' way to say you're home.
Our House
Remember to say '우리 집' (Our house) even if you live alone. Saying '내 집' (My house) sounds a bit cold or overly possessive.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct particle for 'to the house'.
저는 오늘 일찍 집___ 왔어요.
The particle '에' indicates the destination of the movement verb '오다'.
Choose the correct past tense conjugation of '집에 오다'.
어제 친구가 우리 _______.
'어제' (yesterday) requires the past tense '왔어요'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 언제 집에 와요? B: ________.
B is answering the question 'When are you coming home?' with 'I am coming home now.'
Match the sentence to the situation: '우리 집에 오세요.'
우리 집에 오세요.
'-세요' is a polite request or invitation.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
오다 vs 가다
Banque d exercices
4 exercices저는 오늘 일찍 집___ 왔어요.
The particle '에' indicates the destination of the movement verb '오다'.
어제 친구가 우리 _______.
'어제' (yesterday) requires the past tense '왔어요'.
A: 언제 집에 와요? B: ________.
B is answering the question 'When are you coming home?' with 'I am coming home now.'
우리 집에 오세요.
'-세요' is a polite request or invitation.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, in casual texting it's common, but in speaking or writing, '집에 오다' is better.
'집에 오다' is for daily speech. '귀가하다' is formal, like in news reports or formal documents.
It's a cultural reflection of collectivism. The 'we' (우리) is used for things shared by a group or family.
You say '집에 가고 있어요' (I'm going home) because you haven't arrived yet.
No, '댁' is the honorific version used for elders' homes.
It becomes '왔어요' (polite) or '왔어' (casual).
Yes! '친구가 집에 와요' means 'A friend is coming to my house'.
Technically '집에서 나가다' (to go out from home).
Yes, '강아지가 집에 왔어요' (The puppy came home).
Usually, but it can also mean 'household' or 'family'.
You say '어서 와요' or '잘 왔어요'.
Usually no, unless you've been staying there so long it feels like home. Use '호텔에 가다/오다' instead.
Expressions liées
집에 가다
contrastTo go home
집에 들어오다
similarTo come inside the house
귀가하다
specialized formTo return home (formal)
집에 있다
builds onTo be at home
마중 나가다
similarTo go out to meet someone
