A1 Particles 11 min read Easy

Direction & Means: To, Toward, By, With (로/으로)

Use 로/으로 to describe which way you're heading or what tool/method you're using to do something.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use {로|路} or {으로|以路} to show where you are going or how you are doing something.

  • Use -로 after vowels or the consonant ㄹ: 학교로 (to school).
  • Use -으로 after other consonants: 집으로 (to house).
  • Use it to indicate tools or methods: 버스로 (by bus).
Noun + (로/으로) + Verb

Overview

The Korean particle (으)로 (romanized as (eu)ro) is a fundamental building block for expressing direction and the means by which an action occurs. At its core, (으)로 answers questions like "which way?" or "how?" It serves as a linguistic pointer, guiding your listener about the general path of movement or the instrument, method, or material involved in an action. Unlike some particles that indicate a precise destination, (으)로 often signifies a trajectory or a general orientation.

Mastering (으)로 early in your Korean learning journey is crucial for forming complete and natural sentences, enabling you to communicate essential information about movement and action with clarity.

How This Grammar Works

The choice between 로 and 으로 is not arbitrary; it is governed by a precise phonetic rule ensuring smooth pronunciation. This rule is a common feature in Korean grammar particles that attach to nouns. Your decision hinges on the final sound of the noun preceding the particle.
  • If the noun ends in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ (rieul), you attach 로. The absence of 으 prevents an awkward repetition of vowel sounds or the difficult 르로 sound after ㄹ. For example, 학교 (hakgyo, school) ends in a vowel, so it becomes 학교로 (hakgyoro). 서울 (seoul, Seoul) ends in ㄹ, taking 서울로 (seoullo). This phonetic blending facilitates natural speech flow.
  • If the noun ends in any other consonant (excluding ㄹ), you attach 으로. Here, the 으 vowel acts as a bridge, breaking up potentially challenging consonant clusters and making pronunciation easier. For instance, 집 (jip, house) ends in ㅂ (bieup), a consonant, thus becoming 집으로 (jibeuro). Attempting to say 집로 would feel unnatural due to the immediate transition from ㅂ to ㄹ.
This distinction is consistent across all functions of (으)로), ensuring that the particle always integrates seamlessly with the preceding noun. Pay close attention to the final sound of the noun to apply the correct form of this particle.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of (으)로 is dictated by the final sound of the preceding noun. This is a critical rule for both grammatical correctness and natural pronunciation.
2
Rule: Attach (으)로 directly to the noun without any space.
3
| Noun Ending | Rule | Particle | Example Noun | Combined Form | Romanization | Meaning |
4
| :------------------------------------------ | :----------- | :------- | :----------- | :------------ | :----------------- | :-------------------- |
5
| Vowel (ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅐ, ㅔ, ㅚ, ㅟ, ㅘ, ㅝ, ㅢ, ㅑ, ㅕ, ㅛ, ㅠ) | Add 로 | 로 | 학교 | 학교로 | hakgyoro | toward school |
6
| Consonant ㄹ (special case) | Add 로 | 로 | 서울 | 서울로 | seoullo | toward Seoul |
7
| Other Consonants (e.g., ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ) | Add 으로 | 으로 | 집 | 집으로 | jibeuro | toward home |
8
Examples in Sentences:
9
The noun 회사 (hoesa, company) ends in a vowel, so you say 회사로 가요. (hoesaro gayo. I go to the company.)
10
The noun 연필 (yeonpil, pencil) ends in ㄹ, so it's 연필로 써요. (yeonpillo sseoyo. I write with a pencil.)
11
The noun 책 (chaek, book) ends in ㄱ (gieok), an 'other' consonant, leading to 책으로 읽어요. (chaegeuro ilgeoyo. I read with a book/by means of a book.)

When To Use It

The particle (으)로 serves two primary functions at the A1 level: indicating direction/general movement and specifying the means, method, or instrument for an action. Understanding these core applications will unlock significant expressive power.
  1. 1Direction or General Movement: 'to', 'toward', 'in the direction of'
When attached to a place noun, (으)로 signifies movement in the general direction of that location. It emphasizes the trajectory or path rather than a specific, fixed destination. Think of it as indicating the way you are headed, without necessarily confirming arrival at a precise endpoint.
  • 어디로 가세요? (eodiro gaseyo?) / 어디로 가? (eodiro ga?)
Where are you going (in general/which way)? (Formal polite / Casual)
  • 오른쪽으로 가세요. (oreunjjogeuro gaseyo.) / 오른쪽으로 가. (oreunjjogeuro ga.)
Please go to the right. (Formal polite / Casual)
  • 저는 한국으로 여행을 가고 싶어요. (jeoneun hangug-euro yeohaeng-eul gago sipeoyo.)
I want to travel to Korea. (This implies the journey or general direction, not just the arrival point).
This usage is particularly common when giving or receiving directions, or when expressing a journey without a strict focus on arrival.
  1. 1Means, Method, Instrument, or Material: 'by', 'with', 'using', 'by way of'
This function specifies how an action is performed, what tool is used, or through what medium something occurs. It's incredibly versatile and essential for everyday communication.
  • Modes of Transportation: When talking about how you travel.
  • 버스로 학교에 가요. (beoseuro hakgyoe gayo.) / 버스로 학교에 가. (beoseuro hakgyoe ga.)
I go to school by bus. (Formal polite / Casual)
  • 비행기로 미국에 갈 거예요. (bihaenggiro migug-e gal geoyeyo.)
I will go to America by plane. (Formal polite)
  • Tools or Instruments: What you use to perform an action.
  • 가위로 잘라요. (gawiro jallayo.) / 가위로 잘라. (gawiro jalla.)
I cut with scissors. (Formal polite / Casual)
  • 젓가락으로 밥을 먹어요. (jeotgarageuro bab-eul meogeoyo.)
I eat rice with chopsticks. (Formal polite)
  • Communication Methods/Languages: How you communicate or what language you use.
  • 한국어로 말해요. (hangugeoro marhaeyo.) / 한국어로 말해. (hangugeoro malhae.)
I speak in Korean. (Formal polite / Casual)
  • 이메일로 연락해주세요. (imeillo yeollakhaejuseyo.)
Please contact me by email. (Formal polite)
  • Materials: What something is made of.
  • 나무로 만든 의자예요. (namuro mandeun uijaeyo.)
It's a chair made of wood. (Formal polite)
  • Payment Methods: How you pay.
  • 카드로 계산할게요. (kadeuro gyesanhalgeyo.)
I will pay by card. (Formal polite)
These core uses allow you to describe various actions, from physical movement to practical tasks, making (으)로) indispensable for A1 learners.

When Not To Use It

Just as important as knowing when to use (으)로 is understanding when it is incorrect or unnatural. Misapplying (으)로) can lead to grammatical errors or significant misunderstandings, especially when compared to similar-sounding particles.
  1. 1For a Definitive Destination or Static Location: Do not use (으)로) when you want to specify a precise, final destination where an action concludes, or a static location where someone or something is. For these cases, the particle 에 (e) is the correct choice, as it marks an endpoint or a fixed position.
  • Incorrect: 저는 학교로 있어요.
  • Correct: 저는 학교에 있어요. (jeoneun hakgyoe isseoyo.)
I am at school. (Emphasizes being at the location)
  • Incorrect: 내일 부산으로 도착해요.
  • Correct: 내일 부산에 도착해요. (naeil busane dochakhaeyo.)
I arrive at Busan tomorrow. (Emphasizes arrival at the destination)
  1. 1For Accompaniment ('with someone'): (으)로) is never used to indicate that you are doing something with another person or entity in the sense of accompaniment or shared activity. For this, you must use 와/과 (wa/gwa) or 하고 (hago).
  • Incorrect: 친구로 영화를 봤어요.
  • Correct: 친구와 영화를 봤어요. (chingguwa yeonghwareul bwatseoyo.) / 친구하고 영화를 봤어요. (chingguhago yeonghwareul bwatseoyo.)
I watched a movie with a friend. (Accompaniment)
  1. 1To Mark Specific Time Points: While (으)로) can appear in more advanced phrases concerning deadlines or periods, it is generally not used to mark precise moments in time. For expressions like "at 7 o'clock" or "on Monday," always use 에.
  • Incorrect: 두 시로 만나요.
  • Correct: 두 시에 만나요. (du sie mannayo.)
Let's meet at two o'clock. (Specific time)
  1. 1When the Noun is a Direct Object: If the noun is the direct recipient of an action and would typically take the object particle 을/를 (eul/reul), do not use (으)로). (으)로) marks an instrument or means, not the object being acted upon.
  • Incorrect: 사과으로 먹어요.
  • Correct: 사과를 먹어요. (sagwareul meogeoyo.)
I eat an apple. (Direct object)
These distinctions are crucial for avoiding common beginner errors and ensuring your Korean is both grammatically correct and clearly understood.

Common Mistakes

Beginners often fall into predictable traps when learning (으)로). Understanding these common errors and, more importantly, why they occur will significantly accelerate your mastery of this particle.
  1. 1The ㄹ (rieul) Consonant Exception: This is perhaps the most persistent mistake. Many learners, having grasped that 으로 follows consonants, incorrectly apply this to nouns ending in ㄹ. However, nouns ending in ㄹ always take 로.
  • Error Example: Using 서울으로 (seour-euro) instead of 서울로 (seoullo).
  • Why it's wrong: The ㄹ consonant in Korean has a unique, fluid pronunciation. When followed by 으, it creates an awkward, less natural sound (르). Attaching 로 directly (ㄹ + 로) allows the sounds to flow together effortlessly, mimicking native pronunciation. Always remember this unique behavior of ㄹ.
  1. 1Confusing (으)로 (Direction) with 에 (Destination): This leads to fundamental misunderstandings of spatial relationships. (으)로) indicates a general path, while 에 signifies a precise endpoint or a static location.
  • Error Example: Saying 저는 학교에 가고 있어요. when you want to emphasize heading toward the school, rather than simply going to the school with arrival as the clear endpoint.
  • Why it's wrong: While 학교에 가요 is grammatically correct and common, 학교로 가요 highlights the movement or trajectory. If you are physically at a place, 에 is the only correct particle (저는 학교에 있어요. - I am at school.). If you are moving towards it, either 에 (focus on arrival) or (으)로) (focus on direction/path) can be used, but the nuances differ. Confusing these makes your intent unclear. GPS systems often use (으)로) for instructions like 오른쪽으로 가세요. (Please go to the right.) because they are describing a change in direction, not telling you that you are already at the right.
  1. 1Using (으)로) for People as Companions: This mistake stems from a direct translation of the English "with." Remember, (으)로) for "with" is reserved for inanimate objects, tools, methods, or materials, not sentient beings.
  • Error Example: 친구로 밥을 먹었어요.
  • Why it's wrong: This implies you ate by means of a friend, or as a friend, not with a friend. Korean has specific particles (와/과, 하고) for indicating accompaniment with people.
  1. 1Omitting (으)로) when Referring to Languages or Means: Learners sometimes omit particles in casual speech. While sometimes acceptable in very specific, highly contextual situations, omitting (으)로) in its "means" function often creates awkward or less precise sentences.
  • Error Example: 영어 말해요. instead of 영어로 말해요.
  • Why it's wrong: 영어 말해요 literally translates to something like "I speak English (language)," lacking the nuance of "I speak in English." The particle (으)로) clearly defines English as the medium of speech, making the sentence grammatically complete and natural. Always include (으)로) to specify a method or language, especially as an A1 learner.
By diligently reviewing these common pitfalls and understanding their underlying grammatical principles, you can develop a more accurate and natural command of (으)로) from the outset.

Common Collocations

Certain nouns frequently pair with (으)로) to form established, idiomatic expressions. Memorizing these common combinations will significantly improve your fluency and make your Korean sound more natural, reflecting how native speakers genuinely communicate in modern contexts.
  • Directional Phrases: Essential for navigating and giving instructions.
  • 오른쪽으로 (oreunjjogeuro): To the right
  • 왼쪽으로 (wenjjogeuro): To the left
  • 앞으로 (apeuro): Forward (also "in the future," depending on context)
  • 뒤로 (dwiro): Backward
  • 위로 (wiro): Upwards
  • 아래로 (araero): Downwards
  • 직진으로 (jikjjin-euro): Straight ahead (often simplified to just 직진 in imperatives)
Example: 앞으로 쭉 가세요. (apeuro jjuk gaseyo.) - "Please go straight forward."
  • Modes of Transportation: Always use (으)로) with nouns denoting transport methods.
  • 버스로 (beoseuro): By bus
  • 지하철로 (jihacheollo): By subway
  • 택시로 (taeksillo): By taxi
  • 기차로 (gicharo): By train
  • 비행기로 (bihaenggiro): By plane
Example: 저는 보통 지하철로 출근해요. (jeoneun botong jihacheollo chulgeunhaeyo.) - "I usually commute by subway."
  • Languages and Communication Methods: Vital for social interaction.
  • 한국어로 (hangugeoro): In Korean
  • 영어로 (yeong-eoro): In English
  • 이메일로 (imeillo): By email
  • 문자로 (munjaro): By text message (often shortened to 문자 in casual speech)
  • 카톡으로 (katogeuro): By KakaoTalk (KakaoTalk is the dominant messaging app in Korea)
Example: 질문은 이메일로 보내주세요. (jilmuneun imeillo bonaejuseyo.) - "Please send questions by email."
*Modern Usage: 카톡으로 보낼게. (katogeuro bonaelge.) - "I'll send it via KakaoTalk." (Casual)
  • Instruments and Tools: Describing how actions are performed.
  • 손으로 (soneuro): By hand, with hands
  • 발로 (ballo): By foot, with feet
  • 칼로 (kallo): With a knife
  • 가위로 (gawiro): With scissors
  • 숟가락으로 (sutgarageuro): With a spoon
  • 젓가락으로 (jeotgarageuro): With chopsticks
Example: 이건 손으로 먹는 음식이에요. (igeon soneuro meongneun eumsigieyo.) - "This is food you eat with your hands."
These collocations form the bedrock of practical usage, allowing you to quickly construct common phrases and understand everyday Korean.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

To truly grasp the specific role of (으)로, it is essential to distinguish it from other particles that, at first glance, might seem similar but carry distinct meanings. The most critical distinctions for A1 learners are with 에 and 와/과.
  1. 1(으)로) vs. 에 (e) (Direction/Location)
This is the most crucial point of confusion for beginners. While both can indicate direction, their nuances are distinct.
  • 에 (e): Marks a definite, static location or a specific destination where one arrives or currently is. It answers the question "where is it?" (어디에 있어요?) or "where do you arrive?" (어디에 도착해요?). It emphasizes the endpoint or the fixed position.
  • (으)로) (eu)ro): Marks a general direction, path, or trajectory. It emphasizes the movement toward a place, or the route taken, rather than the final point of arrival. It implies the action is still in progress or the destination is approximate. It answers "where are you headed?" (어디로 가요?) or "which way?" (어느 쪽으로 가요?). It emphasizes the journey or orientation.
| Feature | 에 | (으)로) |
| :---------------- | :---------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
| Focus | Fixed location, definite destination, arrival | General direction, path, trajectory, movement |
| Questions | Where is it? (static), Where do you arrive? | Which way? Where are you headed? |
| Example 1 | 저는 집에 있어요. (I am at home.) | 저는 집으로 가요. (I head toward home.) |
| Example 2 | 서울역에 도착했어요. (I arrived at Seoul Station.) | 서울역으로 가고 있어요. (I am going toward Seoul Station.) |
| Nuance | Emphasizes being at or arriving at the place | Emphasizes the direction of movement, the path |
Cultural Insight: In many everyday conversations, 에 is used for both

Particle Selection Table

Noun Ending Particle Example
Vowel
-로
학교로
ㄹ
-로
서울로
Other Consonant
-으로
집으로
Other Consonant
-으로
책상으로

Meanings

This particle indicates the direction of movement or the means/method used to perform an action.

1

Direction

Indicates the destination or direction of movement.

“집으로 가요.”

“오른쪽으로 가세요.”

2

Means/Instrument

Indicates the tool, language, or transport used.

“젓가락으로 먹어요.”

“한국어로 말해요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Direction & Means: To, Toward, By, With (로/으로)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Noun + (으)로
집으로 가요
Negative
Noun + (으)로 + 안/못
버스로 안 가요
Question
Noun + (으)로 + 가요?
어디로 가요?
Means
Noun + (으)로
젓가락으로 먹어요

Formality Spectrum

Formal
버스로 갑니다.

버스로 갑니다. (Daily commute)

Neutral
버스로 가요.

버스로 가요. (Daily commute)

Informal
버스로 가.

버스로 가. (Daily commute)

Slang
버스 타고 가.

버스 타고 가. (Daily commute)

Uses of 로/으로

로/으로

Direction

  • 학교로 to school

Means

  • 버스로 by bus
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Examples by Level

1

학교로 가요.

I go to school.

2

버스로 가요.

I go by bus.

3

집으로 와요.

Come to the house.

4

왼쪽으로 가세요.

Please go left.

1

젓가락으로 먹어요.

I eat with chopsticks.

2

한국어로 말해요.

I speak in Korean.

3

택시로 공항에 가요.

I go to the airport by taxi.

4

펜으로 쓰세요.

Please write with a pen.

1

선생님으로 일해요.

I work as a teacher.

2

이메일로 보냈어요.

I sent it by email.

3

지도로 찾았어요.

I found it using a map.

4

영어로 번역해요.

Translate it into English.

1

결과로 증명해요.

I prove it by the results.

2

친구로 지내요.

We remain as friends.

3

기회로 삼으세요.

Take it as an opportunity.

4

법으로 정해요.

It is decided by law.

1

관점으로 분석해요.

I analyze it from a perspective.

2

수단으로 이용해요.

I use it as a means.

3

기준으로 삼아요.

I take it as a standard.

4

방침으로 결정해요.

I decide it as a policy.

1

일환으로 추진해요.

I push it as part of a plan.

2

본보기로 삼아요.

I take it as an example.

3

토대로 연구해요.

I research based on the foundation.

4

일부로 간주해요.

I consider it as a part.

Easily Confused

Direction & Means: To, Toward, By, With (로/으로) vs -에 vs -로

Both can indicate where you are going.

Direction & Means: To, Toward, By, With (로/으로) vs -에서 vs -로

Both relate to movement.

Direction & Means: To, Toward, By, With (로/으로) vs -으로 vs -으로(서)

Both can mean 'as'.

Common Mistakes

✗

학교에 가요 (as direction)

✓

학교로 가요

While -에 is okay, -로 emphasizes the direction.
✗

버스에 가요

✓

버스로 가요

Use -로 for means of transport.
✗

집으로 있어요

✓

집에 있어요

Location uses -에, not -로.
✗

펜에 써요

✓

펜으로 써요

Instrument uses -으로.
✗

한국어에 말해요

✓

한국어로 말해요

Language as a medium uses -로.
✗

오른쪽으로에 가요

✓

오른쪽으로 가요

Do not double particles.
✗

택시로에 가요

✓

택시로 가요

Do not double particles.
✗

선생님에 일해요

✓

선생님으로 일해요

Role/status uses -으로.
✗

결과에 증명해요

✓

결과로 증명해요

Means of proof uses -으로.
✗

방법에 사용해요

✓

방법으로 사용해요

Method uses -으로.
✗

일환에 추진해요

✓

일환으로 추진해요

Formal status marker.
✗

토대에 연구해요

✓

토대로 연구해요

Foundation marker.
✗

본보기에 삼아요

✓

본보기로 삼아요

Example marker.

Sentence Patterns

저는 ___로 가요.

___으로 먹어요.

___으로 말해요.

___으로 결정했어요.

Real World Usage

Taxi constant

강남역으로 가주세요.

Texting very common

버스로 가는 중.

Classroom common

한국어로 말하세요.

Dining common

젓가락으로 먹어요.

Work common

이메일로 보냈습니다.

Directions very common

왼쪽으로 가세요.

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💡

Check the last letter

Always look at the last letter of the noun. Vowel or ㄹ = -로, others = -으로.
⚠️

Don't confuse with -에

-에 is for location, -로 is for direction.
🎯

Use for languages

When saying 'in [language]', always use -로.
💬

Politeness

When asking for directions, use -으로 with -주세요.

Smart Tips

Think of 'ㄹ' as a vowel sound in this context.

서울으로 → 서울로

Always use -로/으로.

택시 가요 → 택시로 가요

Use -로/으로 to mean 'in [language]'.

영어 말해요 → 영어로 말해요

Use -로/으로 for turns.

오른쪽 가세요 → 오른쪽으로 가세요

Pronunciation

집으로 [지부로]

Linking

When -으로 follows a consonant, it is pronounced as [으-로].

Rising

학교로? (Going to school?)

Questioning the destination.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '로' as a 'Road' (로 sounds like road). If you are on a road, you are going somewhere or using a vehicle.

Visual Association

Imagine a bus (버스로) driving on a long road (로) towards a school (학교로).

Rhyme

Vowel or ㄹ, use -로. Consonant end, -으로 go.

Story

Min-su takes a bus (버스로) to school (학교로). He uses a pen (펜으로) to write his name. He is happy.

Word Web

학교로버스로집으로한국어로젓가락으로오른쪽으로

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about how you get to work/school today using -로/으로.

Cultural Notes

Using -로/으로 is essential when giving directions to taxi drivers.

Formal reports often use -으로 to list methods.

Asking for utensils uses -으로.

Derived from Middle Korean particles indicating direction and instrument.

Conversation Starters

“

어디로 가요?

“

무엇으로 먹어요?

“

어떤 언어로 말해요?

“

어떤 수단으로 해결할까요?

Journal Prompts

Write about your commute today.
Describe how you eat your favorite meal.
Explain a problem you solved recently.
Discuss a professional goal.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct particle.

학교___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 로
학교 ends in a vowel.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 집으로 가요
집 ends in a consonant.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

버스에 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 버스로 가요
Transport uses -로.
Order the words. Sentence Building

가요 / 학교로 / 저는

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 학교로 가요
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All are correct
These are standard uses.
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

서울___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 로
서울 ends in ㄹ.
Fill in the correct particle.

젓가락___ 먹어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 으로
젓가락 ends in a consonant.
Change to means. Sentence Transformation

택시를 타요 -> 택시___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 로
택시 ends in a vowel.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct particle.

학교___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 로
학교 ends in a vowel.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 집으로 가요
집 ends in a consonant.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

버스에 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 버스로 가요
Transport uses -로.
Order the words. Sentence Building

가요 / 학교로 / 저는

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 학교로 가요
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match the particle use.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All are correct
These are standard uses.
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

서울___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 로
서울 ends in ㄹ.
Fill in the correct particle.

젓가락___ 먹어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 으로
젓가락 ends in a consonant.
Change to means. Sentence Transformation

택시를 타요 -> 택시___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 로
택시 ends in a vowel.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct particle (로 or 으로). Fill in the Blank

컴퓨터___ 게임을 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 로
Put the words in the correct order to say 'I'm going home'. Sentence Reorder

가고 / 집으로 / 있어요 / 지금

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 지금 집으로 가고 있어요
Translate 'Please speak in Korean' into Korean. Translation

Please speak in Korean.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 한국어로 말하세요
Choose the correct way to say 'by credit card'. Multiple Choice

카드로 vs 카드으로

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 카드로
Fix the mistake: 'I eat with a spoon'. Error Correction

숟가락로 먹어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 숟가락으로 먹어요.
Match the category with the example. Match Pairs

Categories and Examples:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Complete the sentence: 'Go forward'. Fill in the Blank

앞___ 가세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 으로
Translate: 'I saw it on YouTube'. Translation

I saw it on YouTube.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 유튜브로 봤어요
Reorder: 'Write with a pencil'. Sentence Reorder

쓰세요 / 연필로

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 연필로 쓰세요
Which is correct for 'By subway'? Multiple Choice

지하철...?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 지하철로

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

It depends on the final sound of the noun. Vowels and 'ㄹ' take -로, other consonants take -으로.

No, -로 is for direction, means, or status, not for people.

No. -에 is for static location, -로 is for direction or path.

Words ending in 'ㄹ' act like they end in a vowel, so use -로.

No, use -에 for time.

Use '차로'.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Confusing it with -에 or using the wrong form (-로 vs -으로).

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish partial

por/a

Korean uses one particle for both direction and means.

French partial

par/vers

Korean is more unified.

German partial

mit/nach

Korean is more unified.

Japanese high

へ/で

Korean uses one particle.

Chinese partial

往/用

Korean is a postpositional particle.

Arabic partial

إلى/بـ

Korean is a postpositional particle.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Korean Long Negation: Using -지 않다 (-ji anh-da)

Continue With

B1 Requires

Methods & Roles: By means of (으로는/로는)

Overview The Korean compound particle `(으)로는` (`(eu)ro-neun`) serves as a crucial tool for refining context and makin...
B2 Builds On

The Formal Cause: Due to (-로 말미암아)

Overview `–로 말미암아` is an advanced Korean grammatical construction, signifying a cause or origin from which a signif...
B2 Builds On

Formal Causation: Due to (-로 인하여)

Overview Korean, like many languages, possesses distinct registers for communication. While casual discourse might emplo...

Related Grammar Rules

A1

The Formal 'And': Connecting Nouns (와/과)

Overview The Korean particle `와/과` (wa/gwa) functions as a formal conjunction, primarily connecting two nouns to conve...
A1

The 'At' & 'To' Particle (에)

Overview In Korean grammar, particles (`조사`, jo-sa) are indispensable suffixes that attach to nouns, pronouns, and som...
C1

Particle -조차: Not Even (Negative Extreme)

Overview Particle `-조차` (jocha) serves as a potent emphatic marker in Korean, exclusively conveying the sense of "not...
B2

Let Alone / Far From (커녕)

Overview `커녕` (keonyeong) is a B2-level Korean particle primarily used to express a strong sense of negation, disappoi...
A1

Particle 도 (Also/Too)

Overview Particle `도` (`do`) is a fundamental Korean additive particle, often translated as "also," "too," or "even." A...
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