Going to do: (으)러
(으)러 with 가다 or 오다 to say you are going somewhere specifically to do something.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -(으)러 to express the purpose of moving toward a destination, always followed by a verb of motion.
- Attach -러 to verb stems ending in a vowel: 가다 → 가러
- Attach -으러 to verb stems ending in a consonant: 먹다 → 먹으러
- Always end the sentence with a motion verb like 가다 (go), 오다 (come), or 다니다 (commute).
Overview
Korean grammar employs various connective endings to link clauses, expressing relationships like cause, condition, or purpose. The connective ending (으)러 (romanization: (eu)reo) is a specialized construction used exclusively to indicate the purpose for which a subject undertakes a physical movement. It articulates the 'why' behind an action of going, coming, or attending.
Unlike broader purpose clauses, (으)러 inherently binds the purpose verb to a subsequent verb of motion, creating a concise and direct expression of intent tied to locomotion. This grammatical pattern is fundamental for A2-level learners, as it appears frequently in daily conversational Korean when discussing plans, errands, or regular activities involving physical displacement. Mastering (으)러 allows you to express not just where you are going, but for what reason, making your communication more precise and natural.
For example, instead of stating 카페에 가요. 커피를 마시고 싶어요. (I'm going to the café. I want to drink coffee.), you would naturally combine these into 커피 마시러 카페에 가요. (I'm going to the café to drink coffee.).
This structure highlights Korean's preference for compact, purpose-driven sentence construction when movement is involved.
How This Grammar Works
(으)러 pattern functions as a subordinate clause connector, specifically linking a verb expressing a purpose to a main clause verb indicating physical motion. The core principle is that the action in the main clause (the movement) is undertaken for the sake of achieving the action expressed by the verb preceding (으)러. This creates a tight semantic bond where the movement is a means to an end.(으)러 attaches directly to the verb stem of the purpose-indicating verb. Crucially, the verb that follows (으)러 must almost invariably be a motion verb. The most common motion verbs you will encounter are 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), and 다니다 (to attend/go regularly).나가다 (to go out), 들어오다 (to come in), 올라가다 (to go up), 내려오다 (to come down), 돌아가다 (to go back/return), and 다녀오다 (to go and come back).(으)러 connects Action A to Action B, signifying that Action B is performed in order to complete Action A. The subject of both the purpose clause and the main clause is typically the same, creating a clear and unambiguous statement of intention.친구 만나러 왔어요. (I came to meet a friend.), 'I' am both the one meeting and the one coming. This construction elegantly consolidates two related ideas—purpose and movement—into a single, fluid sentence, reflecting an idiomatic way Korean speakers express such concepts.(으)러 part itself does not change based on politeness levels.- Formal (합니다체):
학교에 공부하러 갑니다.(I go to school to study.) - Casual (해체):
학교에 공부하러 가.(Go to school to study.) or학교에 공부하러 가요.(I go to school to study. - polite informal)
Formation Pattern
(으)러 to a verb stem follows consistent rules based on the stem's final sound. Understanding these rules is essential for correct usage. Remember, (으)러 always attaches to the bare verb stem (e.g., 보다 → 보-, 먹다 → 먹-). You do not conjugate the purpose verb for tense or politeness before adding (으)러; all such modifications occur on the final motion verb in the sentence.
ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅡ, ㅣ, ㅐ, ㅔ), you directly append 러.
(으)러 Form | Meaning (with motion verb) |
보- (to see) | Vowel | 보러 | to go/come to see (보러 가다) |
사- (to buy) | Vowel | 사러 | to go/come to buy (사러 오다) |\
배우- (to learn) | Vowel | 배우러 | to go/come to learn (배우러 다니다) |\
만나- (to meet) | Vowel | 만나러 | to go/come to meet (만나러 가다) |
친구를 만나러 카페에 갔어요. (I went to the café to meet a friend.)
책을 사러 서점에 왔습니다. (I came to the bookstore to buy a book.)
으러.
(으)러 Form | Meaning (with motion verb) |
먹- (to eat) | Consonant | 먹으러 | to go/come to eat (먹으러 가다) |\
읽- (to read) | Consonant | 읽으러 | to go/come to read (읽으러 오다) |\
찾- (to find/pick up) | Consonant | 찾으러 | to go/come to find/pick up (찾으러 가다) |
저녁을 먹으러 식당에 갈 거예요. (I will go to the restaurant to eat dinner.)
짐을 찾으러 공항에 다시 왔어. (I came back to the airport to pick up my luggage.)
ㄹ (L-Batchim) Irregular:
ㄹ (a consonant), it behaves like a vowel-ending stem before (으)러. The 으 is omitted, and you simply add 러.
(으)러 Form | Meaning (with motion verb) |
놀- (to play/hang out) | ㄹ Batchim | 놀러 | to go/come to play (놀러 가다) |\
만들- (to make) | ㄹ Batchim | 만들러 | to go/come to make (만들러 오다) |\
팔- (to sell) | ㄹ Batchim | 팔러 | to go/come to sell (팔러 가다) |
우리 주말에 영화 보러 갈래? (Shall we go see a movie on the weekend?)
친구 집에 놀러 왔어요. (I came to a friend's house to hang out.)
(으)러.
ㄷ irregular verbs: The ㄷ changes to ㄹ before a vowel-starting ending (like 으러).
걷다 (to walk) → 걸으러 (to go/come to walk)
듣다 (to listen) → 들으러 (to go/come to listen)
숲길을 걸으러 공원에 갔습니다. (I went to the park to walk on the forest path.)
ㅂ irregular verbs: The ㅂ changes to ㅜ (or ㅗ) before a vowel-starting ending. In this case, ㅜ merges with the preceding vowel, then 러 is added. However, with (으)러, the ㅜ becomes 우 (from ㅂ changing to ㅜ + 으 from 으러 combining) or 오 (from 돕다) and then 러 is added.
돕다 (to help) → 도우러 (to go/come to help)
줍다 (to pick up) → 주우러 (to go/come to pick up)
할머니를 도우러 시골에 다녀왔어요. (I went to the countryside and came back to help my grandmother.)
ㅅ irregular verbs: The ㅅ drops before a vowel-starting ending.
낫다 (to recover) → 나으러 (to go/come to recover)
감기가 나으러 병원에 갔어요. (I went to the hospital to recover from a cold.)
(으)러 Form |
러 | 러 | 보다 (see) | 보- | 보러 |\
ㄹ) | Add 으러 | 으러 | 먹다 (eat) | 먹- | 먹으러 |\
ㄹ Consonant | Add 러 | 러 | 놀다 (play) | 놀- | 놀러 |\
ㄷ Irregular | ㄷ → ㄹ + 으러 | 으러 | 걷다 (walk) | 걷- → 걸- | 걸으러 |\
ㅂ Irregular | ㅂ → ㅜ/ㅗ + 러 | 러 | 돕다 (help) | 돕- → 도우- | 도우러 |\
ㅅ Irregular | ㅅ drops + 으러 | 으러 | 낫다 (recover) | 낫- → 나- | 나으러 |
When To Use It
(으)러 is explicitly tied to situations where the subject is undertaking physical movement with a defined purpose. It emphasizes the destination or action at the destination that motivates the journey. This makes it particularly common in everyday exchanges about plans, errands, and routine travel.(으)러 is that the primary verb of the main clause must be a verb of motion. If there is no physical movement involved in the main clause, (으)러 cannot be used.(으)러:- Expressing a Specific Purpose for Going/Coming: This is the most direct application. You are literally traveling somewhere to do something.
점심 먹으러 식당에 가요.(I'm going to the restaurant to eat lunch.) -먹으러(to eat) +가요(go)선물을 사러 백화점에 왔어요.(I came to the department store to buy a present.) -사러(to buy) +왔어요(came)
- Discussing Routine Activities Involving Travel: When you regularly go somewhere for a particular activity or purpose,
(으)러with다니다(to attend/go regularly) is appropriate. 매주 수영 배우러 수영장에 다녀요.(I go to the swimming pool every week to learn swimming.)아침 일찍 운동하러 헬스장에 다녀.(I go to the gym early in the morning to exercise.)
- Making Invitations or Suggestions for Activities: It's very common to suggest doing an activity by implying movement to that activity.
우리 영화 보러 갈까?(Shall we go watch a movie?)밥 먹으러 갈래?(Wanna go eat? / Shall we go eat?)오늘 저녁에 한잔하러 나올 수 있어요?(Can you come out to have a drink tonight?)
- Responding to Questions about One's Destination or Purpose: When asked where one is going or why,
(으)러provides a concise answer. - A:
어디 가세요?(Where are you going?) - B:
친구 만나러 가요.(I'm going to meet a friend.)
- In conjunction with other motion verbs: While
가다,오다,다니다are most common, other motion verbs are also valid. 산책하러 밖에 나갔어요.(I went outside to take a walk.)계단으로 올라가서 책 찾으러 들어갔어.(I went up the stairs and entered to find a book.)
놀러 가다 (to go play/hang out) is a widely used and culturally significant phrase in Korea. Unlike in some Western cultures whereFormation of -(으)러
| Verb Stem Ending | Suffix | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Vowel
|
-러
|
가다 → 가러
|
to go to go
|
|
Consonant
|
-으러
|
먹다 → 먹으러
|
to go to eat
|
|
ㄹ
|
-러
|
놀다 → 놀러
|
to go to play
|
Meanings
This grammar expresses the purpose of a movement. It connects an action to a verb of motion, indicating why someone is going or coming.
Purpose of movement
Indicates the intention behind traveling to a location.
“영화를 보러 극장에 가요.”
“한국어를 배우러 학교에 와요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + (으)러 + Motion Verb
|
밥 먹으러 가요
|
|
Past
|
Stem + (으)러 + Motion Verb (Past)
|
밥 먹으러 갔어요
|
|
Future
|
Stem + (으)러 + Motion Verb (Future)
|
밥 먹으러 갈 거예요
|
|
Question
|
Stem + (으)러 + Motion Verb?
|
밥 먹으러 가요?
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + (으)러 + 안 + Motion Verb
|
밥 먹으러 안 가요
|
Formality Spectrum
식사하러 갑니다. (Daily life)
밥 먹으러 가요. (Daily life)
밥 먹으러 가. (Daily life)
밥 먹으러 고! (Daily life)
The Purpose of Movement
Purpose
- 먹으러 to eat
- 사러 to buy
- 만나러 to meet
Examples by Level
밥을 먹으러 가요.
I am going to eat.
책을 사러 가요.
I am going to buy a book.
한국어를 배우러 와요.
I come to learn Korean.
커피를 마시러 가요.
I am going to drink coffee.
친구를 만나러 카페에 가요.
I am going to the cafe to meet a friend.
운동하러 공원에 갔어요.
I went to the park to exercise.
영화를 보러 극장에 갈 거예요.
I will go to the theater to watch a movie.
도서관에 공부하러 왔어요.
I came to the library to study.
휴가를 보내러 제주도에 다녀왔어요.
I went to Jeju Island to spend my vacation.
점심을 먹으러 식당에 가고 있어요.
I am on my way to the restaurant to eat lunch.
옷을 찾으러 세탁소에 가야 해요.
I need to go to the dry cleaner's to pick up my clothes.
산책하러 강가에 자주 다녀요.
I often go to the riverside to take a walk.
새로운 프로젝트를 논의하러 본사에 갑니다.
I am going to the headquarters to discuss the new project.
아이들을 데리러 유치원에 가요.
I am going to the kindergarten to pick up the children.
기념품을 사러 시내에 나갔어요.
I went out to the city center to buy souvenirs.
상담을 받으러 병원에 예약했어요.
I made an appointment at the hospital to get a consultation.
전시회를 관람하러 미술관에 방문할 예정입니다.
I plan to visit the art museum to view the exhibition.
계약을 체결하러 사무실에 들렀습니다.
I stopped by the office to sign the contract.
신선한 재료를 구하러 시장에 가곤 합니다.
I often go to the market to find fresh ingredients.
영감을 얻으러 여행을 떠나요.
I am leaving on a trip to gain inspiration.
학술 세미나에 참석하러 해외로 출장을 갑니다.
I am going on a business trip abroad to attend an academic seminar.
오랜 친구를 만나러 고향에 내려가요.
I am going down to my hometown to meet an old friend.
기술을 연마하러 공방에 다닙니다.
I go to the workshop to hone my skills.
진상을 조사하러 현장에 파견되었습니다.
I was dispatched to the site to investigate the truth.
Easily Confused
Both express purpose.
Both express purpose.
Both connect verbs.
Common Mistakes
공부하러 해요
공부하러 가요
먹으러 가요
먹으러 가요
자러 공부해요
공부하러 가요
가러 가요
가러 가요
책을 읽으러 집에 있어요
책을 읽으러 집에 가요
만나러 싶어요
만나고 싶어요
사러 가요
사러 가요
쉬러 집에 있어요
쉬러 집에 가요
먹으러 왔어요
먹으러 왔어요
운동하러 했어요
운동하러 갔어요
논의하러 회의실에 있어요
논의하러 회의실에 갑니다
조사하러 현장에 머물러요
조사하러 현장에 갑니다
사러 가요
사러 가요
보러 왔어요
보러 왔어요
Sentence Patterns
저는 ___ (으)러 ___에 가요.
___ (으)러 왔어요.
내일 ___ (으)러 갈 거예요.
왜 ___ (으)러 가요?
Real World Usage
밥 먹으러 가자!
사진 찍으러 가요.
경험을 쌓으러 지원했습니다.
음식 찾으러 갈게요.
운동하러 고고!
공부하러 왔어요.
Check the verb
No stative verbs
Use with 다니다
Natural speech
Smart Tips
Use -(으)러 + 가다.
Ask: 'Am I moving?' If yes, use -러.
Use it with '다니다' for habits.
Use it to explain your arrival.
Pronunciation
Linking
The '으' in '으러' is often pronounced clearly after consonants.
Statement
밥 먹으러 가요 ↘
Neutral statement of fact.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '러' as 'Runner'. You are a runner going to do something!
Visual Association
Imagine a person running with a fork in their hand toward a restaurant. The 'fork' is the action, the 'running' is the motion.
Rhyme
When you go to do, use -(으)러, it's what you do!
Story
Min-su is hungry. He grabs his wallet. He runs to the restaurant. He says, 'I am going to eat!' (밥 먹으러 가요).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about where you are going today and why, using -(으)러.
Cultural Notes
Koreans use this constantly to coordinate plans. It is very direct and common.
Derived from the Middle Korean purposive marker.
Conversation Starters
오늘 어디에 가요?
주말에 뭐 하러 가요?
한국에 왜 왔어요?
오늘 점심 먹으러 어디 갈까요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
저는 밥을 ___ 가요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
책을 읽으러 집에 있어요.
밥을 먹고 가요. (Change to purpose)
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
친구를 ___ 왔어요.
가다 + (으)러 = ?
Find and fix the mistake:
쇼핑하러 하고 싶어요.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises저는 밥을 ___ 가요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
책을 읽으러 집에 있어요.
밥을 먹고 가요. (Change to purpose)
Match: 1. 운동하러, 2. 영화 보러, 3. 책 사러
친구를 ___ 왔어요.
가다 + (으)러 = ?
Find and fix the mistake:
쇼핑하러 하고 싶어요.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises사진을 ___ 공원에 갔어요.
친구랑 ___ 갈 거예요.
Match the verb stem to its conjugation:
Select the reason this is incorrect:
Drag words into order:
수업을 ___ 학교에 가요.
Choose the best Korean sentence:
Translate into Korean (use 찾다 for find):
집에 ___ 갔어요.
Identify the error:
Select the sentence using '다니다':
제주도에 ___ 갔어요? (Did you go to Jeju Island to live?)
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, only with motion verbs like `가다`, `오다`, `다니다`.
Use `-(으)려고` instead.
It can be used in all registers depending on the final verb conjugation.
Yes, `밥 먹으러 갔어요` (I went to eat).
It depends on the stem ending (consonant vs vowel).
Yes, `밥 먹으러 갈 거예요`.
Extremely common.
Forgetting to add a motion verb at the end.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
ir a + infinitive
Spanish 'ir a' can also mean future tense, whereas Korean -(으)러 is strictly purpose.
aller + infinitive
French doesn't require a specific suffix on the verb.
um...zu
Korean -(으)러 is strictly for motion verbs.
〜にいく
The structure is almost identical, reflecting the shared linguistic typology.
لـ (li-)
Arabic does not require a motion verb to use this preposition.
去 (qù) + verb
Chinese does not conjugate the verb.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
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