Reporting Commands: "Tell Someone To..." ((으)라고 하다)
He told me to...while managing the 주다/달다 distinction.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -(으)라고 하다 to report what someone told you to do, changing the verb stem to end in -라고 or -으라고.
- Add -라고 to vowel-ending verb stems (e.g., 가다 → 가라고 하다).
- Add -으라고 to consonant-ending verb stems (e.g., 먹다 → 먹으라고 하다).
- Use -지 말라고 하다 for negative commands (e.g., 오지 말라고 하다).
Overview
When you need to relay a command or order that someone else issued, Korean employs the grammar pattern (으)라고 하다 ((eu)rago hada). This structure functions as the indirect speech form for imperatives, similar to saying "(someone) told me to..." or "(someone) ordered (me) to..." in English. It's an indispensable tool for attributing instructions or requests to their original speaker without using a direct quotation.
Mastering (으)라고 하다 is crucial for B1-level learners, as it enables more natural and sophisticated communication, allowing you to fluidly integrate reported commands into your narratives.
Linguistically, (으)라고 하다 transforms a direct imperative statement into a subordinate clause, which then becomes the object of a reporting verb like 하다 (to say/do) or 말하다 (to tell). This mechanism allows you to maintain grammatical distance from the original command, conveying it as information rather than reissuing the command yourself. Its prevalence in everyday conversation underscores its importance for sounding fluent and understanding the nuances of Korean dialogue.
How This Grammar Works
(으)라고 attaches directly to the verb stem of the original command. This modified verb stem then precedes a reporting verb, most commonly 하다 (hada, to say/do) or 말하다 (malhada, to tell). While 하다 is the most frequently used and versatile option, other reporting verbs can be employed depending on the nuance:부탁하다(butakhada, to request): Used when the original command was a polite request.명령하다(myeongnyeonghada, to order): Used for formal or forceful orders.시키다(sikida, to make someone do/order): Often implies delegation or making someone carry out a task.
(으)라고 하다 can only be used with action verbs. You cannot use it to report commands related to adjectives (e.g., you cannot say "He told me to be pretty" using this structure in Korean). The original statement must be an action that can be commanded.chaeg-eul ilgeora!, "Read the book!"), you would report this using 책을 읽으라고 했어요 (chaeg-eul ilgeurago haesseoyo). The structure allows you to convey the command while making it clear it originated from another party, making your speech less direct and more informative.Formation Pattern
(으)라고 하다 depends on the final sound of the verb stem. Pay close attention to irregular verbs and negative commands, as these have specific rules. The base form is always verb stem + (으)라고 + 하다/말하다.
가다 (gada, to go) → 가 + 라고 하다 → 가라고 하다 (garago hada)
보다 (boda, to see/watch) → 보 + 라고 하다 → 보라고 하다 (borago hada)
먹다 (meokda, to eat) → 먹 + 으라고 하다 → 먹으라고 하다 (meogeorago hada)
읽다 (ikda, to read) → 읽 + 으라고 하다 → 읽으라고 하다 (ilgeurago hada)
ㄹ (L-final irregulars): The ㄹ is retained, and -라고 하다 is attached.
만들다 (mandeulda, to make) → 만들 + 라고 하다 → 만들라고 하다 (mandeullago hada)
놀다 (nolda, to play) → 놀 + 라고 하다 → 놀라고 하다 (nollago hada)
ㅂ, ㄷ, ㅅ): These verbs undergo their usual irregular changes before (으)라고 is added.
ㅂ irregulars (e.g., 돕다 dopda, to help; 춥다 chupda, to be cold – not applicable for commands): ㅂ changes to 우 (u) before 으라고. (Note: many ㅂ irregulars are adjectives, so they won't use this form directly. 돕다 is a common verb example.)
돕다 → 도우 + 라고 하다 → 도우라고 하다 (dourago hada)
ㄷ irregulars (e.g., 듣다 deutda, to listen): ㄷ changes to ㄹ (l) before 으라고.
듣다 → 들으 + 라고 하다 → 들으라고 하다 (deureurago hada)
ㅅ irregulars (e.g., 낫다 natda, to get better; 짓다 jitda, to build): ㅅ drops before 으라고.
짓다 → 지으 + 라고 하다 → 지으라고 하다 (jieorago hada)
-지 마): Use -지 말라고 하다.
-(으)지 마라 (-(eu)ji mara) or -(으)지 마세요 (-(eu)ji maseyo) transforms into -지 말라고 하다.
가지 마라 (gaji mara, Don't go) → 가지 말 + 라고 하다 → 가지 말라고 하다 (gaji mallago hada)
떠들지 마세요 (tteodeulji maseyo, Please don't be noisy) → 떠들지 말 + 라고 하다 → `떠들지 말라고 했어요. (He told them not to be noisy.)
V-라고 하다 | 가라고 합니다 | 가라고 해 |
V-으라고 하다 | 먹으라고 합니다 | 먹으라고 해 |
ㄹ-final | 만들다 (to make) -> 만들어라/만드세요 | V-라고 하다 | 만들라고 합니다 | 만들라고 해 |
ㅂ irregular | 돕다 (to help) -> 도와라/도우세요 | V-우라고 하다 | 도우라고 합니다 | 도우라고 해 |
ㄷ irregular | 듣다 (to listen) -> 들어라/들으세요 | V-으라고 하다 | 들으라고 합니다 | 들으라고 해 |
ㅅ irregular | 짓다 (to build) -> 지어라/지으세요 | V-으라고 하다 | 지으라고 합니다 | 지으라고 해 |
V-지 말라고 하다 | 하지 말라고 합니다 | 하지 말라고 해 |
When To Use It
- Relaying Instructions: This is the most common use. You inform someone about an order or task given by another person. For instance, your boss tells you to finish a report, and you tell your colleague: "팀장님이 보고서를 오늘까지 끝내라고 했어요." (
timjangnim-i bogoseoreul oneulkkaji kkeunnaerago haesseoyo., "The team leader told me to finish the report by today.") - Reporting Rules or Expectations: When conveying a rule or expectation set by an authority or an institution. "도서관에서 조용히 하라고 하네요." (
doseogwan-eseo joyonghi harago haneo., "They say we should be quiet in the library.") Here,하네요adds a nuance of mild surprise or realization. - Passive Aggressive Communication: Sometimes, it can be used to subtly pass on a critique or demand without owning it. For example, if you want your roommate to clean, you might say, "엄마가 네 방 좀 치우라고 하던데." (
eommaga ne bang jom chiurago hadeonde., "Mom was telling you to clean your room.") The-(으)라고 하던데ending makes it sound like you're casually relaying advice, not making a direct demand yourself. - Public Announcements/Warnings: You often see this pattern in official communications or signs where an instruction is given. "관리사무소에서 음식물 쓰레기를 제대로 분리수거하라고 했어요." (
gwallisamuso-eseo eum singmul sseurregireul jedaero bunrisugeoharago haesseoyo., "The management office told us to properly separate food waste.")
Common Mistakes
(으)라고 하다. Being aware of these common errors and their underlying linguistic reasons can significantly improve your accuracy.- 1Confusing
주라고 하다vs.달라고 하다: This is perhaps the most significant and often tested distinction for B1 learners. It revolves around the directionality of the verb주다(juda, to give).
주다(to give): When the original speaker tells someone to give something to a third person (not the speaker), you use-주라고 하다. The act of giving is directed away from the original speaker.- _Direct command_: "민호에게 책을 줘." (
minho-ege chaeg-eul jwo., "Give the book to Minho.") - _Reported_: "선생님이 민호에게 책을 주라고 했어요." (
seonsaengnim-i minho-ege chaeg-eul jurago haesseoyo., "The teacher told me to give the book to Minho.") 달라고 하다(to ask for/give to oneself): When the original speaker tells someone to give something to the speaker themselves, you use-달라고 하다.달라(dalla) is the imperative form of주다when the recipient is the speaker.- _Direct command_: "나에게 책을 줘." (
na-ege chaeg-eul jwo., "Give the book to me.") - _Reported_: "선생님이 나에게 책을 달라고 했어요." (
seonsaengnim-i na-ege chaeg-eul dallago haesseoyo., "The teacher told me to give the book to her/him.") - Key Takeaway: If the original command was "Give it to me," use
달라고 하다. If it was "Give it to someone else," use주라고 하다.
- 1Using with Adjectives: As mentioned,
(으)라고 하다is strictly for action verbs. You cannot use it to report commands like "be happy" or "be tall." For reporting commands that involve an adjective becoming a certain state, you would typically use-아/어지라고 하다(-a/eojirago hada), which means "to become (adjective state)."
- _Incorrect_: 예쁘라고 했어요. (He told me to be pretty.)
- _Correct_: 예뻐지라고 했어요. (He told me to become pretty.)
- 1Confusing
(으)라고 하다with-(이)라고 하다: While they sound similar,-(이)라고 하다(-(i)rago hada) is used for reporting statements of identity or naming, not commands. This distinction is crucial.
선생님이라고 했어요.(seonsaengnim-irago haesseoyo., "He said he is a teacher." or "He said to call him teacher.") – Reports a noun/identity.공부하라고 했어요.(gongbu harago haesseoyo., "He told me to study.") – Reports a verb/command.
- 1Incorrect Tense Application: The tense in reported commands is almost always expressed in the final
하다verb, not within the(으)라고part itself. The(으)라고segment remains constant.
- _Present tense_: "엄마가 밥 먹으라고 해요." (
eommaga bap meogeorago haeyo., "Mom tells me to eat.") - _Past tense_: "엄마가 밥 먹으라고 했어요." (
eommaga bap meogeorago haesseoyo., "Mom told me to eat.")
- 1Over-politeness or Under-politeness: Ensure the final conjugation of
하다(합니다,해요,해) matches the overall politeness level required by the context and your relationship with the listener, rather than the original command's politeness.
Real Conversations
In real Korean conversations, (으)라고 하다 appears in various forms and contexts, from formal announcements to casual banter. Understanding its nuanced usage provides insight into Korean communication styles, which often prioritize indirectness and consideration of hierarchy.
1. Workplace Scenario (Formal/Polite)
Manager to Employee A
i bogoseoreul sesikkaji jechulhae juseyo., "Please submit this report by 3 o'clock.")Employee A reporting to Employee B:
A
timjangnim-i i bogoseoreul sesikkaji jechulharago hasyeossseumnida., "The team leader said to submit this report by 3 o'clock.")_Here, 하셨습니다 uses the honorific 하시다 and formal -(으)ㅂ니다 ending, appropriate for discussing a superior's order in a formal setting._
2. Casual Chat among Friends (Informal)
Friend 1
ya, iljjik wa!, "Hey, come early!")Friend 2 reporting to Friend 3:
B
jiyeong-iga uri-hante naeil iljjik orago haesseo., "Jiyeong told us to come early tomorrow.")_The casual 했어 (haesseo) ending is used among close friends._
3. Text Message/Social Media (Slightly more formal than casual speech but still informal)
Professor's message in group chat: "과제는 다음 주 월요일까지입니다." (gwajeneun daeum ju woryoilkkajiimnida., "The assignment is due next Monday.")
Student reporting to another student via text:
"교수님이 과제를 다음 주 월요일까지 내라고 하셨어요." (gyosunim-i gwajereul daeum ju woryoilkkaji naerago hasyeosseoyo., "The professor told us to submit the assignment by next Monday.")
_내라고 하다 (naerago hada, literally 'told to put out/submit') is used for submitting assignments. 하셨어요 (hasyeosseoyo) is polite but informal, suitable for peers discussing a professor's instruction._
4. Cultural Insight: Indirect Requests
In Korean culture, direct commands can sometimes be perceived as abrupt, especially if there's a difference in hierarchy. Using (으)라고 하다 allows for a more softened and indirect way of conveying expectations. For instance, instead of directly saying "Do it!" to a junior colleague, a superior might say, "과장님이 이걸 먼저 하라고 하시던데요." (gwajangnim-i igeol meonjeo harago hasideondeyo., "The section chief was saying to do this first.") The -(으)라고 하시던데요 implies a gentle reminder based on an earlier instruction, rather than a fresh, direct order.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I use
(으)라고 하다to command myself? - A: Generally no. This structure is specifically for reporting commands given by others. When you tell yourself to do something, you'd use direct imperative forms or volitional expressions (e.g.,
해야지).
- Q: How do verbs ending in
르(e.g.,모르다moreuda,부르다bureuda) behave? - A: For
르verbs, which are typicallyㄹirregulars, the르syllable will combine with the으of으라고if applicable, or just take라고. Since it's a vowel-ending stem, you attach라고. For example,부르다(to call) becomes부르라고 하다(bureurago hada).
- Q: Is
하다always the reporting verb at the end? - A: While
하다is the most common, you can use other verbs to add nuance, such as말하다(to tell),부탁하다(to request),명령하다(to order), or지시하다(to instruct).
- Q: Does politeness of the original command matter for
(으)라고 하다? - A: Not directly in the
(으)라고part. The politeness of the original command (-아/어라,-세요) is absorbed into the(으)라고structure. Your choice of politeness will be in the final reporting verb (하다's conjugation:해요,합니다,해). However, if the original command was a polite request (-아/어 주세요), using부탁하다as the reporting verb can reflect that politeness more accurately.
- Q: Can
(으)라고 하다be used in formal written contexts? - A: Yes, absolutely. Just ensure you use the formal
-(으)ㅂ니다ending for the reporting verb. For example,사장님께서 내일까지 보고서를 완성하라고 지시하셨습니다.(sajangnimkkeseo naeilkkaji bogoseoreul wansungharago jisihasyeosseumnida., "The CEO instructed to complete the report by tomorrow.")
- Q: Are there shortened or casual forms of
(으)라고 하다? - A: Yes, in very casual speech, particularly among close friends,
-(으)라고 해can be shortened to-(으)래(-(eu)rae). For example,가라고 해becomes가래(garae), and먹으라고 해becomes먹으래(meogeurae). This is common in everyday spoken Korean but should be reserved for informal settings.
- Q: What about reporting commands with
이다(to be)? - A: Since
(으)라고 하다is for action verbs, it generally isn't used with이다in its copular (to be) sense for commands. If you want to report a command about being something (e.g., "Be a good student!"), you'd typically rephrase it with an action verb or use-(이) 되라고 하다(-(i) doerago hada, to become/be). For example,좋은 학생이 되라고 했어요("They told me to be a good student").
- Q: Is the
주다vs.달라고distinction really that important for B1? - A: Yes, it is one of the key markers of intermediate fluency. Misusing it can lead to confusion about who is giving or receiving something, and it's a common area where learners' English-centric thinking can interfere with natural Korean expression. Mastering it demonstrates a deeper understanding of Korean verb directionality.
Conjugation Table
| Verb Type | Example | Reported Form |
|---|---|---|
|
Vowel Ending
|
가다
|
가라고 하다
|
|
Consonant Ending
|
먹다
|
먹으라고 하다
|
|
ㄹ Ending
|
살다
|
살라고 하다
|
|
Negative
|
하지 마다
|
하지 말라고 하다
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
|
~라고 하다
|
~래
|
|
~자고 하다
|
~재
|
Meanings
This grammar is used to report an imperative sentence (a command or request) that someone else gave. It effectively turns a direct quote like 'Do this!' into 'He told me to do this.'
Reporting Commands
Relaying an instruction or order given by another person.
“엄마가 방을 청소하라고 하셨어요.”
“친구가 빨리 오라고 했어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + (으)라고
|
공부하라고 했어요
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + 지 말라고
|
가지 말라고 했어요
|
|
Formal
|
Stem + (으)라고 하셨어요
|
오라고 하셨어요
|
|
Past
|
Stem + (으)라고 했다
|
먹으라고 했다
|
Formality Spectrum
선생님께서 공부하라고 하셨습니다. (School)
선생님이 공부하라고 하셨어요. (School)
선생님이 공부하라고 했어. (School)
쌤이 공부하래. (School)
Reporting Commands Map
Vowel
- 가다 to go
Consonant
- 먹다 to eat
Negative
- 하지 마다 don't do
Examples by Level
선생님이 공부하라고 하셨어요.
The teacher told me to study.
엄마가 밥을 먹으라고 했어요.
Mom told me to eat.
친구가 오라고 했어요.
My friend told me to come.
아빠가 자라고 하셨어요.
Dad told me to sleep.
선생님이 숙제를 하지 말라고 하셨어요.
The teacher told me not to do homework.
의사 선생님이 약을 먹으라고 하셨어요.
The doctor told me to take medicine.
상사가 보고서를 쓰라고 했어요.
The boss told me to write the report.
언니가 기다리라고 했어요.
My sister told me to wait.
경찰관이 여기서 주차하지 말라고 했어요.
The police officer told me not to park here.
친구들이 같이 가자고 했어요.
My friends suggested we go together.
매니저님이 오늘까지 끝내라고 하셨어요.
The manager told me to finish by today.
선생님이 단어를 외우라고 하셨어요.
The teacher told me to memorize the words.
부모님께서 너무 늦게 다니지 말라고 당부하셨어요.
My parents urged me not to stay out too late.
교수님이 논문을 다시 쓰라고 하셨어요.
The professor told me to rewrite the thesis.
그는 나에게 비밀을 지키라고 했어요.
He told me to keep the secret.
안내원이 줄을 서라고 안내했어요.
The guide instructed us to stand in line.
정부에서는 외출을 자제하라고 권고했습니다.
The government advised refraining from going out.
그는 나에게 감정을 숨기지 말라고 조언했어요.
He advised me not to hide my feelings.
감독은 배우에게 더 자연스럽게 연기하라고 지시했어요.
The director instructed the actor to act more naturally.
선배가 나에게 포기하지 말라고 격려했어요.
My senior encouraged me not to give up.
그는 나에게 자신의 운명을 스스로 개척하라고 역설했어요.
He emphasized that I should carve out my own destiny.
법원은 피고에게 즉시 퇴거하라고 명령했습니다.
The court ordered the defendant to vacate immediately.
그녀는 나에게 과거에 연연하지 말라고 충고했어요.
She advised me not to dwell on the past.
지도자는 국민에게 단결하라고 호소했어요.
The leader appealed to the people to unite.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up reporting commands and statements.
Both involve verbs, but one is a command, one is a suggestion.
Both are requests, but -달라고 is for 'give me'.
Common Mistakes
가라고 해요
가라고 해요
안 가라고 했어요
가지 말라고 했어요
먹으라고 했어요 (for 'eat')
먹으라고 했어요
하라고 해요
하라고 해요
공부해라고 했어요
공부하라고 했어요
오지 말라고 했어요
오지 말라고 했어요
자라고 했어요
자라고 했어요
말하라고 했어요
말하라고 했어요
주지 말라고 했어요
주지 말라고 했어요
가라고 했다
가라고 했다
가라고 하셨다
가라고 하셨다
먹으라고 하셨다
먹으라고 하셨다
하지 말라고 하셨다
하지 말라고 하셨다
Sentence Patterns
선생님이 ___ 하라고 하셨어요.
엄마가 ___ 하지 말라고 했어요.
상사가 오늘까지 ___ 하라고 지시했어요.
의사 선생님이 ___ 먹으라고 하셨어요.
Real World Usage
엄마가 일찍 들어오래.
부장님이 서류를 제출하라고 하셨어요.
선생님이 숙제하라고 하셨어요.
의사 선생님이 약을 먹으라고 하셨어요.
친구가 같이 가자고 했어.
안내원이 줄을 서라고 했어요.
Check the stem
Negative forms
Honorifics
Natural speech
Smart Tips
Use -하셨어요 to show respect.
Always use -지 말라고.
Use -달라고.
Use the contraction -래.
Pronunciation
Linking
The 'ㄹ' in '라고' often links to the previous sound.
Statement
↗↘
Reporting a command with a neutral tone.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Rago' as 'Request-go'. If someone makes a request, you use 'Rago'.
Visual Association
Imagine a megaphone. When someone shouts a command into it, the sound turns into a bubble with '-(으)라고' inside it.
Rhyme
Vowel ends in -라고, Consonant needs -으라고.
Story
My boss told me to work. I told my friend what he said. I used '일하라고 했어요' to report the command.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today reporting what your teacher or boss told you to do.
Cultural Notes
Reporting commands is essential for hierarchy. Always use honorifics when reporting a superior.
Parents often use commands to show care.
Teachers use this to maintain order.
Derived from the verb '하다' (to do) and the quoting particle '라고'.
Conversation Starters
오늘 선생님이 뭐라고 하셨어요?
부모님이 뭐라고 하셨어요?
상사가 어떤 지시를 내렸나요?
의사 선생님이 뭐라고 하셨나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
선생님이 공부( ) 하셨어요.
엄마가 가지 ( ) 하셨어요.
Find and fix the mistake:
친구에게 오라고 했어요. (Wait, the friend said 'come' to me)
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The boss told me to finish.
Answer starts with: 상사가...
읽다 + -(으)라고
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 선생님이 뭐라고 하셨어? B: 숙제를 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises선생님이 공부( ) 하셨어요.
엄마가 가지 ( ) 하셨어요.
Find and fix the mistake:
친구에게 오라고 했어요. (Wait, the friend said 'come' to me)
먹으라고 / 엄마가 / 밥을 / 하셨어요
The boss told me to finish.
읽다 + -(으)라고
가다 -> ?, 먹다 -> ?
A: 선생님이 뭐라고 하셨어? B: 숙제를 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises사장님이 / 하라고 / 일을 / 했어요
Tell him to come here.
Match the pairs:
친구가 책을 ___-라고 했어요.
Choose the correct sentence:
음악을 들으라고 했어요.
가지 / 말라고 / 엄마가 / 했어요
He told me to wait for 10 minutes.
선생님이 책을 ___-라고 하셨어요.
Choose the correct reporting of 'Help me':
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, use -자고 하다 for suggestions.
Use -달라고 하다 if you are the recipient.
It can be both depending on how you conjugate '하다'.
It is the standard negative form for commands.
Yes, just conjugate '하다' to the past tense.
Yes, it is one of the most frequent grammar points.
-라고 is for vowels, -으라고 for consonants.
Yes, use -시- in the reporting verb.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Decir que + subjunctive
Korean uses a fixed suffix; Spanish changes the verb mood.
Dire de + infinitive
French uses a preposition; Korean uses a verb suffix.
Sagen zu + infinitive
German word order is different.
〜ように言う
Japanese particles are different.
说...要
Chinese has no verb conjugation.
قال لي أن
Arabic uses a conjunction.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
![♨핫클립♨ [ENG] 러블리즈 아츄(Ah-Choo) 추는 김완선?! ♥요정들의 특급 콜라보♥ #아는형님 #JTBC봐야지](https://sublearn.com/storage/thumbnails/66kyttsFWuo.jpg)
![[#피크타임] 어른들이 잘못했어😂 아이들에겐 세상에서 제일 어려운 짝꿍 찾기 게임 | #아기싱어 | KBS 220326 방송](https://sublearn.com/storage/thumbnails/XSBCm_5Dkfs.jpg)
Related Grammar Rules
Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)
Overview **이/라고 하다** (i/rago hada) is a crucial Korean grammar pattern used to indirectly quote or report what a no...
Future Reporting: I heard they will... (ㄹ/을 거라고)
Overview When you need to convey what someone else said they **will** do, or what you yourself thought **would** happen...
Said that [verb]ed - Past Indirect Speech
Overview Indirect speech, or reported speech, is a fundamental linguistic mechanism used to convey what someone else (or...
Short Reported Speech: I heard that... (-ㄴ/은/는대)
Overview Korean language users frequently encounter situations requiring the relay of information acquired from another...
Reported Speech: "Let's..." (-jago hada)
Overview Korean indirect speech is a fundamental aspect of communicating what others have said, thought, or proposed. Am...
