Meaning
To select garments to wear or buy.
Cultural Background
The 'Personal Color' trend has made '옷을 고르다' a scientific process for many. People categorize themselves into 'Warm Tone' or 'Cool Tone' before shopping. The concept of 'TPO' (Time, Place, Occasion) is vital. Choosing clothes for a wedding requires avoiding white to not outshine the bride. Sustainable fashion is changing how people '고르다'. Many now look for eco-friendly materials or 'slow fashion' rather than just trends. In traditional holidays like Chuseok, families used to '고르다' new clothes called 'Bim' ({빔}). This tradition of getting new clothes for the new year is still reflected in modern shopping habits.
Shopping Etiquette
When browsing in Korea, saying '그냥 좀 고르고 있어요' (I'm just picking/looking) is a polite way to tell clerks you don't need immediate help.
Irregular Alert
Never say '고르아요'. It will immediately mark you as a beginner. Always use '골라요'.
Meaning
To select garments to wear or buy.
Shopping Etiquette
When browsing in Korea, saying '그냥 좀 고르고 있어요' (I'm just picking/looking) is a polite way to tell clerks you don't need immediate help.
Irregular Alert
Never say '고르아요'. It will immediately mark you as a beginner. Always use '골라요'.
Use with '잘'
Say '옷을 잘 골라요' to compliment someone's fashion sense (They pick clothes well).
TPO
When picking clothes for a formal event in Korea, err on the side of being conservative.
Test Yourself
Conjugate the verb '고르다' into the polite present tense (아/어 요 form).
저는 오늘 백화점에서 예쁜 옷을 ______.
고르다 is a '르' irregular verb, so it becomes 골라요.
Which sentence is most natural for a morning routine?
아침마다 무엇을 합니까?
'고릅니다' is the natural, neutral way to describe choosing clothes.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 왜 아직 안 나왔어? B: 미안해, 데이트라서 ______ 시간이 좀 걸렸어.
The context of being late for a date usually implies taking time to *choose* the right outfit.
Match the phrase to the situation: '신중하게 옷을 골랐어요.'
When would you say this?
'신중하게' means 'carefully/deliberately', fitting a high-stakes situation like an interview.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to '고르다' Clothes
Places
- • 백화점 (Dept Store)
- • 시장 (Market)
- • 옷장 (Closet)
- • 인터넷 쇼핑몰 (Online)
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 오늘 백화점에서 예쁜 옷을 ______.
고르다 is a '르' irregular verb, so it becomes 골라요.
아침마다 무엇을 합니까?
'고릅니다' is the natural, neutral way to describe choosing clothes.
A: 왜 아직 안 나왔어? B: 미안해, 데이트라서 ______ 시간이 좀 걸렸어.
The context of being late for a date usually implies taking time to *choose* the right outfit.
When would you say this?
'신중하게' means 'carefully/deliberately', fitting a high-stakes situation like an interview.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes! You can use it for anything you select from a group: 신발을 고르다, 가방을 고르다.
'고르다' is native and casual; '선택하다' is Sino-Korean and formal. Use '고르다' with friends.
You can say '옷을 고를 때 까다로워요' (I am picky when picking out clothes).
It is '골랐어요' (Standard) or '골랐습니다' (Formal).
Yes, '메뉴를 고르다' (to pick a menu item) is very common.
No, it only means the act of *choosing*. '입다' means to wear.
Younger people often use '픽하다' (from English 'pick').
Say '옷 좀 골라 주세요'.
Because it's a '르' irregular verb. The 'ㅡ' disappears and 'ㄹ' is added.
Yes, '사람을 고르다' means to select a person (e.g., for a team).
Yes, when selecting products or candidates, though '선정하다' is more formal.
There isn't a direct opposite verb, but '버리다' (to throw away) or '제외하다' (to exclude) might fit depending on context.
Related Phrases
옷을 입다
builds onTo wear/put on clothes
옷을 사다
similarTo buy clothes
옷을 갈아입다
similarTo change clothes
잘 어울리다
specialized formTo suit someone well
옷을 맞추다
specialized formTo have clothes custom-made
