Meaning
A polite instruction for someone to walk behind you.
Cultural Background
In Korean restaurants, it is common for the staff to not wait for you to acknowledge them before they start walking. They say '따라오세요' and immediately move. You are expected to follow promptly. When a junior employee is leading a senior or a guest, they should walk slightly ahead (about 2-3 steps) and to the side, occasionally looking back to ensure the guest is '따라오고' (following) comfortably. Koreans love hiking. On trails, faster hikers might say '따라오세요' to encourage slower members of their group, often sharing snacks once they reach a resting point. On Korean social media and YouTube, '나만 따라와' is a common trope for 'life hacks' or 'investment tips,' implying that if you follow the creator, you will succeed.
Hand Gestures
When saying '따라오세요', extend your arm with the palm facing slightly up or toward yourself to be extra polite.
Don't be a stalker
Never say '따라오세요' to a stranger on the street unless you are actually helping them find a location they asked for.
Meaning
A polite instruction for someone to walk behind you.
Hand Gestures
When saying '따라오세요', extend your arm with the palm facing slightly up or toward yourself to be extra polite.
Don't be a stalker
Never say '따라오세요' to a stranger on the street unless you are actually helping them find a location they asked for.
The '르' Rule
Remember that '따르다' is irregular. If you see a verb ending in '르', it often changes to '라' or '러' (e.g., 고르다 -> 골라).
Eye Contact
While leading, it's polite to look back once or twice to make sure the person is still with you.
Test Yourself
Choose the most appropriate phrase to use when leading a customer to their table in a restaurant.
손님, ( )
'따라오세요' is the standard polite form for service situations.
Complete the sentence using the correct form of '따라오다'.
길을 모르시면 저를 ( ).
The sentence means 'If you don't know the way, please follow me.'
Fill in the blank for the informal dialogue between friends.
A: 야, 나 맛집 알아! B: 진짜? 어디야? A: ( )!
Friends use 'Banmal' (informal speech), so '따라와' is the natural choice.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. 따라오십시오 2. 따라와 3. 따라오세요
Formality levels must match the social context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises손님, ( )
'따라오세요' is the standard polite form for service situations.
길을 모르시면 저를 ( ).
The sentence means 'If you don't know the way, please follow me.'
A: 야, 나 맛집 알아! B: 진짜? 어디야? A: ( )!
Friends use 'Banmal' (informal speech), so '따라와' is the natural choice.
1. 따라오십시오 2. 따라와 3. 따라오세요
Formality levels must match the social context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's better to use '이쪽으로 모시겠습니다' (I will escort you this way) to show more respect.
'따라와' is for close friends (informal), while '따라와요' is polite but slightly less formal than '따라오세요'.
Yes, if you are meeting someone and telling them to follow you to a specific spot.
No, it can also mean following a lesson, a trend, or a logic path.
Because you are the one leading, so the person is 'coming' along your path.
You say '따라오지 마세요'.
Yes, but they may use different honorific styles like '따라오시오'.
Yes! You can say '따라와!' to your pet.
You would say '차를 따라오세요'.
'나만 믿고 따라와' (Just trust me and follow) is a very common 'cool' phrase.
Related Phrases
안내하다
similarTo guide/inform
모시다
specialized formTo escort/serve a superior
동행하다
similarTo accompany
따라가다
contrastTo follow (going away)
뒤처지다
contrastTo fall behind
