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데리다

A1 verb #4,000 most common 14 min read

데리다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 데리다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 데리다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '데리다' means taking or bringing a person or a pet. You will mostly use it in the forms '데려가다' (take and go) and '데려오다' (take and come). Think of it as the 'human' version of 'take'. For example, if you want to say 'I take my brother to school', you use this word. Remember: don't use it for bags or books! It's only for living things that can walk with you. You might also see '데리고' used to mean 'with'. '친구를 데리고 왔어요' simply means 'I came with my friend'. At this stage, focus on the difference between people and objects.

At the A2 level, you should start using '데려다 주다'. This is a very polite and common way to say you are taking someone somewhere as a favor, like walking a friend home or driving someone to the station. You should also be aware of the honorific version '모시다'. Even if you don't use '모시다' perfectly yet, you should know *not* to use '데리다' for your grandparents or teachers. Start practicing the past tense '데려왔어요' and the future tense '데려갈 거예요'. You will hear this word often in conversations about family, pets, and daily plans.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable with the nuance of '데리고 있다', which means to have someone in your care or company. This is different from just being 'with' someone; it implies you are looking after them. You should also understand how '데리다' functions in complex sentences with connectors like '-아서/어서' or '-(으)러'. For example, '아이를 데리러 학교에 가요' (I go to school to pick up the child). You should also begin to notice how the word is used in casual vs. formal settings and consistently use '모시다' for superiors to avoid sounding rude.

At the B2 level, you should understand the subtle social implications of using '데리다'. In a workplace, using '데리다' for your team suggests a paternalistic management style common in Korea. You should also be familiar with more formal synonyms like '동반하다' (accompany) and when to choose them over '데리다' in writing. You should be able to use the causative and passive nuances of related verbs and handle the word in diverse grammatical structures like '데려오지 말걸 그랬어요' (I shouldn't have brought them). Your usage should reflect an understanding of both directionality and social hierarchy.

At the C1 level, you should master the idiomatic and literary uses of '데리다'. You will encounter it in literature to describe a character's responsibility over another. You should also be able to distinguish between '데리다' and specialized verbs like '인솔하다' (to lead a group) or '호송하다' (to escort/guard). Your ability to switch between '데리다', '모시다', and '동반하다' based on the specific register of the conversation or document should be fluid. You should also understand the historical development of the word and its role in defining traditional Korean social structures through language.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for '데리다'. You understand its use in ancient texts or proverbs where the status distinctions might be slightly different from modern usage. You can use the word to convey subtle emotional undertones—such as a sense of burden or extreme care—depending on the context. You are capable of explaining the deep cultural roots of why '데리다' and '모시다' are separated, linking it to Confucian values. Your usage is impeccable, including the most complex honorific combinations and rare grammatical patterns that involve the root '데리다'.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

데리다 in 30 Seconds

Used for taking or bringing people and animals only.
Usually appears as '데려가다' (take) or '데려오다' (bring).
Socially restricted to peers, juniors, or animals (not for elders).
Implies a sense of leading or being responsible for the companion.

The Korean verb 데리다 is a fundamental word used to describe the action of taking, bringing, or accompanying a person or an animal from one place to another. Unlike the English word 'take', which can apply to both inanimate objects and living beings, 데리다 is strictly reserved for people and animals. It implies a sense of leadership or responsibility over the person being moved, often suggesting that the person being 'taken' is of equal or lower social status than the speaker, such as a younger sibling, a child, a pet, or a junior colleague. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating the hierarchical nature of the Korean language, as using it for a social superior would be considered a significant linguistic faux pas.

Core Usage: Used when moving with a person or animal to a destination.
Social Context: Applicable to those younger or of lower rank; never for elders or bosses.
Grammatical Constraint: Rarely stands alone; usually combines with '가다' (go) or '오다' (come).

내일 동생을 데리고 공원에 갈 거예요. (I will take my younger sibling to the park tomorrow.)

In daily life, you will hear this word constantly in domestic settings. Parents talk about 'picking up' their children from school, or dog owners talk about 'bringing' their pets to a cafe. The nuance is that the person doing the 'taking' is the one in charge of the movement. If you are taking a friend to a party, you are the guide. This word captures the dynamic of companionship where one party leads. It is important to note that '데리다' is the 'plain' or 'neutral' form. In Korean culture, where respect is embedded in verbs, this word reflects a horizontal or downward social direction. If you were to take your grandmother to the hospital, you would never use '데리다'; instead, you would use the honorific '모시다'. This distinction is one of the first major hurdles for English speakers, who are used to a single verb 'take' for everyone from a toddler to the President.

강아지를 데리고 산책해요. (I am taking the puppy for a walk.)

Furthermore, the word is deeply connected to the concept of 'having someone with you'. When you use the form '데리고 있다', it translates to 'having [someone] in one's company' or 'looking after [someone]'. For example, if a child is lost and you are taking care of them until the parents arrive, you would say you are '데리고' the child. This implies a protective or supervisory role. In professional contexts, a manager might '데리고' a team of juniors, though '함께 일하다' (work together) is more common to avoid sounding overly paternalistic. The word's versatility in expressing accompaniment makes it one of the most high-frequency verbs in the Korean language, appearing in roughly 15% of all daily movement-related sentences.

친구를 데려와도 돼요? (Can I bring a friend over?)

Directionality: 데려가다 (Take away) vs. 데려오다 (Bring here).

아이들을 유치원에서 데려왔어요. (I brought the kids back from kindergarten.)

In summary, '데리다' is the bridge between people in motion. It defines the relationship between the leader and the led, the protector and the protected. Whether you are planning a trip with friends, managing a household, or simply talking about your daily commute with a pet, '데리다' provides the linguistic framework to describe human and animal movement through space together. Its correct usage signals to native speakers that you understand not just the vocabulary, but the social fabric of Korea itself.

Grammatically, 데리다 is almost never used in its base form in a simple sentence. It is an auxiliary-leaning verb that requires a directional verb to complete the thought. The most common constructions are 데려가다 (to take someone and go) and 데려오다 (to take someone and come). The connection is made using the '-어/아' infinitive connector. Thus, '데리- + -어 + 가다' becomes '데려가다'. This compound structure is essential because Korean verbs often specify the direction of movement relative to the speaker.

The 'Take' Pattern: [Person] + 을/를 + 데려가다 (To take someone away from the speaker's current location).
The 'Bring' Pattern: [Person] + 을/를 + 데려오다 (To bring someone to the speaker's current location).

누가 아이를 학교에 데려갈 거예요? (Who will take the child to school?)

When using '데리다', the object (the person or animal being taken) is marked with the object particle 을/를. However, in casual spoken Korean, this particle is often dropped. Another vital construction is 데려다 주다. This means 'to take someone somewhere for their benefit', often translated as 'to drop someone off' or 'to escort someone home'. This uses the '-아/어 주다' auxiliary pattern, which indicates doing a favor for someone. If you are walking your friend home at night to ensure they are safe, you are '데려다 주는' them.

집까지 데려다 줄게. (I will take/drop you off at home.)

Let's look at the progressive form: 데리고 있다. This describes a state of being in the company of someone. If you are at the mall and your friend asks where your little brother is, you can say '동생을 데리고 있어요', meaning 'I have my brother with me'. It doesn't just mean he is nearby; it means he is under your care at that moment. This distinction is subtle but important for clarity in Korean social interactions. Furthermore, in more formal or written contexts, you might see '동반하다' (to accompany), but in 99% of spoken situations, '데리다' compounds are the natural choice.

지금 강아지를 데리고 있어요. (I have the puppy with me right now.)

One advanced usage involves the causative or passive nuances, though '데리다' itself is quite direct. When you want to say 'to be taken', you usually use different verbs or passive structures like '끌려가다' (to be dragged/taken against will), because '데리다' implies a level of voluntary or natural accompaniment. In negative sentences, you simply add '안' before the final verb: '안 데려가요' (I'm not taking [them]). If you want to emphasize that you *cannot* take someone, you use '못 데려가요'. Mastering these patterns allows you to describe almost any scenario involving the movement of people in your social circle.

Common Ending: -고 싶다 (want to): 데려가고 싶어요 (I want to take [them]).
Past Tense: -었/았어요: 데려왔어요 (I brought [them]).

Finally, consider the imperative. '데려와!' (Bring him/her!) is a very common command. However, if you are asking someone politely, you would say '데려와 주세요'. The flexibility of '데리다' when combined with Korean's rich system of endings and auxiliary verbs makes it a powerhouse of the beginner and intermediate vocabulary. By focusing on the '데려-' stem and attaching the appropriate movement or favor verb, you can express complex social arrangements with just a few syllables.

If you walk through the streets of Seoul or watch a Korean drama, 데리다 and its variants are ubiquitous. One of the most common places to hear it is at the entrance of schools and kindergartens. Parents and 'hagwon' (private academy) bus drivers are constantly coordinating who will 'pick up' the children. You will hear phrases like '아이 데리러 왔어요' (I came to pick up the child). In this context, the word carries the weight of parental care and daily routine. It's the sound of the afternoon rush, where the safety and transport of the younger generation are being discussed.

엄마가 학교로 저를 데리러 오실 거예요. (My mom will come to pick me up at school.)

Another frequent setting is among pet owners. Korea has seen a massive boom in pet culture, particularly with small dogs. At 'dog cafes' or parks, owners will discuss 'bringing' their dogs. '강아지 데려와도 돼요?' (Can I bring my puppy?) is a standard question at pet-friendly establishments. Here, '데리다' highlights the status of the pet as a sentient companion rather than an object. If someone used '가져오다' (to bring an object) for a dog, it would sound incredibly cold and strange, as if they were talking about a suitcase. Using '데리다' shows that you recognize the dog as a living being that you are accompanying.

At the Airport: '친구 데리러 공항 가요' (I'm going to the airport to pick up a friend).
In Romance: '집까지 데려다 줄게' (I'll walk/drive you home)—a classic line in K-dramas.

In the world of K-Dramas, '데리다' often appears in pivotal romantic or dramatic scenes. When a male lead offers to '데려다 주다' (take home) the female lead, it's a sign of protection and budding affection. Conversely, in thrillers, a villain might '데려가다' (take away/kidnap) a witness. The word's meaning remains 'to take', but the emotional weight shifts depending on the relationship between the characters. You'll also hear it in variety shows when members are told to 'bring' a guest or a friend for a mission. It's a word of action and social connection.

동생을 데리고 병원에 갔어요. (I took my younger sibling to the hospital.)

Finally, in professional settings, while '모시다' is used for bosses, '데리다' is used when talking about subordinates or junior team members in a casual way. A senior manager might say, '우리 팀원들 데리고 회식 하러 가요' (I'm taking my team members out for a company dinner). It implies a sense of 'taking care of' the group. This paternalistic nuance is very common in Korean corporate culture. Whether you are in a high-rise office in Gangnam or a small neighborhood playground, '데리다' is the linguistic glue that describes how people move together through their daily lives.

Everyday Command: '빨리 데려와!' (Bring them quickly!)—often heard in busy kitchens or offices.

To truly master the sound of this word, pay attention to the intonation. When used as a question like '데려가요?' (Are you taking them?), the '요' often rises sharply. When used as a statement of intent, '데려갈게요', it is more flat and decisive. This word isn't just a dictionary entry; it's a living part of the Korean social landscape, reflecting the constant movement and interconnectedness of its people.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with 데리다 is using it for inanimate objects. In English, we say 'I took my umbrella' and 'I took my brother'. In Korean, these are two completely different verbs. Using '데리다' for an umbrella ('우산을 데려왔어요') sounds as though you believe the umbrella is a living, breathing person or pet. It is a humorous mistake, but one that immediately marks you as a beginner. For objects, you must use 가져가다 (take) or 가져오다 (bring).

Mistake #1: Objects: Incorrect: 책을 데려왔어요 (I brought the book).
Correct: 책을 가져왔어요.
Mistake #2: Elders: Incorrect: 할머니를 데려갔어요 (I took Grandma).
Correct: 할머니를 모시고 갔어요.

부모님을 데려왔어요 (X) → 모셔왔어요 (O)

The second major pitfall is the hierarchy error. As mentioned, '데리다' is for those younger or of lower status. Using it for your parents, grandparents, teachers, or bosses is considered impolite. It suggests you are in a position of authority over them. The honorific equivalent is 모시다. If you say '선생님을 데려왔어요' (I brought the teacher), it sounds like you are the teacher's supervisor or parent. To show proper respect, you must use '모시다' in all its forms: '모시고 가다', '모시고 오다', or '모셔다 드리다'.

Another common confusion arises with the word 데려다 주다. Students often forget to add '주다' when they mean 'to drop someone off'. If you say '친구를 학교에 데려갔어요', it means you took your friend to school (perhaps you both had classes there). If you say '친구를 학교에 데려다 줬어요', it specifically means you took them there as a favor (perhaps they didn't have a car). Forgetting the '주다' part removes the nuance of the helpful gesture. This is a subtle difference, but it affects how 'kind' or 'helpful' you sound in Korean.

우산을 데려가세요 (X) → 가져가세요 (O)

Finally, there is the confusion between '데려가다' and '데려오다'. English speakers often use 'come' and 'go' interchangeably in certain contexts (e.g., 'I'm coming to your house' vs 'I'm going to your house'). In Korean, the distinction is rigid. If you are at point A and taking someone to point B, it is '데려가다'. If you are at point B and telling someone to bring a person to you, it is '데려오다'. Mixing these up can cause logistical confusion. Practice thinking about the direction of the movement relative to the speaker's current physical location to avoid this common error.

The 'With' Confusion: Don't confuse '데리고' with '같이' (together). '데리고' is a verb of action; '같이' is an adverb of manner.

By keeping these four rules in mind—living beings only, respect hierarchy, use '주다' for favors, and mind the direction—you will avoid the most frequent mistakes and sound much more like a native speaker. Korean is a language of relationships, and '데리다' is a prime example of how verbs reflect those relationships.

To truly understand 데리다, it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. The most important comparison is with 모시다. While '데리다' is used for people of equal or lower status, '모시다' is the honorific version used for anyone to whom you owe respect. This includes elders, superiors, and often customers in a business setting. If '데리다' is 'to take/lead', '모시다' is 'to escort/attend to'. The choice between these two is the most significant decision a Korean speaker makes when describing the movement of people.

데리다 vs. 모시다: 데리다: Plain/Informal (Children, friends, pets).
모시다: Honorific/Formal (Parents, bosses, elders).
데리다 vs. 가져가다: 데리다: Living beings (People/Animals).
가져가다: Inanimate objects (Books, bags, phones).

손님을 방으로 모셨습니다. (I escorted the guest to the room.)

Another alternative is 동반하다 (to accompany). This is a more formal, often written word used in contexts like 'children must be accompanied by an adult' (아동은 보호자를 동반해야 합니다). It is less common in casual speech but frequent in official signs, news reports, and academic writing. While '데리다' implies one person leading another, '동반하다' feels more like two parties moving together as equals or in a formal capacity. Similarly, 수반하다 means 'to involve' or 'to accompany' in an abstract sense, such as 'success accompanies hard work'.

For groups, you might hear 인솔하다 (to lead/guide a group). This is used by teachers leading a class on a field trip or a tour guide leading a group of tourists. It carries a stronger nuance of leadership and organization than the simple '데리다'. If '데리다' is taking your friend to a movie, '인솔하다' is leading 30 students through a museum. Another specific word is 바래다주다, which specifically means 'to see someone off' or 'to walk someone part of the way'. It is often used when saying goodbye at a bus stop or a front door.

선생님이 학생들을 인솔하고 있어요. (The teacher is leading the students.)

Lastly, consider 업다 (to carry on one's back) or 안다 (to hold/hug). While '데리다' implies the person is walking or moving themselves under your guidance, '업다' or '안다' describes physical carrying. If a child is tired of walking, you stop '데리고 가기' and start '업고 가기'. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the exact right word for the physical and social reality of the situation. By mastering '데리다' and its alternatives, you gain a deeper insight into how Koreans perceive movement, status, and companionship.

Summary of Alternatives: 모시다 (Honorific), 동반하다 (Formal accompaniment), 인솔하다 (Leading a group), 바래다주다 (Seeing off).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally carried a stronger sense of 'command' or 'dominance', which is why today it is strictly used for those of lower or equal social rank.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /de.ɾi.da/

US /de.ɾi.da/

The stress is even across all syllables, typical of Korean word structure.

Rhymes With

그리다 (geurida - to draw) 내리다 (naerida - to descend) 느리다 (neurida - to be slow) 다리다 (darida - to iron) 메아리다 (mearida - to echo) 버리다 (beorida - to throw away) 빌리다 (billida - to borrow) 어리다 (eorida - to be young)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' as an English 'r' (it should be a light tap).
Over-stressing the first syllable.
Confusing the 'e' sound with 'ae' (it's a mid-front vowel).
Nasalizing the 'd' too much.
Making the final 'da' sound like 'day'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to recognize in texts as it usually appears in compound forms.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the '-어' connector to form '데려-'.

Speaking 3/5

Tricky because you must constantly evaluate the status of the person you are taking.

Listening 2/5

Common in daily speech; easy to hear the 'der-yeo' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

가다 (to go) 오다 (to come) 사람 (person) 친구 (friend) 아이 (child)

Learn Next

모시다 (honorific take) 가져가다 (object take) 주다 (to give/favor) 바래다주다 (to see off)

Advanced

인솔하다 (to lead a group) 동반하다 (to accompany) 호송하다 (to escort/guard) 수반하다 (to involve)

Grammar to Know

The '-어/아' connector for compound verbs

데리다 + 가다 = 데려가다

The '-아/어 주다' auxiliary for favors

데려다 주다 (to take someone for their sake)

The '-(으)러 가다' for purpose of movement

아이를 데리러 학교에 가요.

The '-고 있다' for progressive state

지금 동생을 데리고 있어요.

The object particle '을/를'

강아지를 데려와요.

Examples by Level

동생을 데리고 가요.

I am taking my younger sibling.

Simple present tense with '가다'.

강아지를 데려왔어요.

I brought the puppy.

Past tense of '데려오다'.

친구를 데려와도 돼요?

Can I bring a friend?

-아/어 도 돼요 (permission).

고양이를 데리고 있어요.

I have the cat with me.

-고 있다 (progressive/state).

아이를 데려가세요.

Please take the child.

-(으)세요 (polite command).

누구를 데려갈 거예요?

Who will you take?

-(으)ㄹ 거예요 (future).

강아지를 안 데려가요.

I'm not taking the puppy.

안 (negative).

동생을 데리러 가요.

I'm going to pick up my sibling.

-(으)러 가다 (purpose of movement).

집까지 데려다 줄게요.

I'll take you home.

-아/어 주다 (favor).

아이를 학교에 데려다 줬어요.

I dropped the child off at school.

Past tense favor.

친구를 데리고 파티에 갔어요.

I went to the party with a friend.

Accompaniment with '-고'.

강아지를 데려오지 마세요.

Please don't bring the dog.

-지 마세요 (prohibition).

내일 친구를 데려올 수 있어요?

Can you bring a friend tomorrow?

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (ability/possibility).

동생을 데리고 공원에서 놀았어요.

I played in the park with my sibling.

Past tense sequence.

저를 데려가 주세요.

Please take me with you.

Polite request for a favor.

고양이를 데리고 병원에 가야 해요.

I have to take the cat to the hospital.

-아야/어야 하다 (obligation).

아무도 데려오지 말라고 했잖아요.

I told you not to bring anyone.

Indirect quotation (prohibition).

동생을 데리고 다니기 힘들어요.

It's hard to go around with my sibling.

-기 힘들다 (difficulty).

강아지를 데려온 지 벌써 일 년이 됐네요.

It's already been a year since I brought the dog.

-(으)ㄴ 지 (time since).

아이를 데리고 여행하는 것은 쉽지 않아요.

Traveling with a child is not easy.

Gerund phrase as subject.

친구를 데려다 주느라 늦었어요.

I was late because I was dropping off a friend.

-느라 (reason for negative result).

누구를 데려올지 아직 못 정했어요.

I haven't decided who to bring yet.

-(으)ㄹ지 (uncertainty).

길 잃은 아이를 데리고 경찰서에 갔어요.

I took the lost child to the police station.

Sequential action.

강아지를 데려가도 되는지 물어볼게요.

I'll ask if I can take the dog.

-는지 (embedded question).

신입 사원들을 데리고 현장 견학을 갔습니다.

I went on a site visit with the new employees.

Professional context with '데리고'.

아이를 혼자 데려가기에는 짐이 너무 많아요.

There's too much luggage to take the child alone.

-기에는 (standard/comparison).

그를 데려오기 위해 수단과 방법을 가리지 않았어요.

I used every means possible to bring him.

Idiomatic expression '수단과 방법을 가리지 않다'.

동생을 데리고 있는 동안 사고가 났어요.

An accident happened while I had my sibling with me.

-(으)ㄴ 는 동안 (while).

친구들을 데려와서 집이 엉망이 됐어요.

The house became a mess because I brought friends over.

-아서/어서 (cause/effect).

강아지를 데려다 줄 사람이 아무도 없어요.

There's no one to take the dog [there].

Noun modifying clause.

그 아이를 데려다가 키우기로 결심했어요.

I decided to take that child and raise them.

-다가 (sequential change of state/location).

비가 오는데 아이를 데리고 나가면 어떡해요?

What are you going to do if you go out with the child in the rain?

Rhetorical question/concern.

그는 부하 직원들을 데리고 새로운 프로젝트를 시작했다.

He started a new project with his subordinates.

Formal narrative style.

자식을 데리고 사는 것이 부모의 도리입니다.

Living with and supporting one's children is a parent's duty.

Philosophical/Moral context.

강아지를 데려온 후로 제 삶이 완전히 바뀌었습니다.

Since bringing the puppy, my life has completely changed.

-(으)ㄴ 후로 (since).

그들을 데리고 가기엔 위험 요소가 너무 많습니다.

There are too many risk factors to take them.

Evaluative '기엔'.

아이를 데려다 주면서 많은 대화를 나눴어요.

While taking the child [home], we had a lot of conversation.

-(으)면서 (simultaneous action).

그 친구를 데려오지 않았더라면 상황이 달라졌을 거예요.

If I hadn't brought that friend, the situation would have been different.

Past conditional '-았/었더라면'.

누구를 데려가든 당신의 자유입니다.

Whoever you take, it is your freedom.

-든 (regardless).

그는 어린 조카를 데리고 전국을 유람했다.

He traveled the whole country with his young nephew.

Literary/Written style.

그는 수많은 제자들을 데리고 학문의 길을 정진했다.

He devoted himself to scholarship with numerous disciples.

High literary register.

짐승을 데리고 사는 것과 다를 바 없는 처지였다.

His situation was no different from living with beasts.

Metaphorical usage.

아이를 데려다 준다는 핑계로 그녀를 다시 만났다.

I met her again under the pretext of taking the child home.

-ㄴ다는 핑계로 (under the pretext of).

백성들을 데리고 피난길에 오른 왕의 심정은 참담했다.

The heart of the king who set out on the path of refuge with his people was miserable.

Historical narrative.

그를 데려오기 위해 온갖 감언이설을 동원했다.

I used all sorts of sweet talk to bring him.

Advanced idiom '감언이설'.

누구를 데려가느냐에 따라 승패가 갈릴 것이다.

Victory or defeat will be decided depending on who you take.

-느냐에 따라 (depending on).

그는 자신의 그림자를 데리고 평생을 고독하게 살았다.

He lived a lonely life with only his shadow for company.

Poetic/Personified usage.

아이들을 데리고 있는 것 자체가 큰 책임입니다.

The act of having children in your care is itself a great responsibility.

Abstract nominalization.

Common Collocations

아이를 데리다

강아지를 데리다

친구를 데려오다

동생을 데려가다

손님을 데려오다

데려다 주다

데리러 가다

데리고 있다

몰래 데려오다

억지로 데려가다

Common Phrases

데려다 줄게

— I'll take you [home/there]. Common among friends/couples.

밤이 늦었으니 집까지 데려다 줄게.

데리러 와

— Come pick me up. A common request to family or friends.

수업 끝나면 학교 앞으로 데리러 와.

누구 데려왔어?

— Who did you bring? Asked when someone arrives with a guest.

파티에 누구 데려왔어?

데리고 가!

— Take [them] with you! Often said to siblings or parents.

너 나갈 때 동생도 데리고 가!

데려오지 마

— Don't bring [them]. A firm instruction or rule.

우리 집에는 강아지 데려오지 마.

데려다 드릴까요?

— Shall I take you [there]? (Polite favor).

정류장까지 데려다 드릴까요?

데리고 놀다

— To play with someone (usually a child or pet).

동생 좀 데리고 놀아줘.

데려와 보세요

— Please try bringing them. A suggestion or invitation.

다음 모임에 그 친구도 한번 데려와 보세요.

데려갈 사람이 없어

— There is no one to take them. Expressing a lack of help.

아이가 아픈데 병원에 데려갈 사람이 없어.

데리고 살다

— To live with and support someone.

부모님은 아직 저를 데리고 사세요.

Often Confused With

데리다 vs 가져가다

English speakers use 'take' for both, but '가져가다' is ONLY for objects.

데리다 vs 모시다

This is the honorific version. Using '데리다' for elders is a major social mistake.

데리다 vs 함께 가다

Means 'go together'. '데리다' implies one person is leading or bringing the other.

Idioms & Expressions

"데리고 놀다"

— To toy with someone's emotions or treat them like a child.

그는 나를 데리고 노는 것 같아.

Informal/Slang

"귀신이 데려가다"

— Literally 'a ghost took them'; used when someone disappears suddenly.

그 많던 음식을 귀신이 데려갔나?

Humorous/Casual

"데려다 놓다"

— To place someone somewhere (implies they are passive).

아이를 유치원에 데려다 놓고 출근했어요.

Neutral

"산 채로 데려가다"

— To take someone alive (often in historical or action contexts).

적장을 산 채로 데려와라.

Dramatic

"데리고 올 걸"

— Regretting not bringing someone.

카메라 대신 친구를 데리고 올 걸 그랬나 봐요.

Neutral

"데려다 키우다"

— To take someone in and raise them (adoption/rescue).

길고양이를 데려다 키우고 있어요.

Neutral

"데리고 다니기 부끄럽다"

— To be embarrassed to be seen with someone.

그는 옷을 너무 못 입어서 데리고 다니기 부끄러워요.

Informal

"데려갈 테면 데려가 봐"

— Take them if you can (a challenge).

자신 있으면 데려갈 테면 데려가 봐!

Aggressive

"데리고 살기 힘들다"

— Hard to live with/tolerate someone.

성격이 까다로워서 데리고 살기 힘들어요.

Informal

"데려다 주면 고맙지"

— I'd be grateful if you'd take me.

정말? 데려다 주면 고맙지!

Neutral

Easily Confused

데리다 vs 가져가다

Both mean 'to take'.

가져가다 is for things (bags, books). 데려가다 is for people and animals.

우산을 가져가요 (Take the umbrella) vs. 아이를 데려가요 (Take the child).

데리다 vs 모시다

Both mean 'to take/accompany a person'.

모시다 is for people of higher status (elders, bosses). 데리다 is for status equals or juniors.

어머니를 모시고 가요 (I take my mother) vs. 동생을 데리고 가요 (I take my sibling).

데리다 vs 바래다주다

Both involve taking someone somewhere.

바래다주다 specifically means 'to see someone off' or walk them to a point of departure.

친구를 역까지 바래다줬어요.

데리다 vs 인솔하다

Both involve leading people.

인솔하다 is formal and usually refers to a larger group or a professional duty.

가이드가 관광객을 인솔해요.

데리다 vs 동반하다

Both mean 'to accompany'.

동반하다 is formal/legalistic. 데리다 is casual and daily.

보호자 동반 필수 (Guardian accompaniment required).

Sentence Patterns

[Person]을/를 데려가요.

동생을 데려가요.

[Animal]을/를 데려와요.

강아지를 데려와요.

[Person]을/를 [Place]에 데려다 줘요.

친구를 집에 데려다 줘요.

[Person]을/를 데리러 가요.

아이를 데리러 가요.

[Person]을/를 데리고 [Activity]를 해요.

동생을 데리고 쇼핑을 해요.

[Person]을/를 데려오지 마세요.

친구를 데려오지 마세요.

[Person]을/를 데리고 있느라 [Result].

아이를 데리고 있느라 전화를 못 받았어요.

[Person]을/를 데려다가 [Action].

길 잃은 고양이를 데려다가 키웠어요.

Word Family

Nouns

데림 (derim - the act of taking, rare/archaic)

Verbs

데려가다 (to take away)

데려오다 (to bring here)

데려다주다 (to drop off)

데리러가다 (to go to pick up)

데리러오다 (to come to pick up)

모시다 (honorific)

가져가다 (for objects)

동반 (accompaniment)

인솔 (leading a group)

함께 (together)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, especially regarding children and pets.

Common Mistakes

Using '데리다' for inanimate objects. → 가져가다 / 가져오다
You cannot 'accompany' an object. Since '데리다' implies accompaniment, it is only for living beings. Use '가져가다' for things like books, bags, or umbrellas.
Using '데리다' for elders or superiors. → 모시다
Korean is a hierarchical language. '데리다' is the plain form. For parents, grandparents, or bosses, you must use the honorific '모시다' to show proper respect.
Confusing '데려가다' and '데려오다'. → Based on speaker's location.
'가다' is for moving away from the speaker; '오다' is for moving towards the speaker. If you are at home and want someone to bring a friend, say '데려와'. If you are at home and taking a friend out, say '데려가'.
Forgetting the '-주다' in '데려다 주다'. → 데려다 주다
If you just say '데려갔어요', it means you took them. If you say '데려다 줬어요', it emphasizes that you took them as a favor or to ensure their safety. The latter is much more common for 'dropping off'.
Using '데리다' in base form without '가다/오다'. → 데려가다 / 데려오다 / 데리고 있다
In modern Korean, '데리다' almost never stands alone in a sentence. It needs a directional or auxiliary verb to complete its meaning in 99% of cases.

Tips

The '-어' Connection

Remember that '데리다' becomes '데려' when combined with '가다' or '오다'. This is because '데리-' + '-어' contracts to '데려'. Practice this contraction to sound natural.

Status Check

Before using '데리다', quickly ask yourself: 'Is this person older or higher rank than me?' If yes, use '모시다'. This simple check will save you from many social blunders.

Pets are People Too

In Korean grammar, pets are treated more like people than objects. Always use '데리다' for your furry friends to sound like a compassionate animal lover.

Dropping Particles

In casual conversation, you can drop the '을/를' particle. '동생 데리고 갈게' sounds more natural than '동생을 데리고 갈게' when talking to friends.

Direction Matters

If you are at the destination, tell people to '데려오다'. If you are leaving for a destination, say you will '데려가다'. This logic is very strict in Korean.

Showing Kindness

Use '데려다 줄게요' when you want to be helpful. It's a very kind way to offer to walk or drive someone home, especially after a long night.

Continuous Company

Use '데리고 있어요' to say you currently have someone with you. It's the standard answer if someone asks, 'Where is your brother?' and he's standing right next to you.

Formal Contexts

In essays or news reports, look for '동반하다'. It means the same thing but fits the formal register of written Korean much better than '데리다'.

The 'D' Rule

D-erida is for D-ependents. Use it for those who follow your lead, like children or pets.

Listen for 'Ju-da'

When you hear '데려다 줘', someone is asking for a favor. It's a key phrase to recognize in social situations or when someone needs help getting home.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'D-riving' (De-) a 'R-eally' (Ri-) 'I-mportant' (I) 'DA-ughter' (Da) to school. You are taking her there.

Visual Association

Visualize a parent holding a child's hand while walking. The parent is '데리다'-ing the child.

Word Web

아이 (Child) 강아지 (Puppy) 친구 (Friend) 동생 (Sibling) 가다 (Go) 오다 (Come) 주다 (Give/Favor) 학교 (School)

Challenge

Try to use '데려가다' in three different sentences today: one about a pet, one about a sibling, and one about a friend.

Word Origin

Native Korean word (Goyu-eo). It has existed in the Korean language since the Middle Korean period.

Original meaning: To lead or command a person or subordinate.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Never use '데리다' for someone older than you, even by a year, unless you are very close or in a specific casual setting. When in doubt, use '함께' or '모시다'.

In English, 'take' is universal. In Korean, 'take' is split by status and object type. This is the biggest hurdle for English speakers.

K-drama 'Descendants of the Sun': Characters often offer to '데려다 주다' each other. Song '데리러 가' (Good Evening) by SHINee: The title means 'I'm coming to pick you up'. Korean folk tales: Often feature animals that '데려오다' (bring) luck to humans.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School/Childcare

아이를 데리러 왔어요.
학교에 데려다 줄게.
선생님이 아이들을 데리고 나갔어요.
누가 아이를 데려가나요?

Pet Ownership

강아지 데려와도 돼요?
산책할 때 고양이도 데려가요?
강아지를 데리고 병원에 가요.
동물병원에 데려다 줬어요.

Social Gatherings

친구 한 명 데려와도 돼?
누구 데려올 거야?
동생 데리고 파티에 갔어.
그 사람 데려오지 마.

Dating/Relationships

집 앞까지 데려다 줄게요.
저를 데려가 주세요.
여자친구 데리고 왔어?
오늘 데려다 줘서 고마워.

Workplace (Senior to Junior)

팀원들 데리고 점심 먹으러 가요.
신입들 데리고 교육 좀 해줘.
현장에 데려가서 보여주세요.
직원들을 데리고 출장 갔어요.

Conversation Starters

"이번 주말에 강아지 데리고 공원 갈래요? (Want to take the dog to the park this weekend?)"

"파티에 친구 데려와도 괜찮을까요? (Would it be okay if I brought a friend to the party?)"

"아이를 학교에 누가 데려다 주나요? (Who drops the child off at school?)"

"공항에 친구 데리러 가야 해요. (I have to go to the airport to pick up a friend.)"

"어제 누구를 데리고 영화관에 갔어요? (Who did you take to the cinema yesterday?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 강아지나 동생을 데리고 어디에 갔는지 써 보세요. (Write about where you took your dog or sibling today.)

누군가 당신을 데려다 주었을 때의 고마운 마음을 적어 보세요. (Write about your gratitude when someone dropped you off.)

나중에 아이를 키운다면 어디에 가장 먼저 데려가고 싶은가요? (If you raise a child later, where do you want to take them first?)

친구를 데려오지 말아야 했던 상황이 있었나요? (Was there a situation where you shouldn't have brought a friend?)

반려동물을 데리고 여행을 간다면 무엇이 필요할까요? (What would you need if you went on a trip with a pet?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should not. In Korean, using '데리다' for parents or any elder is considered disrespectful because it implies you are in a superior position. Instead, you must use the honorific verb '모시다'. For example, say '부모님을 모시고 왔어요' instead of '데려왔어요'.

No, '데리다' is strictly for living beings (people and animals). For inanimate objects, you must use '가져가다' (to take) or '가져오다' (to bring). Using '데리다' for a phone would sound like you are treating the phone as a person.

It depends on the direction of movement relative to the speaker. '데려가다' means to take someone from where you are to another place (Take and Go). '데려오다' means to bring someone to where you are (Take and Come).

The base form '데리다' is rarely used alone. It is almost always used with a connector like '-고' (and/with) or combined with directional verbs like '가다' or '오다'. '데리고' is the form used to mean 'with [someone] in one's company'.

Yes, you can use '데리다' for friends of the same age or younger. It is very common to say '친구 데려왔어' (I brought a friend). However, if you want to sound more neutral or equal, you could also say '친구랑 같이 왔어' (I came together with a friend).

You use the pattern '데리러 가다'. For example: '친구를 데리러 공항에 가요' (I'm going to the airport to pick up my friend). This literally means 'going for the purpose of taking/bringing'.

Yes! In fact, using '데리다' for pets is the standard way to show you view them as living companions. Using '가져오다' for a pet would sound very cold and objectifying.

It means to take someone somewhere as a favor, often translated as 'to drop someone off' or 'to walk someone home'. The '주다' adds the nuance of doing something helpful for the other person.

Yes, as long as the *object* (the person being taken) is of lower status. For example, a CEO can say '직원들을 데리고' (with the employees). But if the speaker is talking about a superior, they must switch to '모시다'.

The past tense is '데려왔어요' (polite) or '데려왔어' (informal). It is a combination of '데리-' + '-어' + '오-' + '-았-' + '-어(요)'.