When you want to go somewhere with a friend, you use 데리다. It means you take that person with you. If you go to the store and your brother comes too, you are 데리고 (taking) him. It is a very happy word because it means you are together!
You use this verb when you are moving a person. If you are at school and need to go home, you might 데려가다 (take) your friend. If you are at home and someone arrives, you 데려오다 (bring) them inside. Remember, only for people!
At this level, you should distinguish between 데리다 and 가져가다. 데리다 is specifically for humans or sometimes pets. It implies a sense of responsibility. You often use it in the form 데려다 주다, which is a very kind gesture meaning you are helping someone reach their destination.
In more complex sentences, 데리다 functions as a connector of movement. You might say, 'I had to take my grandmother to the hospital,' using 데리고 가다. The nuance here is that you are the facilitator of their movement. It is common in professional contexts, like 'bringing a guest' to a meeting.
Advanced usage often involves figurative meanings or specific social contexts. You might use it when describing someone 'bringing' others into a group or a movement. It implies leadership or influence. The distinction between 'bringing' (데려오다) and 'taking' (데려가다) becomes crucial to express the directionality of the movement relative to the speaker's position.
At the mastery level, you recognize the subtle emotional weight of 데리다. It carries a sense of guardianship. In literature, it can be used to describe 'leading' someone through a difficult time or 'bringing' someone into a new life stage. It is a word of connection and transition, reflecting the human bond in every movement.
데리다 in 30 Seconds
- Means to take or bring a person.
- Use only for humans and animals.
- Use '모시다' for elders.
- Always pair with '가다' or '오다'.
Hey there! 데리다 is a super useful verb in Korean. At its core, it means to take or bring a person along with you. Unlike objects, which you 'carry' or 'move', you '데리다' a person.
Think of it as being the 'guide' or the one responsible for the person during transit. Whether you are picking up your child from school or taking a friend to a party, this is the word you need. It is all about the accompaniment of a human being.
The word 데리다 has deep roots in the Korean language. Historically, it is connected to the concept of 'leading' someone. It evolved from older forms that emphasized the act of 'taking along' or 'leading by the hand'.
It is fascinating how languages distinguish between moving things and moving people. While 가져가다 (to take an object) and 데려가다 (to take a person) share similar structures, 데리다 specifically focuses on the human element. It reflects a cultural value of care and responsibility when moving together.
You use 데리다 when you are the one in charge of moving a person. It is very common in daily life. You'll hear it in phrases like 데리고 오다 (to bring someone) or 데리고 가다 (to take someone).
It is used for people, not things. If you try to use it for your laptop, your friends will definitely be confused! It is neutral in formality, making it perfect for both casual chats with friends and slightly more polite requests to family members.
1. 데리고 살다: To live with someone (often used for family or spouses).
2. 데리고 놀다: To play with someone (can sometimes imply teasing).
3. 데리고 다니다: To take someone around with you everywhere.
4. 데려다 주다: To drop someone off at their destination.
5. 데려오다: To fetch or bring someone back.
데리다 is a regular verb stem. It often combines with -고 to form 데리고. Pronunciation-wise, it is straightforward: 'deh-ree-dah'.
The stress is usually on the first syllable. It doesn't have plural forms because it is a verb. It is often used in the pattern [Person] + [object marker] + [데리다]. For example: 친구를 데리다 (to take a friend).
Fun Fact
It is one of the most essential verbs for social interaction in Korea.
Pronunciation Guide
- Mispronouncing 'r' as 'l'.
- Dropping the final 'a'.
- Adding extra syllables.
Difficulty Rating
Very common verb.
Need to remember honorifics.
Needs practice with -가다/오다.
Easy to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Honorifics
모시다
Directional Verbs
가다/오다
Object Particles
-를/을
Examples by Level
친구를 데리다.
Take friend.
Basic object + verb.
동생을 데리다.
Take younger sibling.
Used for family.
아이를 데리다.
Take child.
Common daily use.
강아지를 데리다.
Take puppy.
Used for pets too.
누구를 데리다?
Who to take?
Question form.
엄마를 데리다.
Take mom.
Respectful.
친구를 데리고 가요.
I am taking my friend.
Present tense.
누가 데리다?
Who is taking?
Subject focus.
친구를 데리고 학교에 가요.
동생을 데리고 공원에 가요.
아이를 데리고 병원에 가요.
강아지를 데리고 산책해요.
누구를 데리고 갈까요?
엄마를 데리고 왔어요.
친구를 데리고 올게요.
선생님을 데리고 가요.
그는 친구를 데리고 파티에 참석했다.
아이를 데리고 여행을 가는 것은 힘들다.
누구를 데리고 올지 결정해야 한다.
강아지를 데리고 외출하는 것이 좋다.
그녀는 동생을 데리고 도서관에 갔다.
부모님을 데리고 식당에 갔다.
친구를 데리고 오라고 말했다.
누가 그를 데리고 갔나요?
그는 항상 친구들을 데리고 다닌다.
아이를 데리고 대중교통을 이용하는 것은 어렵다.
그녀는 나를 데리고 자신의 비밀 장소로 갔다.
누구를 데리고 가야 할지 고민 중이다.
강아지를 데리고 산책하는 것이 그의 일과이다.
그는 가족을 데리고 이민을 갔다.
누군가를 데리고 오는 것을 잊지 마세요.
그녀는 나를 데리고 선생님을 만나러 갔다.
그는 사람들을 데리고 새로운 프로젝트를 시작했다.
그녀는 아이들을 데리고 박물관을 견학했다.
누구를 데리고 갈지는 전적으로 당신의 선택이다.
그는 친구를 데리고 와서 내게 소개했다.
그녀는 항상 동생을 데리고 다니는 것을 좋아한다.
그는 사람들을 데리고 산 정상에 올랐다.
누구를 데리고 오든 상관없다.
그녀는 나를 데리고 가장 가까운 역으로 향했다.
그는 사람들을 데리고 미지의 세계로 탐험을 떠났다.
그녀는 아이들을 데리고 힘든 시기를 함께 견뎌냈다.
누구를 데리고 가느냐에 따라 여행의 질이 달라진다.
그는 가족을 데리고 새로운 삶을 시작하기로 했다.
그녀는 사람들을 데리고 변화를 이끌어냈다.
누구를 데리고 오든 그들은 환영받을 것이다.
그는 나를 데리고 가장 높은 곳으로 안내했다.
그녀는 사람들을 데리고 미래를 향해 나아갔다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"데리고 살다"
To live with someone.
그녀는 고양이를 데리고 산다.
neutral"데리고 놀다"
To play with someone or tease.
나를 데리고 노는 거야?
casual"데리고 다니다"
To take someone everywhere.
그는 강아지를 데리고 다닌다.
neutral"데려다 주다"
To drop someone off.
집까지 데려다 줄게요.
neutral"데려오다"
To bring someone here.
친구를 데려오세요.
neutral"데려가다"
To take someone there.
친구를 데려가세요.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean 'take'.
가져가다 is for objects.
책을 가져가요 vs 친구를 데려가요.
Both mean 'take/bring'.
모시다 is honorific.
선생님을 모셔요.
Both mean 'lead/take'.
인솔하다 is for groups.
학생들을 인솔해요.
The full form of the verb.
데리다 is the base stem.
데려가다 is the complete action.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 데리고 + 가다
나는 친구를 데리고 간다.
Subject + Object + 데리고 + 오다
그가 동생을 데리고 왔다.
누구 + 를 + 데리고 + 가나요?
누구를 데리고 가나요?
Subject + Object + 를 + 데리고 + 다니다
그는 강아지를 데리고 다닌다.
Subject + Object + 를 + 모시고 + 가다
나는 할머니를 모시고 갔다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
9/10
-
Using '데리다' for objects.
→
Use '가져가다' or '들고 가다'.
데리다 is only for humans/animals.
-
Confusing '데리다' with '데려가다'.
→
데려가다 is the full verb.
데리다 is often a stem used in combinations.
-
Using '데리다' for respected elders.
→
Use '모시다'.
데리다 is neutral/casual.
-
Incorrect particle usage.
→
Use -를/을.
It is a transitive verb.
-
Ignoring the direction.
→
Use -오다 or -가다.
Movement direction matters.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine your front door and visualize 'taking' people through it.
Native Usage
Always pair it with '가다' or '오다' for natural flow.
Cultural Insight
Korean culture values group movement.
Grammar Shortcut
Think of it as 'Person + Marker + Take'.
Say It Right
Keep the 'r' soft like a quick 'd' tap.
Don't Make This Mistake
Never use for non-living things!
Did You Know?
It is one of the first verbs kids learn.
Study Smart
Practice with family members' names.
Verb Patterns
It almost always appears as '데리고'.
Context Matters
Use '모시다' for boss or elders.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Deri' (the word) as 'Dear-y'. You take your 'dear' ones with you.
Visual Association
A parent holding a child's hand walking through a park.
Word Web
Challenge
Use '데리고' in a sentence every day for a week.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: To lead or take along.
Cultural Context
Always use '모시다' for elders to show respect.
Directly maps to 'take' or 'bring' for people.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 친구를 데리고 왔어요.
- 동생을 데리러 가요.
- 선생님을 모시고 올게요.
Travel
- 가족을 데리고 여행해요.
- 강아지를 데리고 갈 수 있나요?
- 누구를 데리고 갈까요?
Home
- 친구를 데리고 들어오세요.
- 아이를 데리고 놀아요.
- 부모님을 모시고 왔어요.
Work
- 손님을 모시고 왔습니다.
- 동료를 데리고 가요.
- 팀원을 데리고 회의에 참석해요.
Conversation Starters
"오늘 누구를 데리고 갈 거예요?"
"어릴 때 누가 당신을 데리고 다녔나요?"
"강아지를 데리고 산책하는 것을 좋아하세요?"
"친구를 데리고 오고 싶을 때 어떻게 말하나요?"
"어른을 모시고 갈 때 어떤 단어를 쓰나요?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you took a friend to a special place.
Describe your experience taking a pet for a walk.
How do you feel when you have to take care of someone?
Write a short story about bringing a new friend to your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, only for people or pets.
The direction: 'take' vs 'bring'.
Use '모시다' instead.
Yes, it follows standard conjugation.
Yes, it works for one or many.
Extremely common.
It is perfectly fine.
Use '동반하다' for business meetings.
Test Yourself 10 questions
친구를 ___ 가요.
We use '데리고' to take someone.
Which verb means to take a person?
데리다 is specifically for people.
Can you use '데리다' for a book?
Only for people or animals.
선생님을 ___ 가야 해요.
Use honorific for teachers.
What is the best synonym for '데리다' in formal contexts?
동반하다 is formal.
Is '데리다' used for inanimate objects?
Never for objects.
/ 10 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
데리다 is your go-to verb for bringing people along on your journey!
- Means to take or bring a person.
- Use only for humans and animals.
- Use '모시다' for elders.
- Always pair with '가다' or '오다'.
Memory Palace
Imagine your front door and visualize 'taking' people through it.
Native Usage
Always pair it with '가다' or '오다' for natural flow.
Cultural Insight
Korean culture values group movement.
Grammar Shortcut
Think of it as 'Person + Marker + Take'.
Example
동생을 학교에 데려다 주었습니다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
몇몇
A2An unspecified small number of; some or a few.
조금
A1A little/a bit
적게
A1A little / Few
약간
A2A little; slightly; somewhat.
많이
A1A lot/much
잠시
A2For a moment; briefly.
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2A little while ago, earlier.
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
