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A2 verb #2,500 most common 7 min read

넘어가다

At the A1 level, '넘어가다' is used in its most literal sense: 'to go over'. You might see it in simple sentences about moving from one place to another over a small obstacle. However, it is more commonly introduced as part of basic time expressions, like the sun setting. Beginners should focus on the idea of 'going over' a line or a boundary. For example, 'The sun goes over the mountain' (해가 산을 넘어가요). It is also used when turning pages in a simple picture book. The key is to visualize something moving from one side to the other. At this stage, don't worry about the metaphorical meanings like being tricked; just focus on physical movement and the setting sun.
At the A2 level, you expand into more functional uses of '넘어가다'. This includes 'moving on' to the next task or page. If you are studying a textbook and finish Exercise 1, you '넘어가요' to Exercise 2. You also learn it in the context of food—'swallowing'. If you have a sore throat, you might say food doesn't '넘어가다' well. This level also introduces the concept of 'skipping' or 'overlooking' something small. For instance, if you make a tiny mistake and your teacher says 'It's okay, let's move on', they are using '넘어가다'. You should start noticing the difference between '넘어가다' (moving away/over) and '넘어오다' (coming over).
At the B1 level, '넘어가다' begins to take on more abstract and idiomatic meanings. One major usage is 'to be deceived' or 'to fall for' something. If someone tells a lie and you believe it, you '넘어갔어요'. You also use it for the transfer of responsibility or ownership in a general sense. For example, 'The leadership passed to the next person'. In B1, you also learn to use it for 'surmounting' or 'getting through' a difficult period, like '넘기다' (to pass/surmount), though '넘어가다' is used when the focus is on the situation passing. You'll also encounter it in more complex grammar patterns like '-어/아 넘어가다' to describe an action that is done and then moved past.
At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with '넘어가다' in professional and nuanced social contexts. This includes the transfer of company ownership, legal rights, or the 'passing' of a crisis (위기를 넘어가다). You will hear it used in debates to mean 'moving past' an argument or 'conceding' a point. It also appears in more sophisticated idioms, such as '목구멍으로 넘어가다' used metaphorically to describe whether one can even think of eating during a stressful time. You'll understand the nuance of 'just letting something slide' (그냥 넘어가다) in a social hierarchy, where a superior might overlook a subordinate's error. The distinction between '넘어가다' and its causative '넘기다' must be mastered here.
At the C1 level, '넘어가다' is used with high precision in literary and academic contexts. It can describe the transition of eras, the shifting of paradigms, or the subtle psychological state of being 'won over' by an ideology. You will encounter it in classical literature and advanced news reports regarding geopolitical shifts (e.g., a territory 'passing' to another country). The word's role in complex compound verbs and its usage in expressing the 'flow' of a narrative or a piece of music (how one part 'moves into' the next) becomes important. You should be able to use it to describe the 'handing over' of legacy or tradition. The nuances of 'overlooking' (묵인하고 넘어가다) in legal or ethical contexts are also explored.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '넘어가다', including its rarest idiomatic uses and its role in wordplay. You understand how it functions in ancient proverbs and how it can be used sarcastically or ironically in high-level discourse. You can distinguish between the subtle shades of '넘어가다' versus '변천하다' (to change/evolve) or '계승되다' (to be inherited) in historical analysis. You are aware of how the word can describe the 'passing' of a soul or the 'transition' of life stages in a philosophical sense. Your usage is effortless, whether you are describing a sunset in a poem or analyzing a corporate merger in a legal brief. You also understand the phonetic variations and regional dialects that might affect its pronunciation or usage in informal settings.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

넘어가다 in 30 Seconds

  • Literal: To cross over a physical obstacle like a wall or mountain.
  • Temporal: To pass, specifically used for the sun setting or time moving.
  • Functional: To move to the next item, page, or stage in a sequence.
  • Metaphorical: To be deceived, swayed, or to have ownership transferred.

The Korean verb 넘어가다 (neomeogada) is a multifaceted word that fundamentally describes the action of moving from one side, state, or position to another. At its core, it combines '넘다' (to cross/pass) and '가다' (to go). This literal movement can refer to crossing a physical boundary, such as a mountain or a border, but it extends far into metaphorical and temporal domains. In an A2 context, learners primarily encounter it when discussing the passage of time—specifically the sun setting—or the act of turning pages in a book. However, its semantic range is vast, covering everything from being deceived by a trick to the transfer of ownership or responsibility.

Physical Crossing
Moving over an obstacle like a fence, hill, or line. Example: 담을 넘어가다 (To climb over a wall).
Temporal Transition
The transition of time or natural cycles. Example: 해가 서산으로 넘어가다 (The sun goes down behind the western hills).
Sequence/Progression
Moving to the next item in a series. Example: 다음 페이지로 넘어가다 (To move to the next page).
Metaphorical Falling
Being swayed or deceived by someone's words or charms. Example: 감언이설에 넘어가다 (To fall for sweet talk).
Transfer of Possession
When property or rights move to another person. Example: 소유권이 넘어가다 (Ownership is transferred).

"산 너머로 해가 넘어가고 있어요." (The sun is passing over the mountains / The sun is setting.)

Understanding '넘어가다' requires recognizing the 'boundary' being crossed. Whether it is a physical fence, a point in time, or a mental threshold of skepticism, the word always implies a completed or ongoing transition from 'Side A' to 'Side B'. In business, if a company '넘어가다', it means it has been acquired or has gone bankrupt (passed into the hands of creditors). In daily conversation, if you '넘어가다' a meal, you've skipped it. The richness of this verb lies in its ability to describe both the majestic setting of the sun and the mundane act of skipping a difficult question on a test.

"이번 문제는 너무 어려우니까 그냥 넘어갑시다." (This question is too hard, so let's just skip it/move on.)

"그의 화려한 말솜씨에 홀딱 넘어갔어." (I completely fell for his brilliant way with words.)

Swallowing
The physical act of food passing down the throat. Example: 목구멍으로 잘 안 넘어가요 (It's hard to swallow).
Overlooking
Deciding not to make an issue of something. Example: 이번 한 번만 그냥 넘어가 줄게 (I'll let it slide just this once).

Using 넘어가다 correctly depends heavily on the particles used. Because it is an intransitive verb (it describes an action the subject does, often moving toward a destination), it frequently pairs with the direction particle -로 (to/toward) or the goal particle -에 (to/at). However, when it means 'to cross over' something, the object being crossed takes the object particle -을/를.

  • [Object]을/를 넘어가다: To cross over a physical boundary. (e.g., 국경을 넘어가다 - To cross the border).
  • [Destination]으로 넘어가다: To move toward a new stage or place. (e.g., 다음 단계로 넘어가다 - To move to the next stage).
  • [Deception/State]에 넘어가다: To fall for something or be transferred to a state. (e.g., 유혹에 넘어가다 - To fall for temptation).

In terms of conjugation, it follows the standard '가다' pattern. Since it ends in '가', the polite present is '넘어가요', and the past is '넘어갔어요'. For formal situations, use '넘어갑니다'. If you are asking someone to skip something or move on, the imperative '넘어가세요' or the suggestive '넘어갑시다' are common.

"페이지를 넘길 때는 조심하세요." vs "페이지가 넘어갔어요."

Note: '넘기다' is the causative form (to make something pass/to turn), while '넘어가다' is the intransitive form (to pass/to be turned).

When discussing the sun or moon, '넘어가다' describes the visual movement of the celestial body going behind a horizon or mountain. It creates a vivid image of 'passing over' the edge of the world. In abstract discussions, like moving from one topic to another in a meeting, '넘어가다' is the standard way to say 'Let's move on to the next item'. It suggests a smooth transition without necessarily finishing the previous task perfectly, but rather leaving it behind to focus on what's next.

You will encounter 넘어가다 in various settings, ranging from weather reports to high-stakes business negotiations. In daily life, it's most common in the context of reading, technology, and social interactions. For instance, when using a smartphone app, you might hear someone say, "화면이 안 넘어가요" (The screen isn't moving/changing), indicating a technical glitch where the UI won't transition to the next page.

In the Office
Used when transitioning between agenda items or when a project is handed over to another department. "이 프로젝트는 이제 마케팅 팀으로 넘어갔습니다."
In News & Business
Often used for acquisitions or bankruptcy. "그 회사는 대기업으로 넘어갔다" (That company was taken over by a conglomerate).
In Dramas (K-Dramas)
Frequently used in romantic or suspenseful contexts regarding deception. "어떻게 그런 거짓말에 넘어갈 수 있어?" (How could you fall for such a lie?).

In literature and poetry, it is a favorite verb for describing the passage of seasons or the end of the day. It carries a slightly melancholic or inevitable tone when describing the sun setting. In sports, it's used when a ball 'goes over' a fence (home run) or when the lead 'passes' to the opposing team. If you are watching a cooking show, the chef might say, "이제 다음 단계로 넘어가겠습니다" (Now, we will move on to the next step), which is a very standard instructional phrase.

The most frequent mistake learners make is confusing 넘어가다 (to pass/go over) with 넘기다 (to pass/turn something). The distinction is one of transitivity. If you are turning the pages of a book, you are '페이지를 넘기다'. If the page itself turns or if the focus is on the transition to the next page, you use '페이지가 넘어가다'.

  • Incorrect: 내가 산을 넘어갔어요 (This is okay, but if you mean you 'pushed' something over, it's wrong).
  • Correct: 내가 책장을 넘겼어요 (I turned the page).
  • Correct: 다음 주제로 넘어갑시다 (Let's move on to the next topic).

Another mistake involves the direction of movement. Learners sometimes confuse '넘어가다' with '넘어오다'. '넘어가다' is moving away from the speaker (to go over), while '넘어오다' is moving toward the speaker (to come over). If a ball comes from your neighbor's yard into yours, it '넘어왔어요'. If you throw it back, it '넘어갔어요'.

Several Korean verbs share semantic space with 넘어가다, and choosing the right one depends on the specific nuance of 'passing'.

건너다 (Geonneoda)
To cross a flat surface or a body of water, like a road or a river. Unlike '넘어가다', it doesn't usually imply an obstacle like a wall or a hill.
지나가다 (Jinagada)
To pass by or pass through. This is more about passing a point in space or time without necessarily 'crossing over' an edge.
속다 (Sokda)
To be deceived. While '넘어가다' can mean to be deceived, '속다' is the direct word for being tricked. '넘어가다' focuses on the person being 'swayed'.
기울다 (Giulda)
To tilt or lean. Sometimes used when the sun is 'setting' (해 기울다), but '넘어가다' is more common for the actual disappearance behind the horizon.

In business contexts, '이전되다' (to be transferred) is a more formal synonym for '넘어가다' when discussing rights or ownership. However, '넘어가다' remains the most versatile and commonly used term in spoken Korean for any kind of transition.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Informal

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Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

해가 넘어가요.

The sun is setting.

Present tense of 넘어가다.

2

공이 담을 넘어갔어요.

The ball went over the wall.

Past tense. '담' means wall.

3

산을 넘어가요.

I go over the mountain.

Object particle '을' used for the obstacle.

4

다음 페이지로 넘어가세요.

Please move to the next page.

Imperative form '-세요'.

5

강을 넘어가요.

I cross the river.

Literal crossing.

6

저기로 넘어가요.

Go over there.

Directional particle '로'.

7

책이 넘어가요.

The page is turning.

Intransitive use.

8

친구가 우리 집으로 넘어왔어요.

A friend came over to our house.

Contrast: 넘어오다 (come over) vs 넘어가다 (go over).

1

이제 다음 문제로 넘어갑시다.

Now, let's move on to the next question.

Suggestive form '-읍시다'.

2

목이 아파서 밥이 잘 안 넘어가요.

My throat hurts, so I can't swallow food well.

Metaphorical use for swallowing.

3

이거 그냥 넘어가면 안 돼요?

Can't we just let this slide?

Idiomatic: 'to let something slide'.

4

해가 서산으로 넘어갔어요.

The sun has set behind the western hills.

Specific temporal use.

5

어제는 저녁을 그냥 넘어갔어요.

I skipped dinner yesterday.

Idiomatic: 'to skip a meal'.

6

화면이 다음으로 안 넘어가요.

The screen won't move to the next one.

Digital context.

7

국경을 넘어가는 것은 위험해요.

Crossing the border is dangerous.

Gerund form '-는 것'.

8

그의 농담에 모두가 넘어갔어요.

Everyone fell for his joke.

Metaphorical: 'to fall for something'.

1

그의 달콤한 말에 홀딱 넘어갔어요.

I completely fell for his sweet words.

Adverb '홀딱' emphasizes 'completely'.

2

회사가 다른 사람에게 넘어갔습니다.

The company was transferred to someone else.

Business context: transfer of ownership.

3

이 문제는 그냥 넘어가기에는 너무 중요해요.

This issue is too important to just overlook.

'-기에는' (for the purpose of/to...).

4

슬픔이 기쁨으로 넘어가는 순간이었어요.

It was the moment sadness turned into joy.

Abstract transition.

5

권력이 아들에게 넘어갔어요.

The power was passed down to the son.

Transfer of authority.

6

술이 술술 넘어간다.

The alcohol goes down smoothly.

Onomatopoeia '술술' (smoothly).

7

어려운 고비를 잘 넘어갔어요.

We got through the difficult crisis well.

Idiomatic: 'to pass a crisis'.

8

사기꾼의 수법에 넘어가고 말았어요.

I ended up falling for the swindler's tactics.

'-고 말다' expresses an unfortunate result.

1

소유권이 법적으로 넘어갔음을 확인했습니다.

We confirmed that ownership has legally transferred.

Formal noun clause '-음'.

2

그는 유혹에 쉽게 넘어가는 성격이 아니에요.

He is not the type to easily fall for temptation.

Describing personality.

3

이번 실수는 그냥 넘어갈 수 없는 사안입니다.

This mistake is not a matter that can be simply overlooked.

Professional register.

4

이야기가 엉뚱한 방향으로 넘어갔어요.

The conversation drifted in an unexpected direction.

Abstract movement.

5

전통이 다음 세대로 넘어가고 있습니다.

Tradition is being passed to the next generation.

Progressive '-고 있다'.

6

목구멍으로 밥이 넘어가지 않을 정도로 슬펐어요.

I was so sad that I couldn't even swallow food.

Deeply idiomatic expression of grief.

7

그는 상대방의 페이스에 말려 넘어가 버렸다.

He got caught up and fell into the opponent's pace.

Sports/Competition context.

8

부동산 명의가 부인에게 넘어갔어요.

The real estate title was transferred to the wife.

Legal/Financial context.

1

시대의 흐름이 아날로그에서 디지털로 넘어갔다.

The flow of the era shifted from analog to digital.

Historical/Societal transition.

2

그의 논리는 궤변에 가까워 쉽게 넘어갈 수 없다.

His logic is close to sophistry, so one cannot easily be convinced.

Intellectual context.

3

사건의 본질을 흐리고 대충 넘어가려 하지 마세요.

Don't try to obscure the essence of the case and just gloss over it.

'-으려 하다' (to try to).

4

작품의 분위기가 중반부에서 급격히 넘어갑니다.

The atmosphere of the work shifts drastically in the middle.

Artistic criticism.

5

주도권이 완전히 야당으로 넘어갔습니다.

The initiative has completely passed to the opposition party.

Political context.

6

그는 자신의 과오를 세월의 탓으로 돌리며 넘어가려 했다.

He tried to move past his mistakes by blaming the passage of time.

Complex psychological motivation.

7

감정이 격해져서 이성이 마비되어 넘어가는 경우도 있다.

There are cases where emotions run high and reason is paralyzed, leading one to succumb.

Psychological analysis.

8

문학적 장치가 독자의 상상력으로 넘어가는 지점입니다.

This is the point where the literary device transitions into the reader's imagination.

Literary theory.

1

국운이 쇠하여 나라가 외세에 넘어가고 말았다.

The national fortune declined, and the country fell into the hands of foreign powers.

Historical/Formal register.

2

그의 문체는 경계를 넘나들며 독자를 환상 속으로 넘어가게 한다.

His writing style crosses boundaries and leads the reader into a fantasy.

Causative construction '-게 하다'.

3

찰나의 망설임 끝에 기회는 경쟁자에게 넘어가 버렸다.

After a moment's hesitation, the opportunity passed to the competitor.

Nuanced temporal description.

4

인간의 존엄성이 자본의 논리에 넘어가서는 안 된다.

Human dignity must not be surrendered to the logic of capital.

Ethical/Philosophical statement.

5

생과 사의 경계를 넘어가는 숭고한 순간이었다.

It was a sublime moment of crossing the boundary between life and death.

Metaphysical context.

6

그는 교묘한 언사로 법망을 피해 넘어가려 획책했다.

He plotted to evade the law through clever speech and get away with it.

Advanced vocabulary: '획책하다' (to plot).

7

진실이 왜곡되어 거짓이 참으로 넘어가는 세태를 비판했다.

He criticized the social trend where truth is distorted and lies pass for truth.

Societal critique.

8

의식이 무의식의 세계로 넘어가는 과정을 탐구하다.

To explore the process of consciousness transitioning into the world of the unconscious.

Scientific/Philosophical inquiry.

Common Collocations

산을 넘어가다
해가 넘어가다
페이지가 넘어가다
위기를 넘어가다
거짓말에 넘어가다
다음 단계로 넘어가다
소유권이 넘어가다
목구멍으로 넘어가다
그냥 넘어가다
담을 넘어가다

Common Phrases

그냥 넘어갑시다

홀딱 넘어갔어요

다음으로 넘어가요

해가 뉘엿뉘엿 넘어가다

술술 넘어간다

위기를 잘 넘기다/넘어가다

말에 넘어가다

한 번만 넘어가 주다

경계를 넘어가다

기한이 넘어가다

Often Confused With

넘어가다 vs 넘기다

넘어가다 vs 건너다

넘어가다 vs 지나가다

Idioms & Expressions

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Easily Confused

넘어가다 vs 넘기다

Causative (to make pass/turn).

넘어가다 vs 넘어오다

Movement toward the speaker.

넘어가다 vs 건너가다

Crossing a flat surface/water.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

nuance

'넘어가다' implies a sense of completion or 'getting over' something.

caution

Avoid using for crossing a flat road; use '건너다' instead.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 넘어가다 for crossing a bridge (use 건너다).
  • Using 넘어가다 when you mean you manually turned a page (use 넘기다).
  • Confusing 넘어가다 with 넘어지다 (to fall down).
  • Using the wrong particle with 'deception'.
  • Forgetting that it is an intransitive verb.

Tips

Reading

Use it when you finish a chapter and move to the next.

Forgiveness

Say '그냥 넘어갈게' to show you are forgiving a small mistake.

Particles

Remember: -을/를 for the wall, -로 for the next page.

Synonyms

Learn '속다' alongside it to understand the 'tricked' nuance.

Fluency

Use '술술 넘어간다' when drinking with friends to sound natural.

Composition

Use it to describe transitions in your essays.

Context

Pay attention to whether the subject is a person or an object.

Geography

Korea is 70% mountains, so '넘어가다' is used very often!

Professional

Use it for 'moving to the next slide' in presentations.

Metaphor

Think of it as 'crossing a mental line'.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Native Korean

Cultural Context

Deeply tied to the mountainous Korean landscape.

Used when choosing not to confront a minor mistake.

Used for the formal transfer of duties.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"해가 넘어가는 거 봤어요?"

"다음 페이지로 넘어갈까요?"

"그 사람 말에 넘어가지 마세요."

"이 문제는 그냥 넘어갈 수 없어요."

"회사가 누구에게 넘어갔나요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 가장 힘들게 넘어간(swallowed) 음식은?

최근에 누군가의 말에 넘어간 적이 있나요?

인생에서 가장 큰 고비를 넘어갔던 순간은?

오늘 하루 중 해가 넘어갈 때 무엇을 했나요?

그냥 넘어가기 힘든 자신의 단점은?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '건너다' is better for streets. '넘어가다' implies an obstacle like a hill.

Usually, yes, but it can be used for being 'won over' by a good argument too.

넘어가다 implies crossing a boundary; 지나가다 just means passing by.

Yes, '식사를 넘어가다' or '한 끼 넘어가다' is common.

Use '페이지가 넘어갔어요'.

In very poetic/literary contexts, it can refer to passing away, but it's not common.

Yes, '기절해서 넘어가다' means to faint and fall over.

Yes, for a ball going over a fence or the lead changing hands.

Use the particle '-에' (e.g., 거짓말에 넘어가다).

Yes, like '12시가 넘어갔어요' (It's past 12 o'clock).

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