Learning how to express the concept of “bring” in Korean is essential for effective communication, whether you’re planning to travel to South Korea or interacting with Korean speakers in your own country. In this guide, we’ll explore both formal and informal ways to say “bring” in Korean, as well as provide some tips, examples, and regional variations. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “Bring” in Korean:
When speaking in formal situations or with people you need to show respect to, you can use the following phrases to convey the meaning of “bring” in Korean:
a) 가지고 오다 (gajigo oda):
This phrase combines the verb “가지다” (gajida), meaning “to have,” and the verb “오다” (oda), meaning “to come.” When used together, it translates to “to bring” in the formal context. For example, you can say:
“저한테 편지를 가지고 와 주세요.” (jeohante pyeonjireul gajigo wa juseyo) – Please bring me the letter.
b) 데리고 오다 (derigo oda):
The phrase “데리다” (derida) means “to take along” or “to bring someone,” and when combined with “오다” (oda) – “to come,” it becomes a formal way of saying “bring.” For instance:
“손님을 데리고 오세요.” (sonnimeul derigo oseyo) – Please bring the guest along.
2. Informal Ways to Say “Bring” in Korean:
When you are in casual conversations with friends, family, or people of a similar age or status, you can use the informal expressions below:
a) 가져오다 (gajyeo-oda):
The verb “가져오다” (gajyeo-oda) is a common way of saying “bring” in Korean. It effectively combines “가지다” (gajida) – “to have” and “오다” (oda) – “to come.” Here’s an example:
“음료수 좀 가져와.” (eumnyosu jom gajyeowa) – Please bring some drinks.
b) 데리다 (derida):
In informal situations, you can also use the verb “데리다” (derida) to mean “bring.” It is often used when talking about bringing along a person or a pet. For instance:
“강아지를 데려와.” (gangajireul deryeowa) – Bring the puppy with you.
3. Tips and Regional Variations:
Tips:
- When instructing someone to bring an object, it is common to add the word “주세요” (juseyo) at the end of the sentence, which means “please.” This adds politeness and formality to your request.
- If you want to specify what exactly should be brought, you can substitute the word “품” (pum) meaning “item” after the verb. For example, “과일을 가지고 와 주세요” (gwaeireul gajigo wa juseyo) means “Please bring some fruit.”
Regional Variations:
Korean is primarily spoken in South Korea and North Korea, where the standard language (Seoul dialect) is used. However, various regions may have their own unique expressions or accents. While the phrases mentioned above are commonly understood across the Korean Peninsula, regional variations may exist in terms of pronunciation or word choice. If you are in a specific region, it can be beneficial to learn some local phrases, but for general communication, the standard language will suffice.
4. Examples:
To further illustrate the usage of these phrases, here are a few more examples of how to say “bring” in Korean:
“집에서 책을 가져왔어.” (jibeseo chaegeul gajyeowasseo) – I brought a book from home.
“파티에 음식을 데려갔어.” (patie eumshikeul deryeogass-eo) – I brought food to the party.
“용돈을 가지고 와 주세요.” (yongdon-eul gajigo wa juseyo) – Please bring pocket money.
As you progress in your Korean language journey, remember to practice these phrases in different contexts to enhance your fluency and understanding.
So, whether you’re speaking formally or informally, you now have the knowledge to express the concept of “bring” in Korean accurately. Enjoy your language learning journey and have fun incorporating these phrases into your conversations!
