고르다
goreuda[ko̞ɾɯda̠]
To choose in Korean is 고르다 (goreuda). Wiktionary also lists 택(擇)하다 (taekhada).
Meaning: to pick (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 고르다 | goreuda | [ko̞ɾɯda̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 택(擇)하다 | taekhada |
You can use 고르다 for the everyday action of selecting something from a group, such as picking out clothes or a piece of fruit. You may also use the noun 선택 to mean choice.
Which one should you use?
고르다 is the common, everyday way to say to pick or select from a variety of items.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 고르다 follows an irregular conjugation pattern. When adding the polite present ending '-아요', the '르' changes to 'ㄹㄹ', resulting in 골라요. The past tense in polite speech is 골랐어요. To express negation, you can use 고르지 않다 or 고르지 못하다.
How do you pronounce it?
goreuda
Did you know?
- The noun 선택 ('choice') is used in the common phrase 선택 장애, which literally means 'choice disorder'. It is used colloquially to describe someone who is very indecisive.
- If you are picking out a person for a team or a role, you might use the verb 뽑다 instead of 고르다. While both mean to choose, 뽑다 implies the act of 'pulling out' or 'extracting' someone from a crowd.
- The word 고르다 can also mean 'to be even' or 'to be regular' when describing things like breathing or a heartbeat. In this sense, it describes a state of smoothness rather than the act of selecting.
Examples in context
- 제가 색깔을 골라야 하는데요.I have to choose a color.
- 선물을 고르다.seonmul-eul goreuda.To pick a gift.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “choose” translations and entries 고르다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
