들어와
deureowa
The phrase 'come inside' in Korean is 들어와 (deureowa).
This phrase is used as a request or command for someone to enter a building or a room.
What does it mean word for word?
들어와 is a combination of the verb 들어오다 (to come in) and the informal imperative ending –아.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, 들어오세요 means 'Please come inside', while 들어와요 is a slightly more polite version used with acquaintances or colleagues.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form (infinitive) of the phrase is 들어오다. To make the request polite and suitable for strangers or elders, you can add the suffix –세요 to the stem to get 들어오세요. The form 들어와라 serves as a plain imperative.
How do you pronounce it?
deureowa
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, you will often hear 들어와 or 들어오세요 even if the speaker is not actually inside the room, as long as they are guiding you toward the interior.
- Because Korean houses traditionally use flooring instead of carpets, 들어와 is almost always a signal for the guest to remove their shoes before crossing the threshold.
- In very formal settings, such as a royal palace in historical dramas, you may hear the archaic command 들라, which is a starkly different way to say 'come inside'.
Examples in context
- 안으로 들어와.Come inside.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 들어와.Tatoeba #8368380 by Eunhee, translation #2111930 by CK
- 친절한 호스트가 말했다. '들어오세요, 여기서 편하게 쉬세요.'The kind host said, 'Please come inside, please rest comfortably here.'
- 한국 친구가 말했다. '어, 들어와. 이리로!'A Korean friend said, 'Oh, come in. This way!'
- 동료가 부드럽게 말했다. '들어와요. 집들이 잘 준비되었어요!'A colleague said softly, 'Come in. The housewarming is well prepared!'
- 빨리 들어와.Come in quickly.
- 더 추워지기 전에 얼른 들어와.deo chuwojigi jeone eolleon deureowa.Come inside quickly before it gets colder.
- 준비 다 됐으니까 이제 들어와.junbi da dwaesseonikka ije deureowa.Everything is ready, so come inside now.
Example conversation
Seoyeon is waiting for Jihun at the entrance of her house.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈아, 날씨가 더우니까 얼른 들어와.Jihun-a, nalssiga deounikka eolleon deureowa.Jihun, it's hot outside, so come inside quickly.
- 지훈 Ji-hun응, 지금 들어갈게.Eung, jigeum deureogalge.Okay, I'll go in now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon방이 시원해.Bang-i siwonhae.The room is cool.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말 시원하다!Jeongmal siwonhada!It really is cool!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
