What does it mean word for word?
The word is the imperative form of the verb 나가다, which means to go out or exit.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
It should only be used with people of equal or lower status, or in moments of high anger. To be more polite, you can use 나가세요, which functions as a directive to leave while being more respectful. For very formal situations, 나가 주세요 can be used to politely ask someone to please go out, while 이제 가십시오 is a formal way of instructing someone to leave now. If you specifically want someone to step back or move away rather than exit a room, use 물러나세요.
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Korean, this command is often delivered with a falling or sharp intonation to convey urgency or anger.
How do you pronounce it?
naga
When do people say it?
Depending on your intent, there are several ways to tell someone to move. If you want someone to step aside or get out of the way in an informal setting, use 비켜. If you want to tell someone to get lost or go away informally, use 저리 가.
Did you know?
- The verb at the heart of this command, 나가다, is a combination of 'go' and 'out', but its usage is strictly governed by the direction of movement relative to the speaker's current space.
- In Korean dramas, the phrase 나가 is often paired with a dramatic pointing gesture toward the door to emphasize the command.
- Korean has no single word for 'get out' that covers both exiting a room and moving out of a way, requiring different verbs like 나가다 and 비키다.
Examples in context
- 나가.Get out.This example shows the use of 나가 as a direct command.Tatoeba #8363277 by Eunhee, translation #22016 by Eldad
- 당장 여기서 나가!dangjang yeogiseo naga!Get out of here right now!
- 그만하고 이제 나가.geumanhago ije naga.Stop it and just get out now.
Example conversation
A heated argument between two roommates in their living room.
- 도현 Do-hyeon내 방에서 당장 나가!nae bangeseo dangjang naga!Get out of my room right now!
- 지은 Ji-eun진짜 너무하네.jinjja neomuhane.You are really being too much.
- 도현 Do-hyeon말 더 하기 전에 나가.mal deo hagi jeone naga.Get out before I say anything else.
- 지은 Ji-eun알았어, 나갈게.arasseo, nagalge.Fine, I'm leaving.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
