가서 공부해
gaseo gongbuhae
In Korean, 'go and study' is expressed as 가서 공부해 (gaseo gongbuhae).
This phrase is a command telling someone to move to a place where they can study and begin doing so.
What does it mean word for word?
This implies performing the first action (going) and then the second action (studying).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can make the command polite by adding the honorific suffix '-세요' to the verb, resulting in 가서 공부하세요. Adding the suffix '-라' to the end of the informal form creates 가서 공부해라, which is a stronger, more direct command often used by elders to children or in written text.
How do you pronounce it?
gaseo gongbuhae
Did you know?
- The word 공부 ('study') originates from the Chinese characters for 'public' and 'duty'. Historically, studying was not seen as a personal choice but as a social obligation to the state.
- In South Korea, the pressure to 공부해 ('study') is so intense that there are hagwons, which are private after-school academies where students often study until 10 p.m. or later.
- The slang term 열공 ('yeol-gong') is a portmanteau of 'passionate' and 'study' and is used as a cheerleader-style shout to encourage intense focus.
Examples in context
- 학생 여러분, 열심히 공부하세요.Students, study hard.
- 친구야, 공부해!Hey friend, go and study!
- 방에 가서 공부해.bang-e gaseo gongbuhae.Go to your room and study.
- 도서관에 가서 공부해.doseogwane gaseo gongbuhae.Go to the library and study.
- 빨리 가서 공부해.ppalli gaseo gongbuhae.Go and study quickly.
Example conversation
Jihoon sees Subin watching TV instead of studying.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈아, 아직 공부 안 했어?Subin-a, ajik gongbu an haesseo?Subin, haven't you studied yet?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 조금만 더 있다가 하려고.eung, jogeumman deo itdaga haryeogo.Yeah, I'm planning to do it in a little bit.
- 지훈 Ji-hun안 돼. 지금 바로 가서 공부해.an dwae. jigeum baro gaseo gongbuhae.No way. Go and study right now.
- 수빈 Su-bin알았어, 지금 갈게.arasseo, jigeum galge.Alright, I'm going now.
