한국에 가다
hanguge gada
To say go to Korea in Korean, use 한국에 가다 (hanguge gada). This is the dictionary form, which you change to fit the sentence.
Use 한국에 가다 when talking about traveling to Korea. In real conversation you change the verb, for example 한국에 가고 싶어. means I want to go to Korea.
What does it mean word for word?
한국 means Korea, 에 is the particle meaning to and 가다 means to go.
Which one should you use?
To talk about plans, 한국에 가려고 합니다. means I am planning to go to Korea and is formal, while 한국에 가려고 해. is the informal version.
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite everyday speech, 가다 becomes 가요, as in 한국에 가요. For the past, use 한국에 갔어요, meaning I went to Korea. For a future plan, use 한국에 갈 거예요, meaning I will go to Korea.
How do you pronounce it?
Say hanguge gada. The final sound of 한국 links into the next syllable, so the k sound moves forward and softens to a g.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the dictionary form 가다 on its own when speaking to someone. Use a polite form such as 가요 instead.
Did you know?
- While 가다 means 'to go', it is also used in a common polite farewell phrase 가세요 to mean 'please go' or 'goodbye', effectively telling the other person to leave the current space.
- In Korean, 한국 ('Korea') is a shortening of 대한민국 ('Republic of Korea'), where 한 ('Han') refers to a great or expansive people.
- The word 한국 (Hanguk) is actually a relatively modern term, gaining widespread popularity in the late 19th century to represent the nation.
Examples in context
- 철수씨, 한국에 가려고 합니다.Mr. Cheolsu, I am planning to go to Korea.
- 한국에 가려고 하세요?Are you planning to go to Korea?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their vacation plans.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 방학에 한국에 가다?Dohyeon ssi, banghage hanguge gada?Dohyeon, are you going to Korea during break?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 이번 여름에 가요.ne, ibeon yeoreume gayo.Yes, I am going this summer.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 부러워요!jeongmal bureowoyo!I'm so jealous!
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨도 같이 가요.Jieun ssi-do gati gayo.Jieun, you should come along too.
