떠나다
tteonada[t͈ʌ̹na̠da̠]
The Korean verb for "leave" is 떠나다 (tteonada).
떠나다 is an intransitive verb used when a person departs from a place or a person. It is not used to describe leaving an object behind. For that, a different verb like 두다 is used.
Meaning: to depart (intransitive) (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on the social context, the verb changes its ending: 떠나 is the informal version, 떠나요 is the polite version and 떠나셨습니다 is the honorific/formal version used for someone of higher status.
How do you pronounce it?
tteonada
Did you know?
- The modern form 떠나다 is a compound of two verbs, '뜨다' meaning 'to float' or 'to rise' and '나다' meaning 'to go out'.
- While 떠나다 means 'leave', the phrase 떠나세요 is often used as a polite but firm way to tell someone to 'get lost' or 'go away' depending on the tone.
- In Korean, if you 'leave' a party early, you might use the verb 먼저 가다, which literally means 'to go first' rather than 떠나다.
Examples in context
- 떠나겠습니다I will leave
- 가요I'm leaving or I'll go
- 회의가 끝났으니 저희는 이제 퇴근하겠습니다.The meeting is over, so we will now leave work.
- 너무 늦었으니, 내가 이제 갈게.It's too late, so I'll leave now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leave” translations and entries 떠나다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 떠나다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
