돌아오다
doraoda[to̞ɾa̠o̞da̠]
The English phrase 'return' can be expressed in Korean as 돌아오다 (doraoda) (to come back) or 돌아가다 (to go back).
Meaning: to come or go back (verb)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 돌아오다 | doraoda | [to̞ɾa̠o̞da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 돌아가다 | doragada | [to̞ɾa̠ɡa̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
If you are referring to the process of returning borrowed items, such as books or rented movies, use the specific term 반납하다. Additionally, the phrase 환불 요청 is used to mean 'Refund Request'.
What does it mean word for word?
돌아오다 is a compound of 돌다, meaning to turn or rotate and 오다, meaning to come. 돌아가다 is a compound of 돌다, meaning to turn or rotate and 가다, meaning to go.
Which one should you use?
Use 돌아오다 when the subject is returning to the speaker's current location. Use 돌아가다 when the subject is returning to a place that is away from the speaker.
How do you pronounce it?
doraoda
Did you know?
- The phrase 돌아가다 is used as a gentle euphemism for dying, similar to the English 'passing away'. It literally suggests that a person has 'returned' to their original place of origin.
- If you say 돌아가세요 to a stranger, you are telling them to 'go back' or 'leave', which can sound quite blunt or rude depending on the tone.
- The words for 'return' have been documented in the Korean language since at least 1447, appearing in the classical poem 용비어천가 (Yongbi eocheon'ga).
Examples in context
- 나는 내국인으로서 조만간 한국으로 돌아가야 해요.As a Korean citizen, I must return to Korea soon.
- 도서관에 책을 반납해야 합니다.I must return the book to the library.
- 무사히 집으로 돌아왔어.I returned home safely.
- 이 티켓을 환불하고 싶어요.I would like to return this ticket
- 환불 규정이 어떻게 되나요?What is the refund policy?
- 환불해 주실 수 있을까요?Could you please issue a refund?
- 집으로 돌아오다.jib-euro doraoda.To return home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “return” translations and entries 돌아오다, 돌아가다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 돌아가다, 돌아오다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
