일어서다
ireoseoda[iɾʌ̹sʰʌ̹da̠]
To stand up in Korean is 일어서다 (ireoseoda).
The verb 일어서다 is used specifically to describe the action of rising from a sitting position. This distinguishes it from 일어나다, which can mean both 'to stand up' and 'to wake up' depending on the context.
Meaning: rise from a sitting position (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 일어서다 focuses on rising from a seated position, 일어나다 is a broader term that can also imply waking up from sleep.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this verb in different contexts, you can apply these changes: the past tense of 일어서다 is 일어섰다 and adding the suffix –세요 to the stem creates the polite imperative 일어서세요, which means 'please stand up'. In standard polite conversation, the verb changes to 일어서요.
How do you pronounce it?
ireoseoda
Did you know?
- The word 일어서다 first appeared in written form in 1447 within the Yongbi eocheon'ga, a song composed to praise the founders of the Joseon Dynasty.
- When asking someone to stand up in a formal setting, Koreans may use a specific honorific gesture, such as placing both hands slightly forward or keeping them at their sides, to show respect.
- Korean distinguishes between the action of 'standing up' 일어서다 and the state of 'being standing' 서 있다, which is a distinction not usually made in English grammar.
Example sentences for Korean are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stand up” translations and entries 일어서다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 일어서다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
