가다
gada[ka̠da̠]
The Korean phrase for "to go" is 가다 (gada).
To express the concept of going and coming back repeatedly, the word 다니다 is used instead.
Meaning: served in a takeout container (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form 가버리다 is used in informal settings to add a sense of finality, indicating that someone is going somewhere with determination or without the intention of returning soon.
How do you pronounce it?
gada
Did you know?
- In Korean, 가다 can describe the changing color of a face or skin, such as saying a complexion 'goes' pale.
- In certain contexts, 가다 is used as a euphemism for death, similar to the English phrase 'gone'.
- The word 가다 is found in the 용비어천가, a royal panegyric poem written in 1447 to celebrate the founding of the Joseon Dynasty.
Examples in context
- 오늘 박물관에 가야 해요.Today, I have to go to the museum.
- 저는 학교에 가고 있습니다.I am going to school.
- 저는 운동장에 다닙니다.I go to the playground regularly.
- 근처 약국에 다닙니다.I go to the nearby pharmacy often.
- 친구 집에 가자!Let's go to a friend's house!
- 니가 언제 약국에 가?When are you going to the pharmacy?
- 그는 외국으로 가버렸어요.He went abroad (without plans to return).
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyun are ordering at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 여기서 드실래요?Dohyun ssi, yeogiseo deusillaeyo?Dohyun, do you want to eat here?
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니요, 저는 가다로 할게요.aniyo, jeoneun gadaro halgeyo.No, I will make mine to go.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 저도 가다로 주문할게요.geureom jeodo gadaro jumun-halgeyo.Then I will order mine to go as well.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 같이 주문해요.ne, gachi jumun-haeyo.Yes, let's order together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 가다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
