-(으)러 가다/오다
Go/come to Do
Attach -러 to a verb stem, then add 가다 (to go) or 오다 (to come). It means 'to go/come in order to do [verb]'.
How It Works
This pattern is used to express the purpose of going or coming to a place. It is formed by attaching -(으)러 to a verb stem, followed by a motion verb like 가다 (to go) or 오다 (to come).
Usage Rules:
- Use -으러 after a verb stem ending in a consonant (except ㄹ).
Example: 먹다 → 먹 + 으러 → 먹으러 - Use -러 after a verb stem ending in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ.
Example: 보다 → 보 + 러 → 보러
Example: 놀다 → 놀 + 러 → 놀러
The motion verb (가다/오다) can be conjugated into any tense. For example, 갔어요 (went), 올 거예요 (will come).
This pattern specifically answers the question 'Why are you going/coming?' It is different from -려고, which expresses a general intention and can be used with any verb, not just verbs of movement.
Examples (4)
- 도서관에 책을 읽으러 가요.
I'm going to the library to read a book.
Word by Word: To the library book to read go.
- 친구가 우리 집에 놀러 왔어요.
My friend came to my house to play/hang out.
Word by Word: Friend to our house to play came.
- 백화점에 옷을 사러 갈 거예요.
I'm going to go to the department store to buy clothes.
Word by Word: To the department store clothes to buy will go.
- 한국어를 배우러 한국에 왔어요.
I came to Korea to learn Korean.
Word by Word: Korean language to learn to Korea came.
This is a common way to explain the reason for coming to Korea.
Common Mistakes
Using -고 instead of -러 to show purpose.
Different Meaning친구를 만나고 카페에 갔어요.Better친구를 만나러 카페에 갔어요.'-고' means 'and then', indicating a sequence of events. '친구를 만나고 카페에 갔어요' means 'I met my friend, and then I went to the cafe.' '-러' indicates purpose. '친구를 만나러 카페에 갔어요' means 'I went to the cafe in order to meet my friend.'
Using a non-motion verb after -러.
Not Quite영화를 보러 표를 예매했어요.Better영화를 보러 영화관에 갔어요.The pattern -러 must be followed by a verb of movement like 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), 다니다 (to attend/commute), etc. While you do reserve a ticket in order to see a movie, '예매하다' (to reserve) is not a motion verb. You would say 'I went to the theater in order to see a movie.'
Learn This First
To express 'go/come to do', you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)려고In Order to, So That
Both express purpose ('in order to'). However, '-러' must be followed by a motion verb (가다/오다), specifying the purpose of movement. '-려고' expresses a general intention and can be used with any verb. Ex: '공부하려고 도서관에 가요' (I go to the library to study) is okay, but '공부하려고 책을 펴요' (I open the book to study) is also okay. You cannot say '공부하러 책을 펴요'.
- -고And, And Then
'-고' connects two actions in sequence ('and then'). It does not show purpose. Use '-러 가다/오다' when the first action is the reason for the second action (movement). Use '-고' when you simply do one thing after another.
- -기 때문에Because
'-기 때문에' explains the reason or cause for a situation ('because'). '-러 가다/오다' explains the specific purpose of a movement. '피곤하기 때문에 집에 가요' (I'm going home because I'm tired). '쉬러 집에 가요' (I'm going home in order to rest).