-(으)로
Direction/means Particle
-로 is a particle attached to nouns to indicate the direction of movement, the tool or method used, or a change into something.
How It Works
-로 has several key functions that are very common in Korean. Understanding them is essential for building sentences.
1. Direction (to, towards)
It indicates the general direction of movement. It's often used with verbs like 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), and 다니다 (to attend/commute).
- 오른쪽으로 가세요. (Please go to the right.)
- 저희는 서울로 이사 갈 거예요. (We are going to move to Seoul.)
This is slightly different from the particle 에, which marks a specific destination point. -로 indicates the general direction or path.
2. Means, Method, or Tool (by, with, using)
It shows what tool, instrument, language, or mode of transportation is used to perform an action.
- 버스로 회사에 가요. (I go to work by bus.)
- 이메일로 보내주세요. (Please send it by email.)
- 한국말로 말해요. (I speak in Korean.)
3. Change or Transformation (into, as)
It can indicate what something or someone changes into, or the capacity in which something is chosen.
- 물이 얼음으로 변했어요. (The water turned into ice.)
- 점심으로 김밥을 먹었어요. (I ate gimbap for lunch.)
Usage Rule:
- If the noun ends in a vowel or the consonant ㄹ, use -로.
Examples: 버스 (bus) → 버스로, 지하철 (subway) → 지하철로 - If the noun ends in a consonant (except ㄹ), use -으로.
Examples: 펜 (pen) → 펜으로, 책 (book) → 책으로
Examples (6)
- 오른쪽으로 가세요.
Please go to the right.
Word by Word: Right-direction-to go-please.
Here, -으로 indicates the direction of movement.
- 버스로 학교에 가요.
I go to school by bus.
Word by Word: Bus-by school-to go.
-로 shows the means of transportation used.
- 펜으로 이름을 쓰세요.
Please write your name with a pen.
Word by Word: Pen-with name write-please.
-으로 indicates the tool used for writing.
- 물이 얼음으로 변했어요.
The water turned into ice.
Word by Word: Water ice-into changed.
-으로 shows what the water transformed into.
- 선물로 이 책을 샀어요.
I bought this book as a gift.
Word by Word: Gift-as this book bought.
-로 indicates the purpose or status of the purchase ('as a gift').
- 지하철로 오시면 더 빨라요.
If you come by subway, it's faster.
Word by Word: Subway-by if-come more fast.
The noun 지하철 ends in ㄹ, so -로 is used, not -으로.
Common Mistakes
Confusing -로 with -에 for direction.
Different Meaning오른쪽에 가세요.Better오른쪽으로 가세요.While both can indicate a destination, 에 marks a specific point. For general directions like 'right', 'left', 'up', or 'down', -로 is more natural as it indicates 'towards that direction'.
Using -로 after a noun ending in a consonant (other than ㄹ).
Not Quite책로 읽어요.Better책으로 읽어요.You must use -으로 after a noun ending in a consonant (except for ㄹ). Since 책 (book) ends with the consonant ㄱ, -으로 must be attached, not -로.
Confusing -로 (tool) with -와/과 (accompaniment).
Different Meaning친구로 영화를 봤어요.Better친구와 영화를 봤어요.-로 means 'with' for a tool or method. To say you did something 'with' a person, you must use 와/과 or -랑/-하고.
Related Patterns
- 에To, At
Both -로 and 에 can mark a destination. However, -로 indicates a general direction ('towards'), while 에 marks a specific arrival point ('to' or 'at').
- 에서From
에서 marks the starting point of an action ('from a place'), which is conceptually opposite to -로 when used for direction ('towards a place').
- 와/과And, With
와/과 means 'with' in the sense of accompaniment (e.g., 'with a friend'). -로 means 'with' in the sense of using a tool or instrument (e.g., 'with a pen').
- -로서As, In the Capacity of
-로서 is related to the 'status' or 'capacity' meaning of -로. -로서 specifically means 'as' or 'in the capacity of' and is often used in more formal writing.
- 에 / 에서 / 로Location Particles
This is a direct comparison pattern that helps clarify the distinct nuances and use cases of these three fundamental location and direction particles.