Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to arrive" in Korean: 도착하다
도착하다dochakhada
to arrive in Korean is 도착하다 (dochakhada). 도착하다 marks the arrival point with 에; it is not normally a direct object.
to arrive: an everyday statement
저녁에 도착해요.jeonyeoge dochakaeyo.
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How to pronounce 도착하다
Say it
dochakhada
/totɕʰakʰata/
Read 도착하다 as dochakhada. The spoken form 도착해요 is dochakaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to arrive" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 도착하다dochakhada | to arrive Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 도착해요dochakaeyo | to arrive (polite present) Use 도착해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 도착해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 도착했어요dochakaesseoyo | to arrive (polite past) Use 도착했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 도착했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 도착하다 in real life
- 1to arrive: an everyday statement
저녁에 도착해요.
jeonyeoge dochakaeyo.
I arrive in the evening.
도착해요 is the present form of 도착하다.
- 2to arrive: a different situation
어제 공항에 도착했어요.
eoje gonghange dochakaesseoyo.
I arrived at the airport yesterday.
도착했어요 is the past form of 도착하다.
- 3to arrive: a question or request
몇 시에 도착해요?
myeot sie dochakaeyo?
What time do you arrive?
도착해요 is the present form of 도착하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 도착하다
Incorrect: 도착하다.
Correct: 도착해요.
When practicing to arrive, 도착하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 도착해요.
Incorrect: 어제 도착해요.
Correct: 어제 도착했어요.
When practicing to arrive, for a completed event yesterday, use 도착했어요; the present form 도착해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
도착하다 marks the arrival point with 에; it is not normally a direct object. 도착해요 is the polite conversational form of 도착하다; 도착했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 도착하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
저녁에 도착해요.
jeonyeoge dochakaeyo.
I arrive in the evening.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 공항에 도착했어요.
eoje gonghange dochakaesseoyo.
I arrived at the airport yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to arrive" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to arrive" in Korean
How do I use 도착하다 in polite speech?
도착해요 is the polite conversational form of 도착하다; 도착했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 도착하다 in a past-tense sentence?
도착했어요 is the polite past form. 도착하다 marks the arrival point with 에; it is not normally a direct object.
What does 도착해요 mean here?
도착해요 is used for to arrive. For example, 저녁에 도착해요. means “I arrive in the evening.”
What should I remember about 도착하다?
도착하다 marks the arrival point with 에; it is not normally a direct object.
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