Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to choose" in Korean: 고르다
고르다goreuda
to choose in Korean is 고르다 (goreuda). 고르다 is 르-irregular: 골라요 doubles ㄹ and adds 아.
to choose: an everyday statement
메뉴에서 음식을 골라요.menyueseo eumsigeul gollayo.
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How to pronounce 고르다
Say it
goreuda
/koɾɯta/
Read 고르다 as goreuda. The spoken form 골라요 is gollayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to choose" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 고르다goreuda | to choose Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 골라요gollayo | to choose (polite present) Use 골라요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 골라요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 골랐어요gollasseoyo | to choose (polite past) Use 골랐어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 골랐어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 고르다 in real life
- 1to choose: an everyday statement
메뉴에서 음식을 골라요.
menyueseo eumsigeul gollayo.
I choose food from the menu.
골라요 is the present form of 고르다.
- 2to choose: a different situation
어제 선물을 골랐어요.
eoje seonmureul gollasseoyo.
I chose a gift yesterday.
골랐어요 is the past form of 고르다.
- 3to choose: a question or request
어떤 색을 골라요?
eotteon saegeul gollayo?
Which color do you choose?
골라요 is the present form of 고르다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 고르다
Incorrect: 고르다.
Correct: 골라요.
When practicing to choose, 고르다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 골라요.
Incorrect: 어제 골라요.
Correct: 어제 골랐어요.
When practicing to choose, for a completed event yesterday, use 골랐어요; the present form 골라요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
고르다 is 르-irregular: 골라요 doubles ㄹ and adds 아. 골라요 is the polite conversational form of 고르다; 골랐어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 고르다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
메뉴에서 음식을 골라요.
menyueseo eumsigeul gollayo.
I choose food from the menu.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 선물을 골랐어요.
eoje seonmureul gollasseoyo.
I chose a gift 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 choose" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to choose" in Korean
How do I use 고르다 in polite speech?
골라요 is the polite conversational form of 고르다; 골랐어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 고르다 in a past-tense sentence?
골랐어요 is the polite past form. 고르다 is 르-irregular: 골라요 doubles ㄹ and adds 아.
What does 골라요 mean here?
골라요 is used for to choose. For example, 메뉴에서 음식을 골라요. means “I choose food from the menu.”
What should I remember about 고르다?
고르다 is 르-irregular: 골라요 doubles ㄹ and adds 아.
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