Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to go" in Korean: 가다
가다gada
To go in Korean is 가다 (gada). Use 가요 (gayo) in polite everyday speech; 학교에 가요 means I go to school.
A simple sentence
학교에 가요.hakgyoe gayo.
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How to pronounce 가다
Say it
gah-dah
/ka.da/
가다 has two short syllables. The polite 가요 has ga followed by yo, without an added consonant between them.
"to go" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 가다gada | to go Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 가요gayo | go / goes Polite present form. | Polite present form. |
| 갔어요gasseoyo | went Polite past form. | Polite past form. |
How to use 가다 in real life
- 1A simple sentence
학교에 가요.
hakgyoe gayo.
I go to school.
에 marks the destination.
- 2An everyday situation
어제 집에 갔어요.
eoje jibe gasseoyo.
I went home yesterday.
갔어요 is the past form of 가다.
- 3A useful question
같이 가요.
gachi gayo.
Let’s go together.
The context turns 가요 into a suggestion.
Mistakes English speakers make with 가다
Incorrect: 학교에서 가요.
Correct: 학교에 가요.
For go to school, mark the destination with 에; 에서 can mark a starting place.
Incorrect: 저는 가다.
Correct: 저는 가요.
Change the dictionary ending for polite conversation.
Good to know
가다 describes going without the English distinction between on foot and by vehicle. Add 걸어서 for on foot or a transport phrase when the means matters.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Leave for school
Partner
어디에 가요?
eodie gayo?
Where are you going?
You
학교에 가요.
hakgyoe gayo.
I am going to school.
Partner
같이 가요.
gachi gayo.
Let’s go together.
You
네, 좋아요.
ne, joayo.
Yes, good.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to go" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to go" in Korean
What is gayo?
가요 is the polite present form of 가다, to go.
How do I say went?
갔어요, gasseoyo, is the polite past form.
Which particle marks a destination?
에 commonly marks the destination in 학교에 가요 or 집에 가요.
Does gada mean walk?
No. 가다 means go. 걷다 specifically means walk; 걸어서 가요 means go on foot.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
