Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to leave" in Korean: 떠나다
떠나다tteonada
to leave in Korean is 떠나다 (tteonada). 떠나다 means depart or leave a place; 나오다 specifies coming out of a place.
to leave: an everyday statement
내일 서울을 떠나요.naeil seoureul tteonayo.
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How to pronounce 떠나다
Say it
tteonada
/t͈ʌnata/
Read 떠나다 as tteonada. The spoken form 떠나요 is tteonayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to leave" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 떠나다tteonada | to leave Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 떠나요tteonayo | to leave (polite present) Use 떠나요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 떠나요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 떠났어요tteonasseoyo | to leave (polite past) Use 떠났어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 떠났어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 떠나다 in real life
- 1to leave: an everyday statement
내일 서울을 떠나요.
naeil seoureul tteonayo.
I leave Seoul tomorrow.
떠나요 is the present form of 떠나다.
- 2to leave: a different situation
어제 일찍 떠났어요.
eoje iljjik tteonasseoyo.
I left early yesterday.
떠났어요 is the past form of 떠나다.
- 3to leave: a question or request
언제 떠나요?
eonje tteonayo?
When are you leaving?
떠나요 is the present form of 떠나다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 떠나다
Incorrect: 떠나다.
Correct: 떠나요.
When practicing to leave, 떠나다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 떠나요.
Incorrect: 어제 떠나요.
Correct: 어제 떠났어요.
When practicing to leave, for a completed event yesterday, use 떠났어요; the present form 떠나요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
떠나다 means depart or leave a place; 나오다 specifies coming out of a place. 떠나요 is the polite conversational form of 떠나다; 떠났어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 떠나다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
내일 서울을 떠나요.
naeil seoureul tteonayo.
I leave Seoul tomorrow.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 일찍 떠났어요.
eoje iljjik tteonasseoyo.
I left early 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 leave" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to leave" in Korean
How do I use 떠나다 in polite speech?
떠나요 is the polite conversational form of 떠나다; 떠났어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 떠나다 in a past-tense sentence?
떠났어요 is the polite past form. 떠나다 means depart or leave a place; 나오다 specifies coming out of a place.
What does 떠나요 mean here?
떠나요 is used for to leave. For example, 내일 서울을 떠나요. means “I leave Seoul tomorrow.”
What should I remember about 떠나다?
떠나다 means depart or leave a place; 나오다 specifies coming out of a place.
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