Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to wake up" in Korean: 일어나다
일어나다ireonada
to wake up in Korean is 일어나다 (ireonada). 일어나다 can mean wake up or get up; specify 아침에 or 잠에서 for waking context.
to wake up: an everyday statement
아침 여섯 시에 일어나요.achim yeoseot sie ireonayo.
Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce 일어나다
Say it
ireonada
/iɾʌnata/
Read 일어나다 as ireonada. The spoken form 일어나요 is ireonayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to wake up" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 일어나다ireonada | to wake up Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 일어나요ireonayo | to wake up (polite present) Use 일어나요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 일어나요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 일어났어요ireonasseoyo | to wake up (polite past) Use 일어났어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 일어났어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 일어나다 in real life
- 1to wake up: an everyday statement
아침 여섯 시에 일어나요.
achim yeoseot sie ireonayo.
I get up at six in the morning.
일어나요 is the present form of 일어나다.
- 2to wake up: a different situation
어제 늦게 일어났어요.
eoje neutge ireonasseoyo.
I got up late yesterday.
일어났어요 is the past form of 일어나다.
- 3to wake up: a question or request
몇 시에 일어나요?
myeot sie ireonayo?
What time do you get up?
일어나요 is the present form of 일어나다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 일어나다
Incorrect: 일어나다.
Correct: 일어나요.
When practicing to wake up, 일어나다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 일어나요.
Incorrect: 어제 일어나요.
Correct: 어제 일어났어요.
When practicing to wake up, for a completed event yesterday, use 일어났어요; the present form 일어나요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
일어나다 can mean wake up or get up; specify 아침에 or 잠에서 for waking context. 일어나요 is the polite conversational form of 일어나다; 일어났어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 일어나다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
아침 여섯 시에 일어나요.
achim yeoseot sie ireonayo.
I get up at six in the morning.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 늦게 일어났어요.
eoje neutge ireonasseoyo.
I got up late 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 wake up" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to wake up" in Korean
How do I use 일어나다 in polite speech?
일어나요 is the polite conversational form of 일어나다; 일어났어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 일어나다 in a past-tense sentence?
일어났어요 is the polite past form. 일어나다 can mean wake up or get up; specify 아침에 or 잠에서 for waking context.
What does 일어나요 mean here?
일어나요 is used for to wake up. For example, 아침 여섯 시에 일어나요. means “I get up at six in the morning.”
What should I remember about 일어나다?
일어나다 can mean wake up or get up; specify 아침에 or 잠에서 for waking context.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
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
