Elementary - Grade 4

Lesson 4: Purpose of Movement

(-(으)러 가다 / 오다)

Why Are You Going?

You know how to say "I'm going to the library" (도서관에 가요). But *why* are you going? To study!

This grammar pattern, -(으)러 가다/오다, connects your *purpose* (the action) to your *movement* (going/coming).

It translates to "to go (in order) to..." or "to come (in order) to..."

The Two "Purpose" Rules

You attach this ending to the stem of the verb that is your *purpose* (e.g., "to study", "to eat").

Rule 1: Stem ends in a VOWEL

Add 러 가다/오다 directly to the stem.

공부하 (from 공부하다) 러 가요 공부하러 가요

"I am going (in order) to study."

Rule 2: Stem ends in a CONSONANT

Add 으러 가다/오다 to the stem.

먹 (from 먹다) 으러 와요 먹으러 와요

"I am coming (in order) to eat."

Special Rule: Stem ends in 'ㄹ'

If the stem *already* ends in ㄹ (L) (like 놀다 - to play or 만들다 - to make), it follows Rule 1!

You just add 러 가다/오다 (no 으 needed).

놀 (from 놀다) 러 가요 놀러 가요

"I am going (in order) to play/hang out."

Putting It All Together

Now you can explain *why* you are going somewhere.

  • 도서관에 공부하러 가요.

    "I am going to the library to study."

  • 식당에 먹으러 왔어요.

    "I came to the restaurant to eat."

  • 공원에 놀러 갈 거예요.

    "I will go to the park to play."

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