25. Korean Grammar: (으)로 – Direction, Means, and More!

Korean Grammar: (으)로 – Direction, Means, and More!

In this post, we’ll learn about the Korean particle (으)로, which is commonly used to show direction, method, or means. We’ll also compare it to similar particles like 에 and 에서 since they can be confusing for beginners. Let’s get started!

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1. What is (으)로?

The particle (으)로 has several uses in Korean:

1. Direction – to, towards
2. Means/Method – by, with, using
3. Reason/Cause – because of

How to attach (으)로:

• If the word ends in a vowel or ㄹ, use 로.
  • Example: 서울 → 서울로 (to Seoul)
• If the word ends in a consonant (except ㄹ), use 으로.
  • Example: 버스 → 버스로 (by bus)

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2. Examples of (으)로

1) Showing Direction (to/towards):

1. 학교로 가요.
   (I’m going towards the school.)
2. 집으로 돌아가요.
   (I’m going back home.)
3. 오른쪽으로 가세요.
   (Go to the right.)

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2) Showing Means/Method (by/with/using):

1. 버스로 왔어요.
   (I came by bus.)
2. 연필로 썼어요.
   (I wrote with a pencil.)
3. 전화로 이야기했어요.
   (I talked on the phone.)

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3) Showing Reason/Cause (because of):

1. 감기로 못 갔어요.
   (I couldn’t go because of a cold.)

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3. Comparing 에, 에서, and (으)로

These particles can be confusing, especially 에 and (으)로. Let’s compare them!

Particle Meaning Example Translation

에	to (a place), at (a location)	학교에 가요.	I’m going to school.
에서	at/from (a place)	학교에서 공부해요.	I study at school.
(으)로	towards/to (direction), by (method)	학교로 가요.	I’m going towards the school.

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What’s the Difference?

1. 학교에 가요 (I’m going to school):
   • 에 focuses on the destination (school is your final stop).
2. 학교로 가요 (I’m going towards school):
   • (으)로 emphasizes the direction you’re moving in (you may or may not stop at the school).

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4. Vocabulary from Examples

Korean English

학교	School
집	Home
오른쪽	Right
버스	Bus
연필	Pencil
전화	Phone
감기	Cold (illness)

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5. Quick Quiz (Test Yourself!)

1️⃣ Fill in the blanks with 에, 에서, or (으)로:

1. 저는 도서관___ 책을 읽어요. (I read books at the library.)
2. 친구 집___ 가고 있어요. (I’m going to my friend’s house.)
3. 왼쪽___ 가세요. (Go to the left.)
4. 버스___ 학교에 갔어요. (I went to school by bus.)
5. 카페___ 친구를 만났어요. (I met my friend at the café.)

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2️⃣ What’s the difference?

1. 공원에 가요 vs 공원으로 가요
   • What’s the difference in meaning?

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3️⃣ Translate into Korean:

1. I’m going home by taxi.
2. She wrote the letter with a pen.
3. We’re moving towards the restaurant.

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Comment your answers below and let’s practice together! 😊📚