-(으)러 가다/오다
Used to express the purpose of a movement. It attaches to a verb stem to show why the subject is moving to a certain place.
Summary
Equivalent
To go/come in order to
Also: -(으)려고 가다/오다 (In order to go/come - broader usage)
Example
I am going to Seoul to meet my friend.
친구를 만나러 서울에 가요.
Grammar rules
- Use '으러' for consonant stems and '러' for vowel/ㄹ stems.
- The main verb of the sentence MUST be a movement verb like 가다 (go), 오다 (come), 다니다 (attend/commute), 나가다 (go out), etc.
- Cannot be used with non-movement verbs in the main clause. Tense is expressed on the final movement verb, not on '-(으)러'.
공부를 하러 밥을 먹었어요 (X) -> 공부를 하러 도서관에 갔어요. (O - I went to the library to study).
Patterns
Verbs (Consonant)
Present/Movement · Verb Stem + 으러 가다/오다
Verbs (Vowel/ㄹ)
Present/Movement · Verb Stem (drop ㄹ) + 러 가다/오다
Example sentences
I am going to Seoul to meet my friend.
친구를 만나러 서울에 가요.
I came to the restaurant to eat.
밥을 먹으러 식당에 왔어요.
I commute to the library to borrow books.
책을 빌리러 도서관에 다닙니다.
Conversation
A: Where are you going?
어디에 가요?
B: I am going to the department store to buy clothes.
옷을 사러 백화점에 가요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct form to express the purpose of movement.
Working out.
Searching.