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-어라Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 4

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TOPIK 4 4급Sentence Endings 종결 어미command 명령2 senses

One sentence ending with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

형태Forms

-어라-아라-여라

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a statement as a command.

(아주낮춤으로) 명령을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.

끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

물을 마구 쓰지 말고 좀 아껴 써라.

Don't use water carelessly; use it sparingly.

음식은 충분하니 모두 실컷 먹어라.

There's plenty of food, so eat as much as you want.

날씨가 추우니까 옷을 따뜻하게 입어라.

It's cold, so wear warm clothes.

대화In conversation

민준아 이제 술은 그만 마셔라.

Minjun, stop drinking now.

네. 저도 건강을 생각해서 그러려고요.

Okay, I'll do that for my health.

(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a statement as an admiration.

(아주낮춤으로) 감탄을 나타내는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.

끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

아! 슬퍼라. 나만 혼자이구나.

Oh, how sad! I'm all alone.

기다리던 책이 나오다니, 기뻐라!

The book I've been waiting for is out—how wonderful!

아이고! 더워라. 선풍기라도 틀어야겠네.

Oh my, it's so hot! I should turn on a fan.

대화In conversation

아이고, 무서워라. 귀신이 나올 것 같아.

Oh my, it's so scary. It feels like a ghost will appear.

내 등 뒤에 붙어서 오면 괜찮을 거야.

If you stay close behind me, you'll be fine.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-게 -ge -게요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to guess what the following statement would be like, if the preceding statement is such,… TOPIK 4 -고 -go -고요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending usually used when answering, omitting the question that should follow and finishing the… TOPIK 4 -나 -na -나요 (formal, moderately addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending referring to a question. TOPIK 4 -는다니 -neundani -ㄴ다니 · -다니 · -라니 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when asking again or admiring an unexpected fact in surprise. TOPIK 4 -는다면서 -neundamyeonseo -ㄴ다면서 · -다면서 · -라면서 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when the speaker confirms and asks questions about a fact that he/she heard. TOPIK 4 -다니 -dani -다니요 · -라니 · -라니요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to ask again or admire an unexpected fact in surprise. TOPIK 4

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -어라 mean in Korean?

-어라 is a sentence ending introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). (formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a statement as a command. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -어라?

Attaches after verbs whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ. The other shape is -아라, -여라 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -어라 and -아라?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same sentence ending, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -어라?

4급 — TOPIK 4, upper intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.