LEARN + KOREAN / Note 24 TOPIK I
This Way (-로 가요)
a
로 (으로 after a consonant) attaches to a mode of transport to mean “by”: 택시로, “by taxi.” You can also build the same idea out of 타다 (to ride) plus 가다: 택시를 타고 가요, “I ride a taxi and go.” Both are correct; the second is just more vivid about the act of getting on board.
Which Way
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
oreunjjok | right |
oenjjok | left |
ttokbaro | straight |
dwiro | back |
wiro | up |
jihaharo | down, to the basement |
gakkapda | to be close |
meolda | to be far |
By Bus, By Subway, By Plane
seoureseo jejudokkaji bihaenggireul tago gayo.
I take a plane from Seoul to Jeju.
In Real Life
몇 시예요? taught 부터까지 for a time range. Places use a different pair: 에서까지. 서울에서 제주도까지 (“from Seoul to Jeju”) never takes 부터, even though English “from” covers both jobs. Swapping them is a very common beginner slip.
busaneseo gyeongjukkaji eolmana geollyeoyo?
How long does it take from Busan to Gyeongju?
In Real Life
걸리다 (to take time) is the verb every travel-time question runs on. It never takes 을/를: 시간이 얼마나 걸려요? not 시간을 얼마나 걸려요?. Think of it as the time itself being the one doing the “taking,” not something you’re acting on.
Vocabulary
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
gicharyeok | train station |
jihacheol | subway |
beoseu | bus |
taeksi | taxi |
bihaenggi | airplane |
georeoseo | on foot, by walking |
garatada | to transfer (vehicles) |
makcha | the last train or bus |
sinhodeung | traffic light |
jeongche | traffic congestion |
jireumgil | shortcut |
gyotong | traffic, transportation |