-아/어 오다
a/e oda
Grammar · 2 senses
Coming towards
Examples
치킨을 먹고 싶어? 그럼 지금 사 올게.
You want to eat some fried chicken? Then I'll go buy some now (and then come back here).
학생들이 교실에 들어왔어요.
The students came into the classroom.
책을 몇 권 가져와 주세요.
Bring (to me) a few books.
When you'd hear it
This pattern is common in everyday conversation, especially when describing movement toward the speaker or another reference point. It also appears in polite requests and ordinary written narratives, such as bringing something to someone or entering a room.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse it with -아/어 가다: 오다 marks movement toward the relevant reference point, while 가다 marks movement away from it. In 사 올게, the speaker will go buy something and return here; 사 갈게 instead presents the destination as somewhere else.
Has been
Examples
10년부터 한국에서 살아 왔어요.
I've lived in Korea as of 10 years ago (so far even till now now)
제 선생님을 항상 믿어 와요?
I always believe in my teacher (before and still to this day).
나는 열심히 일해 왔어요.
I've worked hard (from the start continually even now)
When you'd hear it
This is common in both conversation and writing, especially when reflecting on work, habits, or relationships that began in the past and continue into the present. It appears in everyday speech, interviews, reports, and personal writing.
What learners get wrong
Unlike -고 있다, -아/어 오다 emphasizes the period leading up to now, not just the current situation. It is the past-to-present counterpart of -아/어 가다, which describes continuation toward the future.
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