The imperative endings ‘아라/어라’ and ‘여라’ are essential in Korean for giving direct commands. Commonly used in informal speech, they help convey instructions naturally. This guide explains their usage, structure, and key points to remember, helping you master Korean imperatives with ease.
Contents
1. Definition
The endings ‘아라/어라’ and ‘여라’ are imperative verb endings in Korean, equivalent to the English command form, such as “do this” or “go there.” These endings are typically used in informal settings or when addressing someone of lower status.
2. Form (Structure)
The imperative endings ‘아라/어라’ and ‘여라’ are attached to verb stems based on their vowel harmony and the verb type. Here’s how to conjugate them:
- For verb stems ending in ㅏ or ㅗ, use 아라.
- For verb stems ending in other vowels, use 어라.
- For verbs ending in 하다, use 여라.
Here’s a complete table for better understanding:
| Verb Stem Ending | Imperative Ending | Examples |
| ㅏ or ㅗ | 아라 | 가다 → 가라 (Go!) 보다 → 보아라 / 봐라 (Look!) |
| Other vowels | 어라 | 먹다 → 먹어라 (Eat!) 읽다 → 읽어라 (Read!) |
| ‘하다’ verbs | 여라/해라 | 공부하다 → 공부하여라 / 공부해라 (Study!) |
3. Meaning & Usage
The imperative endings ‘아라/어라’ and ‘여라’ are used in Korean to give direct commands or strong requests. These forms are more formal and authoritative compared to other imperative endings. Though they are not commonly used in everyday speech, they remain important in literary and historical contexts.
Key Characteristics
- Tone: These forms convey a strong, authoritative tone.
- Formality: They are considered more formal or literary, often used in contexts that require a serious or commanding expression.
- Usage Context: Commonly found in literature, historical texts, and authoritative speeches.
Usage Examples
- In literature:
- 바람이 불어라. (Let the wind blow.)
- 꽃이 피어라. (Let the flowers bloom.)
- 별이 빛나거라. (Let the stars shine.)
- In historical dramas:
- 성을 지켜라! (Protect the castle!)
- 군사를 모아라! (Gather the troops!)
- 적을 물리쳐라! (Defeat the enemy!)
- In formal speeches:
- 모두 일어나라. (Everyone, stand up.)
- 함께 노력하라. (Work together.)
- 목표를 이루어라. (Achieve your goal.)
- In military commands:
- 앞으로 가라! (Move forward!)
- 총을 들어라! (Pick up your gun!)
- 대열을 유지하라! (Maintain your formation!)
- In motivational contexts:
- 열심히 공부하라! (Study hard!)
- 끝까지 포기하지 마라! (Don’t give up until the end!)
- 자신을 믿어라! (Believe in yourself!)
Important Notes
- Modern Usage: These forms are less frequent in daily conversations, but are often encountered in historical or formal contexts, such as speeches or literature.
- Politeness Level: These forms are not considered polite in most social settings, so use them carefully in casual conversations.
- Alternative Forms: In modern Korean, softer imperative forms like ‘-세요’ or ‘주세요’ are more commonly used for commands and requests.
- Emphasis: They can be used to add dramatic effect or urgency in certain situations.
Cultural Significance
- Historical Texts: Frequently seen in traditional Korean literature and historical documents.
- Proverbs and Sayings: Many Korean proverbs also use this form, such as “열심히 살아라” (Live diligently).
- Artistic Expression: Often used in poetry and song lyrics to evoke a strong, emotional impact.
4. Practice Exercises
Below are 10 practice exercises designed to help you understand the usage of ‘아라/어라, 여라’. Try to fill in the blanks with the correct form based on the context.
- 내일 시험을 준비하려면 지금 바로 ___________ (공부하다).
(Prepare for tomorrow’s exam by studying right now.) - 길을 잃었으면 지도에서 방향을 ___________ (확인하다).
(If you’re lost, check your direction on the map.) - 너의 꿈을 위해 열심히 ___________ (노력하다).
(Work hard for your dream.) - 여기서 기다리지 말고 밖으로 ___________ (나가다).
(Don’t wait here, go outside instead.) - 이 문제는 나중에 풀고 지금은 ___________ (쉬다).
(Rest now and solve this problem later.) - 이 도시에 온 이상, 이곳의 문화를 ___________ (배우다).
(Since you’ve come to this city, learn its culture.) - 지금은 너무 늦었으니 내일 다시 ___________ (시도하다).
(It’s too late now, so try again tomorrow.) - 어려운 문제라도 포기하지 말고 계속 ___________ (도전하다).
(Even if it’s a tough problem, don’t give up and keep challenging yourself.) - 지구를 지키기 위해 더 나은 미래를 위해 ___________ (행동하다).
(Act for a better future to protect the Earth.) - 그들의 꿈을 위해 함께 힘을 합쳐 ___________ (싸우다).
(Join forces together and fight for their dreams.)
5. Answers
- 공부하라 / 공부하여라
- 확인하라
- 노력하라 / 노력하여라
- 나가라
- 쉬어라
- 배워라
- 시도하라 / 시도하여라
- 도전하라 / 도전하여라
- 행동하라 / 행동하여라
- 싸워라
6. Common Mistakes and Tips
When using the ‘아라/어라, 여라’ imperative forms, it’s important to be aware of some common mistakes and tips to avoid confusion and ensure correct usage.
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘아라’ or ‘어라’ for polite commands
Mistake: Using these forms in polite or casual situations.
Tip: ‘아라/어라, 여라’ is used for strong, authoritative commands and should not be used when politeness is required. For polite requests, use forms like ‘세요’ or ‘주세요’.
Example:
❌ 가라. (Go.)
✅ 가세요. (Please go.)
⚠️ Mistake 2: Confusing verb endings based on vowel harmony
Mistake: Not following vowel harmony rules when attaching ‘아라/어라’.
Tip:
- Verbs with stems ending in ㅏ or ㅗ take 아라.
- Verbs with stems ending in other vowels take 어라.
- For 하다, use 여라.
Example:
❌ 보어라 (from 보다, incorrect)
✅ 보아라 / 봐라 (correct)
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using these forms in everyday casual conversations
Mistake: Using ‘아라/어라, 여라’ in everyday conversations with friends or in casual settings.
Tip: These forms are considered formal or literary. They are not commonly used in daily conversations unless in a dramatic or serious context.
Example:
❌ 좀 쉬어라. (Rest a bit.)
✅ 좀 쉬어. (Rest a bit.)
⚠️ Mistake 4: Overusing the forms for soft requests
Mistake: Trying to use ‘아라/어라, 여라’ for soft or gentle requests.
Tip: These forms are not suitable for making polite or softer requests. Use ‘세요’ or ‘주세요’ for polite requests instead.
Example:
❌ 도와라. (Help.)
✅ 도와주세요. (Please help.)
⚠️ Mistake 5: Misusing ‘여라’ with regular verbs
Mistake: Using ‘여라’ with regular verbs, when it’s only used with ‘하다’ verbs.
Tip: Only verbs ending in 하다 should take 여라, and it changes to 해라 in spoken Korean.
Example:
❌ 먹여라 (from 먹다, incorrect)
✅ 먹어라 (correct for 먹다)
❌ 배우여라 (from 배우다, incorrect)
✅ 배워라 (correct for 배우다)
💡 Tip 1: Use these forms for emphasis or dramatic effect
These imperative forms are often used in literature, speeches, and songs for emphasis or to give a sense of urgency.
Example:
“당장 이 일을 끝내라!” (Finish this task right now!)
💡 Tip 2: Understand the politeness level
The ‘아라/어라, 여라’ forms are considered strong and forceful. Be mindful of the situation to ensure you don’t sound too harsh or rude. For softer requests, use ‘세요’ or ‘주세요’.
The ‘아라/어라, 여라’ imperative forms offer a powerful way to give commands in Korean. Although these forms are less common in daily speech, they are essential for understanding written Korean, particularly in literature and formal settings. Familiarity with these forms will help you engage with a wide variety of Korean texts and cultural expressions.