The direction/means particle (으)로 for direction, tools, and method
I can use (으)로 to express direction, means of transport, and choice
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
오른쪽으로 가세요.
Please go to the right.
지하철로 회사에 가요.
I go to work by subway.
한국어로 이야기해 주세요.
Please speak in Korean.
이것으로 할게요.
I'll go with this one.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
The particle (으)로 indicates direction, means, or method.
| Ending | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| vowel/ㄹ + 로 | After vowel or ㄹ | 서울로 (to Seoul), 지하철로 (by subway) |
| consonant + 으로 | After consonant (not ㄹ) | 부산으로 (to Busan), 숟가락으로 (with a spoon) |
Three main uses:
| Use | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | 왼쪽으로 가세요. | Go to the left. |
| Means/Tool | 한국어로 말해요. | Speak in Korean. |
| Choice | 이것으로 주세요. | Give me this one (choice). |
Direction vs Location: Compare 에 vs (으)로: 학교에 가요 (go to school — destination) vs 이쪽으로 가요 (go this way — direction/path). (으)로 emphasizes the route or direction, while 에 marks the endpoint.
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesConfuse (으)로 with 에 for direction. Forget ㄹ exception — use 로 not 으로 after ㄹ.
Used 에 where (으)로 was needed for direction/path
에 = destination endpoint, (으)로 = direction/route/means
Used 으로 after ㄹ instead of 로
After ㄹ final consonant, use 로 directly (not 으로)
오른쪽으로 가세요.
Please go to the right.
으로 after consonant ㄱ in 쪽. Indicates direction of movement.
지하철로 회사에 가요.
I go to work by subway.
지하철 ends in ㄹ, so use 로 (not 으로). Here (으)로 marks means of transport.
한국어로 이야기해 주세요.
Please speak in Korean.
한국어 ends in a vowel, so use 로. Here it marks the language (means of communication).
이것으로 할게요.
I'll go with this one.
으로 after consonant ㅅ in 것. Here marks a choice or selection.
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Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises