-어라
-eora
do! (plain imperative)
A plain, low-register sentence-final ending attached to a verb stem to give a direct command, or, less commonly, to express admiration.
Form
- Attaches to
- Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
- Other shapes
- -아라 · -여라
Meanings
- 1
(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a statement as a command.
(아주낮춤으로) 명령을 나타내는 종결 어미.
※ 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
- 2
(formal, highly addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a statement as an admiration.
(아주낮춤으로) 감탄을 나타내는 종결 어미.
※ 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
Examples
그것을 잘 보아라.
Look at that carefully.
내 손을 꼭 잡아라.
Hold my hand tightly.
과제에 쓸 자료들을 모두 모아라.
Gather all the materials for the assignment.
지금부터 운동장 다섯 바퀴만 돌아라.
Run five laps around the field starting now.
교실에서는 큰 소리로 떠들지 말아라.
Don't be loud in the classroom.
민준아 항상 바르고 정직하게 살아라. 네. 아버지 말씀 명심할게요.
Minjun, always live honestly and uprightly. Yes, I'll keep your words in mind, Father.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘-어라’ mean?
2. Which form means “do! (plain imperative)”?