-아라/어라 in Korean: “do it! (casual command)”
-아라/어라
-ara/-eora
do it! (casual command)
Intermediate · Sentence endings
-아라/어라 (-ara/-eora) is a casual command, like "do it!" Parents say it to children and older people say it to much younger ones. It is the command form of the plain speech style.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stem with ㅏ or ㅗ | + 아라 | 가다 → 가라, 보다 → 봐라 |
| Other stems | + 어라 | 먹다 → 먹어라 |
| 하다 verb | 하 → 해라 | 공부하다 → 공부해라 |
| Vowel contraction | stem + 어라, shortened | 마시다 → 마셔라, 오다 → 와라 |
How to use it
-아라/어라 gives a direct order. It is used by parents to children, teachers to young students, and older people to someone much younger. In dramas you'll hear it in family scenes: 밥 먹어라 ("come eat").
It can sound strong. Between friends, the plain -아/어 form (먹어!) is more common and softer. To anyone you're not close to, use -(으)세요.
With some adjectives, -아라/어라 is not a command but an exclamation, like 아이고 추워라 ("ugh, it's so cold!").
Examples
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A parent at bedtime
A grandmother at dinner
A parent before an exam
Stepping outside in winter
Don’t mix it up with
-아/어: 먹어! is the everyday casual command between friends. 먹어라 sounds firmer or more like a parent talking.
-(으)세요: -(으)세요 is the polite request, used with anyone you're not close to.
-(으)라고 하다: When you quote a command, use (으)라: 먹으라고 했어요 ("they told me to eat"), not 먹어라고.
Common mistakes
Using it with strangers, coworkers or older people. It sounds bossy or rude. Use -(으)세요 instead.
Quoting a command with 어라. Say 가라고 했어요 and 먹으라고 했어요.
Want the basics first? Read Korean speech levels (반말 vs 존댓말).
Questions learners ask
What does 해라 mean in Korean?
해라 means "do it!" It is the casual command form of 하다, used by parents or older people to someone younger.
Is 아라/어라 rude?
It isn't rude between parents and children or to someone much younger. To someone your age or older, it sounds bossy.
What is the difference between 먹어 and 먹어라?
Both are casual commands. 먹어 is the everyday one among friends. 먹어라 is firmer and sounds more like a parent or older person.