Learn Korean: Verb + 주라

Let's take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 주라. Adding 주다 to a verb when making a command adds the nuance please-do-it-for-me instead of just do-it. The action we are asking someone to do is beneficial to us. If I am in a hurry and the taxi driver is not driving fast enough, I would tell him to drive fast. If he does it, it means we won’t be late (e.g. meeting, catching a flight). The main verb is 빨리 가다 (to go fast). We take the verb stem (가) and conjugate it into its 아/어/여 form (still 가). Then, we add 주다. 주다 is conjugated as follows: 주십이오 (formal), 주세요 (high polite), 줘요 (polite), 줘 (casual), and 주라 (low casual). 주라 has the most demanding tone and is commonly used among close friends. For a taxi driver, the high polite form is suitable. The actual sentence is 빨리 가 주세요. If the driver is my friend and I feel anxious about getting late, I would say 빨리 가 주라. The imperative form without 주다 (빨리 가세요 /  빨리 가) is plain and doesn’t carry the nuance do-it-for-me.

이거 먹어 줘.

Please eat this. (leftovers are not allowed here, if you eat this for me, then I don’t have to pay leftover fee)

돈 좀 빌려 주세요.

Please lend me some money. (if you do, then I can pay for my tuition)

 

연락처 알려 줘.

Let me know your contact number. (if you do, it would be easy for me to reach you)