Direction & Means: (으)로
The particle (으)로 marks direction, means or instrument, and material. Use 로 (ro) after a vowel and 으로 (euro) after a consonant, but use 로 after the consonant ㄹ.
(으)로 for direction
오른쪽으로 가세요.
oreunjjok-euro gaseyo.
Please go to the right.
학교로 와요.
hakgyo-ro wayo.
Come to the school.
위로 올라가요.
wi-ro ollagayo.
I go up.
(으)로 for means and tools
Use (으)로 to indicate a means of transport or a tool.
버스로 가요.
beoseu-ro gayo.
I go by bus.
젓가락으로 먹어요.
jeotgarak-euro meogeoyo.
I eat with chopsticks.
지하철로 가요.
jihacheol-lo gayo.
I go by subway.
한국어로 말해요.
hangugeo-ro malhaeyo.
I speak in Korean.
(으)로 for material
Use (으)로 to show the material that something is made from.
쌀로 떡을 만들어요.
ssal-lo tteok-eul mandeureoyo.
I make rice cake from rice.
콩으로 두부를 만들어요.
kong-euro dubu-reul mandeureoyo.
Tofu is made from beans.
| Final consonant | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| none | 로 (ro) | 버스로 (by bus) |
| ㄹ ending | 로 (ro) | 지하철로 (by subway) |
| other | 으로 (euro) | 손으로 (by hand) |
Watch the ㄹ ending
After a ㄹ ending, use 로 rather than 으로. It is 지하철로 (correct), never 지하철으로 (incorrect).
💡 Tip: 에 and (으)로 are similar, but 에 marks the goal itself while (으)로 stresses the direction toward it.