(으)라고 하다 (reported command) - Tell To, Order To

This pattern only works with action verbs. You cannot use it with adjectives or descriptive words. Why? Because you cannot command someone to be "tall" or "pretty." You only command people to do things. The grammar consists of three main parts. First, you take the verb stem. Second, you add the connector -(으)라고. Finally, you end with the verb 하다. Sometimes 하다 changes to 말하다 or 부탁하다. But 하다 is the most common version. It acts as the anchor for the quote.

1. 1Following the pattern is quite simple. Just follow these three easy steps:
2. 2Find the verb stem by removing 다.
3. 3Check for a final consonant (patchim).
4. 4Add the correct ending based on that patchim.
5. 5No Patchim: Add 라고 하다. Example: 가다 becomes 가라고 해요.
6. 6With Patchim: Add 으라고 하다. Example: 먹다 becomes 먹으라고 해요.
7. 7ㄹ Patchim Exception: Just add 라고 하다. Example: 만들다 becomes 만들라고 해요.
8. 8Yes, even native speakers forget the ㄹ rule sometimes. Don't worry if you do too! Just remember that ㄹ likes to be special. It treats itself like a vowel here.

You will use this in many real-world scenarios. Imagine you are at a busy restaurant. The waiter tells you to wait five minutes. You tell your friend: "Wait five minutes, he said." In Korean: 5분만 기다리라고 해요. Or imagine your boss at work. He tells you to finish the report by Friday. You tell your coworker what the boss said. This grammar is perfect for office gossip too! It is also great for giving directions. "The map told me to turn left." It feels modern and very practical. Use it whenever you are the middleman for a message.

Do not use this for reporting simple facts. For facts, use -(ㄴ/는)다고 하다 instead. Also, avoid using it for suggestions. If someone said "Let's go," use 자고 하다. This grammar is strictly for commands or requests. It is like a grammar traffic light. It only turns green for "Do this!" or "Don't do that!" Also, remember the adjective rule. If a doctor says "Be healthy," he isn't really commanding you. You would use a different structure for that. Stay focused on actions and you will be fine.

A huge mistake is mixing up 주라고 and 달라고. This is the ultimate boss level of this grammar. If someone says "Give it to ME," use 달라고. If they say "Give it to HIM," use 주라고. It depends on who receives the item. Another mistake is using it with the copula 이다. People often say 학생이라고 하세요 meaning "Tell them you're a student." But that is a different grammar point entirely! That one is for identifying nouns. Also, watch out for the negative form. Don't say 지 마라고. The correct way is 지 말라고. It sounds similar but the ㄹ is crucial.

Let's compare -(으)라고 하다 with its cousins. First, we have -(ㄴ/는)다고 하다. This one is for reporting statements or facts. Use it for "He said he is eating." Next is -자고 하다. This is for reporting suggestions or "Let's" statements. Use it for "He said let's eat." Then there is -냐고 하다. This one is for reporting questions. Use it for "He asked if I ate." Think of them as a family. Each member has a specific job. (으)라고 is the bossy one of the family. It always tells people what to do!