Purpose 러/으러 (in order to - with motion)

This pattern attaches to the end of a verb stem. It acts like a bridge connecting your goal to your movement. Imagine you have two verbs. Verb 1 is your goal (eating). Verb 2 is your movement (going). You glue 러/으러 onto Verb 1 and follow it up with Verb 2. It is like telling a story in one breath. 밥을 먹다 (eat food) becomes 밥을 먹으러 (in order to eat food), and then you add 가요 (I go). Voila! You have a complete sentence: 밥을 먹으러 가요. One thing to remember: the heavy lifting of tense and politeness happens at the very end of the sentence. The 러/으러 part stays chill and never changes for past or future. It is like the reliable friend who never changes their outfit no matter the weather.

1. 1Setting this up is as easy as choosing a side in a snack debate. You just need to look at the last letter of your verb stem.
2. 2If the verb stem ends in a vowel, add 러.
3. 3자다 (to sleep) → 자 + 러 → 자러
4. 4보다 (to see) → 보 + 러 → 보러
5. 5If the verb stem ends in the consonant ㄹ, also add 러.
6. 6놀다 (to play) → 놀 + 러 → 놀러 (Yes, ㄹ is special like that).
7. 7If the verb stem ends in any other consonant, add 으러.
8. 8먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 으러 → 먹으러
9. 9찾다 (to find/pick up) → 찾 + 으러 → 찾으러
10. 10Think of the 으 as a little cushion. It helps the sounds flow better so you don't trip over your own tongue. It is like a grammar speed bump to keep things smooth.

Use this whenever you are on the move. It is perfect for those "Where are you going?" moments.

• Ordering Food: Heading to a restaurant? 피자 먹으러 가요 (I’m going to eat pizza).
• Daily Errands: Going to the bank to get cash? 돈 찾으러 은행에 가요 (I’m going to the bank to get money).
• Social Life: Meeting a friend at a cafe? 친구 만나러 커피숍에 가요 (I’m going to the coffee shop to meet a friend).
• Job Interviews: You might say 면접 보러 왔습니다 (I came to have an interview).
• Hobbies: Heading to the park to take photos? 사진 찍으러 공원에 가요 (I’m going to the park to take photos).

If there is a destination and a reason for that destination, 러/으러 is your best friend. It turns a boring walk into a mission. Even native speakers use this constantly because it is so efficient.

This is the part where people usually trip. 러/으러 is a "Motion Verb Only" club. You can only use it with verbs that imply moving through space.

• Allowed: 가다 (go), 오다 (come), 다니다 (attend/regularly go), 나오다 (come out), 올라가다 (go up).
• Forbidden: 먹다 (eat), 공부하다 (study), 자다 (sleep) as the *final* verb.

You cannot say 공부하러 먹어요 (I eat in order to study). That sounds like you are trying to use a fork to fix a car. It just doesn't fit. If your sentence doesn't end with a "moving" verb, you should probably be using 려고 instead. Also, don't put past tense markers like 었/았 inside the 러/으러 part. It is always 먹으러 갔어요, never 먹었으러 가요. That is a one-way ticket to confusion city.

One big mistake is ignoring the ㄹ rule. Many people try to say 놀으러 because they see a consonant. Don't do it! ㄹ and 으 are like two people who both want to sit in the same chair. Just let ㄹ have it and use 러.

Another classic is forgetting that 러/으러 is for verbs only. You can't attach it to nouns. If you want to say "I'm going for a movie," you need to say 영화 보러 가요 (I'm going to *see* a movie).

Lastly, avoid using it for general intentions that don't involve a trip. If you want to say "I study to become a doctor," but you are currently sitting in your room, 러/으러 is the wrong tool. It implies you are literally headed somewhere right now or regularly. Think of it like a grammar traffic light; it only turns green when you start moving.

The biggest rival is (으)려고. They both mean "in order to," but they have different vibes.

• (으)러 is strict. It demands a movement verb at the end. It is like a specialized tool for travel.
• (으)려고 is flexible. It can end with almost any verb. It is the Swiss Army knife of purpose.
• You can also use (으)러 with suggestions like 먹으러 갈까요? (Shall we go eat?). (으)려고 is a bit more awkward in those cases.
• If you are ever in doubt and you are going somewhere, stick with 러/으러. It is more natural for physical trips.