Korean grammar patterns › Level 4
-아/어다(가)
do … (to something in one place), then take/bring it elsewhere
Level 4 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Clause 1 is an action done to an object at one place (buy, borrow, take); the object is then moved and used somewhere else in clause 2. Same subject. Common with 사다, 빌리다, 가져다 주다, 데려다 주다.
Forming it
| 사다 | → 사다가 |
| 빌리다 | → 빌려다가 |
| 가지다 | → 가져다 |
| 데리다 | → 데려다가 |
The object must be carried along; otherwise use -아/어서: 친구를 만나서 밥을 먹었어요 (✗ 만나다가). Different from -다가 'while doing'.
Examples
도서관에서 책을 빌려다가 집에서 읽었어요.
I borrowed books from the library and read them at home.
시장에서 과일을 사다가 냉장고에 넣었어요.
I bought fruit at the market and put it in the fridge.
Compared with similar patterns
-다가 (G2-035) shows an interrupted or switched action. -아/어서 (G1-019) shows sequence without moving the object.