✍️

Formal Command in Writing: -(으)라

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Advanced Grammar
🖋️
TL;DR 🦄
  • 📜 -(으)라 is a formal written command ending: notices, instructions, rules, slogans, exam prompts, and old/literary command lines.
  • 🧩 Use -라 after a vowel or ㄹ stem, and -으라 after most consonant stems.
  • 🚦 It sounds stiff, official, or dramatic in direct speech, so do not use it as your everyday “please do this.”
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — When you want to hear any Korean sentence in this lesson, open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and type the sentence into the widget for audio. Formal commands may look stern on paper, but your ears still deserve snacks. 🍪
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-(으)라 is the command ending Korean uses when the voice feels written, official, public, literary, or distant. Think: “Submit by Friday,” “Do not enter,” “Answer the following question,” “Remember this,” or “Let the people know.” 📢
It is not the warm everyday command you would usually say to a friend, teacher, customer, or stranger. In normal conversation, Korean usually prefers endings like -(으)세요, -(으)십시오, or context-softened requests. -(으)라 walks in wearing a government-office coat and carrying a clipboard. 🧥
This lesson focuses on recognition and formal writing control: reading official instructions correctly, forming the ending cleanly, and avoiding the common trap of using it where a polite spoken command belongs.

🎨 The Core -(으)라 Family

Use -(으)라 with action verbs, especially in formal written instructions.
  • 제출하다 = to submit → 제출하라 = Submit.
  • 확인하다 = to check/confirm → 확인하라 = Check/confirm.
  • 준수하다 = to comply with/follow → 준수하라 = Comply with/follow.
  • 대기하다 = to wait/stand by → 대기하라 = Wait/stand by.
  • 작성하다 = to write/fill out → 작성하라 = Write/fill out.
  • 읽다 = to read → 읽으라 = Read.
  • 받다 = to receive → 받으라 = Receive.
  • 믿다 = to believe/trust → 믿으라 = Believe/trust.
  • 만들다 = to make → 만들라 = Make.
  • 살다 = to live → 살라 = Live.
A few formal-writing nouns you will see below: 공지 = notice, 지침 = guideline, 규정 = regulation, 자료 = materials, 양식 = form, 기한 = deadline, 질문 = question, 답 = answer, 결과 = result, 현장 = site/scene, 입구 = entrance, 안전 = safety, 절차 = procedure, 담당자 = person in charge.

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

  • 다음 질문에 답하라. — Answer the following question. 📝
    • 다음 = following/next, 질문 = question, 답하다 = to answer. This sounds like an exam or worksheet instruction.
  • 기한 안에 자료를 제출하라. — Submit the materials within the deadline. 📄
    • 기한 안에 = within the deadline, 자료 = materials, 제출하다 = to submit. This is notice-board energy, not café-chat energy.
  • 안전 규정을 준수하라. — Follow the safety regulations. 🦺
    • 안전 = safety, 규정 = regulation, 준수하다 = to comply with/follow. This belongs naturally on manuals, signs, and formal instructions.

🧩 General Formation Rule

Attach the ending to the verb stem:
  • Vowel stem + -라: 가다 → 가라 (go), 하다 → 하라 (do)
  • Consonant stem + -으라: 읽다 → 읽으라 (read), 받다 → 받으라 (receive)
  • ㄹ stem + -라: 만들다 → 만들라 (make), 살다 → 살라 (live)
  • Negative command: -지 말라 = do not.
    • 들어가다 = to enter → 들어가지 말라 = Do not enter. 🚫

📚 Cross-check note

The -라/-으라 distinction, its use for unspecified or absent addressees in old/formal written style, and its indirect-command function were checked against 국립국어원 / korean.go.kr. ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -(으)라 — formal written/public/literary command. Strong, distant, and often impersonal. 📜
  • -(으)십시오 — very polite formal spoken or written instruction. Better for respectful service or official guidance. 🏛️
  • -(으)세요 — polite everyday instruction/request. Softer and much more conversational. ☕
  • -아/어라 — direct plain command to a specific listener; can sound blunt, intimate, or hierarchical depending on context. ⚡
  • -(으)라고 하다 — reported command: “to tell someone to…” Do not confuse it with a sentence that simply ends in -(으)라. 🗣️

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 친구에게 지금 오라. → ✅ 친구에게 지금 오라고 했어요. or 지금 오세요. (Use reported command or polite speech; plain 오라 sounds stiff/direct.)
  • ❌ 읽라 → ✅ 읽으라 (Consonant stem, so add -으라.)
  • ❌ 만들으라 → ✅ 만들라 (ㄹ stems take -라, not -으라.)
  • ❌ 들어가지 마라 on a formal public sign → ✅ 들어가지 말라 (For formal written prohibition, 말라 is the crisp form.)
  • ❌ Treating -(으)라 as friendly “please” → ✅ Use -(으)세요 or -(으)십시오 when politeness toward the listener matters.
🖋️ Bottom line: -(으)라 is the grammar of signs, rules, exam prompts, slogans, and formal written commands. Use it when the sentence is wearing a badge, not when it is holding a latte. ☕
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each formal written command with -라, -으라, or 말라. Read the whole sentence like it belongs on a notice, exam sheet, or safety guideline, then open the Answer toggle.
1. 다음 질문에 답하＿＿＿＿.
Answer the following question. 📝
Answer
라 — 답하다 has the stem 답하-, so it takes -라: 답하라.
2. 기한 안에 자료를 제출하＿＿＿＿.
Submit the materials within the deadline. 📄
Answer
라 — 제출하다 → 제출하라.
3. 안전 규정을 준수하＿＿＿＿.
Follow the safety regulations. 🦺
Answer
라 — 준수하다 → 준수하라.
4. 공지 내용을 읽＿＿＿＿.
Read the notice contents. 📢
Answer
으라 — 읽다 ends in a consonant, so use -으라: 읽으라.
5. 입구 앞에서 대기하＿＿＿＿.
Wait in front of the entrance. 🚪
Answer
라 — 대기하다 → 대기하라.
6. 양식을 작성하＿＿＿＿.
Fill out the form. 🧾
Answer
라 — 작성하다 → 작성하라.
7. 결과를 믿＿＿＿＿.
Trust the result. 📊
Answer
으라 — 믿다 ends in a consonant, so use -으라: 믿으라.
8. 새 양식을 만들＿＿＿＿.
Make a new form. 🧾
Answer
라 — 만들다 is a ㄹ-stem verb, so use -라: 만들라.
9. 허가 없이 들어가지 ＿＿＿＿.
Do not enter without permission. 🚫
Answer
말라 — Formal written “do not” uses -지 말라.
10. 절차에 따라 담당자에게 받＿＿＿＿.
Receive it from the person in charge according to procedure. 🪪
Answer
으라 — 받다 ends in a consonant, so use 받으라.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 다음 → following/next
  • 질문 → question
  • 답하다 → to answer
  • 기한 → deadline
  • 자료 → materials
  • 제출하다 → to submit
  • 안전 → safety
  • 규정 → regulation
  • 준수하다 → to follow/comply with
  • 공지 → notice
  • 내용 → contents
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 입구 → entrance
  • 대기하다 → to wait/stand by
  • 양식 → form
  • 작성하다 → to write/fill out
  • 결과 → result
  • 믿다 → to believe/trust
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 허가 → permission
  • 들어가다 → to enter
  • 절차 → procedure
  • 담당자 → person in charge
  • 받다 → to receive
Tip 💡 Vowel and ㄹ stems take -라; most consonant stems take -으라.
🎯
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub below when you're ready. The clipboard is strict, but the points are friendly. 🚀
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — Formal Command in Writing: -(으)라
 
Welcome to the formal-command gym. 🏛️ You’ll practice choosing -라, -으라, and 말라 in official-style sentences, then separate written commands from spoken politeness and reported commands. The vibe is “public notice with excellent posture.” 📋
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence out loud.
 
📝 Instructions: Complete each prompt, say the finished Korean sentence aloud, and check the Answer toggle. Focus on the stem shape first, then the social tone.
 

Exercise 1 — Choose -라 after vowel stems 🧩

A. 자료를 확인하＿＿＿＿.
Check the materials. 📄
Answer
확인하라 — 확인하다 → stem 확인하- + -라.
B. 기한 안에 제출하＿＿＿＿.
Submit within the deadline. ⏰
Answer
제출하라 — 제출하다 takes -라.
C. 규정을 준수하＿＿＿＿.
Follow the regulation. 🦺
Answer
준수하라 — 준수하다 → 준수하라.
D. 입구에서 대기하＿＿＿＿.
Wait at the entrance. 🚪
Answer
대기하라 — 대기하다 → 대기하라.
E. 양식을 작성하＿＿＿＿.
Fill out the form. 🧾
Answer
작성하라 — 작성하다 → 작성하라.
F. 현장을 조사하＿＿＿＿.
Investigate the site. 🔎
Answer
조사하라 — 조사하다 takes -라.
G. 결과를 보고하＿＿＿＿.
Report the result. 📊
Answer
보고하라 — 보고하다 → 보고하라.
H. 절차를 시작하＿＿＿＿.
Start the procedure. 🟢
Answer
시작하라 — 시작하다 → 시작하라.
I. 문서를 보관하＿＿＿＿.
Store the document. 🗂️
Answer
보관하라 — 보관하다 takes -라.
J. 담당자에게 문의하＿＿＿＿.
Ask the person in charge. 🪪
Answer
문의하라 — 문의하다 → 문의하라.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 자료 → materials
  • 확인하다 → to check/confirm
  • 기한 → deadline
  • 제출하다 → to submit
  • 규정 → regulation
  • 준수하다 → to comply with/follow
  • 입구 → entrance
  • 대기하다 → to wait/stand by
  • 양식 → form
  • 작성하다 → to write/fill out
  • 현장 → site/scene
  • 조사하다 → to investigate
  • 결과 → result
  • 보고하다 → to report
  • 절차 → procedure
  • 시작하다 → to start
  • 문서 → document
  • 보관하다 → to store/keep
  • 담당자 → person in charge
  • 문의하다 → to inquire/ask
Tip 💡 Many formal verbs ending in 하다 become 하라.
 

Exercise 2 — Choose -으라 after consonant stems 🧱

A. 공지 내용을 읽＿＿＿＿.
Read the notice contents. 📢
Answer
읽으라 — 읽다 ends in a consonant, so use -으라.
B. 담당자에게 받＿＿＿＿.
Receive it from the person in charge. 🪪
Answer
받으라 — 받다 → 받으라.
C. 결과를 믿＿＿＿＿.
Trust the result. 📊
Answer
믿으라 — 믿다 takes -으라.
D. 절차를 따르＿＿＿＿.
Follow the procedure. 🧭
Answer
따르라 — 따르다 has the stem 따르-, so use -라. Tiny trap! 🪤
E. 안전모를 쓰＿＿＿＿.
Wear a safety helmet. ⛑️
Answer
쓰라 — 쓰다 has the vowel stem 쓰-, so use -라.
F. 질문을 듣＿＿＿＿.
Listen to the question. 👂
Answer
들으라 — 듣다 changes to 들으라 before -으라.
G. 답을 찾＿＿＿＿.
Find the answer. 🔍
Answer
찾으라 — 찾다 ends in a consonant, so use -으라.
H. 책임을 맡＿＿＿＿.
Take responsibility. 🧑‍💼
Answer
맡으라 — 맡다 → 맡으라.
I. 증거를 남기＿＿＿＿.
Leave evidence. 🧾
Answer
남기라 — 남기다 has the vowel stem 남기-, so use -라.
J. 기록을 적＿＿＿＿.
Write down the record. 🖊️
Answer
적으라 — 적다 ends in a consonant, so use -으라.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 공지 → notice
  • 내용 → contents
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 담당자 → person in charge
  • 받다 → to receive
  • 결과 → result
  • 믿다 → to believe/trust
  • 절차 → procedure
  • 따르다 → to follow
  • 안전모 → safety helmet
  • 쓰다 → to wear/use/write
  • 질문 → question
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 답 → answer
  • 찾다 → to find
  • 책임 → responsibility
  • 맡다 → to take charge of
  • 증거 → evidence
  • 남기다 → to leave
  • 기록 → record
  • 적다 → to write down
Tip 💡 Check the actual stem, not the English meaning. Some prompts hide vowel-stem traps.
 

Exercise 3 — ㄹ stems and prohibition signs 🚦

A. 새 지침을 만들＿＿＿＿.
Make new guidelines. 📘
Answer
만들라 — 만들다 is a ㄹ-stem verb, so use -라.
B. 바르게 살＿＿＿＿.
Live rightly. 🌱
Answer
살라 — 살다 + -라 = 살라.
C. 목표를 세우＿＿＿＿.
Set a goal. 🎯
Answer
세우라 — 세우다 has the stem 세우-, so use -라.
D. 문을 열＿＿＿＿.
Open the door. 🚪
Answer
열라 — 열다 is a ㄹ-stem verb, so use -라.
E. 불을 끄＿＿＿＿.
Turn off the light. 💡
Answer
끄라 — 끄다 has the stem 끄-, so use -라.
F. 허가 없이 들어가지 ＿＿＿＿.
Do not enter without permission. 🚫
Answer
말라 — -지 말라 is the formal written prohibition.
G. 자료를 훼손하지 ＿＿＿＿.
Do not damage the materials. 📄
Answer
말라 — Formal written “do not” = -지 말라.
H. 입구를 막지 ＿＿＿＿.
Do not block the entrance. 🚪
Answer
말라 — 막지 말라 fits a warning sign or rule.
I. 규정을 어기지 ＿＿＿＿.
Do not violate the regulation. ⚖️
Answer
말라 — 어기지 말라 = do not violate.
J. 현장에서 뛰지 ＿＿＿＿.
Do not run at the site. 🏃
Answer
말라 — 뛰지 말라 is direct, formal, and sign-like.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 새 → new
  • 지침 → guideline
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 바르게 → rightly/properly
  • 살다 → to live
  • 목표 → goal
  • 세우다 → to set/establish
  • 문 → door
  • 열다 → to open
  • 불 → light/fire
  • 끄다 → to turn off
  • 허가 → permission
  • 들어가다 → to enter
  • 자료 → materials
  • 훼손하다 → to damage
  • 입구 → entrance
  • 막다 → to block/obstruct
  • 규정 → regulation
  • 어기다 → to violate
  • 현장 → site
  • 뛰다 → to run
Tip 💡 ㄹ stems do not add 으; prohibitions use -지 말라.
 

Exercise 4 — Tone patrol: written command, polite command, or reported command? 🎚️

A. 다음 질문에 답하라.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 📝
Answer
Formal written command — This sounds like an exam or official prompt.
B. 자료를 확인하십시오.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 📄
Answer
Polite command — -십시오 is formal and respectful toward the listener.
C. 담당자가 제출하라고 했습니다.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 🪪
Answer
Reported command — 제출하라고 했습니다 means “said/told someone to submit.”
D. 안전 규정을 준수하세요.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 🦺
Answer
Polite command — -세요 is polite and more conversational.
E. 입구에서 대기하라.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 🚪
Answer
Formal written command — The ending -라 gives notice-style authority.
F. 선생님이 읽으라고 하셨습니다.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 👩‍🏫
Answer
Reported command — 읽으라고 하셨습니다 reports what the teacher told someone to do.
G. 문서를 보관하라.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 🗂️
Answer
Formal written command — This fits a manual, checklist, or rule.
H. 양식을 작성해 주세요.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 🧾
Answer
Polite command/request — -아/어 주세요 asks politely.
I. 관리자가 들어가지 말라고 했습니다.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 🚫
Answer
Reported command — 말라고 했습니다 reports a “do not” instruction.
J. 기록을 남기라.
Is this a formal written command, polite command, or reported command? 🖊️
Answer
Formal written command — 남기라 is crisp and instruction-like.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 다음 → following/next
  • 질문 → question
  • 답하다 → to answer
  • 자료 → materials
  • 확인하다 → to check
  • 담당자 → person in charge
  • 제출하다 → to submit
  • 안전 → safety
  • 규정 → regulation
  • 준수하다 → to follow/comply with
  • 입구 → entrance
  • 대기하다 → to wait
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 문서 → document
  • 보관하다 → to store
  • 양식 → form
  • 작성하다 → to fill out
  • 관리자 → manager/administrator
  • 들어가다 → to enter
  • 기록 → record
  • 남기다 → to leave
Tip 💡 -(으)라 commands directly on paper; -(으)라고 하다 reports someone else’s command.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 읽라 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Fix “Read.” 📖
Answer
읽으라 — 읽다 ends in a consonant, so it needs -으라.
B. ❌ 만들으라 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿
Fix “Make.” 🛠️
Answer
만들라 — ㄹ stems take -라, not -으라.
C. ❌ 들어가지 마라 → ✅ 들어가지 ＿＿＿＿
Fix a formal “Do not enter” sign. 🚫
Answer
말라 — Formal written prohibition is -지 말라.
D. 기한 안에 자료를 제출하＿＿＿＿.
Complete the formal command. ⏰
Answer
라 — 제출하다 → 제출하라.
E. 공지 내용을 읽＿＿＿＿.
Complete the formal command. 📢
Answer
으라 — 읽다 → 읽으라.
F. 새 지침을 만들＿＿＿＿.
Complete the formal command. 📘
Answer
라 — 만들다 → 만들라.
G. 선생님이 답하라고 했습니다.
Is this written command or reported command? 👩‍🏫
Answer
Reported command — 답하라고 했습니다 reports what someone told another person to do.
H. 안전 규정을 준수하라.
Is this natural for a rule notice? 🦺
Answer
Yes — 준수하라 fits formal written rules and instructions.
I. 친구에게 지금 오라.
Why is this risky in everyday speech? ☕
Answer
It sounds too stiff/direct — Use 지금 오세요 for a polite command, or 지금 오라고 했어요 for reported speech.
J. 절차를 따르＿＿＿＿.
Complete the formal command. 🧭
Answer
라 — 따르다 has the vowel stem 따르-, so the command is 따르라.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 들어가다 → to enter
  • 기한 → deadline
  • 자료 → materials
  • 제출하다 → to submit
  • 공지 → notice
  • 내용 → contents
  • 새 → new
  • 지침 → guideline
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 답하다 → to answer
  • 안전 → safety
  • 규정 → regulation
  • 준수하다 → to follow/comply with
  • 친구 → friend
  • 지금 → now
  • 오다 → to come
  • 절차 → procedure
  • 따르다 → to follow
Tip 💡 Pitfall patrol: consonant stems need 으, ㄹ stems do not, and everyday politeness needs a different ending.
 
🎉 You handled the clipboard grammar beautifully. Now -(으)라 should feel like a clear written-command tool: useful for rules, prompts, notices, and formal prose — but not a “please pass the salt” sentence. 🧂