Overview
The expression -아/어 달라고 하다 is used to indirectly quote a request or command that was made by someone, specifically when the requested action is to be performed for the benefit of the original speaker (the person making the request). It essentially means "to say that one wants someone to do something for them."
Usage
This grammatical pattern is a combination of two key elements: the -아/어 주다 structure (meaning "to do something for someone") and the -고 하다 indirect quotation marker. When the original request is directed towards the listener (or the person relaying the message) to perform an action for the benefit of the original speaker, 주다 transforms into 달라고 하다.
It is used to:
- Report a favor or request that someone asked you (or another person) to do for them.
- Emphasize that the action is for the benefit of the person who made the request.
- Relay commands or instructions where the outcome serves the original speaker's needs.
Example:
Original request: "저 좀 도와주세요." (Please help me.)
Indirect quote: "그 사람이 저를 도와 달라고 했어요." (That person asked me to help them.)
Conjugation Rules
The conjugation follows the standard -아/어 linking verb rules, followed by 달라고 하다.
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Verb stem ending in ㅏ or ㅗ: Add -아 달라고 하다
- Example: 찾다 (to find) → 찾아 달라고 하다 (to ask someone to find something for them)
- Example: 오다 (to come) → 와 달라고 하다 (to ask someone to come for them)
-
Verb stem ending in other vowels or a consonant: Add -어 달라고 하다
- Example: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹어 달라고 하다 (to ask someone to eat something for them)
- Example: 만들다 (to make) → 만들어 달라고 하다 (to ask someone to make something for them)
-
Verb stem ending in 하다: Change to -해 달라고 하다
- Example: 공부하다 (to study) → 공부해 달라고 하다 (to ask someone to study for them)
- Example: 전화하다 (to call) → 전화해 달라고 하다 (to ask someone to call for them)
Knowledge Plus
- Distinction with -아/어 주라고 하다: It is crucial to differentiate -아/어 달라고 하다 from -아/어 주라고 하다.
- -아/어 달라고 하다: The original speaker requested the listener (or someone else) to do something for the original speaker's benefit.
- Example: "친구가 저에게 책을 빌려 달라고 했어요." (My friend asked me to lend him a book.)
- -아/어 주라고 하다: The original speaker requested the listener (or someone else) to do something for a third party's benefit.
- Example: "친구가 동생에게 책을 빌려 주라고 했어요." (My friend asked me to lend a book to my younger sibling.)
- Shortened Form: The expression -아/어 달라고 하다 can be shortened to -아/어 달래다 in informal speech.
- Example: "엄마가 빨리 오라고 달랬어요." (Mom asked me to come quickly.)