아/어 달다

Overview

The -아/어 달다 grammar pattern is used to make a request for an action that will directly benefit the speaker. It signifies that the speaker is asking someone to perform a favor or service specifically for them. This expression is a polite way to ask for help or for something to be done on one's behalf.

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Usage

You use -아/어 달다 when you want to ask someone to do something for you or for your group. The core meaning of '달다' in this context is similar to '주다' (to give), but specifically implies giving a favor or service to the speaker. It's crucial to understand that the beneficiary of the action is always the speaker. For instance, if you ask someone to "open the door for me," you would use this pattern. It's commonly used in indirect speech (e.g., ~아/어 달라고 하다) or when directly making a request (e.g., ~아/어 주세요, where '주세요' is the honorific imperative of '주다', but the underlying request is for the speaker).

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Conjugation Rules

The -아/어 달다 pattern attaches to verb stems, following the standard -아/어 conjugation rules:

1. Verb stem ending in ㅏ or ㅗ: Attach -아 달다.

   • 예) 찾다 (to find) → 찾아 달다
   • 예) 오다 (to come) → 와 달다

2. Verb stem ending in other vowels or a consonant: Attach -어 달다.

   • 예) 먹다 (to eat) → 먹어 달다
   • 예) 만들다 (to make) → 만들어 달다

3. 하다 verbs: Change 하다 to 해 달다.

   • 예) 공부하다 (to study) → 공부해 달다
   • 예) 전화하다 (to call) → 전화해 달다

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Knowledge Plus

The expression -아/어 달다 is closely related to -아/어 주다 and -아/어 드리다.

• -아/어 주다: Used when the action benefits someone other than the speaker (e.g., "Please open the door for him/her"). It can also be used for the speaker, but -아/어 달다 specifically emphasizes the speaker as the beneficiary.
• -아/어 드리다: This is the honorific form of -아/어 주다, used when the action benefits a superior or respected person. When making a direct request, -아/어 달다 is often seen in the form -아/어 주세요 (the honorific imperative of -아/어 주다), where the underlying meaning is still 'please do it for me'. However, -아/어 달라고 하다 is the most common way to use -아/어 달다 in indirect speech, clearly indicating a request made for the speaker. For example, "친구에게 책을 빌려 달라고 부탁했어요" (I asked my friend to lend me a book).