Learn Hardcore Korean: doseogwane gayo.

In Korean, the subject is often omitted if it’s clear from context. Here, 가요 is the polite present tense of 가다 (to go). The implied subject is usually 저 (I) or 우리 (we) depending on the situation. So this sentence normally means I’m going to the library.

What does 도서관에 signify?

도서관 means library, and 에 is a location particle indicating the destination or place you’re going to. So 도서관에 가요 literally means go to the library.

What tense and politeness level is 가요?

가요 is present tense in the standard polite speech level (also called 요-form). It’s used in everyday conversation with people who are not extremely close (friends), so it’s polite but not overly formal.

How do you change 도서관에 가요 to the past tense?

Replace 가요 with its past tense polite form 갔어요. The sentence becomes 도서관에 갔어요, meaning I went to the library.

How would you say “I will go to the library” instead?

Use the future tense construction -(으)ㄹ 거예요 with 가다 → 갈 거예요. So you get 도서관에 갈 거예요, meaning I will go to the library.

Can you use a different particle instead of 에 for motion verbs?

Yes. You can use (으)로 to emphasize the direction or route you’re taking: 도서관으로 가요. However, 에 is more common when simply stating your destination.

Why isn’t there an object in this sentence?

가다 is an intransitive verb, so it doesn’t take a direct object. Instead of marking an object, you mark the destination with a location particle like 에 or (으)로.

How do you turn 도서관에 가요 into a question?

In casual polite speech, you simply raise your intonation: 도서관에 가요? (Are you going to the library?). In more formal speech you could say 도서관에 가십니까?