Breakdown of seodulleoya jesigane dochakhaeyo.
~에~e
time particle
도착하다dochakhada
to arrive
서두르다seodureuda
to hurry
제시간jesigan
right time
Questions & Answers about seodulleoya jesigane dochakhaeyo.
What does the ending in 서둘러야 mean?
It’s the conditional ending -아/어야, meaning “only if” or “unless.” The pattern X-아/어야 Y means “Only if X happens, Y (can/will) happen.”
- Here: 서둘러야 제시간에 도착해요 ≈ “Only if (we) hurry, (we) arrive on time.”
- This is different from obligation: 서둘러야 해요/돼요 = “I/we have to hurry.”
Where is the subject? Who is hurrying and arriving?
Korean often omits the subject when it’s obvious. It could be “I,” “we,” or “you,” depending on context.
- You can add it for clarity: 저(는)/우리(는)/너(는) 서둘러야 제시간에 도착해요.
Why is 도착해요 in the present tense if it’s talking about the future?
Korean non-past (present) is commonly used for general truths, schedules, or predicted outcomes, especially in conditionals. You can say 도착할 거예요 too, but the simple 도착해요 sounds like a general rule: “Only if we hurry do we (will we) arrive on time.”
Is 서두르다 irregular? How do we get 서둘러야?
Yes, it’s a 르-irregular verb.
- 서두르다
- -어야 → the ㅡ drops and an extra ㄹ appears: 서둘러야.
- Other forms: 서둘러요 (polite present), 서둘렀어요 (past), 서둘러야 해요/돼요 (must), (let’s hurry).