로 and 에

[mikaclare]

I am having difficulty understanding the difference between 로 and 에.

For example:

거기로 갈게.

거기에 갈게.

Is there a difference in the nuance? Or am I totally grammatically wrong in one or the other?

Thanks!!

[trutherous]

The way I understand it, and I just double checked with the living dictionary (my Korean wife), 로 emphasizes direction "to" or 'toward' whereas 에 is indicative of location or place "at".


거기로 갈게. I will go to that place.

거기에 갈게. I will go there.

[mikaclare]

Thank you! I guess there's not a huge difference, but the nuance is different--one is stronger than the other.

It must be nice to have a live dictionary!

[manyakumi]

The way I understand it, and I just double checked with the living dictionary (my Korean wife), 로 emphasizes direction "to" or 'toward' whereas 에 is indicative of location or place "at".

Exactly.


Additionally, I'll show you how interesting it is that the change can make the meaning different.

내가 거기로 갈게. I will come to you. (to where you are)

내가 거기에 갈게. I will go there instead of you.

[trutherous]

mikaclare - yes it is nice to have a live dictionary but her Korean is rusty and she doesn't have the teaching spirit -- with her it's like "You either know it or you don't. It means that because it means that." She's not big on explanations.

manyakumi -- awesome example!