N(으)로
Quick answer: N(으)로 means by N — the means you use.
How to form it
Noun ending in a vowel or ㄹ → 로 · other final consonant → 으로 · 지하철로, 버스로, 자전거로
In Korean: 받침 X·ㄹ → 로 받침 O → 으로 지하철로, 버스로, 자전거로
What to know
받침 ㄹ takes 로, not 으로 — 지하철로, never 지하철으로. That single exception covers most of the transport words you will use.
Examples
- 지하철로 가요.I go by subway.
- 버스로 학교에 와요.I come to school by bus.
- 자전거로 가요.I go by bicycle.
Where it's taught
HanDa Level 1 (TOPIK I), Lesson 19: 지하철로 가요 — I go by subway. Also in the Level 1 book.
Practise N(으)로 out loud
In the HanDa app this is Level 1, Lesson 19 — drills, a speaking check and an AI teacher that corrects what you say. Free for 7 days.