Sequence: After finishing A (-고 나서)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -고 나서 to emphasize that one action is fully completed before the next one begins.
- Attach -고 나서 directly to the verb stem: 먹다 → 먹고 나서.
- It emphasizes the completion of the first action, unlike simple -고.
- The subject must be the same for both actions in the sentence.
Overview
Korean grammar offers nuanced ways to express temporal relationships between actions. The pattern -고 나서 (pronounced go na-seo) is a crucial expression for indicating a strict, sequential completion of one action before the next begins. Unlike simpler connectors like -고 (which merely links actions or states), -고 나서 emphasizes that the preceding action has been thoroughly finished, concluded, or completed, making the subsequent action possible or logically sequential.
It conveys a strong sense of prerequisite completion.
This grammatical construction is essential for clearly articulating processes, instructions, or narrative sequences where the successful conclusion of the first event is a necessary condition for the second. For learners at the B1 CEFR level, mastering -고 나서 allows for more precise and logical expression of multi-step processes and detailed storytelling, moving beyond basic temporal connections.
For instance, if you say 밥을 먹고 티비를 봐요 (bap-eul meok-go ti-bi-reul bwa-yo), it simply means "I eat and watch TV," possibly simultaneously or with a loose connection. However, 밥을 먹고 나서 티비를 봐요 (bap-eul meok-go na-seo ti-bi-reul bwa-yo) explicitly states, "After finishing eating, I watch TV." This nuance is vital for clarity in many practical situations, from explaining daily routines to giving detailed instructions.
How This Grammar Works
-고 나서 functions as a strong sequential connector, derived from the combination of the conjunctive ending -고 and the verb 나다 (to emerge, to come out, to happen, to finish) in its infinitive form 나서. The 나서 component literally translates to "having emerged/finished," highlighting the completion of the preceding action. This is the linguistic principle that distinguishes it from other sequential expressions.나다. When something 난다 (comes out or happens), it signifies a state of being done or resolved. By attaching 나서 to the -고 ending, the speaker explicitly states that the action described by the first verb has fully materialized or been brought to a close.청소를 하고 나서 쉬세요 (cheong-so-reul ha-go na-seo swi-se-yo) is spoken, it implies that resting is contingent upon the thorough completion of cleaning. You wouldn't suggest someone rests during cleaning, nor would the instruction be as firm without 나서.-고 나서 to eliminate ambiguity regarding the timing and completeness of the initial action. For example, 책을 다 읽고 나서 줄거리를 설명해 주세요 (chaeg-eul da il-go na-seo jul-geo-ri-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo) precisely means "After you have finished reading the entire book, please explain the plot summary." The explanation is expected only after the reading is truly done.Formation Pattern
-고 나서 is one of the most straightforward in Korean grammar, as it attaches directly to the verb stem without requiring consideration for vowel or consonant endings (unlike many other conjugations). This regularity makes it relatively easy for learners to apply consistently across various verbs.
-고 나서.
-고 나서 Form | Meaning |
하다 (to do) | 하- | 하고 나서 | After doing |
먹다 (to eat) | 먹- | 먹고 나서 | After eating |
가다 (to go) | 가- | 가고 나서 | After going |
읽다 (to read) | 읽- | 읽고 나서 | After reading |
만들다 (to make) | 만들- | 만들고 나서 | After making |
듣다 (to listen) | 듣- | 듣고 나서 | After listening |
-고 나서. For instance, 듣다 (a ㄷ-irregular verb) becomes 들어- in some conjugations (e.g., 들어요), but with -고 나서, it remains 듣고 나서. Similarly, 돕다 (a ㅂ-irregular verb) uses 돕고 나서, not 도와고 나서.
게임을 끝내고 나서 숙제를 했어요. (geim-eul kkeun-nae-go na-seo suk-je-reul haess-eo-yo.)
회의가 끝나고 나서 바로 보고서를 작성할게요. (hoe-ui-ga kkeut-na-go na-seo ba-ro bo-go-seo-reul jak-seong-hal-ge-yo.)
끝나다 is often translated as "to end" but here functions as the completion of the meeting.)
점심을 먹고 나서 커피 한 잔 어떠세요? (jeom-sim-eul meok-go na-seo keo-pi han jan eo-tteo-se-yo?)
-고 나서 is accessible to intermediate learners, allowing them to focus on its semantic nuance rather than complex conjugation rules.
When To Use It
-고 나서 when you need to convey a definitive sequence where the first action's complete termination is a prerequisite or clear predecessor to the second. Its application extends beyond simple chronology to emphasize logical dependence, intentional order, or a deliberate pause between actions.- Instructions and Procedures: For explaining steps in a process, recipe, or manual, where each step must be fully executed before proceeding to the next. This ensures clarity and avoids confusion regarding partial completion.
설명서를 다 읽고 나서 제품을 조립해 주세요.(seol-myeong-seo-reul da il-go na-seo je-pum-eul jo-rip-hae ju-se-yo.)
- Strict Routines and Habits: When describing daily activities or established habits where the order is inflexible and intentional. This highlights the discipline or fixed nature of the sequence.
매일 아침 운동을 하고 나서 샤워를 해요.(mae-il a-chim un-dong-eul ha-go na-seo sya-wo-reul hae-yo.)
- Emphasizing Deliberation or Pause: When the speaker wants to stress that there was a conscious break or a necessary conclusion of the first action before the second one was initiated. This adds a sense of thoughtfulness or thoroughness.
고민을 많이 하고 나서 결정을 내렸어요.(go-min-eul man-hi ha-go na-seo gyeol-jeong-eul nae-ryeoss-eo-yo.)
- Narrative Flow and Storytelling: In storytelling,
-고 나서can create a more dramatic or precise progression of events, especially when the first event sets the stage or has significant implications for what follows. 대학교를 졸업하고 나서 해외여행을 떠났어요.(dae-hak-gyo-reul jo-reop-ha-go na-seo hae-oe-yeo-haeng-eul tteo-nass-eo-yo.)
- Cause-and-Effect with Strict Precedence: When the first action causes or enables the second, but only upon its absolute completion.
시험공부를 열심히 하고 나서 좋은 성적을 받았어요.(si-heom-gong-bu-reul yeol-sim-hi ha-go na-seo jo-eun seong-jeok-eul bad-ass-eo-yo.)
-고 나서 when the sequential order is not just chronological but also conditional upon the full completion of the first action. This makes your expression clearer and more emphatic about the causal or logical link between events.Common Mistakes
-고 나서, primarily due to its semantic overlap with other sequential connectors or a misunderstanding of its emphasis on completion. Avoiding these common pitfalls is crucial for accurate and natural Korean expression.- Incorrect Tense Application: This is perhaps the most frequent error. The tense of the sentence is determined solely by the final verb or predicate. The verb preceding
-고 나서must always be in its present tense stem form. Attaching past tense markers (e.g.,았/었) before-고 나서is grammatically incorrect and redundant, as the completion is already implied by나서. - ❌
점심을 먹었고 나서 커피를 마셨어요.(Incorrect:먹었-is past tense) - ✅
점심을 먹고 나서 커피를 마셨어요.(jeom-sim-eul meok-go na-seo keo-pi-reul ma-syeoss-eo-yo.)
마시다)- Confusion with Movement Verbs and
-아/어서: When the second action occurs at the destination of the first action (a movement verb like가다or오다),-아/어서is generally more natural and idiomatic than-고 나서.-아/어서implies a continuous flow where the movement leads directly to the subsequent action at that location. - If you went to the library to study:
도서관에 가서 공부했어요.(do-seo-gwan-e ga-seo gong-bu-haess-eo-yo.) (Correct and natural) - ❌
도서관에 가고 나서 공부했어요.(Less natural, implies you finished the act of going, then separately began studying, possibly even somewhere else) - However, if the act of going itself is the completed action and something entirely separate happens afterward,
-고 나서can be used:
서울에 가고 나서 바로 제주도로 떠났어요. (seo-ul-e ga-go na-seo ba-ro je-ju-do-ro tteo-nass-eo-yo.)- Using with Adjectives or
이다(to be):-고 나서fundamentally describes the completion of an action. Adjectives (descriptive verbs) and이다do not denote actions that can be "finished" in this sense. Therefore, using-고 나서with them is incorrect. - ❌
예쁘고 나서 사진을 찍었어요.(Incorrect: You don't "finish being pretty") - For connecting descriptive states, simple
-고or other expressions are used:
날씨가 춥고 바람이 많이 불었어요. (nal-ssi-ga chup-go ba-ram-i man-hi bul-eoss-eo-yo.)- Overuse where simple
-고suffices: While-고 나서adds emphasis, not every sequential action requires it. If the completion of the first action isn't particularly stressed, or if the actions are very loosely connected, a simple-고might be more natural and less formal. 아침을 먹고 신문을 읽었어요.(a-chim-eul meok-go sin-mun-eul il-geoss-eo-yo.)
- Using
-고 나서here (아침을 먹고 나서 신문을 읽었어요.) would imply a more deliberate pause after breakfast before starting to read the newspaper.
- Redundant usage with
다(all/completely): While다naturally pairs with-고 나서to reinforce completion (e.g.,다 먹고 나서), avoid using다when the verb itself already implies thorough completion or when the context makes다redundant.
-고 나서 into their Korean communication.Real Conversations
-고 나서 is frequently used in everyday Korean, from casual chats to more formal discussions, to clarify sequences and emphasize completed prerequisites. Its presence adds a layer of precision to spoken and written communication.
Example 1
A
어제 회식 끝나고 나서 바로 집에 갔어? (eo-je hoe-sik kkeut-na-go na-seo ba-ro jib-e gass-eo?)"Did you go straight home after the company dinner ended yesterday?"
B
아니, 노래방 가고 나서 새벽에 들어갔지. (a-ni, no-rae-bang ga-go na-seo sae-byeok-e deul-eo-gass-ji.)"No, after going to the karaoke room, I got in at dawn."
Observation
끝나고 나서 clearly states the company dinner was over before asking about the next action, and 가고 나서 indicates the karaoke session was fully completed before returning home. This level of detail in a casual setting is natural for clarifying a sequence of social events.Example 2
Manager
이 자료는 언제까지 분석을 완료해야 합니까? (i ja-ryo-neun eon-je-kka-ji bun-seok-eul wan-ryo-hae-ya hap-ni-kka?)"By when do I need to complete the analysis of this data?"
Employee
오전에 보고서 작성 다 하고 나서 오후에 말씀드리겠습니다. (o-jeon-e bo-go-seo jak-seong da ha-go na-seo o-hu-e mal-sseum-deu-ri-gess-seup-ni-da.)"After finishing writing the report in the morning, I will inform you in the afternoon."
Observation
다 하고 나서 to assure the manager that the report writing will be entirely completed as a primary task, and only then will the manager be addressed. This conveys professionalism and a clear order of operations.Example 3
Post
시험 끝나고 나서 뭐 할지 행복한 고민 중! (si-heom kkeut-na-go na-seo mwo hal-ji haeng-bok-han go-min jung!)"After the exam finishes, I'm happily agonizing over what to do!"
Comment
나도! 끝나고 나서 바로 영화 보러 갈 거야. (na-do! kkeut-na-go na-seo ba-ro yeong-hwa bo-reo gal geo-ya.)"Me too! After it ends, I'm going straight to see a movie."
Observation
-고 나서 maintains its clear sequential meaning. The speaker emphasizes that the movie-watching will only commence after the exam is entirely over, highlighting a planned post-exam activity.Example 4
A
너무 피곤해 보여. 오늘 일 다 하고 나서 좀 쉬어. (neo-mu pi-gon-hae bo-yeo. o-neul il da ha-go na-seo jom swi-eo.)"You look so tired. After finishing all your work today, get some rest."
Observation
These examples illustrate that -고 나서 is a versatile and commonly used expression that allows speakers to articulate precise sequences of completed actions in various communicative contexts.
Quick FAQ
-고 나서 can solidify your understanding and prevent typical usage errors.- Q: What's the core difference between
-고 나서and simple-고?
While both connect actions, -고 나서 strongly emphasizes the complete termination of the first action before the second begins. It implies a clear break or prerequisite. Simple -고 is a looser connector, indicating chronological order but not necessarily full completion or a pause. Actions connected by -고 can sometimes overlap or be less strictly sequential. Think of -고 나서 as "Action A is done, then Action B," while -고 is often just "Action A and Action B."
밥을 먹고 TV를 봐요.(I eat, and I watch TV - could be at the same time, or just a loose sequence).밥을 먹고 나서 TV를 봐요.(I finish eating, then I watch TV - clear completion and subsequent action).
- Q: How does
-고 나서compare to-(으)ㄴ 후에((eu)n hu-e)?
Both -(으)ㄴ 후에 and -고 나서 mean "after doing X." They are often interchangeable, but subtle differences exist:
-(으)ㄴ 후에tends to focus more on the passage of time after the first action's completion. It is slightly more formal and often used in written contexts or for general statements of sequence.-고 나서places a stronger emphasis on the completion of the action itself as the immediate preceding condition. It often implies a more direct or immediate follow-up to the completion.
-(으)ㄴ 후에 when you want a slightly more formal tone or to highlight the timeframe, and -고 나서 when the completion of the action is the key point you want to stress.- Q: Can I shorten
-고 나서to just-고in conversation?
Yes, you can. In very casual speech, especially when the context is clear, the 나서 part is often omitted, and a simple -고 is used while still implying the meaning of "after finishing." However, doing so loses the explicit emphasis on completion and the deliberate pause. If you want to be precise or add weight to the sequence, keeping 나서 is advisable.
숙제 다 하고 (나서) 놀자.(suk-je da ha-go (na-seo) nol-ja.)
나서 is optional here if the meaning is understood).- Q: Can I use
-고 나서with nouns?
No, -고 나서 directly attaches to verb stems to denote the completion of an action. To express "after [noun]," you would typically use 명사 + 후에 (e.g., 식사 후에 - "after a meal"). If a noun needs to be verbified, 명사 + 하고 나서 could be used (e.g., 회의를 하고 나서 - "after having the meeting"), but then 하다 is the verb, not the noun itself.
- Q: Does
-고 나서imply immediate action?
While it emphasizes completion, it doesn't always imply immediate action, although it often does. It means that the second action occurs at some point after the first one is fully done. The immediacy depends more on context and additional adverbs (e.g., 바로 - "immediately"). Without such adverbs, there could be a short or even a long interval, as long as the first action is completed first.
운동을 하고 나서 샤워를 해요.(Could be immediately, or after a short cool-down).운동을 하고 나서 바로 샤워를 해요.(Emphasizes immediacy).
Formation of -고 나서
| Verb Stem | Suffix | Result |
|---|---|---|
|
먹
|
고 나서
|
먹고 나서
|
|
가
|
고 나서
|
가고 나서
|
|
공부하
|
고 나서
|
공부하고 나서
|
|
읽
|
고 나서
|
읽고 나서
|
|
자
|
고 나서
|
자고 나서
|
|
만들
|
고 나서
|
만들고 나서
|
Meanings
This pattern indicates that the action in the first clause is finished before the action in the second clause starts. It adds a sense of 'completion' that simple sequential markers lack.
Sequential Completion
Action A is completed, then Action B follows.
“밥을 먹고 나서 커피를 마셔요.”
“영화를 보고 나서 집에 갔어요.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + 고 나서
|
밥을 먹고 나서 가요.
|
|
Negative
|
Stem + 고 나서 + 안/못
|
밥을 먹고 나서 안 먹었어요.
|
|
Question
|
Stem + 고 나서 + (Verb)?
|
밥을 먹고 나서 뭐 할 거예요?
|
|
Past
|
Stem + 고 나서 + Past
|
숙제를 하고 나서 잤어요.
|
|
Future
|
Stem + 고 나서 + Future
|
숙제를 하고 나서 잘 거예요.
|
Formality Spectrum
식사하시고 나서 가십시오. (Leaving a restaurant)
식사하고 나서 가세요. (Leaving a restaurant)
밥 먹고 나서 가. (Leaving a restaurant)
밥 먹고 나서 튀자. (Leaving a restaurant)
Sequential Flow
Result
- Action B Next step
Examples by Level
밥을 먹고 나서 가요.
I'll go after I eat.
숙제를 하고 나서 놀아요.
I play after doing homework.
운동을 하고 나서 샤워해요.
I shower after exercising.
책을 읽고 나서 자요.
I sleep after reading a book.
회의를 끝내고 나서 연락할게요.
I will contact you after finishing the meeting.
영화를 보고 나서 저녁을 먹었어요.
I ate dinner after watching the movie.
청소를 하고 나서 쉬었어요.
I rested after cleaning.
쇼핑을 하고 나서 집에 왔어요.
I came home after shopping.
준비를 다 하고 나서 출발합시다.
Let's depart after we finish all preparations.
이 문서를 검토하고 나서 결재해 주세요.
Please approve after reviewing this document.
상담을 받고 나서 결정할 거예요.
I will decide after receiving consultation.
여행 계획을 세우고 나서 비행기 표를 샀어요.
I bought the plane ticket after making travel plans.
실험 결과를 분석하고 나서 보고서를 작성했습니다.
I wrote the report after analyzing the experiment results.
문제를 충분히 고민하고 나서 질문하세요.
Please ask questions after thinking about the problem sufficiently.
상황을 파악하고 나서 대응하는 것이 좋습니다.
It is better to respond after grasping the situation.
모든 의견을 듣고 나서 최종 결정을 내렸습니다.
I made the final decision after hearing all opinions.
이론적 배경을 정립하고 나서 연구를 시작해야 합니다.
One must start the research after establishing the theoretical background.
사태의 심각성을 인지하고 나서야 조치를 취했습니다.
Only after realizing the severity of the situation did they take action.
협상을 마무리하고 나서 계약서에 서명했습니다.
We signed the contract after finalizing the negotiations.
기반 시설을 확충하고 나서 도시 개발을 추진할 계획입니다.
We plan to push for urban development after expanding infrastructure.
역사적 맥락을 고찰하고 나서야 비로소 그 의미를 이해할 수 있었습니다.
Only after contemplating the historical context could I finally understand its meaning.
내면의 갈등을 해소하고 나서야 진정한 평온을 찾았습니다.
Only after resolving internal conflicts did I find true peace.
제도적 결함을 보완하고 나서야 정책이 안정화되었습니다.
The policy stabilized only after supplementing the institutional flaws.
수년간의 시행착오를 겪고 나서야 비로소 성공의 열쇠를 찾았습니다.
Only after years of trial and error did I find the key to success.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'after'.
Both connect verbs.
Both relate to sequence.
Common Mistakes
먹고 나서 밥을 먹었어요.
밥을 먹고 나서 물을 마셨어요.
가고 나서 그가 갔어요.
내가 가고 나서 그가 갔어요.
먹고나서
먹고 나서
가고 나서요
가고 나서
공부하고 나서 안 했어요.
공부하고 나서 잤어요.
먹고 나서 밥을 먹어요.
밥을 먹고 나서 커피를 마셔요.
먹고 나서가요.
먹고 나서 가요.
도착하고 나서 보았어요.
도착하고 나서 보았습니다.
먹고 나서야 밥을 먹었어요.
먹고 나서 밥을 먹었어요.
숙제하고 나서.
숙제를 하고 나서.
분석하고 나서야 결과를 알았습니다.
분석하고 나서 결과를 알았습니다.
결정하고 나서.
결정을 하고 나서.
도착하고 나서야.
도착하고 나서.
Sentence Patterns
___을/를 하고 나서 ___을/를 해요.
___을/를 끝내고 나서 ___할 거예요.
___을/를 하고 나서야 비로소 ___을/를 깨달았어요.
___을/를 하고 나서 ___하는 것이 중요합니다.
Real World Usage
도착하고 나서 톡해!
검토하고 나서 회신 부탁드립니다.
물을 끓이고 나서 면을 넣으세요.
운동하고 나서 인증샷!
대학을 졸업하고 나서 인턴을 했습니다.
호텔에 체크인하고 나서 관광을 시작해요.
Subject Consistency
Don't Overuse
Professionalism
Daily Routine
Smart Tips
Use -고 나서 to show you are organized.
Use it to sequence your tasks clearly.
Use it to ensure the listener follows steps.
Use it to link your future actions.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The 's' in 나서 is pronounced clearly.
Rising
밥 먹고 나서?↗
Questioning sequence
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '고 나서' as 'Go and then...'. You 'go' (finish) the first task, 'and then' start the next.
Visual Association
Imagine a person finishing a race (Action A) and then immediately holding a trophy (Action B). The 'finishing' is the key.
Rhyme
Finish the task and then you go, use -고 나서, it's the way to show.
Story
Min-su finished his homework. He felt relieved. He then turned on his game console. He said, '숙제를 다 하고 나서 게임을 해요.'
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your morning routine using -고 나서.
Cultural Notes
Koreans value the order of events in daily life, so this is used frequently.
Derived from the verb '나다' (to come out/happen) combined with the connective '고'.
Conversation Starters
오늘 수업 끝나고 나서 뭐 할 거예요?
퇴근하고 나서 보통 뭘 하세요?
한국어를 배우고 나서 무엇을 하고 싶어요?
식사를 하고 나서 바로 운동하는 게 좋아요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
밥을 먹___ 나서 학교에 가요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
나는 밥을 먹고 나서 그가 갔어요.
하고 / 나서 / 잤어요 / 숙제를
A: 뭐 할 거예요? B: ___.
만들다 + -고 나서
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Can -고 나서 be used with different subjects?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises밥을 먹___ 나서 학교에 가요.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
나는 밥을 먹고 나서 그가 갔어요.
하고 / 나서 / 잤어요 / 숙제를
A: 뭐 할 거예요? B: ___.
만들다 + -고 나서
Match the sequence.
Can -고 나서 be used with different subjects?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercises책을 다 ___ 독후감을 썼어요. (read - 읽다)
Match the action to the 'after' form.
닦아요 / 이빨을 / 자기 / 전에 / 나서 / 먹고
샤워를 ___ 머리를 말려요.
집에 가고 나서 밥을 먹었어요. (Context: I went home and then ate there)
After graduation
생각을 ___ 결정해요. (change - 바꾸다)
Which situation fits -고 나서 best?
Which one is WRONG?
설명을 잘 ___ 시작하세요. (listen - 듣다)
가세요 / 확인하고 / 문을 / 나서 / 잠갔는지
공부하다 (to study) -> After studying...
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, the subject must be the same for both clauses.
It is neutral and used in both formal and informal settings.
-고 is simple sequence; -고 나서 emphasizes completion.
Yes, but the tense is usually marked on the final verb.
Yes, -고 나서 should be written with a space before '나서'.
Yes, usually on the second verb.
Yes, it is very common.
No, it is for verbs only.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
~てから
Both are very similar in usage and nuance.
Después de + infinitive
Spanish uses an infinitive, while Korean conjugates the verb stem.
Nachdem + perfect tense
German requires a full clause with tense agreement.
Après avoir + past participle
French focuses on the past state.
做完...以后
Chinese explicitly uses the word 'finish' (完).
بعد أن + verb
Arabic structure is more formal.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Related Videos
Related Grammar Rules
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