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Linking Ideas: And & But
Connective Ending -고 (and then)

1 Connective Ending -고 (and then) 2 Connecting Sentences: And & Then (-고) 3 Connective Ending: `지만` (but, although) 4 But & Although in Korean: Using `지만` to Contrast Ideas

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A2 Connective Endings 10 min read Easy

Connective Ending -고 (and then)

Use -고 to link sequential actions or list facts, adding it to the stem and saving the tense for the very end.

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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use -고 to connect two actions or states in a sequence or to list them together.

Attach -고 directly to the verb or adjective stem: 가다 -> 가고.
It connects two clauses without changing the tense of the first verb.
The final verb determines the tense of the entire sentence.

Verb/Adj Stem + 고 + Verb/Adj

Overview

In Korean grammar, constructing complex sentences that flow naturally hinges on your command of connective endings. Among the most fundamental and frequently used is the connective ending -고 (go). At its core, -고 functions as a bridge between clauses, most commonly translating to "and" or "and then" in English.

Its purpose is to link actions, states, or simple facts together into a single, cohesive sentence, allowing you to move beyond short, disconnected statements.

Mastering -고 is a critical milestone for any A2 learner. It introduces a core principle of Korean sentence structure: the deferral of grammatical information to the end of the sentence. When you connect clauses with -고, the preceding clause remains grammatically neutral; it doesn't contain tense or politeness markers.

All this crucial information is loaded onto the final verb or adjective of the entire sentence. This linguistic efficiency is key to building longer, more sophisticated sentences that sound natural to a native speaker.

While often taught simply as "and," the function of -고 is nuanced. It can denote a chronological sequence of events (I did A, and then I did B), a simple list of attributes (This is A and B), or provide background context (While doing A, I did B). Understanding these distinct uses will empower you to express yourself with greater precision and clarity, forming the foundation for more advanced connective grammar you'll encounter later.

How This Grammar Works

The grammatical mechanic of -고 is straightforward but absolute. It attaches directly to the stem of a verb or adjective, creating what can be thought of as a "neutral clause." This initial clause is stripped of any tense or politeness level, with all such conjugations applied only once, to the final predicate of the complete sentence. This principle of terminal conjugation is not just a rule for -고; it's a widespread feature of Korean grammar that promotes efficiency and flow.

Let's examine how this plays out with tense. Whether an action happened in the past, is happening now, or will happen in the future is determined solely by the final verb.

Past Tense: 어제 책을 읽고 잤어요. (Eoje chaeg-eul ilggo jasseoyo.) - Yesterday, I read a book and then slept.Notice the first verb is 읽고 (from 읽다, to read), not 읽었고. The past tense is conveyed only by the final verb, 잤어요 (slept). The single past tense marker applies to both actions.

Future Tense: 내일 영화를 보고 쇼핑할 거예요. (Naeil yeonghwa-reul bogo syopinghal geoyeyo.) - Tomorrow, I will watch a movie and then shop.The first clause uses the neutral 보고 (from 보다, to see). The future tense is established at the end with 쇼핑할 거예요 (will shop).

Present Tense: 저는 커피를 마시고 일해요. (Jeoneun keopi-reul masigo ilhaeyo.) - I drink coffee and work.Both actions are understood to be in the present because of the final verb 일해요 (work).

Typically, the subject of the clauses linked by -고 is the same person or thing. For instance, in all the examples above, "I" is the one performing both actions. However, it's also possible for the clauses to have different subjects, especially when listing parallel facts or observations.

For example: 주말에는 날씨가 좋고 사람들도 많았어요. (Jumal-eneun nalssiga jogo saramdeuldo manasseoyo.) - On the weekend, the weather was good and there were also many people. Here, the weather is the subject of the first clause, and people are the subject of the second.

Formation Pattern

The formation rule for -고 is one of the most welcoming in Korean grammar because of its absolute consistency. Unlike many other endings that change based on whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant, -고 attaches universally without any modification. You simply take the dictionary form of a verb or adjective, remove the final 다 (da), and append -고.

This simple rule applies to all verbs and adjectives.

Verbs (동사 - dongsa) and Adjectives (형용사 - hyeongyongsa)

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

As the table shows, even stems ending in ㄹ, which often drop the ㄹ before other endings, retain it for -고. This makes the pattern exceptionally reliable.

Nouns (명사 - myeongsa) with -이고

When you want to link nouns, you use a slightly different form: -이고 (igo). This is effectively the -고 form of the copula 이다 (to be). The rule is similarly consistent.

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

For example: 저는 한국 사람이고, 제 친구는 미국 사람입니다. (Jeoneun hanguk saram-igo, je chingu-neun miguk saram-imnida.) - I am Korean, and my friend is American.

In casual conversation, you'll often hear -이고 shortened after a vowel. For instance, 의사이고 might be contracted to 의사고 (uisago). This is very common but is best reserved for informal speech.

When To Use It

The function of -고 can be broken down into three primary uses. Recognizing which role it's playing in a sentence is key to understanding the precise meaning.

1Sequential Actions (First A, Then B)

This is the most common use of -고. It connects two or more actions in chronological order. The action in the first clause happens, and then the action in the second clause follows. The order is fixed and important.

어제 숙제를 하고 잤어요. (Eoje sukje-reul hago jasseoyo.) - Yesterday, I did my homework and then I slept. (The sleeping happened after the homework.)

먼저 손을 씻고 식사하세요. (Meonjeo son-eul ssitgo siksahaseyo.) - Please wash your hands first and then eat your meal.

It's crucial not to confuse this with the connective ending -아/어서, which implies a reason or cause. -고 simply lists the order of events without suggesting one caused the other.

1Enumeration of States or Actions (A and B)

This usage simply lists two or more facts, qualities, or parallel actions. Unlike the sequential use, the order of the clauses is often interchangeable without changing the core meaning. This form is very frequently used to list multiple adjectives describing a person, place, or thing.

이 식당은 음식이 맛있고 가격도 싸요. (I sikdang-eun eumsig-i masitgo gyeokdo ssayo.) - This restaurant's food is delicious and the price is also cheap.

제 동생은 키가 크고 농구를 잘해요. (Je dongsaeng-eun kiga keugo nonggu-reul jalhaeyo.) - My younger brother is tall and plays basketball well.

In these cases, the order can be reversed: 가격도 싸고 음식도 맛있어요 and 농구를 잘하고 키가 커요 carry the exact same meaning.

1Background State or Manner (While Doing/Having A, Do B)

This is a more nuanced usage where the first clause describes a state that is maintained while the second action occurs. It's often used with verbs related to wearing clothes, carrying items, or holding a state.

저는 안경을 쓰고 책을 읽어요. (Jeoneun angyeong-eul sseugo chaeg-eul ilgeoyo.) - I read books while wearing glasses. (You aren't putting glasses on and then reading; you are reading in the state of wearing glasses.)

그녀는 가방을 메고 걸어가고 있었어요. (Geunyeoneun gabang-eul mego georeogago isseosseoyo.) - She was walking with a bag on her shoulder.

Here, -고 doesn't imply two separate, sequential actions. It links a continuous state (wearing/carrying something) with a primary action, describing how that action is being performed.

Common Mistakes

Learners often make a few predictable errors with -고. Understanding them will help you avoid common pitfalls.

Mistake 1: Applying Tense or Politeness to the First Clause

This is the most frequent error. Learners try to mark the tense on every verb in the sentence, which is grammatically incorrect in Korean.

Incorrect

Correct

✗어제 영화를 봤고 친구를 만났어요. (X)

✓어제 영화를 보고 친구를 만났어요. (O)

The neutral 보고 is required. All tense information for the entire sentence is carried by the final verb, 만났어요 (met). Remember the principle: conjugate only at the end.

Mistake 2: Using -고 for Cause and Effect

While -고 links events sequentially, it does not imply that the first event caused the second. Using it this way sounds unnatural. For cause-and-effect, you must use -아/어서 (aseo/eoseo).

Unnatural: 비가 많이 오고 길이 막혔어요. (X) - (It rained a lot and the road was blocked.)

Natural: 비가 많이 와서 길이 막혔어요. (O) - (Because it rained a lot, the road was blocked.)

This distinction is critical for clear communication.

| Connector | Function | Example |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| -고 | Simple Sequence / Listing | 아침을 먹고 회사에 갔어요. (I ate breakfast and then went to work.) |

| -아/어서 | Reason / Cause & Effect | 배가 고파서 아침을 먹었어요. (Because I was hungry, I ate breakfast.) |

Mistake 3: Confusing -고 with -(으)며 in Conversation

Advanced learners will encounter another connective, -(으)며 (eumyeo), which also means "and." However, its usage is different. -(으)며 is more formal and literary, often found in writing, news reports, or public speeches. It can also more strongly imply that two actions are happening simultaneously.

Natural (Spoken): 저는 밥을 먹고 TV를 봐요. (I eat and then I watch TV.)

Literary/Formal (Simultaneous): 저는 밥을 먹으며 TV를 봐요. (I eat while watching TV.)

Rule of thumb for A2 learners: Stick to -고 for all everyday spoken and informal written Korean. You will almost never need to use -(으)며 in regular conversation.

Real Conversations

Textbook examples are clean, but real-world usage is more dynamic. Here’s how -고 appears in natural contexts.

Scenario 1

Texting a friend about the weekend

주말에 뭐 했어?

(Jumal-e mwo haesseo? - What did you do on the weekend?)

토요일에 영화 보고, 일요일에는 하루 종일 잠만 잤어.

(Toyoil-e yeonghwa bogo, ilyoil-eneun haru jong-il jamman jasseo. - On Saturday I watched a movie, and on Sunday I just slept all day.)

Here, -고 is used to separate the activities of two different days into one fluid thought.

Scenario 2

Describing a new purchase to a coworker

새로 산 노트북 어때요?

(Saero san noteubuk eottaeyo? - How's the new laptop you bought?)

엄청 가볍고 디자인도 진짜 예뻐요. 완전 만족해요.

(Eomcheong gabyeopgo dijaindo jinjja yeppeoyo. Wanjeon manjokaeyo. - It's super light and the design is really pretty too. I'm totally satisfied.)

A classic use of -고 to list two positive qualities (light + pretty).

Scenario 3

A social media caption

(Photo of a person holding a coffee cup on a rainy day, looking out a window)

Caption

비 오는 날 창밖을 보고... 멍때리기

(Bi oneun nal changbakk-eul bogo... meongddaerigi - Looking out the window on a rainy day... and spacing out.)

This shows a very native-like, truncated use. The -고 connects the action of looking out the window to the following noun phrase "spacing out," creating a moody, diary-like entry. It implies the full sentence ...보고 멍때렸어요.

Quick FAQ

Can I link more than two clauses with -고?

Yes, you can chain multiple actions or states together. For example: 아침에 일어나고, 물을 마시고, 운동을 하고, 샤워해요. (In the morning I wake up, drink water, exercise, and then shower.) However, in natural speech, chaining more than three or four clauses can sound a bit robotic or like a list. At that point, people often break it into separate sentences.

Does the order of clauses linked by -고 always matter?

It depends entirely on the context. When describing a sequence of actions (Use Case #1), the order is chronological and critical. 밥을 먹고 양치했어요 (I ate and then brushed my teeth) is very different from 양치하고 밥을 먹었어요 (I brushed my teeth and then ate). When simply listing attributes (Use Case #2), the order is irrelevant. 이 방은 넓고 깨끗해요 (This room is spacious and clean) means the same as 이 방은 깨끗하고 넓어요.

What’s the difference between -고 and 그리고 (geurigo)?

This is a vital distinction. -고 is a connective ending that joins clauses within a single sentence. 그리고 is an adverbial conjunction that connects two separate sentences or phrases.

Can I use -고 with negative sentences?

Yes. The negation (usually with 안 or -지 않다) is applied just like any other verb/adjective property—at the end of the clause. For example, to negate the second clause, you'd say: 밥은 먹고 학교에는 안 갔어요. (I ate, but I didn't go to school.) To negate the first, you can use the -지 않고 form: 아침을 먹지 않고 회사에 갔어요. (I went to work without eating breakfast.) This -지 않고 pattern is a direct and common application of the -고 grammar principle.

Formation of -고

Verb/Adj	Stem	Add -고	Result
가다	가	-고	가고
먹다	먹	-고	먹고
예쁘다	예쁘	-고	예쁘고
공부하다	공부하	-고	공부하고
춥다	춥	-고	춥고
읽다	읽	-고	읽고

Meanings

The connective ending -고 is used to join two clauses, indicating a sequence of events or the addition of descriptive states.

Sequential Action

Doing one thing after another.

“책을 읽고 잤어요.”

“샤워를 하고 옷을 입어요.”

Listing States

Describing multiple qualities of a subject.

“그 사람은 키가 크고 잘생겼어요.”

“날씨가 춥고 바람이 불어요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Connective Ending -고 (and then)
Form	Structure	Example
Affirmative	Stem + 고	먹고
Negative	안 + Stem + 고	안 먹고
Past Tense (Final)	Stem + 고 + Past Verb	먹고 갔어요
Adjective	Adj Stem + 고	크고
Question	Stem + 고 + Verb?	먹고 갈까요?
Short Answer	Stem + 고 + Verb	먹고 가요

Formality Spectrum

Formal

식사하고 학교에 갔습니다.

식사하고 학교에 갔습니다. (Daily life)

Neutral

밥을 먹고 학교에 갔어요.

밥을 먹고 학교에 갔어요. (Daily life)

Informal

밥 먹고 학교에 갔어.

밥 먹고 학교에 갔어. (Daily life)

Slang

밥 먹고 학교 튀었어.

밥 먹고 학교 튀었어. (Daily life)

The -고 Connector

-고

Actions

먹고 eat and
가고 go and

States

크고 big and
예쁘고 pretty and

Sequence vs. Cause

-고 (Sequence)

먹고 가요 Eat and go

-아서 (Cause)

아파서 가요 Go because sick

Examples by Level

사과를 먹고 물을 마셔요.

I eat an apple and drink water.

학교에 가고 공부해요.

I go to school and study.

책을 읽고 자요.

I read a book and sleep.

운동하고 샤워해요.

I exercise and shower.

날씨가 춥고 바람이 불어요.

The weather is cold and windy.

그 사람은 키가 크고 잘생겼어요.

He is tall and handsome.

어제 친구를 만나고 영화를 봤어요.

Yesterday I met a friend and watched a movie.

내일은 숙제를 하고 청소를 할 거예요.

Tomorrow I will do homework and clean.

이 식당은 음식이 맛있고 가격이 저렴해요.

This restaurant's food is delicious and the price is cheap.

그녀는 한국어를 배우고 싶고 한국에 가고 싶어 해요.

She wants to learn Korean and wants to go to Korea.

열심히 공부하고 좋은 대학에 합격했어요.

I studied hard and got into a good university.

창문을 열고 환기를 시키세요.

Open the window and ventilate the room.

그는 회의에 참석하고 보고서를 작성했습니다.

He attended the meeting and wrote the report.

이 제품은 기능이 다양하고 디자인이 세련되었습니다.

This product has diverse functions and a sophisticated design.

사건을 조사하고 증거를 찾았습니다.

I investigated the case and found evidence.

그는 정직하고 성실한 사람입니다.

He is an honest and diligent person.

그는 역사를 연구하고 문화를 분석하는 학자입니다.

He is a scholar who studies history and analyzes culture.

정부는 정책을 수립하고 예산을 집행합니다.

The government establishes policies and executes the budget.

그 소설은 비극적이고 철학적인 주제를 다룹니다.

The novel deals with tragic and philosophical themes.

기술을 습득하고 경험을 쌓는 것이 중요합니다.

Acquiring skills and gaining experience is important.

그는 고전 문학을 탐독하고 현대적 해석을 덧붙였습니다.

He read classic literature and added modern interpretations.

사회를 개혁하고 정의를 구현하려는 의지가 강합니다.

He has a strong will to reform society and realize justice.

그는 예술을 사랑하고 자연을 경외하는 삶을 살았습니다.

He lived a life loving art and revering nature.

법을 준수하고 질서를 유지하는 것은 시민의 의무입니다.

Complying with the law and maintaining order is a citizen's duty.

Easily Confused

Connective Ending -고 (and then) vs -아서/어서

Both connect clauses, but -아서 implies cause, while -고 implies sequence.

Connective Ending -고 (and then) vs -며

Both mean 'and', but -며 is more formal and literary.

Connective Ending -고 (and then) vs -고 나서

Both show sequence, but -고 나서 emphasizes the completion of the first action.

Common Mistakes

✗

먹었고요 가요

✓

먹고 가요

Don't add past tense to the first verb.

✗

가다고 먹어요

✓

가고 먹어요

Must use the stem, not the dictionary form.

✗

먹고 먹어요

✓

먹고 자요

Ensure the second action is different.

✗

예쁘다고 해요

✓

예쁘고 좋아요

Adjectives also use the stem.

✗

비가 와고 집에 갔어요

✓

비가 와서 집에 갔어요

Use -아서 for cause, not -고.

✗

공부하고 싶고 했어요

✓

공부하고 싶었어요

Don't use -고 to connect parts of the same verb phrase.

✗

먹고 갔었다

✓

먹고 갔어요

Keep the final verb in the correct speech level.

✗

그는 키가 크고 잘생겼고 했어요

✓

그는 키가 크고 잘생겼어요

Avoid unnecessary repetition of -고.

✗

숙제를 하고 나서 하고 잤어요

✓

숙제를 하고 잤어요

Don't over-complicate simple sequences.

✗

먹고 먹고 먹었어요

✓

먹고 또 먹었어요

Use adverbs for repetition, not -고.

✗

정부는 정책을 수립하고 예산을 집행하고 완료했습니다

✓

정부는 정책을 수립하고 예산을 집행했습니다

Avoid chaining too many clauses with -고.

✗

그는 예술을 사랑하고 자연을 경외하고 살았습니다

✓

그는 예술을 사랑하며 자연을 경외하며 살았습니다

Use -며 for more formal literary lists.

✗

그것은 중요하고 그리고 필요합니다

✓

그것은 중요하고 필요합니다

Don't use '그리고' after -고.

Sentence Patterns

저는 ___고 ___요.

그 사람은 ___고 ___요.

어제 ___고 ___었어요.

내일 ___고 ___을 거예요.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

오늘 뭐 하고 놀까?

Food Delivery common

맵고 맛있는 걸로 주세요.

Job Interview common

저는 열심히 일하고 배우겠습니다.

Travel common

표를 사고 기차를 타요.

Social Media very common

운동하고 먹는 밥은 최고!

Academic Writing common

이 연구는 분석하고 결론을 도출한다.

💡

Stem focus

Always check the stem. If you see -다, remove it!

⚠️

No tense in middle

The first verb never takes past tense markers.

🎯

Adjective use

It works perfectly for adjectives too, not just verbs.

💬

Natural flow

Use -고 to make your sentences sound less robotic.

Smart Tips

Use -고 to link your activities into a single narrative.

밥을 먹어요. 학교에 가요. → 밥을 먹고 학교에 가요.

Use -고 to list multiple traits.

그는 키가 커요. 그는 잘생겼어요. → 그는 키가 크고 잘생겼어요.

Use -고 to sequence steps.

창문을 열어요. 환기를 시켜요. → 창문을 열고 환기를 시키세요.

Use -고 to connect your qualifications.

저는 영어를 해요. 저는 한국어를 해요. → 저는 영어를 하고 한국어를 합니다.

Pronunciation

Linking

The 'g' sound in -고 is usually pronounced clearly.

Rising

먹고↗?

Are you going to eat and...?

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of -고 as a 'Go' sign. You do one thing, then you 'Go' to the next.

Visual Association

Imagine a train with two cars. The first car is the first action, the second car is the second action, and the coupling between them is the letter '고'.

Rhyme

First action stem, add a -고, then the next action, away you go!

Story

Min-su wakes up. He brushes his teeth (닦고). Then he eats breakfast (먹고). Finally, he leaves for work (가요). He uses -고 to link his morning routine.

Word Web

Use -고 for sequential actions.

Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

그 사람은 키가 크었고 잘생겼어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 크고

Adjectives use -고, not past tense.

Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹고 가요

Simple sequence uses -고.

Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 밥을 먹고 학교에 가요

Correct word order.

Translate to Korean. Translation

I read and sleep.

Answer starts with: 읽고 ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 읽고 자요

Standard sequence.

Match the verb to its -고 form. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고

Stem + 고.

Conjugate '예쁘다'. Conjugation Drill

예쁘다 + 고 = ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 예쁘고

Stem is 예쁘.

Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 오늘 뭐 해요? B: 운동하고 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부해요

Keep the same speech level.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises

Fill in the blank with the correct form.

저는 밥을 ___ 학교에 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹고

Use -고 for sequential actions.

Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

그 사람은 키가 크었고 잘생겼어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 크고

Adjectives use -고, not past tense.

Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 먹고 가요

Simple sequence uses -고.

Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

가요 / 학교에 / 먹고 / 밥을

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 밥을 먹고 학교에 가요

Correct word order.

Translate to Korean. Translation

I read and sleep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 읽고 자요

Standard sequence.

Match the verb to its -고 form. Match Pairs

가다 -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가고

Stem + 고.

Conjugate '예쁘다'. Conjugation Drill

예쁘다 + 고 = ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 예쁘고

Stem is 예쁘.

Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 오늘 뭐 해요? B: 운동하고 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부해요

Keep the same speech level.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises

Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

한국 드라마는 재미있___ 인기가 많아요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 고

Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

그 식당은 음식이 맛있었고 서비스도 좋아요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 그 식당은 음식이 맛있고 서비스도 좋아요.

Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence. Sentence Reorder

[샤워를, 운동을, 하고, 했어요]

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 운동을 하고 샤워를 했어요.

Translate the following sentence into Korean. Translation

This coffee is hot and delicious.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이 커피는 뜨겁고 맛있어요.

Choose the most natural sentence. Multiple Choice

Which sentence is more natural?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 와서 길이 미끄러워요.

Match the first part of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: [["\ucc45\uc744 \uc77d\uace0...","...\uc7a0\uc774 \ub4e4\uc5c8\uc5b4\uc694."],["\ud53c\uace4\ud574\uc11c...","...\uc77c\ucc0d \uc798 \uac70\uc608\uc694."],["\uc11c\uc6b8\uc5ed\uc5d0 \uac00\uc11c...","...\uae30\ucc28\ub97c \ud0c8 \uac70\uc608\uc694."]]

Fill in the blank with the correct noun form. Fill in the Blank

이분은 제 친구___, 이름은 민준이에요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이고

Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

저는 의사고, 제 아내는 변호사예요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 의사이고, 제 아내는 변호사예요.

Which is the correct command? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence to tell someone to eat and then take their medicine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 밥을 먹고 약을 드세요.

Translate the following sentence into Korean. Translation

Yesterday I met a friend and then we had coffee.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어제 친구를 만나고 커피를 마셨어요.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, it works with almost all action and descriptive verbs.

No, the first verb is always in the stem form.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Because -고 is for sequence, not cause. Use -아서/어서 for cause.

No, use -하고 or -이랑 for nouns.

Yes, -고 나서 emphasizes that the first action is finished.

Yes, it is very common in both speech and writing.

It doesn't matter, just add -고.

Scaffolded Practice

1

2

3

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

English high

and

Korean attaches it to the verb; English places it between clauses.

Spanish high

Spanish 'y' connects nouns and verbs; -고 only connects predicates.

German high

und

German 'und' is a separate word.

Japanese high

-te

The conjugation rules for -te are more complex than -고.

Chinese moderate

然后 (ránhòu)

Chinese lacks a direct suffix equivalent for this.

Arabic moderate

و (wa)

Arabic 'wa-' is a prefix; -고 is a suffix.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Connecting Sentences: And & Then (-고)

Learn These First

A1 Requires

Present Tense: The Polite 'Yo' Style (아/어/여요)

Overview Korean verbal conjugation might initially seem complex due to its multiple politeness levels and shifting endin...

Overview In Korean, clearly delineating the order of actions is crucial for precise communication. While the simple conn...

B2 Builds On

Talking About Habits (-곤 하다)

Overview **-곤 하다** (romanized: -gon hada) is a crucial Korean grammar pattern used to express actions that occur habi...

Related Grammar Rules

Because of Doing (Excuse): -느라고

Overview The Korean connective ending `-느라고` (neunago) is a highly specific grammatical construction used to express...

Going to Do Something (러/으러)

Overview In Korean, expressing the **purpose** for which an action is undertaken often requires precision. Among various...

Going to do... (-(으)러 가다/오다)

Overview The Korean grammar pattern `-(으)러 가다/오다` (Romanization: `-(eu)reo gada/oda`) is a fundamental A2-level co...

Korean Result Grammar: So That & Until (-도록)

Overview This guide introduces the Korean connective ending `도록` (pronounced `dorok`), a versatile grammatical tool cr...

Observing Changes & Results (-더니)

Overview `-더니` is an upper-intermediate (CEFR B2) Korean connective ending that expresses a direct observation made by...

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Connective Ending -고 (and then)

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Overview

How This Grammar Works

Formation Pattern

When To Use It

Common Mistakes

Real Conversations

Quick FAQ

Formation of -고

Meanings

Sequential Action

Listing States

Reference Table

Formality Spectrum

The -고 Connector

Actions

States

Sequence vs. Cause

Examples by Level

Easily Confused

Common Mistakes

Sentence Patterns

Real World Usage

Stem focus

No tense in middle

Adjective use

Natural flow

Smart Tips

Pronunciation

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Visual Association

Rhyme

Story

Word Web

Challenge

Cultural Notes

Did You Know?

Conversation Starters

Journal Prompts

Common Mistakes

Test Yourself

Practice Exercises

Practice Bank

FAQ (8)

Scaffolded Practice

1

2

3

4

Mastery Progress

In Other Languages

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Learn These First

Present Tense: The Polite 'Yo' Style (아/어/여요)

Continue With

Connecting Sentences: And & Then (-고)

Present Progressive: -ing (고 있다)

Currently Doing Something (-고 있다)

-고 싶다 (Wanting to do): Expressing Your Desires

Completing actions with -고 나서 (After doing...)

After doing... (고 나서)

Talking About Habits (-곤 하다)

Related Videos

[Eng.ver] connective ending, -고 VS -아/어서 [Real Korean Class]

How to connect sentences in Korean! And -고, Or - 거나, But -지만, -는데, If -으면, While -으면서

[SUB] Essential Korean Conjunctions and Example Sentences

Related Grammar Rules

Because of Doing (Excuse): -느라고

Going to Do Something (러/으러)

Going to do... (-(으)러 가다/오다)

Korean Result Grammar: So That & Until (-도록)

Observing Changes & Results (-더니)

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