고 나서

§ What 고 나서 means and when to use it

The Korean grammar pattern -고 나서 is used to show that one action happens completely after another. Think of it like saying 'after doing something' in English. It's really common in everyday Korean conversations, so understanding it will help you sound more natural.

Definition

After doing something; indicates sequence of actions.

The core idea is that the first action is fully finished before the second action begins. This isn't just about things happening one after another, but about a completed first event leading into a second one. You attach -고 나서 to the stem of a verb. It doesn't matter if the verb stem ends in a consonant or a vowel; the form stays the same.

For example, if you want to say 'After eating lunch, I went to the cafe,' you would use -고 나서 with the verb '먹다' (to eat). The process is simple:

• Take the verb stem: 먹-
• Add -고 나서: 먹고 나서

So, the first part of your sentence would be 점심을 먹고 나서 (after eating lunch).

You'll often hear Koreans shorten -고 나서 to just -고 in casual conversation when the meaning is clear. However, using -고 나서 emphasizes the completion of the first action and the subsequent start of the second, making it more explicit.

Here, doing homework is a completed action before the games start. It’s not about doing them at the same time or overlapping; it’s a clear sequential order. The '나서' part comes from the verb '나다' which means 'to come out' or 'to emerge,' so you can think of it as the first action 'emerging' or 'coming out' before the next one.

Consider these examples:

In both cases, the first action (reading the book, graduating) is fully completed before the second action (writing the report, getting a job) begins. This clear sequence is what -고 나서 effectively conveys.

It's also important to note that -고 나서 typically connects two actions done by the same subject. If different subjects are involved, you'd usually use a different grammatical structure. So, make sure the person or thing performing the first action is the same as the one performing the second action.

By consistently using -고 나서 you will be able to express more complex sequences of events in Korean, improving your fluency and comprehension significantly. Practice attaching it to different verb stems and creating your own sentences to really get the hang of it.

§ Understanding 고 나서

The Korean phrase 고 나서 is super useful. It means 'after doing something' and clearly shows that one action happens completely before another. Think of it as a way to link two actions in a sequence, where the first action finishes, and *then* the second one starts.

Definition

Indicates that the first action is completed before the second action begins. It emphasizes the completion of the preceding action.

§ How to Form Sentences with 고 나서

Using 고 나서 is straightforward. You attach it directly to the stem of a verb. There are no tricky irregular conjugations or changes based on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or consonant. Just take the verb stem and add 고 나서.

• Verb Stem + 고 나서

Let's look at some examples to make this clear:

• 먹다 (to eat) → 먹고 나서 (after eating)
• 하다 (to do) → 하고 나서 (after doing)
• 가다 (to go) → 가고 나서 (after going)
• 읽다 (to read) → 읽고 나서 (after reading)

§ Examples in Context

Here are some practical sentences showing 고 나서 in action. Pay attention to how the first action is always completed before the second one begins.

Hint

After eating rice (meal), I did the dishes.

In this sentence, the action of 'eating rice' is fully finished before 'doing the dishes' starts. It's a clear sequence of events.

Hint

After doing homework, I will play a game.

Here, the homework needs to be completed first, and only then will the game-playing begin. It sets a condition for the second action.

Hint

After meeting a friend, I watched a movie.

First, the meeting with the friend happened. After that was completed, watching the movie took place.

Hint

After taking a shower, I went to bed.

The shower is completed, and then the action of going to bed follows.

§ Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using 고 나서, make sure the actions truly happen in sequence. It's not for actions that happen at the same time or actions that are unrelated. Also, remember it's always attached to a verb stem.

• Don't use it with adjectives. It's only for verbs.
• Ensure a logical sequence. The second action should realistically follow the first.

Keep practicing with different verbs, and you'll get the hang of 고 나서 quickly. It's a very natural and common way for Koreans to express sequential actions.

§ Understanding 고 나서

Korean Word

고 나서 (go na-seo)

Definition

After doing something; indicates a sequence of actions where the first action is completed before the second one begins.

The phrase 고 나서 is a super useful connector in Korean. It literally means 'do something and then come out' or 'do something and then leave,' but in practice, it's used to show that one action is finished completely, and then another action follows. Think of it as a stronger way to say 'after' compared to just using 고.

§ How to Use 고 나서

You attach 고 나서 directly to the stem of a verb. It’s pretty straightforward!

• Verb stem + 고 나서

§ Where You'll Hear 고 나서: Work, School, News

You’ll encounter 고 나서 frequently in everyday conversations, in formal settings like work, and even in news reports. It's a fundamental part of sequencing events.

At Work: In a professional environment, people use 고 나서 to describe workflows, project steps, or completed tasks.

At School: Students and teachers often use 고 나서 when talking about study routines, assignments, or class activities.

In the News: News reporters use 고 나서 to clearly sequence events in their reports, making it easier for listeners or readers to follow the timeline of incidents.

§ Using 고 나서 when actions aren't sequential

Many learners use 고 나서 simply to connect two actions, even if those actions don't happen one after the other. Remember, 고 나서 emphasizes that the second action happens after the first one is completed. If the actions happen at the same time, or if the sequence isn't important, then 고 나서 isn't the right choice.

In this example, 밥을 먹고 is more natural if you just mean 'I eat and then watch a drama' without emphasizing the completion of eating before watching. If you want to strongly emphasize that eating is finished before the drama starts, then 고 나서 is appropriate. But if the timing is flexible, just 고 is fine.

§ Confusing 고 나서 with 아/어서

This is a big one. Both 고 나서 and 아/어서 can indicate a sequence of actions, but their main functions are different. 고 나서 focuses purely on the order: action 1 finishes, then action 2 starts. 아/어서, while also showing sequence, often implies a causal relationship or that the first action is a necessary prerequisite for the second.

Difference

고 나서: Simply 'after doing X, then Y'. Focus on chronological order.
아/어서: 'Because I did X, I did Y' or 'Having done X, I then did Y' where X is often a condition for Y. Often implies a consequence or a closer connection.

This means you finished showering, and then you went to sleep. The order is clear.

Here, tiredness is the reason for sleeping. You can't use 고 나서 here because 'being tired' isn't an action you complete before sleeping; it's a state that causes the action.

§ Omitting 나서 when it's implied or unnecessary

While 나서 adds emphasis to the completion of the first action, sometimes it's just not needed. If the context already makes it clear that one action finishes before another, or if the focus is simply on a series of actions, using just 고 is often more natural and concise.

In this sentence, the action of 'going to school' must be completed before 'studying' can happen at school. Adding 나서 (가고 나서) isn't wrong, but it's often redundant. The simple 고 or 아/어서 (if there's a reason/consequence) is usually enough here.

§ Using 고 나서 with actions that don't have a clear endpoint

고 나서 implies the completion of an action. Therefore, it doesn't sound natural with verbs that describe ongoing states or actions without a clear finish line. For instance, verbs like 'to live' (살다) or 'to know' (알다) aren't typically used with 고 나서 in a sequential sense, because they don't 'finish' in the same way 'to eat' or 'to shower' do.

It's more natural to say something like 한국에 살면서 (while living in Korea) or 한국에 살다 보니 (as I lived in Korea...) to express the idea that while you were living there, your Korean improved. 'Living' isn't an action you 'complete' in a moment, so 고 나서 doesn't fit.

§ Forgetting the past tense for the first verb in some contexts

While 고 나서 typically attaches to the plain verb stem, sometimes learners might incorrectly try to use a past tense form with it, or confuse it with other grammar patterns where the past tense is used on the first verb. Remember, for 고 나서, you attach it directly to the present tense verb stem (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹고 나서).

• 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹고 나서 (after eating)
• 가다 (to go) -> 가고 나서 (after going)
• 보다 (to see/watch) -> 보고 나서 (after seeing/watching)

§ What '고 나서' Means

Korean Phrase

고 나서

Definition

After doing something; indicates sequence of actions. It emphasizes that the first action is completed and then the second action happens.

When you use 고 나서, you're saying that one action finishes completely before another action begins. It's used when there's a clear order to events.

§ How to Use It

You attach 고 나서 to the stem of a verb. It's pretty straightforward.

• Verb stem + 고 나서

§ Examples

Translation Hint

After eating, I drank coffee. (The eating was finished before the coffee.)

Translation Hint

After finishing all my homework, I will go out to play. (Homework finished, then play.)

Translation Hint

After taking a shower, I went to bed. (Shower completed, then bed.)

§ Similar Words and When to Use This One vs. Alternatives

Korean has several ways to express "after doing something." Let's break down 고 나서 compared to some common alternatives.

~고 (~go)

This is the simplest way to connect two actions in sequence. It means "and then."

• When to use ~고: For a general sequence of actions, often when the actions are closely related or flow naturally. It doesn't put as much emphasis on the completion of the first action.

Translation Hint

I ate and then drank coffee.

This sentence is grammatically correct and very common. The difference with 고 나서 is subtle. 고 나서 makes it clearer that the meal was entirely finished before the coffee was even thought about.

~은/ㄴ 후에 (~eun/n hue-e) or ~은/ㄴ 다음에 (~eun/n da-eum-e)

These literally mean "after (doing something)." They are very similar to 고 나서 but sometimes feel a bit more formal or deliberate.

• When to use ~은/ㄴ 후에 or ~은/ㄴ 다음에: When you want to clearly state the temporal order, similar to 고 나서. They are often interchangeable in many contexts. ~은/ㄴ 다음에 is often used in speech.

Translation Hint

After eating, I drank coffee.

Here, 고 나서 and ~은/ㄴ 다음에 are almost identical in meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or slight nuances in emphasis. 고 나서 might feel slightly more conversational and focuses a bit more on the completion aspect, while ~은/ㄴ 다음에 is just a straightforward temporal marker.

~아/어서 (~a/eo-seo)

This particle indicates both sequence and cause/reason. It means "and then, so/because."

• When to use ~아/어서: When the first action leads to or causes the second action, or when the second action is a natural consequence of the first. It cannot be used with imperative or propositive sentences.

Translation Hint

I studied and became smart. (Studying led to being smart.)

You would typically NOT use 고 나서 here, because the relationship isn't just about simple sequence; there's a clear cause and effect. If you said "밥을 먹어서 커피를 마셨어요," it would imply that you drank coffee because you ate, which isn't the natural meaning of drinking coffee after a meal.

§ Key Takeaway for 고 나서

고 나서 is your go-to when you want to clearly state that one action is fully completed before the next one starts. It brings a sense of finality to the first action. While ~고 is more general and ~은/ㄴ 다음에 is very similar in meaning, 고 나서 often feels more natural in spoken Korean for emphasizing that completion.