Joining clauses
-고, -아서/어서, -지만, -(으)면 and -(으)니까.
Korean joins two clauses with an ending on the first verb, where English uses a word like "and" or "because". Only the last verb carries the politeness ending, and usually the tense.
| Ending | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -고 | and, and then | 먹고 meokgo |
| -아서/-어서 | so, because; and then | 먹어서 meogeoseo |
| -지만 | but | 먹지만 meokjiman |
| -(으)면 | if, when | 먹으면 meogeumyeon |
| -(으)니까 | because, since | 먹으니까 meogeunikka |
| -는데, -(으)ㄴ데 | and, but (setting the scene) | 먹는데 meongneunde |
-고: and
-고 joins actions in order, or facts side by side. The tense goes on the last verb:
- babeul meokgo hakgyoe gayo.I eat and then go to school.
- eoje chingureul mannago yeonghwareul bwasseoyo.Yesterday I met a friend and saw a film.
- i sikdangeun ssago masisseoyo.This restaurant is cheap and good.
-아서/-어서: so, because; and then
-아서/-어서 is the 아/어 form with -서: 가서, 먹어서, 해서. It gives a reason:
- baega gopaseo babeul meogeosseoyo.I was hungry, so I ate.
- neujeoseo joesonghamnida.I'm sorry I'm late.
The verb before -아서 never takes the past ending: 늦어서, not 늦었어서. And a reason with -아서 can't come before a request or suggestion; use -(으)니까 there.
-아서 also joins two actions where the first leads into the second, at the same place or on the same thing:
- hakgyoe gaseo gongbuhaeyo.I go to school and study there.
- sagwareul ssiseoseo meogeosseoyo.I washed the apple and ate it.
Compare -고, for actions that are only one after the other: 밥을 먹고 학교에 가요.
-지만: but
- hangugeoneun eoryeopjiman jaemiisseoyo.Korean is hard but fun.
-(으)면: if, when
- sigani isseumyeon gachi gayo.If you have time, let's go together.
- bomi doemyeon kkochi pieoyo.When spring comes, the flowers bloom.
-(으)니까: because, since
-(으)니까 gives a reason the listener should act on, so it is the one used before requests and suggestions:
- biga onikka usaneul gajyeogaseyo.It's raining, so take an umbrella.
-는데: and, but, setting the scene
-는데 after verbs (and 있다, 없다), and -(으)ㄴ데 after adjectives, gives the background for what follows: 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요 "it's raining, and I have no umbrella". It often softens a request or a contrast.
Joining sentences
Separate sentences are joined with words: 그리고 "and", 그래서 "so", 그런데 or 근데 "but, by the way", 하지만 "but", 그러면 or 그럼 "then".
Cards from this guide
10 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Joining and describing cards.
How do you say 'I eat and then go to school' with 먹다 and 가다?
밥을 먹고 학교에 가요.
How do you say 'cheap and tasty' with 싸다 and 맛있다?
싸고 맛있어요.
How do you say 'I was hungry, so I ate' with 배가 고프다 (to be hungry)?
배가 고파서 밥을 먹었어요.
Why is it 늦어서 죄송합니다, not 늦었어서?
The verb before -아서/-어서 never takes the past ending.
How do you say 'I go to school and study there' with 가다 and 공부하다?
학교에 가서 공부해요.
How do you say 'It's expensive but tasty' with 비싸다 and 맛있다?
비싸지만 맛있어요.
How do you say 'If you have time, let's go together' with 시간이 있다?
시간이 있으면 같이 가요.
-아서 or -(으)니까: which gives the reason in 'It's raining, so take an umbrella'?
-(으)니까: 비가 오니까 우산을 가져가세요.
Which word joins two sentences as 'so'?
그래서.
What does -는데 do in 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요?
It sets the scene: 'it's raining, and I have no umbrella'.