Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

-고

Attached to a verb or adjective stem to link two or more sentences or clauses together. It means 'and' when listing equal actions/states, or 'and then' when indicating chronological order of actions.

Summary

Equivalent

And / And then

Also: 그리고 (And - conjunction)

Example

Yesterday I ate pizza, and today I ate a hamburger.

어제는 피자를 먹 오늘은 햄버거를 먹었어요.

Grammar rules

  • Attach '-고' directly to the verb or adjective stem.
  • Tense is usually only marked on the final verb of the sentence, but can be added before '-고' for emphasis.
  • When connecting adjectives, they are usually in a natural listing order.

    이 가방은 싸고 예뻐요. (This bag is cheap and pretty.)

Patterns

1

All Verbs/Adjectives

Present/Past/Future · Verb/Adjective Stem + 고

Example sentences

All Verbs/Adjectives · Present/Past/Future · Verb/Adjective Stem + 고

Yesterday I ate pizza, and today I ate a hamburger.

어제는 피자를 먹 오늘은 햄버거를 먹었어요.

All Verbs/Adjectives · Present/Past/Future · Verb/Adjective Stem + 고

I will eat dinner and then do my homework.

저녁을 먹 숙제를 할 거예요.

All Verbs/Adjectives · Present/Past/Future · Verb/Adjective Stem + 고

Sumi is pretty and kind.

수미 씨는 예쁘 친절합니다.

Conversation

A: What do you usually do on the weekend?

주말에 보통 뭐 해요?

B: I read books and listen to music.

저는 책을 읽 음악을 들어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Complete the sentence with the connective ending '-고'.

Chronological action.

Listing adjectives.