-아/어서 (Sequential)
Used to link two actions that occur in sequential order, where the second action is closely related to or naturally follows the first action.
Summary
Equivalent
And then
Example
I went to the market and then bought fruit there.
시장에 가서 과일을 샀어요.
Grammar rules
- Use '-아서' if the verb's final vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ.
- Use '-어서' for all other vowels.
- '하다' becomes '해서'.
- (Note: Do not confuse with the '-아/어서' that means 'because').
- -아/어서 connects actions that are fundamentally linked (like 'sit and wait'), whereas -고 connects independent actions ('eat and sleep').
친구를 만나서 영화를 봤어요. (I met my friend, and then [with that friend] watched a movie.)
Patterns
Verbs with 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ'
N/A · Verb Stem + 아서
Verbs with other vowels
N/A · Verb Stem + 어서
하다 Verbs
N/A · 해서
Example sentences
I went to the market and then bought fruit there.
시장에 가서 과일을 샀어요.
Please sit in the chair and wait.
의자에 앉아서 기다리세요.
I bought a present and gave it to my friend.
선물을 사서 친구에게 줬어요.
Conversation
A: What did you do after getting off work yesterday?
어제 퇴근하고 뭐 했어요?
B: I went home and then rested.
집에 가서 쉬었어요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Select the correct sequential linking form.
Meeting someone.
Studying.