Introduction Korean Grammar ‘-(으)고 나서’
Learning Korean grammar can be challenging, but breaking it down into manageable lessons can make it easier. Today, we will explore the grammar pattern ‘-(으)고 나서,’ which is used to indicate actions that occur after another action in Korean. This lesson will help you understand and use this form effectively.
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Grammar Explanation
The grammar pattern ‘-(으)고 나서’ is used to indicate that one action happens after another action has been completed. It is similar to saying “after doing something” in English.
Formation:
- For verb stems ending in a consonant, add ‘-고 나서.’
- For verb stems ending in a vowel, add ‘-고 나서.’
| Speech Form | Form | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (to go) | 가고 나서 | 학교에 가고 나서 (After going to school) |
| Verb (to eat) | 먹고 나서 | 밥을 먹고 나서 (After eating a meal) |
| Verb (to read) | 읽고 나서 | 책을 읽고 나서 (After reading a book) |
| Verb (to study) | 공부하고 나서 | 공부하고 나서 (After studying) |
Examples
Indicating Actions with ‘-(으)고 나서’:
- 가다 (to go)
- 가고 나서 = After going
- 학교에 가고 나서 숙제를 해요 = I do my homework after going to school.
- 먹다 (to eat)
- 먹고 나서 = After eating
- 밥을 먹고 나서 이를 닦아요 = I brush my teeth after eating a meal.
- 읽다 (to read)
- 읽고 나서 = After reading
- 책을 읽고 나서 잠을 자요 = I sleep after reading a book.
- 공부하다 (to study)
- 공부하고 나서 = After studying
- 공부하고 나서 친구를 만나요 = I meet my friend after studying.
Usage in Context ‘-(으)고 나서’
When using ‘-(으)고 나서’ in different contexts, it emphasizes that one action is completed before another action begins.
Daily Activities:
- 아침을 먹고 나서 산책해요 = I take a walk after eating breakfast.
- 운동하고 나서 샤워해요 = I take a shower after exercising.
- 일을 끝내고 나서 쉬어요 = I rest after finishing work.
- 책을 읽고 나서 잠을 자요 = I sleep after reading a book.
Special Occasions:
- 영화를 보고 나서 커피를 마셔요 = I drink coffee after watching a movie.
- 파티에 다녀오고 나서 사진을 봐요 = I look at the pictures after coming back from the party.
- 저녁을 먹고 나서 산책할까요? = Shall we take a walk after dinner?
- 콘서트를 보고 나서 집에 갈 거예요 = I will go home after watching the concert.
Using Past Experiences:
- 한국에 가고 나서 한국어를 배웠어요 = I learned Korean after going to Korea.
- 대학에 들어가고 나서 많은 친구를 사귀었어요 = I made many friends after entering college.
- 결혼하고 나서 행복해졌어요 = I became happy after getting married.
- 여행하고 나서 사진을 정리했어요 = I organized the photos after traveling.
Cultural Insight: In Korean culture, specifying the sequence of actions using ‘-(으)고 나서’ helps provide clarity and context in conversations. It is commonly used in both daily activities and special occasions to convey the order in which actions occur.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes:
- Incorrect: 가 나서 (missing the verb ending)
- Correct: 가고 나서 = After going
- Incorrect: 먹 나서 (missing the verb ending)
- Correct: 먹고 나서 = After eating
Mistake Explanation: Ensure that the correct form ‘-고 나서’ is used to indicate actions that happen after another action.
Related Grammar Points
Explore these related grammar points to deepen your understanding:
- -기 전에: To express actions that happen before another action.
- -은/는 후에: To express “after” doing something.
- -고: To connect actions or states.
- -자마자: To express actions that happen immediately after another action.
Practice Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect!
- Exercise 1: Conjugate the following verbs using ‘-(으)고 나서.’
- 가다 (to go)
- 먹다 (to eat)
- 읽다 (to read)
- 공부하다 (to study)
Answer Key:
- 가고 나서
- 먹고 나서
- 읽고 나서
- 공부하고 나서
- Exercise 2: Create sentences using ‘-(으)고 나서’ for the following situations:
- After going to the mountain.
- After eating at this restaurant.
- After reading this book.
- After studying at the library.
Answer Key:
- 산에 가고 나서.
- 이 식당에서 먹고 나서.
- 이 책을 읽고 나서.
- 도서관에서 공부하고 나서.
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