Understanding Korean Grammar: Using -은/는 후에 and N후에

Introduction Korean Grammar ‘-은/는 후에’ and ‘N후에’

Learning Korean grammar can be challenging, but breaking it down into manageable lessons can make it easier. Today, we will explore the grammar patterns ‘-은/는 후에’ and ‘N 후에,’ which are used to indicate actions or events that happen after another action or a specific time in Korean. This lesson will help you understand and use these forms effectively.

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Grammar Explanation

-은/는 후에: The grammar pattern ‘-은/는 후에’ is used to indicate actions that happen after another action. It is similar to saying “after doing something” in English.

Formation:

• For verb stems ending in a consonant, add ‘-은 후에.’
• For verb stems ending in a vowel, add ‘-ㄴ 후에.’

N 후에: The pattern ‘N 후에’ is used to indicate a specific time after which an action or event happens. It is similar to saying “after a specific time” in English.

Formation:

• Attach ‘후에’ directly to a noun indicating a time.

Examples

Using -은/는 후에:

• 가다 (to go)
  • 간 후에 = After going
  • 학교에 간 후에 숙제를 해요 = I do my homework after going to school.
• 먹다 (to eat)
  • 먹은 후에 = After eating
  • 밥을 먹은 후에 이를 닦아요 = I brush my teeth after eating a meal.
• 읽다 (to read)
  • 읽은 후에 = After reading
  • 책을 읽은 후에 잠을 자요 = I sleep after reading a book.
• 공부하다 (to study)
  • 공부한 후에 = After studying
  • 공부한 후에 친구를 만나요 = I meet my friend after studying.

Using N 후에:

• 2시 (2 o’clock)
  • 2시 후에 = After 2 o’clock
  • 2시 후에 집에 갈 거예요 = I will go home after 2 o’clock.
• 일주일 (a week)
  • 일주일 후에 = After a week
  • 일주일 후에 다시 만나요 = Let’s meet again after a week.
• 한 달 (a month)
  • 한 달 후에 = After a month
  • 한 달 후에 새로운 일을 시작할 거예요 = I will start a new job after a month.
• 1년 (a year)
  • 1년 후에 = After a year
  • 1년 후에 다시 한국에 갈 거예요 = I will go back to Korea after a year.

Comparison of -은/는 후에 and N 후에

-은/는 후에 is used to indicate actions that happen after another action:

• 학교에 간 후에 = After going to school
• 밥을 먹은 후에 = After eating a meal
• 책을 읽은 후에 = After reading a book
• 공부한 후에 = After studying

N 후에 is used to indicate a specific time after which an action or event happens:

• 2시 후에 = After 2 o’clock
• 일주일 후에 = After a week
• 한 달 후에 = After a month
• 1년 후에 = After a year

While ‘-은/는 후에’ is used with verbs to describe actions, ‘N 후에’ is used with nouns to describe a specific time or duration.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes:

• Incorrect: 간 후 (missing the final particle)
  • Correct: 간 후에 = After going
• Incorrect: 2시 후 (missing the final particle)
  • Correct: 2시 후에 = After 2 o’clock

Mistake Explanation: Ensure that the correct form ‘-은/는 후에’ is used for actions and ‘N 후에’ is used for specific times or durations.

Related Grammar Points

Explore these related grammar points to deepen your understanding:

• -기 전에: To express actions that happen before another action.
• -고 나서: To express actions that happen after another action.
• -을 때: To indicate the time when something happens.
• -면서: To indicate simultaneous actions.

Practice Exercises

Practice Makes Perfect!

• Exercise 1: Conjugate the following verbs using ‘-은/는 후에.’
  • 가다 (to go)
  • 먹다 (to eat)
  • 읽다 (to read)
  • 공부하다 (to study)

Answer Key:

1. 간 후에
2. 먹은 후에
3. 읽은 후에
4. 공부한 후에

• Exercise 2: Create sentences using ‘-은/는 후에’ for the following situations:
  • After going to school
  • After eating a meal
  • After reading a book
  • After studying at the library

Answer Key:

1. 학교에 간 후에
2. 밥을 먹은 후에
3. 책을 읽은 후에
4. 도서관에서 공부한 후에

• Exercise 3: Create sentences using ‘N 후에’ for the following situations:
  • After 2 o’clock
  • After a week
  • After a month
  • After a year

Answer Key:

1. 2시 후에
2. 일주일 후에
3. 한 달 후에
4. 1년 후에

Summary and Conclusion

Today, we covered the grammar points ‘-은/는 후에’ and ‘N 후에’ and how to use them to indicate actions or events that happen after another action or a specific time in Korean. These patterns are essential for providing context and clarity in conversations about daily activities and future plans. Continue practicing with our workbook and check out related lessons for more in-depth learning.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment below. Happy learning!

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