-고 (and)

-고 (and)

In Korean grammar, the particle '-고' is used to connect two clauses or sentences to indicate that both actions are performed or both situations exist. It can be translated into English as 'and'.

The clauses connected by '-고' can be in any tense and can be independent or dependent. When used with dependent clauses, '-고' usually comes at the end of the clause.

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You can combine these into one sentence by attaching 고 after stems of verbs or adjectives.

• 저는 과일을 좋아해요. 그리고 저의 형은 야채를 좋아해요.
  I like fruits. And my older brother likes vegetables.

1. 저는 과일을 좋아해요. (좋아하다 is base form)
2. 저는 과일을 좋아하다. (delete 다 and add 고 instead of 그리고)
3. 저는 과일을 좋아하고 ( + 저의 형은 야채를 좋아해요).
4. 저는 과일을 좋아하고 저의 형은 야채를 좋아해요.
   I like fruits, and my brother likes vegetables.

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• 한국 사람은 한국말로 말해요. 그리고 일본 사람은 일본말로 말해요. Koreans speak in Korean. And Japanese people speak in Japanese.

1. 한국 사람은 한국말로 말해요. (말하다 is base form)
2. 한국 사람은 한국말로 말하다. (delete 다 and add 고 instead of 그리고)
3. 한국 사람은 한국말로 말하고 ( + 그리고 일본 사람은 일본말로 말해요).
4. 한국 사람은 한국말로 말하고 일본 사람은 일본말로 말해요.
   Koreans speak in Korean, and Japanese people speak in Japanese.

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• 저의 책상은 작아요. 그리고 친구의 책상은 커요 My desk is small. And my friend's desk is big.

1. 저의 책상은 작아요. (작다 is base form)
2. 저의 책상은 작다. (delete 다 and add 고 instead of 그리고)
3. 저의 책상은 작고 ( + 친구의 책상은 커요).
4. 저의 책상은 작고 친구의 책상은 커요.
   My desk is small and my friend's desk is big.

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More Examples:

• 저는 운동을 좋아하고 독서도 좋아해요. (I like exercising and reading.)
• 오늘은 비가 오고 바람도 많이 불어요. (Today, it's raining and the wind is blowing a lot.)
• 카페에 가서 커피를 마시고 책도 읽을 거예요. (I will go to a cafe, drink coffee, and read a book as well.)

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-고 (and then)

It's important to note that '-고' is used to connect actions or situations that are related or similar in some way. If the actions are unrelated, it's better to use a different conjunction such as '그리고' (and) or '하지만' (but).

The -고 conjunction can also be used to indicate a sequence of two actions, where the first action is completed before the second action. In this context, it can be translated as 'and then' or 'after' in English.

Examples of Sequenced Actions:

저녁을 먹고 숙제를 했다. (I ate dinner and then did my homework.) => 저녁을 먹고(ate dinner and then) 숙제를 했다(did my homework)

1. 아침에 일어나서 운동을 하고 샤워를 해요. (I wake up in the morning, exercise, and take a shower.)
2. 영화를 보고 식사를 할까요? (Shall we watch a movie and have a meal?)
3. 일어나자마자 이메일을 확인하고 회의에 참석했다. (I checked my email after waking up and then attended the meeting.)
4. 물을 끓이고 면을 넣었다. (I boiled water and then put in the noodles.)
5. 학교에 갔다가 친구를 만나고 영화를 보았다. (I went to school, met my friend, and then watched a movie.)
6. 책을 읽고 공부를 했다. (I read a book and then studied.)
7. 운동을 하고 샤워를 했다. (I exercised and then took a shower.)

In summary, the -고(and then) conjunction in Korean can be used to connect related actions or situations as well as indicate a sequence of actions where the first action is completed before the second one. Understanding how to use this conjunction properly will allow you to communicate more effectively in Korean and create more complex and nuanced sentences.