Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-고
and; and then
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Lists two actions or states ('and'), or puts actions in order ('and then'). For 'and then', the tense goes only on the last verb.
Forming it
| 먹다 | → 먹고 |
| 크다 | → 크고 |
| 공부하다 | → 공부하고 |
| 학생 | → 학생이고 |
For 'and then', don't add -았/었- before -고: ✗ 숙제를 했고 잤어요 → 숙제를 하고 잤어요. With wearing/riding verbs it can mean 'in that state': 모자를 쓰고 나갔어요.
Examples
이 카페는 커피가 싸고 맛있어요.
The coffee at this café is cheap and good.
저는 숙제를 하고 잠을 잤어요.
I did my homework and then went to sleep.
Compared with similar patterns
-아/어서 (sequence) links actions that are closely tied, e.g. same place or same object (가서 만나다, 만들어서 먹다); -고 simply lists or orders them. -고 나서 stresses finishing the first action before the second.