Korean grammar patterns › Level 3
-아/어 가지고
so, because; and then (with it) — casual -아/어서
Level 3 · TOPIK II · intermediate
How to use it
Colloquial equivalent of -아/어서, both for reasons and for sequence (doing something and keeping its result, e.g. buying and taking). Common in casual speech, often pronounced -아/어 갖고.
Forming it
| 사다 | → 사 가지고 |
| 먹다 | → 먹어 가지고 |
| 바쁘다 | → 바빠 가지고 |
| 피곤하다 | → 피곤해 가지고 |
Like -아/어서, no -았/었- before it and usually no command after it: ✗ 바빴어 가지고.
Examples
어제 너무 피곤해 가지고 일찍 잤어요.
I was so tired yesterday that I went to bed early.
빵을 좀 사 가지고 친구 집에 갔어요.
I bought some bread and went to my friend's place.
Compared with similar patterns
-아/어서 is neutral and fine in writing; -아/어 가지고 is informal speech only.