Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #30
Wake up and eat breakfast. Meet a friend and watch a movie. V-고 connects two actions without repeating a full sentence ending.
What Does V-고 Mean?
Attach -고 to a verb stem to connect actions with the meaning “and.” The actions may happen in sequence or simply belong together in one description.
The Rule
Remove 다 and add -고: 먹다 → 먹고, 가다 → 가고, 공부하다 → 공부하고. The first verb uses -고; the final verb carries the tense and polite ending.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 일어나다 | to get up |
| 씻다 | to wash |
| 먹다 | to eat |
| 마시다 | to drink |
| 만나다 | to meet |
| 보다 | to see/watch |
| 공부하다 | to study |
| 자다 | to sleep |
Korean Grammar Examples
아침에 일어나고 세수해요.
I get up and wash my face in the morning.
빵을 먹고 우유를 마셔요.
I eat bread and drink milk.
친구를 만나고 영화를 봤어요.
I met a friend and watched a movie.
도서관에서 공부하고 집에 갔어요.
I studied at the library and went home.
주말에는 청소하고 쉬어요.
On weekends, I clean and rest.
A Short Dialogue
A: 어제 뭐 했어요? — What did you do yesterday?
B: 친구를 만나고 저녁을 먹었어요. — I met a friend and ate dinner.
A: 저녁 후에 뭐 했어요? — What did you do after dinner?
B: 카페에 가고 커피를 마셨어요. — I went to a café and drank coffee.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
Do not conjugate the first verb with -아요/어요 before 고: 먹어요고 is incorrect; use 먹고. For a clear cause, use -아서/어서 or -(으)니까 rather than -고. Also distinguish simple V-고 from Lesson 24’s V-고 있다, which describes an ongoing action.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Join each pair with -고: ① 책을 읽어요 + 음악을 들어요. ② 시장에 갔어요 + 과일을 샀어요. ③ 운동해요 + 샤워해요. ④ 숙제했어요 + 잤어요.
Answers and Explanation
① 책을 읽고 음악을 들어요. ② 시장에 가고 과일을 샀어요. ③ 운동하고 샤워해요. ④ 숙제하고 잤어요. Put tense and politeness on the final verb.
Try It in Your Own Life
Write two original sentences with V-고 about your real schedule, plans, travel, food, or Korean study. Read them aloud, then change one word or time expression and say them again. This turns the pattern into language you can use instead of a sentence you only recognize.
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