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Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 2: Linking Verbs (-고)

When you want to say two or more actions or states in one sentence, you need a way to link the verbs or adjectives together. In English, we use "and." In Korean, the most basic way to do this is by attaching -고 (-go) to the verb or adjective stem.

How to use -고

The rule is very simple: Verb/Adjective Stem + -고

  • 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹 (stem) + 고 = 먹고 (eat and...)
  • 자다 (to sleep) -> 자 (stem) + 고 = 자고 (sleep and...)
  • 크다 (to be big) -> 크 (stem) + 고 = 크고 (big and...)

When to use -고

1. Listing sequential actions

When you do one action and then another action, you can use -고 to connect them.

  • 밥을 먹고 학교에 가요. (I eat a meal and go to school.)
  • 숙제를 하고 잘 거예요. (I will do my homework and sleep.)

2. Listing facts or states

When you want to list two or more facts about someone or something, you can use -고.

  • 이 사과는 크고 맛있어요. (This apple is big and delicious.)
  • 제 친구는 착하고 똑똑해요. (My friend is kind and smart.)

Tense with -고

When linking sentences, the tense is usually only expressed in the final verb. The verb attached to -고 remains in its basic dictionary stem form.

  • 어제 친구를 만나고 영화를 봤어요. (Yesterday, I met a friend and watched a movie.) (Notice how 만나다 becomes 만나고, not 만났고, while the final verb 보다 becomes 봤어요 to show past tense.)

Example Sentences

  1. 아침에 일어나고 물을 마셔요. (I wake up in the morning and drink water.)
  2. 그 식당은 싸고 좋아요. (That restaurant is cheap and good.)
  3. 한국어를 공부하고 잤어요. (I studied Korean and slept.)