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-고 vs -아서/어서

Beginner · TOPIK I

When linking actions in sequence, -아서/어서 is used when the first action sets up the second (go somewhere and do something there, make something and use it), while -고 simply lists 'A, and then B'.

-고A connective ending used when listing more than two equal facts.-아서/어서A connective ending used to indicate that the preceding event and the following one happened sequentially.

Rules of thumb

  • Going somewhere and doing something there takes -아서 (시장에 가서 과일을 샀어요).
  • Two independent actions in time order take -고 (밥을 먹고 이를 닦았어요).
  • With wearing verbs (입다, 신다, 쓰다) and 타다, use -고 when the state carries over (옷을 입고 나갔어요).
  • For sequence, both clauses share the same subject, and -았/었 cannot be attached before -아서.
  • Meaning check: 친구를 만나서 영화를 봤어요 = met a friend and watched a film with them; 친구를 만나고 영화를 봤어요 = met a friend, then (maybe alone) watched a film.

Example sentences

  • -아서/어서

    I went to the market and bought some fruit there.

  • -고

    I ate and then brushed my teeth.

  • -아서/어서

    Please have a seat and wait.

  • -고

    I put on my coat and went out.

  • -아서/어서

    I met my friend and we watched a film together.

  • -고

    I met my friend, and after that I watched a film (not necessarily with them).

Often confused with

← All confused pairs