And Then (-고)
-고
-고 connects two verbs or clauses meaning 'and' or 'and then.'
Pattern
Verb/Adjective stem + 고
Explanation
The connective ending -고 joins two verbs, adjectives, or clauses together, meaning 'and' or 'and then.' It is attached directly to the verb stem: 먹다 → 먹고, 가다 → 가고.
When connecting sequential actions, -고 indicates what happens first and second: '아침을 먹고 학교에 가요' (I eat breakfast and then go to school). When listing simultaneous qualities or states, it simply means 'and': '이 방은 크고 밝아요' (This room is big and bright).
Unlike 와/과 or 하고 which only connect nouns, -고 connects verbs, adjectives, and entire clauses. The tense is usually expressed only on the final verb: '밥을 먹고 커피를 마셨어요' (I ate and then drank coffee). Here, only 마시다 takes the past tense marker.
Examples
아침을 먹고 학교에 가요.
Achim-eul meokgo hakgyo-e gayo.
I eat breakfast and go to school.
숙제를 하고 텔레비전을 봐요.
Sukje-reul hago tellebijeon-eul bwayo.
I do homework and watch TV.
이 식당은 싸고 맛있어요.
I sikdang-eun ssago masisseoyo.
This restaurant is cheap and delicious.
샤워하고 잤어요.
Syawo-hago jasseoyo.
I showered and then slept.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
먹고서 학교에 가요.
Correct
먹고 학교에 가요.
At Level 1, -고 alone is sufficient. -고서 is a more advanced variant emphasizing completion.
Wrong
아침을 먹었고 학교에 갔어요.
Correct
아침을 먹고 학교에 갔어요.
When using -고 for sequential actions, only the final verb needs the past tense marker.
Related Grammar Points
Vocabulary in Examples
Practice vocabulary from these grammar patterns
Build your vocabulary with science-backed spaced repetition — 30 days free.
Start Practicing