-아서/어서 vs -고 – Korean -아서/어서 vs -고
- Meaning
- connected sequence vs simple listing
- Level
- Intermediate
- Topic
- Connecting sentences
Both can mean “and then”, but -아서/어서 is used when the first action is needed for the second (go somewhere and do something there), while -고 simply lists actions.
Key rules
- 아/어서 = reason
- Context matters
Examples with -아서/어서 vs -고
The highlighted part is the grammar form.
- 피곤해서 집에 있을 거예요 Pigonhaeseo jibe isseul geoyeyo Because I'm tired, I'll stay home 아/어서 shows reason/cause. 피곤하 + 여서 = 피곤해서. · Base form: 피곤하다
- 밥을 먹고 갔어요 Babeul meokgo gasseoyo I ate and then went -고 shows sequence, not cause. Eat, then go. · Base form: 먹다
- 맛있어서 자주 가요 Masisseo seo jaju gayo Because it's delicious, I go often 맛있 + 어서 shows the reason. · Base form: 맛있다
- 영화를 보고 잤어요 Yeonghwareul bogo jasseoyo I watched a movie and slept Two sequential actions, not cause-effect. · Base form: 보다
- 합격해서 기뻐요 Hapgyeokhaeseo gippeoyo I'm happy because I passed Passing is the cause of happiness. · Base form: 합격하다
- 싸고 좋아요 Ssago joayo It's cheap and good -고 lists characteristics, no cause-effect. · Base form: 싸다
- 만나서 친구가 됐어요 Mannaseo chinguga dwaesseoyo We met and became friends Meeting led to friendship (cause-effect sequence). · Base form: 만나다
- 커피가 뜨거워서 못 마셔요 Keopiga tteugeowoseo mot masyeoyo The coffee is hot so I can't drink it Hotness is reason for not drinking. · Base form: 뜨겁다
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