-고 Connective Ending

 
 
3 Sentence Summary of This Lesson:
  • The -고 connective ending links verbs or adjectives in sequence by attaching directly to the verb stem (e.g., 마시다 → 마시고).
  • It works the same way regardless of whether the verb has a final consonant, and can be combined with different tenses (present, past, future).
  • Both action verbs and descriptive verbs (adjectives) follow identical rules when using -고 to list multiple actions or descriptions.
 
You can easily list a series of actions, meaning verbs, with the 고 connective ending.
 
If you want to say, “I am going to study and clean today,” you can use 고 to list the two verbs.
 
The translation would look like:
 
(저는) 오늘 공부를 하고 청소를 할 거예요.
 
The rule to apply 고 to a verb is very simple:
 
  • Extract the stem of the verb: 마시다 → 마시
  • Put go at the end of the stem: 마시고
 
  • With batchim: 걷다 → 걷
  • Add go at the end: 걷고
 
You can also you adjectives (/descriptive verbs) with 고:
 
  • 그사람은 성격이 좋고 배려심도 깊어요. (That person has a great personality and is very thoughtful.)
 
The rule on how to apply 고 to an adjective is the same as it is for verbs.
 
Different tenses can be applied on the verbs, but the application of 고 would be the same:
 
  • Present: 매일 샐러드를 먹고 운동해요. ( I have salad everyday and work out.)
  • Past: 어제는 달리기를 했고 오늘은 헬스장에 갈 거예요. (I ran yesterday and today I will go to the gym.)
  • Future: 내일은 친구와 박물관에 갈 거고 다음주에는 여행을 가야 해서 바빠요. (Tomorrow, I will go to a museum with a friend and next week I have to go on a trip, so I am busy.)
 
To review how to apply tenses to verbs, refer to lessons 6, 7, and 8.
 
 
Try the following exercise.
Complete the following sentences with 고.
 
  1. 책을 ____ 학교에 갈 거예요. (사다)
      2. I will buy the book and then go to school.
Answer
사고
 
  1. 어제 ____, 오늘도 똑같이 말했어요. (말하다)
      2. I said it yesterday and said the same thing today.
Answer
말했고
 
  1. 숙제는 내일 ____, 오늘은 쉴 거예요. (하다)
      2. I am going to do my homework tomorrow and today I will rest.
Answer
할 거고
 
  1. 다시 ____ 확인하세요. (읽다)
      2. Read it again and check.
Answer
읽고
 
  1. 친구들이 ____ 마음씨가 따뜻해요. (착하다)
      2. My friends are kind and have warm hearts.
Answer
착하고
 
  1. 작년에는 한국어를 ____ 올해는 스페인어를 배우고 있습니다. (배우다)
      2. Last year, I learned Korean and this year, I am learning Spanish.
Answer
배웠고
 
  1. 아침을 ____ 다시 잤어요. (먹다)
      2. I had breakfast and went back to bed.
Answer
먹고
 
 
  1. 잘 ____ 대답하세요. (듣다)
      2. Listen carefully and answer.
Answer
듣고
 
  1. 비타민C는 에너지를 ____ 피부에도 좋아요. (주다)
      2. Vitamin C gives you energy and is good for your skin.
Answer
주고
 
  1. 집에서 드라마를 보고 야식을 먹어요. (보다)
      2. I watch a series and have midnight snacks at home.
Answer
보고
*야식 is usually more than a snack. It’s a full meal had past the appropriate time at night.
 
 
 
* For more practice exercises, visit the ‘Practice Hub’.
 
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