haru Korean › Grammar › Level 2A › V-고 나서
V-고 나서 — after …ing — first one thing, then the next
After …ing — first one thing, then the next. Korean grammar for upper beginner learners — Level 2A, lesson 5: 어디로 여행 갈까요? (Where shall we travel? — reasons and guesses).
What it means
-고 나서 means 'after doing …': the first action is finished, then the second one starts. Take 다 off and add 고 나서 — 받침 does not matter: 먹고 나서, 보고 나서, 구경하고 나서, and 듣다 stays 듣고 나서 because ㄷ only changes before a vowel. -고 (Level 1A) can also put actions in order, but -고 나서 makes 'first this, then that' clear, so it is handy for plans and instructions: 체크인하고 나서 바닷가에 가요. -았/었- never goes before -고 나서; the tense is on the last verb: 점심을 먹고 나서 산책했어요. The second half can be anything you know — a suggestion, a guess, a request: 점심을 먹고 나서 바닷가에 갈까요? With a noun, use N 후에 (Level 1B): 점심 후에.
Forms
| Pattern | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -고 나서 | 동사 — 받침 O · 받침 X 모두 | 먹다 + 고 나서 → 먹고 나서 |
Key points
- V-고 나서 = after …ing: take 다 off and add 고 나서, with or without 받침 — 먹고 나서 · 보고 나서 · 구경하고 나서
- -고 (Level 1A) just lists actions; -고 나서 says the first one is finished. The tense goes on the last verb: 점심을 먹고 나서 산책했어요.
Examples
- 먹다 → 먹고 나서. 보다 → 보고 나서. 듣다 → 듣고 나서.
- 산책하다 → 산책하고 나서. 끝나다 → 끝나고 나서.
- 점심을 먹고 나서 바닷가를 산책해요.
- 수업이 끝나고 나서 여행을 떠났어요.
Where university textbooks teach it
This point also appears in: Seoul National University Korean 2A, lesson 5; Yonsei University Korean 3-1, lesson 5; Sogang University Korean 3B, lesson 7; Ewha Womans University Korean 2-2, lesson 9; Hongik University Korean 2B, lesson 8.
Also in this lesson
- A/V-(으)니까 · N(이)니까 (1B 복습·확장) — because · so — a reason before a suggestion, a request or advice
- A/V-(으)ㄹ까요? (추측) — do you think …? — asking for someone's guess
- A/V-(으)ㄹ 거예요 (추측) — will probably … · I think … — making a guess