Lesson 17 · V/A-고 & V/A-고요: Connect and Add
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean Grammar Class · Lesson 17
V/A-고 & V/A-고요: Connect and Add
Connect Korean actions and descriptions with -고, and add polite information with -고요, using clear examples and practice.
Introduction & Review
You can already say 아침을 먹어요. 커피를 마셔요. Today, connect the facts: 아침을 먹고 커피를 마셔요. This lesson practices V/A-고 for connecting actions or descriptions, and V/A-고요 for politely adding information. V is an action verb; A is a descriptive verb. The final predicate gives the polite ending to the connected sentence.
Today’s Grammar
V/A stem + 고요
Remove 다, then attach 고 directly: 먹다 → 먹고; 마시다 → 마시고; 친절하다 → 친절하고; 작다 → 작고. There is no consonant/vowel choice. Do not attach 고 to the everyday -아요/어요 form. -고요 uses the same stem + 고, with 요 to keep the added information polite.
1 · Connect Actions
-고 can list two actions, and context can also suggest “and then.” It does not always require a strict time order, and it does not mean “because.” Start with one person doing both actions. Korean can connect different subjects too, but that is not required for today’s practice.
2 · Connect Descriptions
Both qualities describe the same person or thing here. 쉽다 means be easy; its polite form is 쉬워요, but before 고 it is 쉽고. Descriptive verbs connect directly without an extra Korean “be.”
3 · Add Information with -고요
Use -고요 to add a related fact in conversation. It can occur at a pause before more information or as a short added remark. It often sounds like “and also …” rather than a completely isolated statement. 비 = rain; 비가 와요 = it rains. In 비도 와요, 도 replaces 가 and means also.
Compare the Forms
| Dictionary word | Polite sentence ending | Before -고 / -고요 |
|---|---|---|
| 하다 | 해요 | 하고 / 하고요 |
| 듣다 | 들어요 | 듣고 / 듣고요 |
| 춥다 | 추워요 | 춥고 / 춥고요 |
| 빠르다 | 빨라요 | 빠르고 / 빠르고요 |
| 하얗다 | 하얘요 | 하얗고 / 하얗고요 |
Hyeju’s Note · Keep the Dictionary Stem
Lesson 16 changed some stems before a vowel ending. 고 starts with a consonant. Use 듣고 and 춥고, even though the polite forms are 들어요 and 추워요. These examples show why it is useful to keep the dictionary word in your notes.
Mini Dialogue
A: 친구는 어때요?
chinguneun eottaeyo · What is your friend like?
B: 친절하고 재미있어요.
chinjeolhago jaemiisseoyo · My friend is kind and fun.
A: 키가 커요?
kiga keoyo · Is your friend tall?
B: 네, 키도 크고요.
ne, kido keugoyo · Yes, and tall too.
어때요? means “How is it?” or “What is someone/something like?” Treat it as a useful question, without needing its full grammar analysis today.
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 58
-아/어서
친구를 만나서 영화를 봤어요.-고 simply lists actions. -아/어서 links steps that depend on each other: you met your friend and watched the film with them.
Look ahead: Lesson 58 →LESSON 62
-지만
이 식당은 비싸지만 맛있어요.-고 adds similar information. -지만 shows contrast: “but”.
Look ahead: Lesson 62 →LESSON 65
-(으)면서
음악을 들으면서 공부해요.-고 is one action after another. -(으)면서 is two actions at the same time.
Look ahead: Lesson 65 →| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -고 | and (listing, or one after another) | 씻고 자요 |
| -아/어서 | and then (linked steps); because | 만나서 이야기해요 |
| -(으)면서 | while (at the same time) | 먹으면서 봐요 |
| -지만 | but | 작지만 편해요 |
Common mistakes
먹어요고 → 먹고; 친절해고 → 친절하고; 추워고 → 춥고; 들어고 (from 듣다) → 듣고.
Do not translate every -고 as “then.” In 친구는 키가 크고 친절해요, there are two qualities, not two events in chronological order. For nouns, an 이다 pattern is needed; a bare noun cannot simply take this V/A pattern.
-고 attaches straight to the stem: 먹 + 고.
하고 is for nouns. Adjectives take -고.
A sentence ending in -고 sounds casual or unfinished. Add 요 to keep it polite.
-고 lists actions. For a purpose (“to study”), use -(으)러.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blank저는 아침에 샤워하___ 커피를 마셔요.
Check answer
저는 아침에 샤워하고 커피를 마셔요.
Add 고 to the stem: 샤워하고. “I shower and then have coffee in the morning.”
- Fill in the blank이 식당은 싸___ 맛있어요.
Check answer
이 식당은 싸고 맛있어요.
Two good points about the restaurant → 싸고. “This place is cheap and tasty.”
- Choose the correct form우리 언니는 (의사고 / 의사하고) 형부는 선생님이에요.
Check answer
의사고
To join two noun sentences, use (이)고: 의사이고 → 의사고. 하고 would mean “with/and” between nouns.
- Choose the better formA: 주말에 뭐 했어요? B: 집에서 쉬었어요. 청소도 (했고요 / 해서요).
Check answer
했고요
B is adding one more piece of information, so -고요 fits.
- Find and fix the mistake이 옷은 예쁘하고 싸요.
Check answer
이 옷은 예쁘고 싸요.
예쁘다 is an adjective, so it takes -고: 예쁘고.
- Say it in KoreanI do my homework and then watch TV.
Check answer
숙제하고 텔레비전을 봐요.
One action after another → -고: 숙제하고.
Today’s Key Point
Stem + 고 connects facts or actions; context decides whether order matters.
Stem + 고요 politely adds related information.
Use the dictionary stem: 듣고, 춥고, 친절하고.
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