Want to say what you do after something else in Korean? The grammar pattern ‘-고 나서’ is perfect for expressing completed actions followed by another. This essential beginner-level structure helps you speak clearly about daily routines, step-by-step tasks, and logical sequences. Let’s learn how to use ‘-고 나서’ correctly with practical examples.
Contents
1. Definition
‘-고 나서’ is used to show that one action is completed before another begins. It is similar to “after doing (something)” in English. This grammar pattern is attached to the verb stem and emphasizes that the first action is completely finished before the second starts.
2. Form (Structure)
To form ‘-고 나서’, simply attach ‘-고 나서’ to the verb stem of the first action, followed by the second action.
Verb stem + -고 나서 + second action
Examples:
- 먹다 → 먹고 나서 (after eating)
- 공부하다 → 공부하고 나서 (after studying)
- 씻다 → 씻고 나서 (after washing)
3. Meaning & Usage
1. Expressing a clear sequence of completed actions
Use ‘-고 나서’ when one action is completely finished and another begins. This structure is used to show that the first action must be completed before the second action starts.
- 밥을 먹고 나서 이를 닦았어요. (I brushed my teeth after eating.)
- 운동을 하고 나서 샤워했어요. (I took a shower after working out.)
- 이메일을 확인하고 나서 회의에 들어갔어요. (I joined the meeting after checking my email.)
- 책을 다 읽고 나서 잤어요. (I went to bed after finishing the book.)
- 수업이 끝나고 나서 친구를 만났어요. (I met my friend after class.)
2. Emphasizing that the first action must be fully completed
‘-고 나서’ highlights that the first action is not just started, but fully finished before the next action happens.
- 숙제를 다 하고 나서 놀았어요. (I played after finishing my homework.)
- 청소를 끝내고 나서 영화를 봤어요. (I watched a movie after finishing cleaning.)
- 보고서를 제출하고 나서 퇴근했어요. (I left work after submitting the report.)
- 접수를 하고 나서 기다렸어요. (I waited after checking in.)
- 정리를 다 하고 나서 퇴근해요. (I leave work after organizing everything.)
3. Commonly used with routine or repeated actions
‘-고 나서’ is often found in everyday conversations where tasks are done in order, especially in routines or repeated actions.
- 아침을 먹고 나서 회사에 가요. (I go to work after eating breakfast.)
- 손을 씻고 나서 식사하세요. (Please eat after washing your hands.)
- 옷을 갈아입고 나서 외출해요. (I go out after changing clothes.)
- 운동을 하고 나서 물을 마셔요. (I drink water after exercising.)
- 이메일을 확인하고 나서 전화해요. (I call after checking emails.)
4. Used in various tenses
‘-고 나서’ can be used in the past, present, and future tenses to describe sequences in different time frames.
- Past: 숙제를 하고 나서 잤어요. (I went to bed after doing my homework.)
- Present: 점심을 먹고 나서 산책해요. (I take a walk after having lunch.)
- Future: 수업을 듣고 나서 집에 갈 거예요. (I will go home after taking the class.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘-고 나서’ is only used when the first action is fully completed before the next begins.
- Do not use ‘-고 나서’ for actions that happen at the same time.
- Attach ‘-고 나서’ directly to the verb stem.
- Can be used in past, present, and future tenses.
- More common in spoken and casual written Korean.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb using ‘-고 나서’.
(Translate: Fill in the blank with the appropriate ‘-고 나서’ expression based on the context.)
- 밥을 ________ 물을 마셨어요.
(eat → I drank water after eating.) - 숙제를 ________ 게임을 했어요.
(do homework → I played a game after doing my homework.) - 집을 ________ 친구를 만났어요.
(clean → I met my friend after cleaning the house.) - 문을 ________ 들어왔어요.
(open → I came in after opening the door.) - 이메일을 ________ 퇴근했어요.
(send → I left work after sending the email.) - 운동을 ________ 스트레칭을 했어요.
(exercise → I stretched after exercising.) - 창문을 ________ 바람이 들어왔어요.
(open → The wind came in after opening the window.) - 책을 ________ 메모를 했어요.
(read → I took notes after reading the book.) - 전화를 ________ 다시 연락했어요.
(receive → I called again after receiving the phone call.) - 비를 ________ 우산을 말렸어요.
(get rained on → I dried the umbrella after getting rained on.)
6. Answers
- 먹고 나서
- 하고 나서
- 청소하고 나서
- 열고 나서
- 보내고 나서
- 하고 나서
- 열고 나서
- 읽고 나서
- 받고 나서
- 맞고 나서
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using ‘-고 나서’ with adjectives
ncorrect: 피곤하고 나서 잤어요. ❌ (I slept after being tired.)
Correct: 운동을 하고 나서 피곤했어요. ✅ (I was tired after exercising.)
💡 Tip: ‘-고 나서’ should be used with verbs, not adjectives.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Using ‘-고 나서’ when the first action isn’t completed
Incorrect: 숙제를 하고 나서 놀고 있어요. ❌ (I’m playing after doing homework — implies not fully done.)
Correct: 숙제를 다 하고 나서 놀고 있어요. ✅ (I’m playing after completely finishing homework.)
💡 Tip: Make sure the first action is completed before using ‘-고 나서’.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Using ‘-고 나서’ with simultaneous actions
Incorrect: 밥을 먹고 나서 TV를 봤어요. ❌ (After eating, I watched TV.)
Correct: 밥을 먹으면서 TV를 봤어요. ✅ (While eating, I watched TV.)
💡 Tip: For simultaneous actions, use ‘-(으)면서’ instead of ‘-고 나서’.
The pattern ‘-고 나서’ is a foundational structure in Korean used to express one completed action followed by another. It helps learners describe routines, instructions, and logical sequences in clear and natural Korean. By understanding the structure, meaning, and common mistakes, learners can confidently use ‘-고 나서’ in daily conversations.