In Korean, both -아서/어서 and -아/어다가 can be used to connect two actions in sequence. However, there’s a key difference: -아서/어서 is used when the actions happen one after another in the same context, while -아/어다가 is used when the result of the first action is carried over to a different place or situation. This post will help you understand when to use each pattern correctly, with simple explanations and real-life examples.
Contents
1. DefinitionMeaning & Usage
- -아서/어서:
- General Sequence: Links two actions in chronological order (“and then”).
- Cause/Reason: Explains why something happens (“because”).
- Example (Sequence):
- 아침을 먹어서 학교에 갔어요. (I ate breakfast and then went to school.)
- Example (Cause):
- 비가 와서 우산을 썼어요. (I used an umbrella because it rained.)
- 비가 와서 우산을 썼어요. (I used an umbrella because it rained.)
- -아/어다가:
- Movement-Based Sequence: The first action’s result is moved to a new location for the second action.
- Example:
- 슈퍼에서 우유를 사다가 집에 넣었어요. (I bought milk at the supermarket and then put it at home.)
- 슈퍼에서 우유를 사다가 집에 넣었어요. (I bought milk at the supermarket and then put it at home.)
2. Form (Structure)
| Pattern | Verb Stem Ending | Form | Examples |
| A/V 아서/어서 | ㅏ, ㅗ | -아서 | 가다 → 가서 (go → and then) |
| Other vowels | -어서 | 먹다 → 먹어서 (eat → and then) | |
| 하다 | -해서 | 하다 → 해서 (do → and then) | |
| V 아/어다가 | ㅏ, ㅗ | -아다가 | 사다 → 사다가 (buy → and then) |
| Other vowels | -어다가 | 만들다 → 만들어다가 (make → and then) | |
| 하다 | -해다가 | 하다 → 해다가 (do → and then) |
📌 Notes
- -아서/어서: Used for both verbs and adjectives.
- -아/어다가: Used only with verbs.
3. Meaning & Usage
1. -아서/어서
Meaning:
- Sequence: Connects two actions happening in the same context or location.
- Example: 아침을 먹어서 학교에 갔어요. (I ate breakfast and then went to school.)
- Reason: Explains why something happens.
- Example: 비가 와서 우산을 썼어요. (I used an umbrella because it rained.)
- Example: 비가 와서 우산을 썼어요. (I used an umbrella because it rained.)
Usage:
- Can be used with both verbs and adjectives.
- Typically used for actions occurring in the same place.
Examples:
- 아침을 먹어서 학교에 갔어요. (I ate breakfast and then went to school.)
- 운동해서 샤워했어요. (I exercised and then showered.)
- 책을 읽어서 잠을 잤어요. (I read a book and then slept.)
- 커피를 마셔서 이야기했어요. (I drank coffee and then talked.)
- 신발을 신어서 밖에 나갔어요. (I put on shoes and then went outside.)
- 기분이 좋아서 노래를 불렀어요. (I sang because I was happy.)
- 돈이 없어서 못 샀어요. (I couldn’t buy it because I didn’t have money.)
2. -아/어다가
Meaning:
- Movement-Based Sequence: The result of the first action is moved or transferred to a new location for the second action.
- Example: 슈퍼에서 우유를 사다가 집에 넣었어요. (I bought milk and then put it at home.)
- Example: 슈퍼에서 우유를 사다가 집에 넣었어요. (I bought milk and then put it at home.)
Usage:
- Can only be used with verbs.
- Requires physical movement between locations.
Examples:
- 카페에서 케이크를 사다가 파티에 가져갔어요. (I bought a cake at the café and then took it to the party.)
- 도서관에서 책을 빌려다가 친구에게 줬어요. (I borrowed a book from the library and then gave it to a friend.)
- 시장에서 과일을 사다가 친구에게 선물했어요. (I bought fruits at the market and then gave them as a gift to a friend.)
- 물을 떠다가 꽃에 줬어요. (I fetched water and then gave it to the flowers.)
- 사진을 찍어다가 앨범에 넣었어요. (I took photos and then put them in an album.)
Comparison Table
| Category | -아서/어서 | -아/어다가 |
| Meaning | – Sequence: Actions in the same location – Reason: Explains why | – Movement-Based Sequence: Actions involving movement to a new location |
| Parts of Speech | Verbs, Adjectives | Verbs only |
| Structure | [Verb/Adjective] + 아서/어서 + [Next Action] | [Verb] + 아/어다가 + [Next Action] |
| Translation | and then” (sequence), “because” (reason) | “and then (with movement)” |
| Key Difference | Emphasizes actions in the same location or explains reasons | Requires physical movement between locations |
Summary
- -아서/어서: Use for actions in the same location or to explain why something happens.
- -아/어다가: Use when something is moved from one place to another.
💡 Tip:
- “-아서/어서” → Same Place (actions in the same location).
- “-다가” → Different Place (actions involving movement to another location).
4. Key Points to Remember
- -아서/어서: Same location or reason.
- -아/어다가: Movement between locations.
- Subject Consistency: Both clauses must have the same subject.
- Verbs Only: -아/어다가 is used only with verbs, not adjectives.
5. Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with -아서/어서 or -아/어다가:
- 시장에서 꽃을 ________ 집에 꽂았어요.
(I bought flowers at the market and put them at home.) - 아침을________ 회사에 갔어요.
(I ate breakfast and then went to work.) - 커피를 ________ 친구에게 줬어요. (I bought coffee and gave it to my friend.)
- 숙제를 ________ 친구와 영화를 봤어요.
(I finished my homework and then watched a movie with a friend.) - 서점에서 책을 ________ 도서관에 뒀어요.
(I bought a book at the bookstore and left it at the library.) - 편지를________ 우체국에 갔어요.
(I wrote a letter and then went to the post office.) - 음식을 많이 ________ 친구들과 나눠 먹었어요.
(I made a lot of food and shared it with friends.) - 도서관에서 책을 __ 친구에게 줬어요.
(I borrowed a book from the library and then gave it to a friend.) - 장에서 재료를 ________ 요리를 했어요.
(I bought groceries and cooked.) - 영화를 늦게 ________ 집에 늦게 도착했어요.
(I watched a movie late, so I got home late.)
6. Answers
- 사다가
- 먹어서
- 사다가
- 끝내서
- 사다가
- 써서
- 만들어다가
- 빌려다가
- 사다가
- 봐서
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake 1: Using -아/어다가 with adjectives
Incorrect: 기뻤다가 친구를 만났어요. ❌ (I was happy and then met a friend.)
Correct: 기뻐서 친구를 만났어요. ✅ (I was happy and then met a friend.)
💡 Tip: -아/어다가 is only for verbs involving physical actions.
💡 Additional Tip: Always check if the word is a verb or an adjective. If it’s an adjective, use -아서/어서 instead.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Confusing sequence with cause
Incorrect: 밥을 먹어다가 잤어요. ❌ (I ate and then slept.)
Correct: 밥을 먹어서 잤어요. ✅ (I ate and then slept.)
💡 Tip: Use -아서/어서 if there’s no movement between actions.
💡 Additional Tip: Be clear about whether you’re describing a sequence of actions or a cause-and-effect relationship.
⚠️ Mistake 3: Ignoring location changes
Incorrect: 물을 받아서 꽃에 줬어요. ❌ (I fetched water and then gave it to the flowers.)
Correct: 물을 받아다가 꽃에 줬어요. ✅ (I fetched water and then gave it to the flowers.)
💡 Tip: Use -아/어다가 when moving objects (e.g., water → flowers).
💡 Additional Tip: Always consider if there is a physical movement involved. If so, use -아/어다가; otherwise, use -아서/어서.
Mastering -아/어다가 and -아서/어서 is essential for expressing reasons, sequences, and transfers accurately. Practice with real-life examples to build confidence!