VS + 고 나서

1. Title

VS + 고 나서 – "After doing something"

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2. Grammar Explanation

VS + 고 나서 is a verb ending used in Korean to express that one action is completed and then another action follows. It’s equivalent to "after doing..." in English.

• Structure:

  • Verb stem + -고 나서

  • For verbs ending in a vowel or most consonants, just add -고 나서.

  • No irregularities are applied; it’s fairly straightforward.

• Meaning:
  It emphasizes the completion of the first action before the second begins. This is especially useful when you want to be clear that the first task was fully done before proceeding.

• Compare:

  • -고 (just "and/after") can mean actions happened in sequence, but not necessarily that the first was completed before the second.

  • -고 나서 removes ambiguity and confirms that the first action was completely finished.

• Tense:
  Tense is usually indicated in the final verb. "고 나서" itself stays in the present form.

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3. Example Sentences

1. 저는 아침을 먹고 나서 커피를 마셨어요.
   (I drank coffee after eating breakfast.)

2. 영화를 보고 나서 친구를 만났어요.
   (I met my friend after watching a movie.)

3. 숙제를 다 하고 나서 놀았어요.
   (I played after finishing my homework.)

4. 퇴근하고 나서 헬스장에 갔어요.
   (I went to the gym after finishing work.)

5. 수업을 듣고 나서 복습을 해요.
   (I review the material after attending class.)

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4. Sample Dialogues

Dialogue 1
A: 오늘 뭐 했어요?
B: 운동하고 나서 샤워했어요.
(A: What did you do today?
B: I showered after working out.)

Dialogue 2
A: 언제 점심 먹을 거예요?
B: 회의 끝나고 나서 먹을 거예요.
(A: When will you eat lunch?
B: I’ll eat after the meeting ends.)

Dialogue 3
A: 집에 오자마자 뭐 했어요?
B: 손을 씻고 나서 저녁을 준비했어요.
(A: What did you do right after coming home?
B: I washed my hands and then prepared dinner.)

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5. Make Korean Sentences from English!

Translate the following sentences using -고 나서.

1. I washed my face after waking up.

2. My mom cleaned the house after breakfast.

3. My friend called me after the class.

4. I checked my email after arriving at work.

5. My sister studied after dinner.

6. I went to bed after reading a book.

7. My brother exercised after school.

8. The teacher gave homework after the test.

9. I listened to music after walking.

10. The chef washed the vegetables after buying them.