-어서Korean connective · TOPIK 1
-eoseo
One connective with 3 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
A connective ending used to indicate that the preceding event and the following one happened sequentially.
앞말과 뒤의 말이 순차적으로 일어남을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다 or verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.
‘이다’, 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 친구에게 화분을 하나 얻어서 키우기 시작했다.
Jisu got a plant from a friend and started growing it.
나는 편지에 작은 사진을 함께 넣어서 친구에게 보냈다.
I put a small photo in the letter and sent it to my friend.
할머니는 글을 배워서 손자에게 직접 편지를 쓰고 싶었다.
Grandma wanted to learn to read and write so she could write letters to her grandson herself.
대화In conversation
겉옷을 어디에 둘까요?
Where should I put my coat?
벗어서 옷걸이에 걸어라.
Take it off and hang it on the coat rack.
A connective ending used for a reason or cause.
이유나 근거를 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다 or verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.
‘이다’, 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
지수는 시간이 없어서 식사도 못 했다.
Jisu was so busy she couldn't even eat.
나는 약속을 못 지켜서 친구에게 많이 미안했다.
I felt really bad for my friend because I couldn't keep my promise.
날씨가 추워서 나는 어제 하루 종일 집에 있었다.
It was so cold that I stayed home all day yesterday.
대화In conversation
갑자기 왜 배가 아파?
Why does your stomach suddenly hurt?
저녁을 너무 많이 먹어서 체한 것 같아.
I think I ate too much dinner and got indigestion.
A connective ending used for ways or means.
수단이나 방법을 나타내는 연결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after the copula 이다 or verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.
‘이다’, 끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
우리는 다음 장소까지 걸어서 이동하기로 했다.
We decided to walk to the next place.
우리 가족은 모닥불에 고구마를 구워서 먹었다.
My family roasted sweet potatoes over the campfire and ate them.
지수는 종이를 접어서 꽃과 동물 등을 곧잘 만들어 냈다.
Jisu was good at folding paper to make flowers and animals.
대화In conversation
네가 직접 그린 그림이야? 정말 멋있다.
Did you draw this yourself? It's really impressive.
시간을 정말 많이 들여서 완성한 거야.
I spent a lot of time on it to finish it.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -어서 mean in Korean?
-어서 is a connective introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). A connective ending used to indicate that the preceding event and the following one happened sequentially. It has 3 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -어서?
Attaches after the copula 이다 or verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ. The other shape is -아서, -여서, -어, -아, -여, -라서, -라 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -어서 and -아서?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same connective, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -어서?
1급 — TOPIK 1, beginner. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.