KoreanPath

-고Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 1

-go

TOPIK 1 1급Sentence Endings 종결 어미added statement 덧붙여 서술2 senses

One sentence ending with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

형태Forms

-고-고요

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending usually used when answering, omitting the question that should follow and finishing the sentence.

(두루낮춤으로) 주로 대꾸를 할 때 뒤에 올 어떤 질문을 생략하고 문장을 끝맺을 때 쓰는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

주로 물음, 부정, 빈정거림, 항의 등의 뜻을 나타낼 때, ‘이다’, 동사나 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’, ‘-겠-’, ‘-사옵-’ 등의 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

그래, 그동안 별일은 없었고?

Yeah, nothing much happened while you were away, right?

그래서 오늘 저녁에도 약속이 있고?

So you have plans again tonight, huh?

그렇게 호들갑을 떨더니 하던 일은 잘됐고?

You made such a fuss, but did your work turn out well?

대화In conversation

내가 계속 연락을 못 해서 미안해.

I'm sorry I couldn't keep in touch.

바빠서 시간이 없다고 하더니 오늘은 한가하시고?

You said you were too busy to have time, but today you're free, huh?

(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used when ordering gently, as if giving a feeling of having omitted another ordering phrase that should follow.

(두루낮춤으로) 뒤에 올 또 다른 명령 표현을 생략한 듯한 느낌을 주면서 부드럽게 명령할 때 쓰는 종결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs or the honorific -으시-.

동사 또는 ‘-으시-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

자, 다음은 민준이가 이리로 와서 앉고.

Okay, next, Minjun, come over here and sit down.

내가 이것을 준비할 테니 너는 그것 좀 가져오고.

I'll prepare this, so you go ahead and bring that.

용건이 끝났으면 이제 자네 자리로 돌아가 보시고.

If you're done with your business, go on back to your seat.

대화In conversation

서류를 냈으니 다음은 무엇을 하면 되나요?

I've submitted the documents. What should I do next?

다른 절차는 필요 없으니까 연락이 올 때까지 기다리고.

You don't need any other procedures, so just wait until we contact you.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.

-습니까 -seupnikka -ㅂ니까 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used when the speaker asks the listener politely. TOPIK 1 -습니다 -seupnida -ㅂ니다 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to explain the present action, state, or fact politely. TOPIK 1 -어 -eo -아 · -여 · -야 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to describe a certain fact, ask a question, give an order, or advise. TOPIK 1 -으세요 -euseyo -세요. -으셔요 · -셔요 · -으시어요 (informal addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to describe, ask a question, order, and request. TOPIK 1 -으십시오 -eusipsio -십시오 (formal, highly addressee-raising) A sentence-final ending used to politely order or request the listener to do something. TOPIK 1 -을까 -eulkka -ㄹ까 · 을까요 · -ㄹ까요 (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate a question or assumption about something. TOPIK 1

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -고 mean in Korean?

-고 is a sentence ending introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending usually used when answering, omitting the question that should follow and finishing the sentence. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -고?

Attaches after verbs or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -고요 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -고 and -고요?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same sentence ending, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -고?

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.