Master Korean Grammar with Connective Endings: Examples & Real-Life Use

Table of Contents

- Chapter 1: What Are Connective Endings?

- Chapter 2: Why Are They Important in Korean?

- Chapter 3: Unique Features of Connective Endings

- Chapter 4: Classification of Connective Endings

- Chapter 5: Subtle Nuances and Spoken Variations

- Chapter 6: Connective Endings and Grammar Interactions

- Chapter 7: Building Sentences with Connective Endings

- Chapter 8: Real-Life Use Cases

- Wrap-Up and What’s Next

- Appendix: Classification of Connective Endings (Details)

📘 Chapter 1: What Are Connective Endings?

In Korean grammar, connective endings (연결어미) are special verb or adjective endings used to link two or more clauses into a single, flowing sentence. Instead of expressing one complete thought and then starting a new sentence, Korean often prefers to build compound or complex sentences using these endings to show how ideas relate to each other.

These endings attach directly to a verb or adjective stem and act as bridges between actions, conditions, or states, indicating time, cause, contrast, intention, condition, and more. Each connective ending has a distinct function that helps clarify how the first clause relates to the one that follows.

 

📌 Example

“학교에 가서 친구를 만났어요.”

“I went to school and met a friend.”

→ Here, “-아서” (from 가다 + -아서) links the two actions, showing that they happened in sequence.

 

In this sentence, the speaker is not just listing events but showing a natural progression: because they went to school, they were able to meet a friend. This is a fundamental feature of Korean communication—expressing relationships between events, reasons, or feelings without breaking the flow of thought.

 

Connective endings are not standalone words, and they cannot appear at the end of a sentence. They always require a following clause, making them essential tools for sentence cohesion in Korean. Mastering them allows learners to sound more natural, logical, and fluent in both spoken and written Korean.

 

📘 Chapter 2: Why Are They Important in Korean?

– Role in clause chaining and Korean sentence structure

In Korean, the ability to fluently connect thoughts and events in a single sentence is not just a stylistic preference—it’s a fundamental feature of the language. This is where connective endings play a crucial role.

Korean often expresses complex ideas by chaining multiple clauses into one continuous sentence, rather than breaking them into separate ones as is common in English. Connective endings are the grammatical glue that holds these clauses together.

 

For example, instead of saying:

“I went to school. I met a friend.”

 

📌 Koreans naturally say:

“학교에 가서 친구를 만났어요.”

(“I went to school and met a friend.”)

 

This isn’t just a matter of elegance—it’s about accuracy, logic, and fluency. Without the correct connective endings, learners struggle to:

- Express cause and effect, time sequence, contrast, or intent.

- Sounds natural in speech or writing, where long flowing sentences are the norm.

- Fully understand native materials like dramas, conversations, or books that heavily rely on clause chaining.

 

Mastering connective endings helps Korean learners:

- Build coherent, compound sentences that reflect how Koreans naturally think and speak.

- Tell stories, give reasons, and explain ideas with nuance.

- Advance beyond basic “subject + verb” structures and communicate more deeply and authentically.

 

In short, understanding and using connective endings isn’t optional—it’s essential for reaching fluency in Korean.

 

📘 Chapter 3: Unique Features of Connective Endings

Connective endings play a crucial role in Korean sentence construction, but what makes them different from other verb endings? To master compound sentence building, it's essential to understand how connective endings stand apart from final and pre-final endings in form, function, and grammatical behavior.

 

1. Function: Linking vs. Finishing

While sentence-final endings (종결어미) mark the end of a sentence (e.g., "-어요", "-ㅂ니다") and pre-final endings (선어말어미) indicate tense, aspect, or politeness within the verb (e.g., "-았-", "-시-", "-겠-"), connective endings do not conclude a sentence.

Instead, they link two or more clauses, allowing ideas to flow naturally. They serve as grammatical bridges that clarify cause, time, contrast, condition, or purpose.

 

📌 “피곤해서 집에 일찍 갔어요.”

(Because I was tired, I went home early.)

 

2. Conjugation and Attachment

Connective endings attach directly to verb or adjective stems, and their form often depends on vowel harmony or phonological rules. Many endings like "-아서/어서" or "-(으)니까" change shape depending on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.

Additionally, while final endings can stand alone, connective endings must be followed by another clause—they cannot end a sentence by themselves.

 

3. Position in Sentence

Unlike final endings, which appear at the very end of a sentence, connective endings appear in the middle, right after the first clause’s verb or adjective.

This mid-position gives Korean its characteristic chaining rhythm, where one idea smoothly leads into the next.

 

📌 “공부하고 운동했어요.”

(I studied and exercised.)

 

4. Clause Dependency and Meaning

A clause ending in a connective is usually grammatically dependent, meaning its meaning is incomplete without the following clause. This contrasts with independent main clauses that end with final endings.

 

📌 “학교에 가면…” → Dependent clause

📌 “학교에 가면 재미있어요.” → Complete sentence

 

5. Compatibility with Tense and Honorifics

Connective endings can coexist with pre-final endings, enabling nuanced expressions. You can express past tense (“-았-”), honorifics (“-시-”), or intention (“-겠-”) before adding a connective ending.

 

📌 “드셨으면 좋겠어요.”

(I hope you ate well.)

📘 Chapter 4: Classification of Connective Endings

Korean connective endings play a crucial role in joining clauses and expressing logical relationships, such as cause and reason, condition, contrast, sequence, and more. This chapter will help you understand and distinguish the most common connective endings, focusing on their meanings and usage.

 

1. Key Connective Endings

A. Cause/Reason

① “–아서/–어서/–여서”: “Because,” “so” (neutral, used in both spoken and written Korean)

 

📌 “비가 와서 집에 있었어요.”

(I stayed home because it rained.)

 

② “–으니까/–니까”: “Because,” “so” (often used in spoken Korean, for explanations or justifications)

 

📌 “배가 고프니까 빨리 먹자.”

(Let’s eat quickly because I’m hungry.)

 

③ “–(으)므로”: “Because,” “therefore” (formal, written Korean)

 

📌 “시간이 없으므로 빨리 가자.”

(Since there’s no time, let’s go quickly.)

 

B. Condition/Contrast

① “–(으)면”: “If,” “when” (condition)

 

📌 “시간이 있으면 같이 가자.”

(If you have time, let’s go together.)

 

② “–더라도/–을지라도”: “Even if,” “even though” (concession/contrast)

 

📌 “비가 오더라도 나갈 거예요.”

(Even if it rains, I’ll go out.)

 

🐾 Note: These endings are similar, but “–더라도” is more common in spoken language.

 

C. Sequence/Listing

① “–고”: “And,” “then” (listing actions)

 

📌 “밥을 먹고 책을 읽었어요.”

(I ate and then read a book.)

 

② “–아서/–어서/–여서”: Can also indicate sequence:

 

📌 “집에 가서 쉬었어요.”

(I went home and rested.)

 

D. Time

① “–다가”: “While doing, “but then” (interrupted action)

 

📌 “공부하다가 잠들었어요.”

(I fell asleep while studying.)

 

② “–자마자”: “As soon as” (immediate sequence)

 

📌 “집에 도착하자마자 전화했어요.”

(As soon as I got home, I called.)

 

2. Special Structures

A. Connective Endings + Dependent Noun + Particle

Some structures use a dependent noun (의존명사) and a particle, not a connective ending:

① “–는 바람에”: “Because of” (often negative)

 

📌 “비가 오는 바람에 옷이 젖었어요.”

(Because it rained, my clothes got wet.)

 

② “–는 덕분에”: “Thanks to”

 

📌 “친구의 도움이 있었던 덕분에 성공했어요.”

(Thanks to my friend’s help, I succeeded.)

 

③ “–는 동안”: “While,” “during”

 

📌 “회의를 하는 동안 조용히 있었어요.”

(I stayed quiet during the meeting.)

 

④ “–는 한”: “As long as”

 

📌 “살아있는 한 지킬 거예요.”

(I’ll protect you as long as I live.)

 

🐾 Note: These are not connective endings, but are often confused with them. They require a preceding modifier, and a connective ending is used in the clause that acts as the modifier.

 

3. Tips for Avoiding Confusion

- Connective endings attach directly to verb/adjective stems.

- Dependent noun + particle structures require a modifier before the dependent noun.

- Some endings (“–아서/–어서”, “–고”, etc.) can have multiple meanings depending on context.

- Use tables to compare similar endings and their nuances.

 

4. Comparison Table (sample)

🐾 Connective endings are very diverse in their types and uses. Beginner Korean learners should carefully study the example sentences in the Appendix: Classification of Connective Endings (Details).

 

📘 Chapter 5: Subtle Nuances and Spoken Variations

Korean connective endings do more than link clauses—they reflect subtle shifts in tone, context, and speaker intent. In everyday speech, many endings adopt contracted, colloquial, or regionally preferred forms. Understanding these variations will help you sound more natural and better grasp what native speakers mean in real time.

Let’s explore these nuances with practical comparisons and example sentences.

1. “-아서/어서” vs “-니까”

Both are used to express cause or reason, but they differ in tone and intention.

- “-아서/어서” is softer, often used for neutral causes or sequential actions.

- “-니까” is more direct and often expresses justification or personal reasoning.

 

📌 Ex. 1: “날씨가 좋아서 산책했어요.”

The weather was nice, so I went for a walk.

→ Neutral cause, no emotional emphasis.

 

📌 Ex. 2: “비가 오니까 우산 가져가.”

Since it’s raining, take an umbrella.

→ Justification for giving advice, slightly stronger tone.

 

2. Colloquial Contractions of “-고 있어요” → “-고 있어”

In spoken Korean, polite forms often get shortened in casual conversation.

 

📌 Ex. 3: “지금 밥 먹고 있어.”

I’m eating right now.

→ Casual, everyday style. Compare with: “밥 먹고 있어요.” (polite)

 

3. “-면서” and Nuances of Simultaneity

Used for two simultaneous actions, but it can also carry a tone of criticism or contrast, especially when combined with subjective judgment.

 

📌 Ex. 4: “말은 그렇게 하면서 행동은 다르잖아.”

You say one thing, but your actions are different.

→ Contrastive, slightly critical tone.

 

📌 Ex. 5: “운전하면서 전화하면 안 돼요.”

You shouldn't talk on the phone while driving.

→ Standard simultaneity, used in warnings or instructions.

 

4. “-는데” as Background vs. Contrast

“-는데” is a multi-functional ending often used to set the background, build contrast, or soften the tone before a request.

 

📌 Ex. 6: “지금 좀 바쁜데, 나중에 얘기해도 될까?”

I'm a bit busy right now—can we talk later?

→ Background information before a polite suggestion.

 

📌 Ex. 7: “그 사람 착하긴 한데, 너무 소심해.”

He's kind, but too timid.

→ Contrastive, often used when softening criticism.

5. “-더라도” vs “-지만”

Both indicate contrast, but “-더라도” emphasizes hypothetical or extreme contrast, whereas “-지만” is more neutral.

 

📌 Ex. 8: “비가 오더라도 갈 거예요.”

Even if it rains, I’ll go.

→ Strong will despite potential obstacles.

 

📌 Ex. 9: “비가 오지만 나갔어요.”

It was raining, but I went out.

→ Neutral contrast between situation and action.

 

6. Regional and Informal Forms

In informal settings, endings may be shortened or blended with particles.

 

📌 Ex. 10: “배고파서 라면 끓였지~”

I was hungry, so I made some ramen~

→ “-았/었지” adds informality and a storytelling tone, often heard in casual chats.

📌 Ex. 11: “거기 가면 맛있다던데?”

They say it’s delicious there, right?

→ “-다던데” is a colloquial form derived from “-다고 하던데,” expressing hearsay + curiosity.

 

7. Honorific & Formal Register Changes

Connective endings often pair with honorific markers like “-시-” or formal endings like “-습니다.”

 

📌 Ex. 12: “선생님께서 말씀하시면서 걸으셨어요.”

The teacher spoke while walking.

→ Honorific “-시-” combined with “-면서” and past tense.

Summary

Understanding the subtle tones of connective endings is essential for fluency. Whether you're requesting, justifying, or narrating, these tiny endings carry rich nuance. When used well, they let your Korean sound not only accurate, but authentic.

 

📘 Chapter 6: Connective Endings and Grammar Interactions

Understanding how tense and honorifics interact with Korean connective endings is essential for building grammatically accurate and socially appropriate sentences. Many connective endings adapt their form or usage based on when the action occurs and who is involved in the sentence. Let’s break down the key variations and provide examples to illustrate.

 

1. Tense Variations with Connective Endings

Some connective endings naturally incorporate tense, while others require the verb or adjective before the ending to carry the correct tense.

 

① “-고 나서”: “after doing"

Used with the past tense verb form.

 

📌 Ex. 1: "밥을 먹고 나서 운동했어요."

I exercised after eating.

→ ‘먹고 나서’ connects two actions sequentially, with the first clause in the past.

 

② “-았/었더니”: "after doing / as a result of doing"

This connective ending inherently conveys the past tense in the first clause.

 

📌 Ex. 2: "운동을 열심히 했더니 살이 빠졌어요."

I exercised hard, and as a result, I lost weight.

→ The verb before ‘-았/었더니’ must be conjugated in the past.

 

2. Honorific Variations with Connective Endings

Honorific forms appear when showing respect to the subject, especially in formal or polite contexts.

 

③ “-으시면서” (honorific + -면서)

Used when describing simultaneous actions by a respected subject.

 

📌 Ex. 3: "할아버지께서 신문을 읽으시면서 차를 드셨어요."

My grandfather drank tea while reading the newspaper.

→ ‘-으시-’ is the honorific marker added before the connective ending ‘-면서’.

 

④ “-셨는데” (honorific + -는데)

Combines the honorific past tense ‘-셨-’ with the connective ending ‘-는데’.

 

📌 Ex. 4: "선생님이 오셨는데 자리에 안 계셨어요."

The teacher came, but wasn’t at their seat.

→ ‘오셨는데’ uses ‘-셨-’ for honorific past tense + ‘-는데’ for contrast or background.

 

⑤ “-시고” (honorific + -고)

Polite version of ‘-고’ used with subjects of high status.

 

📌 Ex. 5: "부장님이 회의하시고 퇴근하셨어요."

The manager held a meeting and then left for the day.

→ Both verbs use honorific forms: ‘하시고’ and ‘퇴근하셨어요’.

 

3. Tense + Honorific Combined Patterns

Korean often requires both tense and honorifics to be marked in compound or connective constructions.

 

📌 Ex. 6: "어머님이 식사를 하셨는데 아직 안 주무셨어요."

My mother ate a meal, but she hasn’t gone to sleep yet.

→ ‘하셨는데’ includes both past tense and honorific, showing respect and a nuanced clause transition.

 

Summary of Grammar Interaction Tips

- Always check verb tense compatibility with your connective ending.

- Use honorific markers (-시-, -셨-) appropriately depending on the subject.

- In spoken Korean, some endings allow contraction with honorifics (e.g., -시고 → -시고요).

- Tense often influences meaning clarity, especially in narrative or cause-effect sequences.

- Summary Table: Korean Connective Endings, Tense, and Honorifics

📘 Chapter 7: Building Sentences with Connective Endings

1. How to Combine Ideas Naturally in Korean Using Connective Endings

Connective endings are essential tools for building compound or complex sentences in Korean. By combining two or more clauses, learners can move from simple, short utterances to rich, descriptive, and logically flowing sentences.

2. Sentence Structure: The Flow of a Compound Sentence

A basic Korean compound sentence using a connective ending typically follows this structure:

[Clause 1] + [Connective Ending] + [Clause 2]

Depending on the ending, this structure can indicate time, cause, contrast, purpose, and more. Word order remains subject-object-verb in each clause, but the verb stem of the first clause receives a connective ending.

3. Sentence Building by Connective Type

Below are key connective endings with original example sentences and English translations, illustrating how each structure naturally flows:

A. Cause and Reason (이유/원인)

① “-아서/어서”

📌 비가 와서 우산을 썼어요.

→ It was raining, so I used an umbrella.

 

② “-니까”

📌 피곤하니까 일찍 잘게요.

→ I'm tired, so I’ll go to bed early.

 

③ “-기 때문에”

📌 늦게 일어났기 때문에 지각했어요.

→ I was late because I woke up late.

 

🐾 The sentence does not contain a connective ending. It is composed of a "transformative ending (전성어미) + dependent noun (의존명사) + particle (조사)," but this sentence was added to construct a compound sentence.

 

B. Time (시간 순서)

④ “-고 나서”

📌 점심을 먹고 나서 산책했어요.

→ After having lunch, I took a walk.

 

⑤ “-기 전에”

📌 자기 전에 책을 읽어요.

→ I read a book before sleeping.

 

⑥ “-자마자”

📌 수업이 끝나자마자 나갔어요.

→ I left as soon as class ended.

 

C. Simultaneity (동시 진행)

⑦ “-면서”

📌 음악을 들으면서 공부했어요.

→ I studied while listening to music.

 

D. Condition (조건)

⑧ “-면 / -으면”

📌 시간이 있으면 같이 가요.

→ If you have time, let’s go together.

 

⑨ “-라면”

📌 내가 부자라면 세계 여행을 갈 거예요.

→ If I were rich, I would travel the world.

 

E. Contrast and Concession (대조/양보)

⑩ “-지만”

📌 맛있지만 너무 매워요.

→ It’s delicious, but it’s too spicy.

 

⑪ “-는데”

📌 날씨는 좋은데 바람이 불어요.

→ The weather is nice, but it’s windy.

 

⑫ “-더라도”

📌 힘들더라도 끝까지 해야 해요.

→ Even if it's hard, I have to finish it.

 

F. Sequence and Listing (나열/순차)

⑬ “-고”

📌 이를 닦고 세수를 해요.

→ I brush my teeth and then wash my face.

 

⑭ “-며”

📌 그는 웃으며, 말했어요.

→ He spoke while smiling.

 

G. Purpose and Intention (의도/목적)

⑮ “-려고”

📌 사진을 찍으려고 카메라를 가져왔어요.

→ I brought a camera to take pictures.

 

⑯ “-기 위해서”

📌 건강을 지키기 위해서 운동해요.

→ I exercise to stay healthy.

 

H. Background or Circumstance (배경/이유 설명)

⑰ “-느라고”

📌 청소하느라고 늦었어요.

→ I was late because I was cleaning.

 

⑱ “-는데 (contextual background)”

📌 친구를 기다리는데 전화가 왔어요.

→ While I was waiting for a friend, I got a call.

4. Combining Multiple Endings

Once you're comfortable with individual patterns, you can chain multiple clauses:

 

[Clause A] + -고 나서 + [Clause B] + -면서 + [Clause C]

 

📌 운동을 하고 나서 샤워를 하면서 음악을 들었어요.

After working out, I took a shower while listening to music.

→ This not only sounds more natural but also reflects how native Korean speakers naturally communicate.

 

📌 밥을 먹고 나서 설거지를 하면서 노래를 불렀어요.

I washed the dishes after eating while singing a song.

 

5. Practical Takeaway

Mastering connective endings allows you to:

- Combine ideas smoothly

- Tell stories or give instructions logically

- Show contrast, cause, condition, or sequence effectively

- Speak and write like a native Korean speaker

 

📘 Chapter 8: Real-Life Use Cases

In real-life conversations, connective endings are crucial for smoothly expressing cause, sequence, contrast, and intention. Below are practical dialogues that show how native speakers naturally link ideas.

 

1. Ordering Food with Connective Endings

A: 뭐 드릴까요?

B: 비빔밥 하나 주시고, 물도 주세요.

A: 네, 맵게 드릴까요, 안 맵게 드릴까요?

B: 너무 매우면 못 먹으니까, 보통맛으로 주세요.

ENGLISH

A: What would you like to order?

B: One bibimbap, and water too, please.

A: Would you like it spicy or not?

B: If it’s too spicy, I won’t be able to eat it, so please make it mild.

 

🧭 Connective Endings Used:

• -고: adds items → "주시고" (please give and...)

• -면: condition → "매우면" (if it's spicy)

• -니까: reason → "못 먹으니까" (because I can’t eat it)

2. Giving Reasons at School

A: 왜 숙제를 안 했어?

B: 어제 너무 피곤해서 바로 잠들었어.

A: 그럼 오늘 아침에라도 했어야지.

B: 아침에 일찍 나가야 돼서 시간이 없었어.

ENGLISH

A: Why didn’t you do your homework?

B: I was so tired yesterday that I fell asleep right away.

A: Then you should’ve done it this morning.

B: I had to leave early, so I didn’t have time.

 

🧭 Connective Endings Used:

• -아서/어서/여서: cause → "피곤해서" (because I was tired)

• -아야/어야 하다: obligation → "했어야지" (should have done)

• -아서/어서/여서: reason → "나가야 돼서" (because I had to go out)

 

3. Casual Storytelling Among Friends

A: 주말에 뭐 했어?

B: 집에서 쉬다가 친구 만나서 영화 봤어.

A: 아, 나도 그 영화 보고 싶었는데, 시간이 없어서 못 봤어.

ENGLISH

A: What did you do over the weekend?

B: I stayed home and then met a friend and watched a movie.

A: I wanted to watch that movie too, but I couldn’t because I didn’t have time.

 

🧭 Connective Endings Used:

• -다가: sequence with interruption or change → "쉬다가" (while resting, then...)

• -아서/어서: reason → "없어서" (because I didn’t have)

• -는데: contrast/background → "싶었는데" (I wanted to, but…)

4. Making a Plan

A: 오늘 저녁에 시간 돼?

B: 응, 운동 끝나고 나서 시간 돼.

A: 그럼 밥 먹으러 갈까?

B: 좋아, 나 샤워하고 나서 연락할게.

ENGLISH

A: Are you free this evening?

B: Yeah, I’m free after I finish working out.

A: Shall we go eat then?

B: Sounds good. I’ll contact you after I shower.

 

🧭 Connective Endings Used:

• -고 나서: after doing something → "끝나고 나서", "샤워하고 나서"

• -러 가다: purpose → "먹으러 갈까?" (Shall we go to eat?)

 

5. Describing an Experience

A: 제주도 여행 어땠어?

B: 경치가 정말 예뻤고, 사람들도 친절해서 너무 좋았어.

A: 나도 시간 나면 꼭 가보고 싶어.

ENGLISH

A: How was your trip to Jeju Island?

B: The scenery was beautiful, and the people were so kind, so I really enjoyed it.

A: I really want to go if I have time someday.

 

🧭 Connective Endings Used:

• -고: listing features → "예뻤고" (was pretty and...)

• -아서/어서: reason → "친절해서" (because they were kind)

• -면: condition → "시간 나면" (if I have time)

6. Explaining a Cooking Process

A: 이 요리 어떻게 해?

B: 먼저 양파를 썰고, 기름에 볶은 다음에 고기를 넣어.

A: 고기는 다 익으면 어떻게 해?

B: 간장 넣고 조금 더 끓이면 완성이야.

ENGLISH

A: How do you make this dish?

B: First, cut the onions, then stir-fry them in oil, and after that, add the meat.

A: What do you do once the meat is cooked?

B: Add soy sauce and let it simmer a bit more, and it’s done.

 

🧭 Connective Endings Used:

• -고: sequence → "썰고", "볶은 다음에"

• -(으)면: condition → "익으면" (if it’s cooked)

 

📘 Wrap-Up and What’s Next

Now that you've explored the meaning, usage, and variety of Korean connective endings (연결어미), you should have a clearer understanding of how they function in linking clauses, shaping tone, and expressing relationships such as cause, time, contrast, and purpose. We covered:

- The definition and grammatical role of connective endings

- The major categories like cause/reason, time, condition, contrast, and more

- How to distinguish subtle nuances (e.g. “-아서/어서” vs “-니까”)

- The interaction between connective endings and tense/honorifics

- Real-life examples and common pitfalls

 

Mastering these patterns helps you build more natural, expressive, and coherent Korean sentences—an essential skill for everyday conversation and storytelling.

 

✨ Coming Up Next:

In the next post, I’ll provide you with a set of interactive practice exercises and quizzes for each category of connective ending. These will help reinforce what you’ve learned and prepare you to use them confidently in real-life situations.

Stay tuned—your Korean fluency journey is just getting started!

📢 Please refer to other posts in the Advanced Korean category on the blog for introductions to additional posts on the grammatical interpretation of Korean verb and adjective endings.

🔖 Transformative Endings in Korean: Learn -기, -는, -고, -게 with Real-Life Examples

🔖 Mastering Korean Connective Endings: 100+ Quiz Questions for Real-Life Practice

🔖 Mastering Korean Sentence-Final Endings (종결어미): How to Finish Sentences Naturally

🔖 Master Korean Verb Structures: A Beginner’s Guide to Pre-final Endings (선어말어미)

🔖 Mastering Korean Final Endings: Speak Naturally with 어말어미

🔖 How to Identify Korean Verb and Adjective Stems Easily – A Guide for Beginners

🔖 What is “어미” in Korean? Easy Grammar for Understanding Korean Sentence Structure

📘 Appendix: Classification of Connective Endings (Details)

Explore the main types of Korean connective endings, each linking two or more clauses while expressing a specific logical relationship. Each category includes example sentences to enhance clarity and practical understanding.

Also, a single connective ending can belong to multiple categories, and it is often used together with dependent nouns or other connective endings. So be sure to pay close attention to how each connective ending is used in context.

 

1. Cause and Reason (이유/원인)

① "–아서/–어서/–여서": This is the most common and widely used connective ending to express cause or reason. It’s used when the first clause directly causes or leads to the second clause.

 

📌 "비가 와서 길이 미끄러워요."

(It’s slippery because it’s raining.)

 

📌 "배가 고파서 밥을 먹었어요."

(I ate because I was hungry.)

 

② "–으니/–으니까": Used when the first clause serves as the basis or reason for the judgment, suggestion, or command in the second clause. It’s often used when the reason is something the listener can already accept or understand easily. It commonly appears in the form of questions, commands, and suggestions.

 

📌 "날씨가 좋으니까 산책하러 갑시다."

 (Since the weather is nice, let’s go for a walk.)

 

📌 "시간이 없으니까 빨리 서둘러요."

(We don’t have time, so let’s hurry.)

 

③ "–(으)므로": Mostly found in written and formal language, this expression presents the preceding clause as a logical reason or basis for the following clause. Common in legal documents, reports, and academic writing.

 

📌 "모든 증거를 검토했으므로 유죄를 선고합니다."

 (Having reviewed all the evidence, we declare the defendant guilty.)

 

📌 "그는 성실하므로 믿을 만합니다."

(He is trustworthy because he is sincere.)

 

④ "–는 바람에": Used when the first clause causes an unexpected or negative outcome. It often highlights an unfortunate or undesirable situation.

 • Only "–는" is a connective ending, while "바람에" is a combination of a dependent noun and a particle.

 

📌 "갑자기 비가 오는 바람에 옷이 다 젖었어요."

 (My clothes got soaked because it suddenly rained.)

 

📌 "늦잠을 자는 바람에 지각했어요."

 (I was late because I overslept.)

 

⑤ "–는 덕분에": Used to express that the first clause resulted in a positive outcome in the second clause. It can carry a feeling of gratitude.

 • Just like above, "-는" is the connective ending, while "덕분에" consists of a dependent noun plus a particle.

 

📌 "친구의 도움이 있었던 덕분에 성공했어요."

 (Thanks to my friend’s help, I succeeded.)

 

📌 "일찍 도착한 덕분에 좋은 자리를 잡았어요."

 (Because I arrived early, I got a good seat.)

 

⑥ "–는 통에": Indicates that something in the first clause caused disruption or trouble in the second. Often associated with chaotic or noisy circumstances.

 • Just like above, "-는" is the connective ending, while "통에" consists of a dependent noun plus a particle.

 

📌 "아이들이 시끄럽게 떠드는 통에 잠을 설쳤어요."

 (I couldn’t sleep because the kids were being so loud.)

 

📌 "급하게 서두르는 통에 지갑을 놓고 왔어요."

 (I left my wallet behind because I was rushing.)

 

⑦ "–자": This expresses that the action in the second clause immediately follows the one in the first. It can also imply that the first event triggered the second.

 

📌 "문을 열자 찬 바람이 들어왔다."

 (As soon as I opened the door, a cold wind blew in.)

 

📌 "소식을 듣자 모두 놀랐다."

 (Everyone was surprised as soon as they heard the news.)

 

⑧ "–고 해서": Used to mention one reason among many, suggesting that a combination of reasons led to the following action.

• The connective endings "-고" and "-아서/어서" are used together.

• “해서”: “하다” + “-아서/어서”

 📌 "날씨도 좋고 해서 산책하러 나왔어요."

 (The weather was nice and all, so I went out for a walk.)

📌 "심심하고 해서 영화를 봤어요."

 (I was bored, so I watched a movie.)

2. Time

① Simultaneity (Actions or states occurring at the same time)

- "-(으)면서": Used when two or more actions or states happen simultaneously.

 

📌 "음악을 들으면서 공부했다."

(I studied while listening to music.)

 

📌 "밥을 먹으면서 TV를 봤다."

(I watched TV while eating.)

 

- "-은/는/ㄴ 채(로)": Used when one state is maintained while another action takes place. This often carries a slightly negative nuance.

 • "은/는" is a connective ending, and "채" is a dependent noun.

 

📌 "불을 켜 놓은 채 잠이 들었다."

  (I fell asleep with the lights on.)

 

📌 "문을 열어 놓은 채 외출했다."

  (I went out, leaving the door open.)

 

② Sequence (One action happens before another)

- "-은/ㄴ 후에" / "-고 나서": Used when the first action is fully completed before the second one begins.

• As with the above, only "은/ㄴ" and "-고" are considered connective endings.

 

📌 "숙제를 한 후에 게임을 했다."

(I played a game after finishing my homework.)

 

📌 "밥을 먹고 나서 이를 닦았다."

(I brushed my teeth after eating.)

 

- "-자마자": Used when the second action happens immediately after the first one ends.

 

📌 "벨이 울리자마자 문을 열었다."

(I opened the door as soon as the bell rang.)

 

📌 "소식을 듣자마자 달려왔다."

(I ran over as soon as I heard the news.)

 

- "-다가": Used when the first action is interrupted and the sentence shifts to a different action.

 

📌 "책을 읽다가 잠이 들었다."

(I fell asleep while reading a book.)

 

📌 "길을 걷다가 친구를 만났다."

(I was walking down the street and ran into a friend.)

 

③ Passage of Time and Duration

- "-(으)면서": Can also be used to show how things change over time.

 

📌 "나이가 들면서 지혜로워졌다."

(I became wiser as I got older.)

 

- "-는 동안": Used when another action happens during the time a specific action or state continues.

 • Only "–는" is a connective ending, while "동안" is a dependent noun.

 

📌 "회의를 하는 동안 조용히 있었다."

(I stayed quiet during the meeting.)

 

📌 "비가 오는 동안 집에만 있었다."

(I stayed home while it was raining.)

 

3. Condition (조건)

① "-(으)면": The most common conditional expression, used when the action or state in the first clause leads to the action or result in the following clause.

 

📌 "비가 오면 집에 있을 거예요." 

(If it rains, I’ll stay home.)

 

📌 "열심히 공부하면 좋은 성적을 받을 수 있어요." 

(If you study hard, you can get good grades.)

 

② "-거든": Often used in spoken language to inform the listener of a specific condition, especially when making a suggestion or giving a command that follows if the condition is met.

 

📌 "궁금한 것이 있거든 언제든지 물어보세요." 

(If you're curious about anything, feel free to ask.)

 

📌 "도착하거든 전화해 줘." 

(Call me when you arrive.)

 

③ "-아야/어야/여야": Indicates that the preceding condition must be met for the following result to occur. It expresses a necessary condition.

 

📌 "돈이 있어야 물건을 살 수 있어요." 

(You need money to buy something.)

 

📌 "운동을 꾸준히 해야 건강해질 수 있어요." 

(You need to exercise consistently to become healthy.)

 

④ "-(느)라면": Used to describe a repeated or continuous action that may lead to a particular result, often negative.

 

📌 "그렇게 계속 잠만 자라면 병이 날 거예요." 

(If you keep sleeping like that, you’ll get sick.)

 

📌 "늦게까지 일하라면 피곤할 수밖에 없어요." 

(If you keep working late, you’re bound to be tired.)

 

⑤ "-더라도": Indicates that even if the condition in the first clause is true or accepted, it doesn’t affect the result in the second clause. It also carries a concessive nuance.

 

📌 "비가 오더라도 갈 거예요." 

(Even if it rains, I’ll go.)

 

📌 "아무리 어려웠더라도 포기하지 않았어요." 

(No matter how hard it was, I didn’t give up.)

 

⑥ "-을/ㄹ지라도": Similar in meaning to "-더라도", but more formal or literary. Used to emphasize that the outcome remains unchanged even if the given condition is allowed or assumed.

 

📌 "목숨을 잃을지라도 진실을 밝힐 겁니다." 

(Even if I lose my life, I’ll reveal the truth.)

 

📌 "작을지라도 소중한 선물이에요." 

(Even if it’s small, it’s a precious gift.)

 

⑦ "-(으)려면": Shows that the preceding action is required as a condition to carry out the following action. It has a similar meaning to “to.”

 

📌 "성공하려면 노력해야 합니다." 

(To succeed, you must make an effort.)

 

📌 "한국에 가려면 비자가 필요해요." 

(You need a visa to go to Korea.)

 

⑧ "-다가는": Warns that continuing the action in the first clause will likely lead to a negative consequence.

 

📌 "그렇게 밤새 게임만 하다가는 건강을 해칠 거예요." 

(If you keep playing games all night, you’ll harm your health.)

 

📌 "운전 중에 핸드폰을 보다가는 사고가 날 수 있어요." 

(If you look at your phone while driving, you could get into an accident.)

 

⑨ "-는 한": Indicates that the following action or result is valid only while the condition in the first clause continues or within its limits.

 • Only "–는" is a connective ending, while "한" is a dependent noun.

 

📌 "제가 살아있는 한 당신을 지킬 겁니다." 

(As long as I’m alive, I’ll protect you.)

 

📌 "가능하는 한 빨리 처리해주세요." 

(Please take care of it as quickly as possible.)

 

⑩ "-자면": Used to suggest that if one were to do something, a particular situation would arise, or that a statement would follow accordingly. Similar to “if you intend to…”

 

📌 "솔직히 말하자면 좀 실망했어요." 

(To be honest, I was a bit disappointed.)

 

📌 "그때로 돌아가자면 후회되는 일이 많아요." 

(If I were to go back to that time, there are many things I regret.)

 

4. Contrast and Concession (대조/양보)

① "–지만": Used when the content of two clauses contrasts, or when the second clause presents a result or situation that differs from what is expected based on the first clause.

 

📌 "키는 작지만 힘이 세다."

(He is short but intense.)

 

📌 "비가 오지만 우산을 안 썼다."

(It was raining, but I didn’t use an umbrella.)

 

② "–는데/–은데/–는데도": These forms are used when the first clause provides contrasting information or background for the second clause. Specifically, "–는데도" is used when the first clause could logically lead to a particular result, yet an unexpected outcome follows.

 

📌 "날씨가 좋은데 집에 있어요."

(The weather is nice, but I’m staying home.)

 

📌 "그 사람은 돈이 많은데도 인색하다."

(He has a lot of money, yet he is stingy.)

 

📌 "아팠는데도 학교에 갔다."

(Even though I was sick, I went to school.)

 

③ "–아도/–어도/–여도": These endings express concession, meaning that even if the situation in the first clause occurs, it doesn’t affect the outcome in the second clause.

 

📌 "아무리 피곤해도 운동은 해야 한다."

(No matter how tired you are, you still have to exercise.)

 

📌 "돈이 없어도 행복하게 살 수 있다."

(Even without money, you can live happily.)

 

④ "–더라도": This ending presents a conditional or hypothetical situation, emphasizing that the result or stance in the following clause remains unchanged even if the condition in the first clause comes true. Compared to "–아도/–어도," it often implies a more extreme or unlikely situation.

 

📌 "무슨 일이 있더라도 약속은 지켜야 한다."

(No matter what happens, you must keep your promise.)

 

📌 "비록 늦더라도 꼭 갈게요."

(Even if I’m late, I’ll definitely go.)

 

⑤ "–을지라도": A more literary or formal expression of concession, used to strongly indicate that the second clause is unaffected by the truth of the first clause.

 

📌 "비록 몸은 아플지라도 마음만은 편하다."

(Even if the body is sick, the mind is at peace.)

 

📌 "아무리 힘들지라도 포기하지 않을 것이다."

(No matter how hard it gets, I won’t give up.)

 

⑥ "–거나": This ending can indicate choice or concession. It shows either that one of several actions or facts may be chosen, or that regardless of which occurs, the second clause holds.

 

📌 "잠을 자거나 밥을 먹거나."

(Whether you sleep or eat — choice)

 

📌 "성공하거나 실패하거나 모두 경험이다."

(Whether you succeed or fail, it’s all experience — concession)

 

⑦ "–다 하더라도": Used to emphasize that even if the preceding assumption or fact is valid, the speaker maintains their stance in the following clause. Often used when acknowledging the first statement while asserting one’s opinion.

 

📌 "네가 맞다 하더라도 방법은 잘못됐다."

(Even if you’re right, the method was wrong.)

 

🐾 "–다" functions as a connective ending when it is used to quote a sentence or to transform it into another sentence component, and "–더라도" is a concessive connective ending.

 

📌 "아무리 노력한다 하더라도 안 되는 일이 있다."

(No matter how hard you try, some things won’t work out.)

 

🐾 "–ㄴ다" functions as a transformative ending (전성어미) that allows another connective ending to follow, while "–더라도" is a concessive connective ending.

 

⑧ "–되": This formal or literary ending acknowledges the first clause but introduces a restriction or contrast. Commonly used in written or formal contexts.

 

📌 "자유는 좋되 방종은 안 된다."

(Freedom is good, but lawlessness is not.)

 

📌 "도와주겠되 조건이 있다."

(I’ll help, but there are conditions.)

 

⑨ "–는 반면에": Used to compare two things or facts by highlighting contrasting aspects between them.

 

📌 "언니는 말이 많은 반면에 동생은 말이 없다."

(The older sister talks a lot, whereas the younger sister is quiet.)

 

📌 "이 도시는 물가는 비싼 반면에 문화생활은 풍부하다."

(This city is expensive, but it offers a rich cultural life.)

 

5. Sequence and Listing (나열/순서)

① "-고": Used to list two or more actions or facts in chronological order, or to connect them in parallel.

 

📌 "숙제를 하고 잠을 잤어요."

(I did my homework and went to sleep.)

 

② "-(으)며": Similar in meaning to "-고," but gives a more literary or formal tone. It can also indicate that two or more actions are co-occurring.

 

📌 "그는 웃으며 내게 다가왔다."

(He approached me while smiling.)

 

📌 "학생들은 책을 읽으며 공부했다."

(The students studied while reading books.)

 

③ "-어서/-아서/-여서": Indicates that the following action occurs after the completion of the preceding one. Unlike "-고," this form often implies that the first action serves as a condition or preparation for the second.

 

📌 "학교에 가서 친구를 만났어요."

(I went to school and met a friend.)

 

📌 "손을 씻어서 깨끗해졌다."

(I washed my hands and became clean.)

 

④ "-자마자": Used when the following action or situation happens immediately after the previous one finishes or begins. There is virtually no time gap.

 

📌 "벨이 울리자마자 문을 열었다."

(As soon as the bell rang, I opened the door.)

 

📌 "소식을 듣자마자 달려갔다."

(I ran off as soon as I heard the news.)

 

⑤ "-다가": Used when an action is interrupted or transitions into another before being completed.

 

📌 "책을 읽다가 잠이 들었어요."

(I fell asleep while reading a book.)

 

📌 "길을 걷다가 친구를 만났다."

(I ran into a friend while walking down the street.)

 

⑥ "-자": Used when the second action or situation occurs right at or shortly after the first one. It is similar to "-자마자" but has a more concise and literary tone.

 

📌 "문을 열자 시원한 바람이 불어왔다."

(As soon as I opened the door, a cool breeze came in.)

 

📌 "뉴스를 보자, 모두 놀랐다."

(Everyone was surprised as soon as they saw the news.)

 

⑦ "-더니": Used to recall that a past action or fact led to the result or situation described in the following clause, and often based on direct observation or experience.

 

📌 "어제는 비가 오더니 오늘은 맑다."

(It rained yesterday, but today it's clear.)

 

📌 "그는 열심히 공부하더니 합격했다."

(He studied hard, and he passed.)

 

⑧ "-는 대로": Indicates that the following action or situation happens immediately upon completion or occurrence of the preceding one.

 

📌 "도착하는 대로 전화할게요."

(I’ll call you as soon as I arrive.)

 

📌 "시키는 대로 할게요."

(I’ll do as I’m told.)

 

6. Purpose and Intention (목적/의도)

① "–으러/–러": Used when the preceding verb expresses the purpose of the following movement-related action. It is most commonly used with motion verbs such as "가다," "오다," or "다니다."

 

📌 "밥을 먹으러 식당에 갔어요."

 (I went to the restaurant to eat.)

📌 "친구를 만나러 학교에 왔어요."

(I came to school to meet my friend.)

 

② "–으려고/–려고": Indicates the intention or purpose behind the following action or state. It’s one of the most frequently used forms when expressing plans or goals.

 

📌 "한국어를 배우려고 한국에 왔어요."

(I came to Korea to learn Korean.) /

 

📌 "선물을 주려고 꽃을 샀어요."

(I bought flowers to give as a gift.)

 

③ "–고자": Mainly used in written or formal contexts. It expresses a strong purpose or intention behind the action, often sounding more deliberate than "–으려고."

 

📌 "국민의 의견을 수렴하고자 공청회를 열었다."

(They held a public hearing to gather citizens’ opinions.) /

 

📌 "새로운 기술을 개발하고자 노력하고 있다."

(They are working to develop new technology.)

 

④ "–기 위해(서)": Clearly expresses that the preceding action is the goal or purpose of the following one. The structure uses the noun form of "위하다" to emphasize intentionality. "위해서" feels slightly more conversational than "위해."

 

🐾 “-기” is a transformative ending (전성어미) and will be explained in the next post, while “-아서/-어서/-여서” in "위해서" is a connective ending (연결어미).

 • "위하다" + "-여/-여서" (connective ending)

 

📌 "건강을 유지하기 위해 매일 운동해요."

(I exercise every day to maintain my health.) /

📌 "성공을 하기 위해서 열심히 공부해요."

(I study hard to succeed.)

 

⑤ "–도록": Indicates the intention for the preceding situation to result from the following action, or describes the degree/limit of the action.

 

📌 "모두가 이해하도록 쉽게 설명해 주세요." (purpose)

(Please explain it in a way everyone can understand.) /

 

📌 "목이 쉬도록 노래를 불렀어요." (extent)

(I sang until I lost my voice.)

 

⑥ "–을/ㄹ 겸": Used when expressing two or more intentions or purposes simultaneously. It implies doing one thing and, at the same time, another.

 • Only "–을/ㄹ" is a connective ending, while "겸" is a dependent noun.

 

📌 "바람도 쐴 겸 산책을 나갔어요."

(I went for a walk, partly to get some fresh air.) /

 

📌 "친구도 만날 겸 책도 볼 겸 카페에 갔다."

(I went to the café to see a friend and also to read.)

 

⑦ "–는 길에": Strictly speaking, this can also be classified under "background/circumstance," but it’s often used when an action is done to do something else along the way to a destination.

 

📌 "은행에 가는 길에 우표도 살까 해요."

(I’m thinking of buying stamps on the way to the bank.)

 

7. Background or Circumstance (배경/이유 설명)

① "–느라고": Used when the preceding action prevents or limits the following action, often resulting in a negative outcome. It’s commonly used when the first action requires considerable time or effort.

 

📌 "숙제를 하느라고 잠을 못 잤어요."

(I couldn’t sleep because I was doing homework.)

 

📌 "친구를 기다리느라고 약속 시간에 늦었어요."

(I was late for my appointment because I was waiting for a friend.)

 

② "–는데/–은데/–는데도": Used to present a situation or fact that serves as background for the following clause, or to introduce contrast. "–는데도" is specifically used when the subsequent result is unexpected despite the background.

 

📌 "비가 오는데 우산이 없어요." (background)

(It’s raining, but I don’t have an umbrella.)

 

📌 "어제는 날씨가 맑았는데 오늘은 흐리네요." (contrast)

(It was sunny yesterday, but it’s cloudy today.)

 

📌 "피곤한데도 잠이 안 와요." (unexpected outcome)

(Even though I’m tired, I can’t sleep.)

 

③ "–다 보니": Used to indicate that as an action or state continues, a new result or situation naturally arises. It implies that the first action serves as the cause or trigger for the second.

• Both “-다” and “-니” function as connective endings.

 

📌 "매일 운동을 하다 보니 건강해졌어요."

(As I kept exercising every day, I became healthier.)

 

📌 "오랜 시간 기다리다 보니 지루해졌어요."

(After waiting for so long, I got bored.)

 

④ "–고 보니": Used when a realization or discovery is made only after completing an action.

• Both “-고” and “-니” function as connective endings.

 

📌 "음식을 다 먹고 보니 너무 매웠어요."

(After I finished the food, I realized it was too spicy.)  

 

📌 "그림을 다 그리고 보니 마음에 들지 않았어요."

(After I finished drawing, I didn’t like it.)

 

⑤ "–는 길에": Used to describe that something happened during the process of going to or coming from a place.

 

📌 "학교에 가는 길에 친구를 만났어요."

(I met a friend on the way to school.)

 

📌 "집에 오는 길에 마트에 들렀어요."

(I stopped by the mart on the way home.)

 

⑥ "–는 중에": Describes that another action occurred during the course of an ongoing action.

 

📌 "회의를 하는 중에 전화가 왔어요."

(I got a call during the meeting.)

 

📌 "잠을 자는 중에 꿈을 꿨어요."

(I had a dream while sleeping.)

 

⑦ "–는 한편": Used to indicate that two or more situations are happening simultaneously or in contrast. It is more often found in formal or academic writing.

 

📌 "경제 성장을 이루는 한편, 빈부 격차는 심화되었다."

(While achieving economic growth, the wealth gap deepened.)

 

📌 "새로운 기술은 편리함을 제공하는 한편, 보안 문제를 야기하기도 한다."

(While new technology offers convenience, it also causes security issues.)

 

⑧ "–을/ㄹ 무렵": Used to describe a point in time that is approaching or nearby, often to set a background scene.

 

📌 "해가 질 무렵, 모두 집으로 돌아갔다."

(Around sunset, everyone returned home.)

 

📌 "시험 기간이 될 무렵, 학생들이 바빠졌다."

(Around exam season, students became busy.)