📘 Grammar 57: How to Use ~고 나서 – After Doing Something in Korean (Review)

📘 How to Use ~고 나서 – After Doing Something in Korean (Review)

Previously, we learned how to use ~고 나서 to express that one action happens after another is completed.

In this post, we’ll review and reinforce that grammar point with more examples, common mistakes, practical uses, and even a short conversation quiz!

Let’s make sure you can use ~고 나서 naturally and fluently in your Korean!

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📌 Review: What Does ~고 나서 Mean?

~고 나서 is used to clearly show that one action was completed before another began.

Structure:

• Verb stem + 고 나서 + (next action)

It means:

• “After doing…”
• “Once I did…”

Example: 숙제를 하고 나서 TV를 봤어요 → I watched TV after doing homework.

📘 Real-Life Example Sentences

• 밥을 먹고 나서 설거지를 했어요 – After eating, I did the dishes
• 수업이 끝나고 나서 도서관에 갔어요 – I went to the library after class ended
• 일어나고 나서 스트레칭을 해요 – I stretch after waking up
• 운동하고 나서 샤워했어요 – I took a shower after working out
• 친구를 만나고 나서 영화를 봤어요 – After meeting my friend, we watched a movie

📊 Grammar Comparison Table – ~고 나서 vs ~고

Form	Example	Translation	Note
~고	먹고 공부했어요	I ate and studied	Neutral sequence
~고 나서	먹고 나서 공부했어요	After eating, I studied	Clear order/emphasis

💡 Usage Tips & Nuances

• ~고 나서 adds emphasis that the first action was completely finished
• It’s ideal when describing steps, instructions, or routine
• In conversation, you can drop “나서” for simplicity (but less formal)

Ex: 아침을 먹고 (나서) 회사에 갔어요 – I went to work after eating breakfast

❗ Common Mistakes

• ❌ 먹은 고 나서 → ✅ 먹고 나서 (Use verb stem, not past form)
• ❌ 가고 다음에 → Can be correct but less natural in speech
• 고 나서 can’t be used with adjectives – it’s for **actions** only

📘 Mini Dialogue Example

👧 지민: 오늘 뭐 했어요?
🧑 태훈: 도서관에 가고 나서 친구랑 커피 마셨어요.
👧 지민: 아~ 좋네요! 저는 점심 먹고 나서 산책했어요.

🧪 Quiz – Test Yourself!

1. How do you say “After cleaning, I went out”?
   a) 청소하고 밖에 갔어요
   b) 청소하고 나서 밖에 갔어요
   
   Click to Show Answer

   ✅ b) 청소하고 나서 밖에 갔어요

2. Translate: “I took a nap after lunch.”
   a) 점심을 먹고 나서 낮잠을 잤어요
   b) 점심을 먹은 후 낮잠을 잤어요
   
   Click to Show Answer

   ✅ Both are acceptable, a) is more conversational

3. Which is correct for “After arriving, I called my mom”?
   a) 도착하고 엄마한테 전화했어요
   b) 도착하고 나서 엄마한테 전화했어요
   
   Click to Show Answer

   ✅ b) 도착하고 나서 엄마한테 전화했어요

✅ Conclusion

Now you’ve reviewed how to use ~고 나서 to express sequences of actions in Korean!

• Attach it to action verb stems
• Use it to show clear completion before another action starts
• Perfect for routines, stories, and instructions

Practice with these examples:

• “After getting home, I took a break” → 집에 도착하고 나서 쉬었어요
• “I brushed my teeth after eating” → 밥을 먹고 나서 이를 닦았어요

📘 Coming Up Next

Next lesson: How to Use ~더라고요 – Sharing Personal Experiences in Korean
Learn how to say “I saw that it was fun,” “He seemed tired,” and more!

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Related Keywords:
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