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Lv 1Connective endingBeginner · TOPIK I

-어서

-eoseo

and then; because; by (means)

Connects two clauses to show that the first happens and leads into the second ('and then'), to give a reason or cause ('because'), or to show the means by which something is done.

Form

Attaches to
Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
Other shapes
-아서 · -여서 · -어 · -아 · -여 · -라서 · -라

Meanings

  1. 1

    A connective ending used to indicate that the preceding event and the following one happened sequentially.

    앞말과 뒤의 말이 순차적으로 일어남을 나타내는 연결 어미.

  2. 2

    A connective ending used for a reason or cause.

    이유나 근거를 나타내는 연결 어미.

  3. 3

    A connective ending used for ways or means.

    수단이나 방법을 나타내는 연결 어미.

Examples

  • 나는 정성을 다하여서 저녁을 차렸다.

    I put my whole heart into preparing dinner.

  • 민준이는 대중교통을 이용하여서 학교에 갔습니다.

    Minjun went to school by public transportation.

  • 나는 친구의 졸업식에 참석해서 친구의 졸업을 축하해 주었다.

    I attended my friend's graduation ceremony and congratulated them on graduating.

  • 잘 다녀오겠습니다! 그래. 도착해서 전화하렴.

    I'll be back! Okay. Call me when you get there.

  • 너에게 도움이 되지 못해서 미안해.

    I'm sorry I couldn't be of help to you.

  • 나는 지수가 항상 솔직해서 마음에 든다.

    I like that Jisu is always honest.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Don’t confuse with

Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-어서’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “and then; because; by (means)”?