Korean basic words,Hangul+Trans

and/and then, but and Or

고

The function of 고  is twofold. First, it simply connects two different clauses, regardless of their sequence. It corresponds to “and” in English. Second, 고 can be used to link two sequential actions or events, equivalent to “and then” in English. 

Note that 고 is subject to one restriction: It is not conjugated for the tense.

Example sentences:

제니퍼가 청소하고 매튜가 요리해요.
jenipeoga cheongsohago maetyuga yolihaeyo.
Jennifer cleans up, and Matthew cooks.

매튜가 요리하고 제니퍼가 청소해요.
maetyuga yolihago jenipeoga cheongsohaeyo.
Matthew cooks, and Jennifer cleans up.

숙제를 하고 점심을 먹어요.
sugjeleul hago jeomsim-eul meog-eoyo.
I do the homework and then eat lunch.

숙제를 하고 점심을 먹었어요.
sugjeleul hago jeomsim-eul meog-eoss-eoyo.
I did the homework and then ate lunch.

지만 (but)

지만 is used to express the word “but” and to mark contrast between two clauses. Thankfully it only comes in one shape which means that we simply attach it to a verb stem without having to worry about conjugation rules.

Example sentences:

점심에 배가 고프기는 했지만 안 먹었어요.
jeomsim-e baega gopeugineun haessjiman an meog-eoss-eoyo.
Even though I was hungry, I didn’t eat anything.

맥주는 좋지만 소주는 싫어요.
maegjuneun johjiman sojuneun silh-eoyo.
I like beer but I don't like Soju.

어제는 비가 왔지만 오늘은 날씨가 맑아요.
eojeneun biga wassjiman oneul-eun nalssiga malg-ayo.
It rained yesterday but it's sunny today.

졸리지만 잘 수 없어요.
jollijiman jal su eobs-eoyo.
I'm sleepy but I can't go to bed.

지하철은 편리하지만 너무 복잡해요.
jihacheol-eun pyeonlihajiman neomu bogjabhaeyo.
The subway is convenient but too crowded.

거나 (Or)

거나 is used to list two or more actions/states. It is equivalent to “or” in English. Example sentences are shown below:

도서관에 가거나 커피숍에 갑시다.
doseogwan-e gageona keopisyob-e gabsida.
Let go to the library or the coffee shop.

집에 가거나 친구를 만날 거예요.
jib-e gageona chinguleul mannal geoyeyo.
I will (either) go home or meet a friend.

주말에는 친구를 만나거나 영화를 볼 거예요.
jumal-eneun chinguleul mannageona yeonghwaleul bol geoyeyo.
I'll (either) meet my friend or go to the movies this weekend.