Korean and/but Connectors: -고, -지만, -는데 and More

Listen to the sentence that shows the simplest "and".

The next section defines the group and its job.

What Are the Korean "and" and "but" Connectors?

The Korean "and" and "but" connectors are connective endings (연결 어미): endings that attach to a verb or adjective stem and link its clause to the next one. A stem is a dictionary form without its final 다, such as 먹 in 먹다. This group covers four jobs: adding one clause to another (-고, -(으)며, -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라, -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가), offering alternatives (-거나, -든지), contrasting clauses (-지만, -(으)나) and setting a scene (-(으)ㄴ/는데).

English uses "and", "or" and "but" for all four. Korean has nine patterns, because each pattern carries a shade of meaning, a level of formality or a limit on what can follow it. Take 저는 아침을 먹고 학교에 가요 ("I eat breakfast and go to school"). The ending -고 joins the two actions, and the last verb 가요 carries the tense and politeness. Every pattern in this group works the same way. This page is part of Korean Connectors, and the next section shows which pattern to learn first.

Which Pattern Should You Learn First?

Learn -고 first, then the A2 patterns, then the written and advanced ones. The levels below are editorial estimates based on common textbook order and TOPIK I and II level descriptions, not an official syllabus.

The starter order is:

1. -고 for "and" and "and then".
2. -지만 for "but" and -(으)ㄴ/는데 for background and requests.
3. -거나 for "or".
4. -든지, -(으)며 and -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 at B1.
5. -(으)나 and -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가 at B2.

Who can skip ahead? A learner who already uses -고 and -지만 in speech can start at step 2. To plan by level instead, use the Beginner Grammar list. The next section works as a quick chooser.

Which Pattern Matches the Meaning You Want?

Pick the row that matches the meaning you want, and read that lesson. The chooser puts the meaning on the left and the pattern on the right.

The next section describes each pattern in full.

The Patterns, Grouped by Job

The nine patterns fall into four jobs, ordered below from adding to contrasting. Every entry has a short description, one example sentence with Revised Romanization (RR, the official Latin spelling, shown only as an aid) and audio.

-고 (linking actions or descriptions)

This lesson teaches the A1 connector for "and" and "and then". The stem takes -고 with no change, and the tense goes on the last verb. Example: 저는 아침을 먹고 학교에 가요. (jeoneun achimeul meokgo hakgyoe gayo.) "I eat breakfast and go to school." Spoken [저는 아치믈 먹꼬 학꾜에 가요]. See -고 grammar.

-(으)며 (and, while: written style)

This lesson teaches a B1 connector for news, essays and speeches. It takes -며 after a vowel and -으며 after a consonant, and ㄹ stems keep their ㄹ (살며). Example: 그는 음악을 들으며 책을 읽는다. (geuneun eumageul deureumyeo chaegeul ingneunda.) "He reads a book while listening to music." Spoken [그는 으마글 드르며 채글 잉는다]. See -(으)며.

-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 (not only ... but also)

This lesson teaches a B1 pattern in which the second clause adds a stronger or extra fact, and 도 often echoes "also". Example: 그 식당은 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 값도 싸요. (geu sikdangeun masisseul ppunman anira gapdo ssayo.) "That restaurant is not only tasty but also cheap." Spoken [그 식땅은 마시쓸 뿐만 아니라 갑또 싸요]. See -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라.

-(으)ㄴ/는 데다가 (on top of that, in addition to)

A B2 pattern for adding a second fact that leans the same way as the first, both good or both bad. Example: 날씨가 추운 데다가 바람도 불어요. (nalssiga chuun dedaga baramdo bureoyo.) "On top of being cold, the wind is blowing too." Spoken [날씨가 추운 데다가 바람도 부러요].

See -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가.

-거나 (or)

This lesson teaches the A2 "or" for verbs and adjectives, with one unchanging form and tense on the final verb. Example: 주말에는 영화를 보거나 친구를 만나요. (jumareneun yeonghwareul bogeona chingureul mannayo.) "On weekends I watch a movie or meet friends." Spoken [주마레는 영화를 보거나 친구를 만나요]. See -거나.

-든지 (whether ... or; "any one will do")

This lesson teaches a B1 pattern that says the choice does not matter, and it pairs with question words such as 언제든지. Example: 가든지 말든지 마음대로 하세요. (gadeunji maldeunji maeumdaero haseyo.) "Go or don't go, as you like." See -든지.

-(으)나 (but)

A B2 written "but" for reports, news and formal speeches. It takes -나 after a vowel or ㄹ and -으나 after a consonant. Example: 값은 비싸나 품질이 좋다. (gapseun bissana pumjiri jota.) "The price is high, but the quality is good." Spoken [갑쓴 비싸나 품지리 조타].

See -(으)나.

-지만 (but, although)

This lesson teaches the A2 "but", where the two clauses are directly contrasted, and its use as a polite preface (죄송하지만). Tense attaches before it (먹었지만). Example: 비싸지만 맛있어요. (bissajiman masisseoyo.) "It is expensive, but it tastes good." Spoken [비싸지만 마시써요]. See -지만.

-(으)ㄴ/는데 (background, contrast or setting up a request)

This lesson teaches the A2 linker that sets a scene, adds a mild contrast or leads into a question or request. It takes -는데 after a verb and -(으)ㄴ데 after an adjective. Example: 제가 어제 시장에 갔는데 사람이 많았어요. (jega eoje sijange ganneunde sarami manasseoyo.) "I went to the market yesterday, and there were many people." Spoken [제가 어제 시장에 간는데 사라미 마나써요]. See -(으)ㄴ/는데.

Several of these patterns look alike on first meeting. The next section explains how to tell them apart.

How Do You Choose between Look-Alike Patterns?

Choose by what the second clause does, and check the register. Three pairs cause the most trouble, and each has its own comparison page.

• -고 or -(으)면서. -고 means "and then", and -(으)면서 means "while". See -(으)면서 vs -고.
• -거나 or -든지. -거나 lists alternatives, and -든지 says any one will do. See -거나 vs -든지.
• -지만 or -(으)ㄴ/는데. -지만 is a clear "but", and -(으)ㄴ/는데 sets a scene. See -는데 vs -지만.

Two written partners also need care: -(으)며 stands in for -고 and -(으)면서 in formal writing, and -(으)나 stands in for -지만. Use them for reading and formal writing, and use the spoken partners in conversation. In plain sentences with -고 and -거나, the tense normally goes only on the final verb. The wider collection of look-alikes is on Confusing Grammar Compared. The next section states what this group leaves out.

What Does This Group Not Cover?

This group covers the endings that join clauses with "and", "or" and "but". It does not cover causes, conditions, time, purpose or "even if", which have their own groups under Korean Connectors. It also does not cover the particles that join nouns, such as 와/과, (이)랑 and (이)나, which are taught under the particles hub, or tenses, negation, speech levels, modifiers, nominalizers and auxiliary verbs. The wider area is described in Korean Grammar.

In short, the Korean "and" and "but" group gives you nine ways to list, choose and contrast clauses, and -고 is the one to learn first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pattern should I learn first? Learn -고 first. It is the only A1 pattern in this group, it never changes its form, and it covers "and" and "and then". Then add -지만 for "but", -(으)ㄴ/는데 for background and requests, and -거나 for "or". These four A1 and A2 patterns cover most everyday sentences.

How do I know which pattern fits my sentence? Use the chooser table on this page. Decide what the second clause does: adds a fact (-고), offers an alternative (-거나, -든지), turns against the first clause (-지만) or opens a scene (-(으)ㄴ/는데). Then check the level, because -(으)며, -(으)나 and -(으)ㄴ/는 데다가 are more formal or more advanced.

Are these on the TOPIK exam? Most patterns here appear in TOPIK texts. -고, -거나, -지만 and -(으)ㄴ/는데 are everyday patterns, and -(으)며 and -(으)나 appear more in written passages. The official TOPIK site (topik.go.kr) publishes level descriptions, not a pattern list, so the levels here (A1 to B2) are editorial estimates, not an official syllabus.

Where are the comparison pages? The three most confusable pairs have their own pages: -고 vs -(으)면서, -거나 vs -든지 and -는데 vs -지만. Each gives a deciding rule, side-by-side tables and practice. The whole collection is listed on the Confusing Grammar Compared hub, which also covers pairs from other connector groups.

Are these patterns formal or casual? Most are neutral and work in speech and writing: -고, -거나, -지만 and -(으)ㄴ/는데. Two are written and formal: -(으)며 and -(으)나. The polite or casual feel of a sentence comes from the final ending, such as -요 or -습니다, and not from the connector.