25 Korean Conjunctions To Make Your Korean Flow

Once you’ve learned Korean to a basic level, you’re going to want to start forming more complex sentences so you can express yourself with more fluency. And a great way to do that is with Korean conjunctions.

Conjunctions (or connectors or linking words) are words that join ideas or concepts together, and can also be used to show contrast between two statements.

Korean conjunctions can be a bit of a headache at times, however they’re really important to learn because they allow you to make more sophisticated sentences, so you can communicate more effectively. 

In this post, you're going to learn 25 essential Korean conjunctions based on how they're used in Korean. Let’s get started! 

Korean Conjunctions: Quick Primer

In Korean there are a lot of different conjunctions and yes, you’ve guessed it, these are different depending on the level of formality and the medium of communication.

I’ll get into all of these details as we go along, and don’t worry if it seems difficult to remember at first, even Koreans get conjunctions wrong sometimes! So don't let the fear villain stop you from using these Korean linking words.

You might have already heard some of these if you listen to K-pop or watch K-dramas. Each conjunction will come with an example so that you can get a better idea of how they’re used.

Korean Conjunctions For Connecting Thoughts 

First, you're going to discover some simple linking words that help you to connect thoughts together and make your Korean sentences more elaborate.

These are some of the conjunctions that you’re going to want to be familiar with as they’re very common in Korean.

1. 그리고 Geurigo (And)

This is a common way of saying “and” in Korean, and you can use it to connect nouns. 

• 슈퍼마켓에서 김치를 사주세요. 그리고 고구마 사는 것도 잊지 마세요.
• syupeomakeseseo gimchi jom sajuseyo. geuligo goguma saneun geosdo ijji maseyo.
• Please buy kimchi in the supermarket. And don’t forget to buy sweet potato.

2. ~고 Go (And, And Then)

~고 is another simple Korean conjunction that you’ll want to be sure you’ll remember. Thankfully, it’s pretty similar to 그리고, and is typically used to connect two actions together. So, it’s like “first I will do X, and then I will do Y”.

• 차 한잔 마시고 집에 갈게요.
• Cha hanjan masigo jibe galgeyo
• I will have a cup of tea and then go home.

3. ~하고 Hago (And)

This is a handy little word that is a great one to remember as it’s nice and simple and doesn’t require any conjugations to form! Use this conjunction to link two nouns together. The form is the same if the preceding noun ends in a vowel or a consonant.

• 프랑스어하고 독일어를 공부해요.
• Peulangseueohago dogileoleul gongbuhaeyo.
• I study French and German.

4. ~랑/이랑 Rang (And, With)

Again, this is an extremely common connector in Korean, but this form is mostly used in colloquial and spoken settings.

When used after a noun it means “and”, and when used with a person, it means “with”. If the preceding word ends in a consonant, you use the form ~이랑 instead.

• 피자랑 파스타 먹고 싶어.
• Pijalang paseuta meoggo sipeo
• I want to eat pizza and pasta.

• 남동생이랑 쇼핑하러 갔어요
• Namdongsaengilang syopinghaleo gasseoyo
• I went shopping with my younger brother.

5. ~와/과 Wa/Gwa (And, With)

~와 functions in the same way as ~랑, but is used in more formal and polite settings, so you’re likely to see it written. ~과 is used when the preceding noun ends in a consonant.

• 상사와 미팅을 가졌습니다.
• Sangsawa mitingeul gajyeossseubnida.
• I had a meeting with my boss.

• 물과 레드 와인 한 잔을 가져다 주시겠어요?
• Mulgwa ledeu wain han janeul gajyeoda jusigesseoyo?
• Could you please bring me water and a glass of red wine?

Korean Conjunctions For Expressing Opposition

There are plenty of different ways to express opposition in Korean. Expressing opposition in English includes using words like “but”, “however”, and “although”.

You use these kinds of conjunctions when you want to indicate that the concept that follows contrasts to the one you started with.

6. ~지만 Jiman (But, Even Though)

You’re going to see ~지만 a lot as you go through this section, as it’s a common ending in conjunctions that express opposition in Korean. This is one of the most essential connectors that you’ll need to pick up.

~지만 is attached to the verb stem, and it’s a short way of connecting two clauses together.

• 오늘 밤에 축구하고 싶지만 공부해야 해요.
• Oneul bame chukguhago sipjiman gongbuhaeya haeyo.
• Even though I want to play football tonight, I have to study.

7. 하지만 Hajiman (But)

Again, you can see that the ~지만 ending plays a role here, but 하지만 is used as a standalone word.

• 자고 싶어요. 하지만 숙제를 해야 해요.
• Jago sipeoyo. hajiman sukjereul haeya haeyo.
• I want to sleep, but I need to do my homework.

8. 그렇지만 Geureochiman (But, However)

This conjunction follows a pretty simple pattern, where you first express agreement before bringing in the “but” that follows.

The Korean verb 그렇다 doesn’t really have a direct translation, but it’s something like “that’s right” in this context.

So, if you add the ending ~지만 (but) to the stem, you get something like “that’s right, but…”. Let’s break it down in the example below.

• 여름이예요. 그렇지만 덥지 않아요.
• Yeoreumiyeyo. geurochiman deopji anayo.
• It’s summer. However, it’s not hot.

9. 그러나 Geureona (But)

This is a conjunction that you will only really see in formal settings, so you’re more likely to see it in written contexts. This isn’t one for when you’re speaking with your friends!

• 그는 열심히 공부했다. 그러나 실험에 떨어졌다.
• Geuneun yeolsimhi gongbuhaetda. geureona silheome tteoreojyeotda.
• He worked hard, but he failed the exam.

10. ~ㄴ/는데Neunde (But, Even Though)

Like with ~지만, this is a helpful conjunction that can be used to easily join two clauses. However, the meaning is a little less strong, and it’s difficult to translate directly.

Being able to use this linking word will make your Korean sound much more natural. This sets the scene for the second part of the sentence. This can be used for both verbs and Korean adjectives.

• 먹었는데 아직도 배고 파요.
• Meogeonneunde ajikdo baego payo.
• Even though I ate I’m still hungry.

11. 그런데 Geureonde (However, By the way)

This is a really common conjunction in Korean, and you'll come across it a lot in use between friends.

This conjunction can be used in a similar way to express a contradiction like in 그렇지만, but the two clauses should be related. It's also used to change topic.

근데 is a shortened form of this phrase that you’re likely to hear Korean speakers using.

• 비가 많이 오네요. 그런데 왜 우산을 안 가져왔어요?
• Biga manhi oneyo. geuleonde wae usaneul an gajyeowasseoyo?
• Wow, it’s raining a lot. By the way, why didn’t you bring an umbrella?

Korean Conjunctions For Expressing Preference And Choice

These Korean conjunctions will help you express preference or choice between two nouns or verbs. Using these conjunctions can help you form lengthier sentences.

12. ~나/이나 Na (Or)

This is a really useful and short conjunction that can be used to connect two nouns together when a decision hasn’t yet been made between them. Remember that it will take the form ~이나 if the previous noun ends in a consonant.

• 오늘은 뭘 요리할까? 김치전이나 비빔밥?
• Oneureun mwol yorihalkka? gimchijeonina bibimbap?
• What should we cook today? Kimchi pancake or bibimbap?

13. ~거나 Geona (Or)

This conjunction as is the same as ~나, but instead of being used between two nouns it’s used between two verbs.

• 축구 연습후에 비디오 게임을 하거나 텔레비전을 본거예요.
• Chukgu yeonseupue bidio geimeul hageona tellebijeoneul bongeoyeyo.
• After football practice I will play video games or watch TV.

14. 아니면 Animyeon (Or, If Not)

This connectors is used the same way as the other two you've already discovered in this section. 아니면 is used to connect two sentences.

• 우리 쇼핑할까요? 아니면 집에 갈까요?
• Uli syopinghalkkayo? animyeon jibe galkkayo?
• Should we go shopping or should we go home?

Korean Conjunctions Expressing Cause And Effect

These conjunctions are the ones you’re going to need when you want to express ideas of cause and effect. Think of words like “because” and “therefore” in English. There are a few of these in Korean, and they’ll really help you beef up your Korean skills.

15. ~아/어서 Seo (Because)

This is another common conjunction that you’ll definitely be making use of often. ~아/어서 is used to show what happens after an action.

• 넘어졌어서 다리가 아파요.
• Neomeojyeoseo daliga apayo
• My leg hurts because I fell over.

16. 그래서 Geuraeseo (So, Therefore)

When you want to follow up a statement with the cause or proof, this is the connector for the job. 

• 어제 감기에 걸렸어요. 그래서 사무실에 갈 수가 없었어요.
• Eoje gamgie geollyeosseoyo. geulaeseo samusile gal suga eobseosseoyo.
• I had a cold yesterday, so I could not go to the office.

17. 그러니까 Geuronikka (Therefore)

This conjunction is pretty similar to 그래서, but 그러니까 is more typically used to emphasise a subsequent action that is taken as effect.

• 오늘은 내가 몸이 안 좋아서 나갈 수가 없어. 그러니까 다음에 만나자.
• Oneuleun naega momi an johaseo nagal suga eobseo. geuleonikka daeume mannaja.
• I’m not feeling well I can’t go out today. So, let’s meet up next time.

18. ~기때문에 Gi Ttaemunae (Because Of That, Therefore)

This linking word is used after a clause to indicate that an action occurred as a result of the preceding clause. You can use this phrase with the stem of both verbs and adjectives. This is the same as using ~아/어서. 

• 피곤하기 때문에 자고 싶어요.
• Pigonhagi ttaemune jago sipeoyo.
• I want to sleep because I am tired.

Korean Conjunctions For Expressing Condition

Think about words like “if” in English. These kinds of Korean conjunctions are used to talk about conditional situations that occur after a certain criterion has been fulfilled. There are a few ways to express condition in Korean.

19. ~면 Myeon (If, Once)

This is a conjunction that you can attach to verb stems to indicate that you will do something if or when you complete doing X. 

• 오후 8시 이전에 집에 오면 너랑 영화관에 갈게.
• Ohu 8si ijeone jibe omyeon neolang yeonghwagwane galge
• If I get home before 8pm I’ll come to the cinema with you.

20. 그러면 Geureomyeon (In That Case)

This is a helpful connector to begin a new sentence that adds onto to information that you’ve already heard in the conversation. It's often shorted to 그럼 in speech.

• 택시를 탈까요? 그러면 우리는 제시간에 도착할 것이에요.
• Taegsileul talkka? geuleomyeon ulineun jesigane dochaghal geosibnida.
• Should we take a taxi? In that case we’ll arrive on time.

Other Helpful Korean Conjunctions

Here’s a list of some other helpful linking words in Korean that’ll get you speaking more fluently.

21. ~자마자 Jamaja (As Soon As)

This is a conjunction attached to the verb stem to express that something happens almost simultaneously.

• 그는 소주 한잔을 마시자마자 웃겼어요.
• Geuneun soju hanjaneul masijamaja usgyeosseoyo.
• He laughed as soon as he finished a glass of soju.

22. 동안 Dongan (While)

This is a conjunction used to refer to a specific period of time. 

• 저는 같은 회사에서 5년 동안 일했어요.
• Joneun gateun hoesaeseo 5nyeon dong-an ilhaesseoyo.
• I’ve been working at the same company for five years.

23. ~처럼 Cheoleom (Like)

This connector is used with a noun to express that a certain action is done in the same way that it is done by the noun.

• 내 남동생은 고양이처럼 자요.
• Nae namdongsaengeun goyangicheoleom jayo.
• My younger brother sleeps like a cat.

24. 그래도 Geuraedo (Regardless, Still, Nevertheless)

You can use this conjunction when you want to express that an outcome occurs regardless of a specific situation. 

• 태풍에 나무가 쓰러졌다. 그래도 다친 사람은 없었다.
• Taepunge namuga sseuleojyeossda. geulaedo dachin salameun eobseossda.
• Trees fell during the typhoon. Nevertheless, nobody was hurt.

25. ~보다 Boda (More)

This conjunction can be used to create comparatives in Korean. This conjunction is most commonly found in sentences where you want to make a comparison between two specific things.

• 한국음식은 중국음식보다 맵다.
• Hangugeumsigeun junggugeumsigboda maebda
• Korean food is spicier than Chinese food.

Tips For Learning Korean Conjunctions

This article just scratches the surface of the different conjunctions in Korean. As there are so many different linking words available, they can sometimes be a bit of a pain!

Exposing yourself to conjunctions in both spoken and written Korean is a really helpful way of picking them up, and getting the hang of any contextual nuances between conjunctions that have similar meanings. 

If you’re just beginning with Korean conjunctions, get used to some of the more simple and basic ones in the list above and keep practicing.

Listening to K-pop and watching Korean TV shows can actually be an excellent way of getting familiar with Korean conjunctions, and you’ll recognise more and more as you go along!

I also recommend applying the StoryLearning method by reading Korean books and Korean blogs to familiarise yourself with how conjunctions are used in both formal and informal written contexts too. With a bit of steady practice at your own pace you’ll become an expert!

Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.