와/과 ①

and

Explanation

Connects multiple nouns, indicating a list or group without specifying order.

Details

Usage

  • 와 is used in front of a word ending in a vowel.

  • 과 is used in front of a word ending in a consonant.

Korean Grammar in Use

와/과 expresses the listing of various things or people and corresponds to ''and'' in English. 와/과 is used mainly in writing, presentations, and speeches. For nouns ending in a vowel, 와 is used, and for nouns ending in a consonant, 과 is used.

Details

1. When functioning as particles to list things,(이)랑 and 하고 can be added to the final noun in the list, but 와/과 cannot.

바지랑 가방을 샀어요. ✓
I bought pants and a bag.
바지하고 가방을 샀어요. ✓
바지와 가방을 샀어요. ✓
옷이랑 가방이랑 사요. ✓
I buy clothes and a bag.
옷하고 가방하고 사요. ✓
옷과 가방과 사요. ✕

2. Although 와/과, (이)랑 and 하고 can all be used similarly to list things, they cannot be mixed within the same sentence.

저는 딸기와 바나나하고 글이랑 감을 좋아해요. ✕
저는 딸기와 바나나와 귤과 감을 좋아해요. ✓
I like strawberries, bananas, tangerines, and persimmons.
저는 딸기하고 바나나하고 귤하고 감을 좋아해요. ✓
저는 딸기랑 바나나랑 귤이랑 감을 좋아해요. ✓

Examples
초가집에는 어머니<span class='focus'>와</span> 어린 삼 남매가 살았다.
In the straw-thatched house lived a mother and her three young siblings.
대만<span class='focus'>과</span> 일본은 사이가 좋다.
Taiwan and Japan are on good terms.
저는 수박<span class='focus'>과</span> 딸기를 좋아해요.
I like watermelons and strawberries.

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