-고서

Sequence

Explanation

This expression is used to indicate that first action completed before the subsequent action started.

Moreover, there is a before-and-after relationship between the actions in the preceding and following clauses.

This expression can only be used with verbs.

Details

1. This expression cannot be used with the tense-indicating expressions -았/었- or -겠.

인사만 했고서 헤어졌어요. ✕
인사만 하겠고서 헤어지려고 해요. ✕
→인사만 하고서 헤어졌어요. ✓

2. Both the phrases -고 and -고 나서 can be used to indicate the order of events.

책을 읽고서 감상문을 썼어요.
=책을 읽고 감상문을 썼어요.
=책을 읽고 나서 감상문을 썼어요.

Kimchi Reader

When the first action get completed before the subsequent action started and there is a relationship between the two actions.

Examples
저 문을 뚫<span class='focus'>고서</span> 궁전으로 돌진합시다!
Let's break through that door and rush into the palace!
그 남자는 결혼을 하<span class='focus'>고서</span> 사람이 달라졌어.
He has changed after getting married.
<span class="speaker-a">가:</span> 오늘 왜 안경을 안 썼어요?<br><br><span class="speaker-b">나:</span> 아침에 안경을 책상 위에 올려 놓<span class='focus'>고서</span> 잊어버리고 그냥 나왔어요.
가: Why didn't you wear your glasses today? 나: I placed my glasses on my desk this morning and then just left, leaving them behind.

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