V-아/어서 ① — in order to

-아/어서 is a connective ending indicating the temporal relationship between events. Specifically, it expresses the occurrence of the action in the second clause after the action in the first clause has occurred. The two actions are so closely related that the second action cannot occur without the first action occurring first. This expression corresponds to 'and' or '(in order) to' in English.

Moreover, 서 can often be omitted from -아/어서, leaving just -아/어 but this is not possible with certain verbs, including 가다 (to go), 오다 (to come), and 서다 (to stand). It is formed by adding -아서 to stems ending in the vowel ㅏ or ㅗ. Otherwise, -어서 is added. For verbs ending in 하다, 해서 is added.

Details

In the case of sentences in the past, present, or future tense, the tense is expressed only in the second verb, not the first.

어제 친구를 만나서 영회를 봤어요.

Yesterday, I met a friend to watch a movie.

내일 친구를 만나서 영화를 볼 거예요.

Tomorrow, I will meet a friend to watch a movie.

The subjects of both verbs are the same.

나는 어제 친구를 만나서 (나는) 영화를 봤어요. ✓

Yesterday I met a friend and (I) watched a movie.

나는 어제 친구를 만나서 친구는 영화를 봤어요. ✕

Comparison:

1. -고 is a connective ending similar to -아/어서 in that it indicates the temporal relationship between events. However, while -아/어서 is used when the first and second actions are very closely related, -고 is used to connect two unrelated actions that happen sequentially.

과일을 씻어서 (그 과일을) 먹어요.

(l/You) wash the fruit and eat It (the fruit).

과일을 씻고 (다른 음식을) 먹어요.

(l/You) wash the fruit and then eat (something else).

친구를 만나서 (그 친구와 같이) 영화를 봤어요.

I met a friend and (together we) watched a movie.

친구를 만나고 (나 혼자 또는 다른 사람과) 영화를 봤어요.

I met a friend and then (I by myself or with somebody else) watched a movie.

2. When used with verbs designating the wearing of clothes and accessories, -고 is used in place of -아/어서.

코트를 입어서 공부해요. ✕

사람들이 우산을 써서 가요. ✕

아이가 안경을 써서 책을 봐요. ✕

Kimchi Reader

A connective ending to indicate a temporal relationship between events. The second clause can only happen after the first action has happened.