Connecting Same Direction vs Contrasting Different Directions
How do you choose between -고 and -지만?
- -고 (And): Used when two facts go in the same direction: - Positive + Positive: "The room is clean and quiet" (방이 깨끗하고 조용해요). - Negative + Negative: "The food is expensive and bad" (비싸고 맛없어요). - -지만 (But): Used when two facts contrast or clash: - Negative + Positive: "It is expensive, but delicious" (비싸지만 맛있어요). - Expectation vs Reality: "I studied a lot, but the test was hard" (열심히 공부했지만 어려웠어요).
Two good traits-고 · 친절하고 착해요 · Kind and good-natured
Good trait vs bad trait-지만 · 친절하지만 바빠요 · Kind, but busy
Two actions in parallel-고 · 노래하고 춤춰요 · Sings and dances
Action vs conflicting outcome-지만 · 찾았지만 없어요 · Looked for it, but it isn't there
Past tense check! In Korean, the past tense marker -았/었- can attach before -지만 (예: 비가 왔지만 갔어요), but for -고, the past tense is usually marked only at the very end of the sentence (예: 밥을 먹고 영화를 봤어요).
도서관은 조용하고 시원해요.The library is quiet and cool. (Both positive → -고)
일이 많지만 재미있어요.There is a lot of work, but it is interesting. (Challenging + positive → -지만)
동생은 키가 크고 저는 작아요.My sibling is tall, and/whereas I am short. (Contrast in traits)
연습 Practice
이 레슨에는 풀어 보는 문제가 6개 있습니다. 앱에서 하나씩 맞히며 넘어갑니다. 6 exercises come with this lesson — open it to work through them.
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