0Basic Sentence Connectors
The Basic Sentence Connectors or Conjugations are the helpful tools to express your ideas when talking, writing, texting or speaking in Korean. You might have heard these in K-Dramas, K- Pop or in K- Movies. These expressions are used in everyday Korean life. We are going to learn the common Korean conjunctions and sentence connectors that Koreans use on a daily basis.
Basic Response
- 그래요 (kh-euh-rae-yo)
Meaning: OK/ That’s right/ Got it
How to use:
A simple and natural response that you can use in a conversation. It’s not really a Korean conjunction, but is used often in conversation. It’s a very basic and useful Korean phrase.
When to use:
- This is a basic response in a conversation, in each level of politeness. It is recommend to use 그래요 (kh-euh-rae-yo) for everyday conversations. It is considered to be a polite expression.
Other versions:
- 그렇습니다 (kh-euh-reoh-seum-nida)
This is the formal/ honorific version that can be used at the office or when giving a speech.
- 그래 (kh-euh-rae)
This can be used with someone younger than you or someone who you’re on close terms with.
Example:
- A: 우리 내일 5시에 만날까요? [Shall we meet tomorrow at 5:00?]
- B: 그래요! [OK]!
Basic Connectors
1. 그렇지만 (kh-euh-reo-ji-man)
Meaning: But/ However
Origin of the connector:
This Korean conjunction comes from the verb 그렇다(kheuh-reo-ta) which translates as simple as “yes”. However, when we attach ~지만 (~ ji-man) which translates to “but” to its stem, than we are forming a word that means “That’s correct, but…”.
When to use:
- This connector is used when the content of the 1st sentence is in contrast with that of the 2nd sentence. It’s used to show contradiction to our previously mentioned statement.
Example:
- 오늘 친구랑 영화보러 가고 싶어요. 그렇지만 내일 시험 있어서 공부해야 해요. [I want to go see a movie with a friend today. However, I have an exam tomorrow so I have to study.]
2. 그런데 (kheuh-reon-de)
Meaning: But/ However/ By the way/ And then
Similar to: 그렇지만
When to use:
- This is one the most commonly used Korean connector. It can also be used to form a contradiction, just like 그렇지만 (kheuh-reo-jiman). However, it is better used to relate the two clauses with each other. It’s the form often used among friends.
- It is also used when the 1st sentence provides background information for the 2nd sentence.
- This conjunction can also be used to change topics when the speaker gives a new topic rather than talking about the topic under discussion.
Shorter version:
- 근데 (kheun-de)
This is the shortened form of 그렇지만 and is used with the same meaning.
Example:
- 어제 하루종일 잤어요. 그런데 오늘 피곤해요. [I slept all day yesterday. But today I am tired.]
- 어제 대전 시청에 갔어요. 그런데 거기에서 대통령을 봤러요. [I went to the Daejeon government complex yesterday. And then I saw the president there.]
