🔗 Connecting Ideas Like a Master Builder
Imagine you’re building with LEGO blocks. Each block is a sentence. But here’s the magic: connectors are the special pieces that snap your blocks together into something amazing!
Today, we’ll learn 7 super-powerful Korean connectors. Think of them as your sentence glue—they help you tell longer, more interesting stories!
🧱 The Building Blocks Analogy
[IDEA 1] + [CONNECTOR] + [IDEA 2] = COMPLETE THOUGHT
Just like snapping two LEGO pieces together, connectors join your thoughts into one smooth sentence. Let’s learn each one!
1. 때문에 — “Because of…”
The Story 📖
Think of 때문에 as pointing at something and saying “THAT’s why!”
You see a wet floor. Someone slipped. You point at the water: “Because of THAT!”
How It Works
Noun + 때문에 = Because of [noun]
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 비 때문에 못 갔어요 | Because of the rain, I couldn’t go |
| 너 때문에 늦었어 | Because of you, I was late |
| 일 때문에 바빠요 | Because of work, I’m busy |
🔑 Key Point
Use 때문에 when a THING (noun) causes something.
2. 기 위해서 — “In order to…”
The Story 📖
Imagine you’re a superhero with a mission. Everything you do has a PURPOSE. 기 위해서 explains your mission!
“I train hard… in order to save the world!”
How It Works
Verb stem + 기 위해서 = In order to [verb]
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 살기 위해서 일해요 | I work in order to live |
| 한국어를 배우기 위해서 공부해요 | I study in order to learn Korean |
| 건강하기 위해서 운동해요 | I exercise in order to be healthy |
🔑 Key Point
Use 기 위해서 when you do something with a goal in mind.
3. (으)러 가다/오다 — “Go/Come to do…”
The Story 📖
You’re leaving home. Mom asks: “Where are you going?”
You don’t just say “out”—you say WHY you’re going!
“I’m going… to eat!”
How It Works
Verb stem + (으)러 가다/오다
- 으러: after consonant
- 러: after vowel
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 밥 먹으러 가요 | I’m going to eat |
| 친구 만나러 왔어요 | I came to meet a friend |
| 영화 보러 갈까요? | Shall we go to watch a movie? |
🔑 Key Point
Use (으)러 with movement verbs (go/come) + purpose.
4. 고 나서 — “After doing…”
The Story 📖
Picture yourself as a chef. You can’t serve food before cooking it!
First: COOK. Then: SERVE.
고 나서 = “After I finish THIS, then THAT.”
How It Works
Verb stem + 고 나서 = After doing [verb]
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 먹고 나서 공부해요 | After eating, I study |
| 영화를 보고 나서 잤어요 | After watching the movie, I slept |
| 졸업하고 나서 취직했어요 | After graduating, I got a job |
🔑 Key Point
Action 1 is FINISHED, then action 2 begins.
5. 기 전에 — “Before doing…”
The Story 📖
Your mom says: “Wash your hands BEFORE eating!”
기 전에 = BEFORE you do something.
How It Works
Verb stem + 기 전에 = Before doing [verb]
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 자기 전에 이를 닦아요 | Before sleeping, I brush my teeth |
| 먹기 전에 손을 씻어요 | Before eating, I wash my hands |
| 떠나기 전에 전화해요 | Before leaving, I call |
🔑 Key Point
Action after 기 전에 HASN’T happened yet!
6. 는 동안 — “While doing…”
The Story 📖
You’re a multitasker! You can do TWO things at the SAME time.
Listening to music… while studying. 🎵📚
How It Works
Verb stem + 는 동안 = While doing [verb]
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 공부하는 동안 음악을 들어요 | While studying, I listen to music |
| 기다리는 동안 책을 읽었어요 | While waiting, I read a book |
| 요리하는 동안 노래해요 | While cooking, I sing |
🔑 Key Point
Both actions happen at the SAME TIME.
7. 자마자 — “As soon as…”
The Story 📖
ZOOM! Lightning fast! The MOMENT one thing happens, another follows immediately!
The bell rings → You RUN out! No waiting!
How It Works
Verb stem + 자마자 = As soon as [verb]
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 집에 오자마자 잤어요 | As soon as I came home, I slept |
| 보자마자 알았어요 | As soon as I saw it, I knew |
| 일어나자마자 샤워해요 | As soon as I wake up, I shower |
🔑 Key Point
NO delay! Instant action!
🗺️ The Connector Map
graph TD A["때문에"] -->|Because of| B["Noun causes result"] C["기 위해서"] -->|In order to| D["Action has purpose"] E["으러 가다/오다"] -->|Go/Come to| F["Movement + purpose"] G["고 나서"] -->|After doing| H["Action 1 → Action 2"] I["기 전에"] -->|Before doing| J[Action 2 hasn't happened] K["는 동안"] -->|While doing| L["Both actions together"] M["자마자"] -->|As soon as| N["Instant! No delay!"]
⚡ Quick Summary
| Connector | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| 때문에 | Because of | Noun → Result |
| 기 위해서 | In order to | Goal/Purpose |
| (으)러 가다 | Go to do | Movement + Purpose |
| 고 나서 | After doing | Sequence (1→2) |
| 기 전에 | Before doing | Not yet done |
| 는 동안 | While doing | Same time |
| 자마자 | As soon as | Instant! |
🎯 Remember This!
These 7 connectors are your sentence superpowers:
- 때문에 = Point at the cause
- 기 위해서 = Show your mission
- (으)러 = Explain why you’re going
- 고 나서 = First this, THEN that
- 기 전에 = Not yet!
- 는 동안 = At the same time
- 자마자 = ZOOM! Instantly!
Now you can connect ideas like a pro! Your Korean sentences will flow like a beautiful story. 🌟