Korean Grammar Basic [-아서 /-어서-여서]

Let’s go through the Korean grammar endings "-아서/-어서/-여서" today! 

1. **What Are "-아서/-어서/-여서"?**

These endings are used in Korean to connect two actions or to explain the reason for something. They are similar to saying “because” or “and then” in English.

 

1) To express reason: Indicates that the first clause is the reason for the second clause.
2) To connect sequential actions: Shows that the first action is followed by the second action.

2. **How to Choose the Correct Ending**

The choice of ending depends on the vowel in the stem of the verb or adjective.

- **"-아서"**: Used when the verb or adjective stem ends with the vowels **ㅏ** or **ㅗ**.
- **"-어서"**: Used when the stem ends with vowels other than **ㅏ** or **ㅗ**.
- **"-여서"**: Used with verbs ending in **하다**. This is often shortened to "해서."

 3. **Examples**

1) Expressing Reason

①-"아서"
  - **가다 (to go)**:  
    - **날씨가 좋아서 산책을 갔어요.** ("I went for a walk because the weather was nice.")
  
②-"어서"
  - **먹다 (to eat)**:  
    - **배가 고파서 밥을 먹었어요.**  ("I ate because I was hungry.")

③ "-여서"
  - **하다 (to do)**:  
    - **일이 많아서 못 갔어요.** ("I couldn’t go because I had a lot of work.")

2) Connecting Sequential Actions

① "-아서"
  - **일어나다 (to get up)**:  
    - **아침에 일어나서 운동을 했어요.**  ("I got up in the morning and then exercised.")

② "-어서"**
  - **만나다 (to meet)**:  
    - **친구를 만나서 영화를 봤어요.**  ("I met a friend and then watched a movie.")

③ "-여서"
  - **공부하다 (to study)**:  
    - **책을 읽어서 공부를 했어요.**  ("I read a book and then studied.")

4. **Choosing the Ending: Quick Guide**

- **"-아서"**: Use with stems ending in **ㅏ** or **ㅗ**.
- **"-어서"**: Use with stems ending in other vowels.
- **"-여서"**: Use with verbs ending in **하다**. → 하여서→해서 

5. **Practice Exercises**

Create sentences using the following verbs or adjectives with "-아서/-어서/-여서":

1) 가다 (to go): ___________
2) 피곤하다 (to be tired): ___________
3) 재미있다 (to be interesting): ___________
4) 일어나다 (to get up): ___________
5) 공부하다 (to study): ___________

6. **Sample Answers**

1) **가다**: **날씨가 좋아서 공원에 갔어요.**  
   ("I went to the park because the weather was nice.")

2) **피곤하다**: **피곤해서 일찍 잤어요.**  
   ("I was tired, so I went to bed early.")

3) **재미있다**: **영화가 재미있어서 두 번 봤어요.**  
   ("The movie was interesting, so I watched it twice.")

4) **일어나다**: **아침에 일어나서 세수를 했어요.**  
   ("I got up in the morning and then washed my face.")

5) **공부하다**: **도서관에서 공부해서 시험을 잘 봤어요.**  
   ("I studied at the library and did well on the exam.")

By practicing with these endings, beginner learners can start forming more complex sentences in Korean and better express reasons and sequential actions. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask!