Sentence Connectors
The "logic glue" of Korean. Use these conjunctions to build longer, more natural sentences.
그리고
And / And then
Links two related ideas or actions in sequence.
"밥을 먹었어요. 그리고 잤어요."
I ate rice. And then I slept.
하지만
But / However
Direct contrast. 'A is true, BUT B makes it tricky.'
"김치를 좋아해요. 하지만 매워요."
I like kimchi. But it's spicy.
그래서
So / Therefore
Cause and Effect. 'A happened, SO B happened.'
"비가 왔어요. 그래서 집에 있었어요."
It rained. So I stayed home.
그런데
But / By the way
Used to shift the topic softly, or express unexpected contrast.
"좋은 생각이에요. 그런데 돈이 없어요."
Good idea. But (by the way) I have no money.
그러니까
Therefore / That's why
Strong emphasis on the reason/justification.
"시간이 없어요. 그러니까 빨리 가!"
No time. Therefore/So go fast!
그러면
Then / If so
Conditional. 'If that is the case, then...'
"바빠요? 그러면 나중에 봐요."
Busy? Then let's see each other later.
그래도
Even so / Still
Admitting a fact, but stating something contrary anyway.
"비싸요. 그래도 살 거예요."
It's expensive. Even so, I will buy it.