V + -곤 하다 (-고는 하다) – Used to / Often Do (Habitual Action)
Meaning: Often do; be in the habit of doing; used to do
Conjugation & Pattern
- Present habit: V + -곤 하다 (= -고는 하다)
- Past habit (no longer done now): V + -곤 했다
Detailed Usage
A contraction of '-고는 하다' that expresses a habitual or recurring action under certain conditions. In the past tense ('-곤 했다'), it recalls a past habit that is no longer practiced today.
Example Sentences
- 1
시간이 없을 때는 일하면서 김밥을 먹곤 해요.
Sigani eopseul ttaeneun ilhamyeonseo gimbabeul meokgon haeyo.
When I don't have time, I often eat gimbap while working.
- 2
어렸을 때는 여름마다 고향 계곡에서 피서를 하곤 했어요.
Eoryeosseul ttaeneun yeoreummada gohyang gyegogeseo piseoreul hagon haesseoyo.
When I was young, I used to beat the summer heat at a valley in my hometown every summer.
- 3
예전에는 인터넷이 자주 끊기곤 했는데 이제는 그런 일이 거의 없어요.
Yejeoneneun inteonesi jaju kkeungigon haenneunde ijeneun geureon iri geoui eopseoyo.
In the past, the internet used to disconnect frequently, but that rarely happens now.
Important Notes
Cannot be used for: (1) One-time events (e.g., graduating from high school); or (2) Fixed, unvarying daily schedules (e.g., 'Class starts at 9 a.m. every day').
