V/A + -아/어 가지고 – And Then / Because (Spoken Equivalent of -아/어서)
Meaning: Do X and then (with that result) do Y; because X, Y
Conjugation & Pattern
- V/A stem ending in ㅏ, ㅗ: + -아 가지고 (모으다 -> 모아 가지고, 많다 -> 많아 가지고)
- V/A stem ending in other vowels: + -어 가지고 (만들다 -> 만들어 가지고, 비싸다 -> 비싸 가지고)
- V/A stem ending in 하다: -> 해 가지고 (공부하다 -> 공부해 가지고)
- Colloquial contraction: -아/어 갖고
Detailed Usage
Very common in spoken Korean with the same two functions as '-아/어서': (1) Sequential action where the result of the first action is carried into the second; (2) Expressing a cause or reason for the main clause.
Example Sentences
- 1
돈을 열심히 모아 가지고 내년에 자동차를 사고 싶어요.
Doneul yeolsimhi moa gajigo naenyeone jadongchareul sago sipeoyo.
I want to save up money diligently and buy a car next year.
- 2
새 스마트폰을 사고 싶은데 너무 비싸 가지고 못 사겠어요.
Sae seumateuponeul sago sipeunde neomu bissa gajigo mot sagesseoyo.
I want to buy a new smartphone, but it is so expensive that I can't buy it.
- 3
선물을 예쁘게 포장해 가지고 친구에게 보냈습니다.
Seonmureul yeppeuge pojanghae gajigo chinguege bonaetseumnida.
I wrapped the present nicely and sent it to my friend.
Important Notes
Like '-아/어서', past ('-았/었-') and future ('-겠-') suffixes cannot precede '-아/어 가지고'. When expressing cause/reason, the main clause cannot be imperative or propositive.
