고 보니(까)

Overview

The connective ending -고 보니(까) is used to express that the speaker performed an action, and after doing so, they realized or discovered something new or unexpected about the situation, the action itself, or its outcome. It highlights a realization that occurs after an initial action has been completed or experienced.

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Usage

-고 보니(까) connects two clauses, where the first clause describes an action or state, and the second clause describes the realization or discovery made as a result of or subsequent to that action/state. The nuance is often one of surprise, a change in perspective, or a new understanding that wasn't present before the action was taken. The '-(으)니까' part is optional and often adds a slight emphasis on the reason for the realization or the discovery itself. It can be used with both positive and negative realizations.

• Action -> Realization: The primary function is to show a sequence where an action leads to a subsequent realization.
• Unexpected Discovery: Often used when the realization is something the speaker didn't anticipate or fully understand beforehand.
• Change in Perception: Can indicate that the speaker's view or understanding of something changed after experiencing it.

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Conjugation Rules

This ending is straightforward to conjugate:

Simply attach -고 보니(까) to the stem of a verb or adjective.

• Verb/Adjective Stem + 고 보니(까)
  • 가다 (to go) -> 가고 보니(까)
  • 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹고 보니(까)
  • 작다 (to be small) -> 작고 보니(까)
  • 예쁘다 (to be pretty) -> 예쁘고 보니(까)

There are no irregular conjugations specific to -고 보니(까).

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Knowledge Plus

While -고 보니(까) indicates a realization after an action, it differs from similar expressions like -았/었더니.

• -고 보니(까): Emphasizes the speaker's personal realization or discovery that happens after performing an action. The focus is on the internal change of understanding or perception. It often implies a more immediate or direct discovery during or right after the action.

  • 예: 직접 해 고 보니 생각보다 훨씬 어려웠어요. (After trying it myself, I realized it was much harder than I thought.)

• -았/었더니: Focuses on the result or consequence of a past action, often observed by the speaker. It can describe a general outcome or a change in the external situation, not necessarily a personal realization. It can also imply that the speaker is reporting an observation.

  • 예: 열심히 공부했더니 성적이 많이 올랐어요. (I studied hard, and as a result, my grades went up a lot.)

-고 보니(까) is particularly useful when you want to express that you gained new insight or a different perspective because you went through the experience.