Choose the Relationship First
Instead of memorizing endings as isolated grammar rules, look at the relationship between your two ideas.
Do you want to give a reason? Show a contrast? Set a condition? Express a purpose?
The same starting sentence (like "I am hungry") will use a completely different connector depending on what you want to say next. By deciding the relationship first, choosing the right ending becomes much easier.
Reason vs. Contrast
When you connect a fact with its natural or expected result, use a reason connector like -아서/-어서 .
When the result is unexpected or opposite to the first fact, use a contrast connector like -지만 .
Relationship · Sentence 1 · Sentence 2 · Connected Sentence
Reason · 배가 고파요. · 밥을 먹어요. · 배가 고파서 밥을 먹어요.
Contrast · 배가 고파요. · 기다려요. · 배가 고프지만 기다려요.
Condition vs. Concession
To state that an action should happen only if a certain situation is true, use the condition connector -(으)면 .
To state that an action will happen regardless of the situation, use the concession connector -아도/-어도 .
Relationship · Sentence 1 · Sentence 2 · Connected Sentence
Condition · 비가 와요. · 우산을 쓰세요. · 비가 오면 우산을 쓰세요.
Concession · 비가 와요. · 밖에 나가요. · 비가 와도 밖에 나가요.
Compare the same concept with being hungry:
Condition: 배가 고프면 먼저 드세요. (If you are hungry, eat first.)
Concession: 배가 고파도 조금만 기다리세요. (Even if you are hungry, wait a little.)
Purpose vs. Simultaneous Action
When you do one action in order to achieve a goal, use the purpose connector -(으)려고 .
When you are simply doing two actions at the exact same time without one being the goal of the other, use the simultaneous connector -(으)면서 .
Relationship · Connected Sentence · Meaning