와/과

And, With

Level 1Sounds Like wa gwa

와/과 is a particle attached to nouns. It means 'and' when listing nouns, or 'with' when indicating accompaniment. Use 과 after a consonant and 와 after a vowel.

How It Works

와/과 is a particle used to connect two or more nouns. It has two primary meanings: 'and' and 'with'. The form you use depends on the final letter of the first noun.

1. Selection Rule

  • Use 과 when the noun ends in a consonant (받침).
    - 책 + 과 → 책과 (book)
    - 밥 + 과 → 밥과 (rice)
  • Use 와 when the noun ends in a vowel.
    - 의자 + 와 → 의자와 (chair)
    - 사과 + 와 → 사과와 (apple)

2. Meaning: 'And' (Listing Nouns)
When used to list items, 와/과 functions like 'and' in English. It connects nouns of equal status.

  • 빵과 우유를 샀어요. (I bought bread and milk.)
  • 저는 고양이와 강아지를 좋아해요. (I like cats and dogs.)

3. Meaning: 'With' (Accompaniment)
When used with a person or animal, 와/과 means 'with', indicating that an action is done together.

  • 친구와 같이 공부해요. (I study with my friend.)
  • 어머니와 시장에 갔어요. (I went to the market with my mother.)

Usage Note:
와/과 is generally considered slightly more formal or literary than its spoken equivalent, 하고. In everyday conversation, 하고 is often preferred.

Examples (5)

  1. 책과 연필

    A book and a pencil

    Word by Word: book and pencil

    책 ends in a consonant (ㄱ), so 과 is used.

  2. 사과와 바나나

    An apple and a banana

    Word by Word: apple and banana

    사과 ends in a vowel (ㅏ), so 와 is used.

  3. 저는 빵과 우유를 먹어요.

    I eat bread and milk.

    Word by Word: I bread and milk eat.

  4. 친구와 같이 영화를 봤어요.

    I watched a movie with my friend.

    Word by Word: friend with together movie watched.

    Here, 와 means 'with'. The word 같이 (together) is often used with it to emphasize the joint action.

  5. 동생과 이야기하고 있어요.

    I am talking with my younger sibling.

    Word by Word: younger sibling with talking am.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 와/과 to connect verbs or clauses.

    Not Quite저는 공부하다와 운동해요.
    Better저는 공부하고 운동해요.

    와/과 is a particle that only connects nouns. To connect verbs or clauses with 'and', you must use the connective ending -고.

  • Using the wrong form based on the final sound of the noun.

    Not Quite가방와 책이 있어요.
    Better가방과 책이 있어요.

    Use 과 after a noun ending in a consonant (like 가방) and 와 after a noun ending in a vowel (like 의자).

Related Patterns

Words in This Pattern

와과
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