Expressing 'and' with '과/와'

01

Choosing Between 와 and 과

The choice between 와 (wa) and 과 (gwagwagwakwa) depends entirely on the sound at the end of the noun they attach to. This follows the standard Korean pattern of alternating particles based on whether the previous word ends in a vowel or a consonant (batchim).

• Ends in a vowel: Add 와 (wa).
• Ends in a consonant: Add 과 (gwagwagwakwa).

• 커피와 차

  kʰŏ·pʰi·wa chʰakeo·pi·wa chak'ŏ·p'i·wa ch'akhe·phi·wa cha

  Coffee and tea

• 물과 빵

  mul·gwa bbangmul·gwa bbangmul·gwa ppangmul·kwa ppang

  Water and bread

02

Meaning 1: Listing Items ("And")

The most basic use of this particle is to list two or more nouns. It indicates that both items are included in the statement.

• 고양이와 개를 좋아해요.

  go·yang·i·wa gæ·rŭl jo·a·hæ·yo.go·yang·i·wa gae·reul jo·a·hae·yo.go·yang·i·wa gae·rŭl jo·a·hae·yo.ko·yang·i·wa kay·lul co·a·hay·yo.

  I like cats and dogs.

• 한국과 일본

  han·guk·gwa il·bonhan·guk·gwa il·bonhan·guk·gwa il·bonhan·kuk·kwa il·pon

  Korea and Japan

It is important to note that 와/과 (wa/gwa) can only connect nouns (things, people, places). You cannot use it to connect two sentences or verbs. To say "I eat and sleep," you must use a different grammar structure.

03

Meaning 2: Accompaniment ("With")

When used with a person or a living thing in an active sentence, 와/과 (wa/gwa) takes on the meaning of with. It indicates who you are performing an action with.

• 친구와 공부해요.

  chʰin·gu·wa kong·bu·hæ·yo.chin·gu·wa gong·bu·hae·yo.ch'in·gu·wa kong·bu·hae·yo.chin·ku·wa kong·pu·hay·yo.

  I study with a friend.

• 동생과 공원에 가요.

  dong·sæng·gwa gong·wŏn·e ga·yo.dong·saeng·gwa gong·wŏn·e ga·yo.dong·saeng·gwa gong·wŏn·e ga·yo.tong·sayng·kwa kong·wŏn·ey ka·yo.

  I go to the park with my younger sibling.

04

Emphasizing "Together"

When using the particle to mean with, it is very common to add the adverbs 같이 (gat·igat·igat·ikat·i) or 함께 (ham·ggeham·ggeham·kkeham·kkey) immediately after the particle. Both words mean together. This reinforces the idea that the action is being done as a group or pair.

• 가족과 함께 먹어요.

  ga·jok·gwa ham·gge mŏg·ŏ·yo.ga·jok·gwa ham·gge meog·eo·yo.ga·jok·gwa ham·kke mŏg·ŏ·yo.ka·cok·kwa ham·kkey meg·e·yo.

  I eat together with family.

• 저와 같이 가요.

  jŏ·wa gat·i ga·yo.jeo·wa gat·i ga·yo.jŏ·wa gat·i ga·yo.ce·wa kat·i ka·yo.

  Go together with me.

05

Formality and Usage

While 와/과 (wa/gwa) is used in both speech and writing, it has a slightly formal nuance. In very casual spoken conversations, Koreans often use 랑/이랑 (rang/i·rangrang/i·rangrang/i·ranglang/i·lang) or 하고 (ha·goha·goha·goha·ko) instead. However, 와/과 (wa/gwa) is the preferred choice for presentations, formal writing, news, and polite speech.

• 선생님과 학생

  sŏn·sæng·nim·gwa hak·sængseon·saeng·nim·gwa hak·saengsŏn·saeng·nim·gwa hak·saengsen·sayng·nim·kwa hak·sayng

  The teacher and the student