V-고 나다, -고 나서, -고 나면, and -고 나니(까) grammar = after, and then, and so ~express sequence of actions

V-고 나다, -고 나서, -고 나면, and -고 나니(까) grammar = and then, and so, after ~express sequence of actions

Usage:
- V-고 나다 is used to express sequence of actions that the 2nd action occurs after the completion of the 1st one = and then, and so, after 

- V-고 나서 = V-고 나다 + 아서: express "sequence of actions" 

- V-고 나면 = V-고 나다 + 면: express "sequence of actions with condition"

- V-고 나니(까) = V-고 나다 + 니(까): express "sequence of actions with background information"

샤워를 하고 나서 기분이 상쾌했어요. 

After taking a shower, I feel refreshed.

샤워를 하고 나면 기분이 상쾌했어요.

After taking a shower, I feel refreshed.

샤워를 하고 나니 기분이 상쾌했어요. 

As I took a shower, I felt refreshed.

Tense

보다 -> 보고 나서, 보고 나면, 보고 나니 (after watching)

듣다 -> 듣고 나서, 듣고 나면, 듣고 나니 (after hearing)

사다 -> 사고 나서, 사고 나면, 사고 나니 (after buying)

쉬다 -> 쉬고 나서, 쉬고 나면, 쉬고 나니 (after resting)

운동하다 -> 운동하고 나서/면/니 (after working out)

Examples

1. 텔레비전을 보고 나서 자요.

I slept after watching TV.

2. 아침을 먹고 나서 회사에 가요.

I go to company after eating breakfast.

3. 필요 없는 물건을 사고 나서 후회해요.

I regret it after buying thing I don't need.

4. 글을 잘 읽고 나서 문제를 푸세요.

Read the text carefully and then solve the problem.

5. 준비 운동을 하고 나서 수영을 하세요.

Warm up and then swim.

6. 식사를 하고 나서 바로 설거지를 하는 것이 좋습니다.

It's good to wash the dishes right after eating.

7. 청소를 하고 나니 방이 깨끗해졌어요.

After cleaning, the room became clean.

8. 오랫동안 노래를 부르고 나니 목이 좀 아프네요.

My throat hurts a bit after singing for a long time.

9. 감기약을 먹고 나면 열이 내려갈 거예요.

Your fever will go down after taking cold medicine.

10. 운동을 하고 나면 늘 피곤해요.

I am tired after working out.

11. 나는 아침에 일어나서 샤워를 해요. 샤워를 끝나고 나서 아침 식사를 해요.

I wake up in the morning and take a shower. After having a shower, I have a breakfast.

12. 숙제를 다 하고 나서 밖에 친구를 만나러 가요.

After doing all the homework, I go out to meet my friend.

13. 김 선생님, 서류를 언제까지 드릴까요?

- 수업이 끝나고 나서 주세요.

Teach Kim, when shall I give you the documents?

- Please give them to me after the class.

14. 듣기 시험을 어떻게 봐요?

- 문제를 잘 듣고 나서 대답을 찾으세요.

How do you take the listening test?

- Listen the question carefully and then find the answer.

15. 몸은 좀 어때요?

- 푹 쉬고 나니 괜찮아졌어요.

How are you feeling?

- After a good rest, I felt better.

16. 민지 씨, 오늘 좀 피곤해 보여요.

- 숙제를 다 끝내고 나니 아침이 되었어요. 그래서 잠을 거의 못 잤어요.

Minji, you look a little tired today.

- After finishing all the homework, it was morning. So I hardly slept.

Specific usage:

 

1.  In some cases, -나서 can be omitted without changing the meaning. The inclusion of -나서 simply clarifies that the 1st action has completed. 

일하고 나서 쉬세요 = 일하고 쉬세요.
Please take a rest after finishing work

2. If the subject of the motion and state verbs are the same in the both clauses, such as 가다 = to go, 오다 = to come, 올라가다 = to go up, 내려가다 = to go down, 일어나다 = to wake up, 앉다 = to sit, 눕다 = to lie down, 만나다 = to meet, then -아/어서 is used instead of -고 and -고 나서. 

나는 학교에 가고 나서 공부해요. (wrong)

→ 나는 학교에 가서 공부해요.

I go to school and study.

한라산에 올라가고 나서 사진을 찍었어요. (wrong)

→ 한라산에 올라가서 사진을 찍었어요.

I climbed Halla mountain and took the pictures.