What is -고서야 Grammar?
The -고서야 grammar is used to emphasize that one action must be completed before another can happen. It translates to “only after” or “not until” in English. It expresses a strong condition, often implying that something is impossible without fulfilling the first action.
This structure is primarily used:
- To emphasize that a second action can only occur after the first is completed.
- To express necessity or inevitability.
- In both spoken and written Korean, but more often in formal or literary contexts.
Conjugation Rules
Verbs + -고서야
끝나다 (to finish) → 끝나고서야 (“Only after finishing”)
떠나다 (to leave) → 떠나고서야 (“Not until leaving”)
떠나다 (to leave) → 떠나고서야 (“Not until leaving”)
Generally, -고서야 is not used with adjectives or nouns directly.
아파 보고서야 건강의 소중함을 깨달았다.
Only after getting sick did I realize the importance of health.
When and How to Use -고서야
1. Expressing necessity or preconditions:
이 일을 다 끝내고서야 퇴근할 수 있어요.
Only after finishing this work can I go home.
돈을 벌고서야 여행을 갈 수 있다.
I can travel only after making money.
2. Showing inevitability:
아파 보고서야 건강의 소중함을 깨달았다.
Only after getting sick did I realize the importance of health.
네 말을 듣고서야 상황을 이해했다.
Only after hearing what you said did I understand the situation.
3. Highlighting a delayed realization or consequence:
차를 잃어버리고서야 얼마나 소중한지 알게 되었다.
Only after losing my car did I realize how important it was.
Only after making a mistake did I realize the method was wrong .
Differences from Similar Grammar Patterns
| Ending | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어서야 | Only when/only if | Emphasizes necessity but is often used with conditions |
| -고 나서야 | Only after | Similar but focuses more on chronological order |
| -고서야 | Not until/only after | Strong emphasis on a necessary condition |
| -지 않고는 | Without doing | Used to show something cannot happen without another action |
Examples of -고서야 in Use
1. 시험이 끝나고서야 마음이 놓였다.Only after the exam ended did I feel relieved.
2. 책을 다 읽고서야 내용을 이해할 수 있었다.
I could understand the content only after reading the entire book.
3. 부모님이 되고서야 부모님의 마음을 이해했다.
Only after becoming a parent did I understand my parents' feelings.
4. 여러 번 실패하고서야 성공할 수 있었다.
I could succeed only after failing multiple times.
5. 그의 설명을 듣고서야 모든 게 명확해졌다.
Only after hearing his explanation did everything become clear.
6. 일을 해 보고서야 얼마나 힘든지 알았다.
Only after working did I realize how hard it was.
7. 직접 가 보고서야 그곳이 얼마나 아름다운지 알게 되었다.
Only after visiting did I realize how beautiful that place was.
8. 늦게 도착하고서야 길이 막힌 걸 알았다.
Only after arriving late did I realize the road was congested.
9. 친구와 싸우고서야 내가 잘못했다는 걸 깨달았다.
Only after fighting with my friend did I realize I was wrong.
10. 건강을 잃고서야 건강의 소중함을 알게 되었다.
Only after losing my health did I realize its importance.
Practice Sentences
Try translating these sentences into Korean using -고서야:
1. "Only after working hard can you achieve success."
2. "Not until I met him did I understand his personality."
3. "I realized how delicious the food was only after trying it."
(Answers: 열심히 일하고서야 성공할 수 있다. / 그를 만나고서야 그의 성격을 이해했다. / 음식을 먹어 보고서야 얼마나 맛있는지 알았다.)
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