What is “과/와”?

“과/와” is a particle in Korean used to connect nouns. It indicates and, together with, or in comparison with.

Forms

• Ends with a vowel (받침 없음): Use 와 → 친구 → 친구와 (friend and)
• Ends with a consonant (받침 있음): Use 과 → 책 → 책과 (book and)

1. Indicating Togetherness

Used to indicate people or entities doing something together.

• 친구와 영화를 봤어요. (I watched a movie with my friend.)
• 가족과 저녁을 먹었어요. (I had dinner with my family.)
• 선생님과 이야기를 나눴어요. (I had a conversation with the teacher.)
• 엄마와 함께 소풍을 갔어요. (I went on a picnic with my mother.)

2. Connecting Multiple Items

Connects two or more items, treating them equally as a pair or group.

• 고기와 야채를 샀어요. (I bought meat and vegetables.)
• 도서관과 학교는 가까워요. (The library and the school are close.)
• 이 가게는 모자와 신발을 팔아요. (This store sells hats and shoes.)
• 산과 바다가 모두 아름다웠어요. (Both the mountains and the sea were beautiful.)

3. Making Comparisons

Compares two entities, showing similarities or differences.

• 이 색깔은 저 색깔과 비슷해요. (This color is similar to that one.)
• 형은 저와 달리 운동을 좋아해요. (My older brother, unlike me, likes exercise.)
• 새로운 직장은 전 직장과 비교하면 더 좋아요. (The new job is better compared to the previous one.)
• 이 두 그림은 색깔과 분위기가 달라요. (These two paintings differ in colors and the mood.)

4. Variations

“과/와” in fixed expressions, combined with other particles:

• 과/와도: Indicates inclusion → 그녀와도 연락했어요. (I also contacted her.)
• 과/와는: Indicates contrast → 그와는 의견이 달라요. (I have a different opinion from him.)

Practice Quiz

Fill in the blanks with 과 or 와:

1. _____ (산) 바다가 모두 아름다웠어요.
   (Both the mountains and the sea were beautiful.)
2. _____ (가족) 저녁을 먹었어요.
   (I had dinner with my family.)
3. _____ (선생님) 이야기를 나눴어요.
   (I had a conversation with the teacher.)
4. _____ (고기) 야채를 샀어요.
   (I bought meat and vegetables.)
5. 형은 _____ (저) 달리 운동을 좋아해요.
   (My older brother, unlike me, likes exercise.)

Answers

• 산과 바다가 모두 아름다웠어요. 
• 가족과 저녁을 먹었어요. 
• 선생님과 이야기를 나눴어요. 
• 고기와 야채를 샀어요.
• 형은 저와 달리 운동을 좋아해요.