Learn Hardcore Korean: jeonyeogeul meokgo naseo syawohaeyo.

The connector -고 나서 attaches to a verb stem (먹- → 먹고 나서) and means “after doing something.” It shows that the first action (eating dinner) is completed before the next one (taking a shower) begins.

How does the tense work when using -고 나서? Which verb determines the time?

Only the final verb reflects the tense. In 저녁을 먹고 나서 샤워해요, 샤워해요 is in the present tense, so the overall meaning is: after eating (past event), you shower (habitual/present).

Can we omit the object particle -을/를 in 저녁을 먹고 나서 and say 저녁 먹고 나서?

Yes. In casual speech or writing, dropping the object marker is common when the meaning remains clear. So 저녁 먹고 나서 is perfectly natural and sounds more colloquial.

What’s the difference between 먹고 나서 and 먹은 다음에?

Both convey “after eating,” but:

-고 나서 is more conversational and directly attaches to the verb stem.
-은 다음에 is slightly more formal or written; you use the past participle (먹은) + 다음에.

Why is 저녁 marked with -을 in 저녁을 먹고?

Because 저녁 is the direct object of the verb 먹다 (to eat). In Korean, direct objects take -을/를: 저녁을 먹다 = “eat dinner.”

Why do we say 샤워해요 instead of 샤워를 해요?

Both are grammatically correct. However, 샤워해요 is often treated like an intransitive verb in everyday speech, so the object particle -를 is dropped:
• 샤워해요 = (I) shower.
• 샤워를 해요 is more explicit (“I do a shower”), but feels slightly more formal or bookish.

Is 샤워해요 a native Korean word?

No, 샤워하다 is a loanword from English shower. It’s fully integrated into Korean, though, and more commonly used than the pure-Korean equivalent 목욕하다 when referring to “taking a shower.”

What speech level is 샤워해요?

The verb ending -해요 is the polite informal speech level (해요체). It’s friendly and respectful—ideal for daily conversation with people you’re not extremely close with.

Can you use -고 나서 with nouns or only with verbs?

-고 나서 only attaches to verb stems. If you need to say “after [noun],” you use 명사 + 후(에). For example: 수업 후에 (after class).

Could you remove 나서 and just say 저녁을 먹고 샤워해요? What’s the nuance change?

Yes, you can say 저녁을 먹고 샤워해요. Both mean “I eat dinner and then shower,” but:
• Without -나서, it’s a straightforward sequence.
• With -나서, you emphasize the completion of eating before starting the shower.