🧩 Transition Words in Korean: 그래서, 그런데, 그러면...
If you want to sound more fluent in Korean, mastering transition words is a must. These little words help your ideas flow smoothly from one sentence to another — just like "so", "but", and "then" in English.
Let’s explore the most commonly used Korean transition words with examples and explanations!
1. 그래서 – So / Therefore
Use 그래서 when explaining a result or reason.
Example:
비가 왔어요. 그래서 우산을 썼어요.
It rained. So I used an umbrella.
2. 그런데 – But / By the way
그런데 is flexible! Use it to introduce a contrasting idea, or even a change in topic.
Examples:
오늘은 바빠요. 그런데 내일은 괜찮아요.
I'm busy today. But I'm free tomorrow.
저는 미국 사람이에요. 그런데 한국어를 공부해요.
I'm American. But I'm studying Korean.
3. 그러면 – Then / In that case
그러면 (often shortened to 그럼) means "then" or "in that case". It's useful when responding logically.
Examples:
시간이 없어요. 그러면 내일 만나요.
I don’t have time. Then let’s meet tomorrow.
비가 오네요. 그러면 택시 타요.
It’s raining. Then let’s take a taxi.
4. 하지만 / 그렇지만 – However / But
Both mean "however", but 하지만 is slightly more casual.
Examples:
한국어는 어려워요. 하지만 재미있어요.
Korean is difficult. But it’s fun.
공부했어요. 그렇지만 시험을 못 봤어요.
I studied. However, I didn’t do well on the test.
5. 그리고 – And
Use 그리고 to connect ideas in a sequence.
Example:
아침을 먹었어요. 그리고 커피를 마셨어요.
I ate breakfast. And then I drank coffee.
📝 Summary Table
| Transition | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 그래서 | So / Therefore | Result of previous sentence |
| 그런데 | But / By the way | Contrast / New topic |
| 그러면 (그럼) | Then / In that case | Logical response |
| 하지만 / 그렇지만 | However | Stronger contrast |
| 그리고 | And | Sequence connector |
💬 Practice Tip
Try writing a short paragraph about your day using at least 3 transition words from above. For feedback and corrections, join my Korean class on italki — I’ll help you connect your ideas like a native speaker!
Which Korean connector do you use most? Try a sentence in the comments, and I’ll check it for you!
Did You Know?
In Korean culture, conversations often feel indirect. Instead of saying “No,” people might say, “그런데 조금 어려울 것 같아요…” (But it might be a little difficult...) This reflects a cultural preference for harmony and avoiding confrontation.
