-과

See also: 과

Korean

Etymology

From Middle Korean 과〮 (Yale: -kwá), from Old Korean 果 (*-kwa).

Particle

과 • (-gwa)

1. and

   Synonyms: (colloquial) 이랑 (-irang), (rather literary) 이며 (-imyeo)

   책과 연필 ― chaek-gwa yeonpil ― pencil and book

2. with; together with

   Synonym: (colloquial) 이랑 (-irang)

   가족과 같이 가세요? ― gajok-gwa gachi gase-yo? ― Are [you] going with [your] family?

   미군은 아프간에서 탈레반과 싸웠다.

   Migun-eun Apeugan-eseo Talleban-'gwa ssawotda.

   U.S. forces fought with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

3. as, from; used in comparisons

   Synonym: (colloquial) 이랑 (-irang)

   나는 너와 다르다. ― Na-neun neo-wa dareuda. ― I am different from you.

   그의 성격은 불과 같다.

   Geu-ui seonggyeog-eun bul-gwa gatda.

   His personality is similar to fire.

Alternative forms

• 과 (-gwa) — after consonants
• 와 (-wa) — after vowels
• 가 (-ga) — Yukjin dialect, after both vowels and consonants