Etymology[edit]
From Middle Korean 과〮 (Yale: -kwá), from Old Korean 果 (*-kwa).
Particle[edit]
과 • (-gwa)
- and
- Synonyms: (colloquial) 이랑 (-irang), (rather literary) 이며 (-imyeo)
- 책과 연필 ― chaek-gwa yeonpil ― pencil and book
- 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.
- 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[edit]
- 과 (-gwa) — after consonants
- 와 (-wa) — after vowels
- 가 (-ga) — Yukjin dialect, after both vowels and consonants
