If you’ve ever lost points on a TOPIK reading passage because the answer choices all looked the same — or struggled to write a 300-word essay with natural transitions — connectors are your missing piece.

Korean connectors (접속어) are short, but they carry heavy meaning. A single word like 그러나 vs 그런데 can completely change how a sentence is read. In TOPIK Levels 3–6, these connectors appear constantly in:

• Reading passages — to signal the writer’s logic and conclusions
• Writing tasks — to link your ideas and earn structure points
• Listening — as cues that tell you what the speaker is about to say

Below are 10 high-frequency TOPIK connectors, each with: meaning, when to use it, example sentences (Korean + English), and common mistakes.

Why connectors matter so much in TOPIK

In TOPIK reading, the correct answer often depends on understanding the writer’s relationship between ideas — not just the vocabulary. Connectors tell you:

• Is the next idea a contrast? → 그러나, 반면에, 그렇지만
• Is it a result or conclusion? → 따라서, 그러므로, 결국
• Is it an addition? → 또한, 게다가, 뿐만 아니라
• Is it an unexpected shift? → 그런데, 하지만

Knowing these signals helps you read faster, understand the writer’s intention, and avoid trap choices.

10 Essential TOPIK Connectors — Meaning, Usage, and Examples

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1) 그러나 — Strong contrast (formal)

Meaning: “However” / “But” — introduces a strong contrast or opposition.

When to use: Academic essays, news articles, formal writing. When the second idea clearly contradicts or opposes the first.

Examples:

이 제도는 많은 혜택을 제공한다. 그러나 비용이 지나치게 높아 실효성이 낮다.

This system offers many benefits. However, the cost is excessively high, making it less effective in practice.

운동은 건강에 좋다고 알려져 있다. 그러나 무리한 운동은 오히려 해가 될 수 있다.

Exercise is known to be good for health. However, excessive exercise can actually be harmful.

TOPIK tip: 그러나 is a signal that the writer is about to challenge or qualify what was just said. In multiple-choice reading, the sentence after 그러나 often contains the writer’s real point.

Common mistake: Using 그러나 in casual spoken Korean. It sounds stiff in conversation — use 하지만 instead.

2) 그런데 — Soft shift or contrast (neutral/spoken)

Meaning: “But” / “By the way” / “However” — introduces a lighter contrast or shifts the topic.

When to use: Both spoken and written Korean. Less confrontational than 그러나. Can introduce a contrast or simply change the subject.

Examples:

음식이 맛있었다. 그런데 가격이 조금 비쌌다.

The food was delicious. But the price was a little expensive.

열심히 준비했다. 그런데 시험 날 컨디션이 좋지 않았다.

I prepared hard. But I wasn’t feeling well on the day of the exam.

TOPIK tip: When 그런데 appears in a reading passage, it signals an unexpected or complicating detail. Pay attention to what comes after — it’s often what the question is testing.

Common mistake: Confusing 그런데 with 그러나. 그런데 is softer and more versatile; 그러나 is sharper and more formal.

3) 반면에 — Direct contrast between two things

Meaning: “On the other hand” / “In contrast” — directly compares two different things or perspectives.

When to use: When presenting two sides of an issue, comparing groups, or discussing pros and cons. Very common in TOPIK 5–6 essays.

Examples:

온라인 쇼핑은 편리하다. 반면에 제품을 직접 확인할 수 없다는 단점이 있다.

Online shopping is convenient. On the other hand, it has the disadvantage of not being able to check the product in person.

A 제품은 성능이 뛰어나다. 반면에 B 제품은 가격이 저렴하다.

Product A has superior performance. In contrast, Product B is more affordable.

TOPIK tip: 반면에 almost always signals a two-part structure. In writing tasks, using 반면에 shows the examiner you can discuss multiple perspectives — which earns higher scores.

Common mistake: Using 반면에 when there’s no clear parallel comparison. It requires two clearly related subjects being contrasted.

4) 따라서 — Logical result or conclusion

Meaning: “Therefore” / “As a result” / “Consequently” — introduces a logical conclusion that follows from what was just said.

When to use: Formal writing and essays. When the second sentence is the logical outcome of the first. Very important for TOPIK writing tasks.

Examples:

수면이 부족하면 집중력이 떨어진다. 따라서 충분한 수면을 취하는 것이 중요하다.

Lack of sleep reduces concentration. Therefore, getting enough sleep is important.

환경 오염이 심각해지고 있다. 따라서 개인과 기업 모두의 노력이 필요하다.

Environmental pollution is getting worse. Therefore, efforts from both individuals and companies are needed.

TOPIK tip: In TOPIK reading, the sentence after 따라서 is almost always the writer’s main argument or recommendation. It’s a strong signal for “the answer is here.”

Common mistake: Confusing 따라서 with 그래서. Both mean “therefore,” but 따라서 is more formal and academic. Use 따라서 in writing tasks; 그래서 is fine in spoken Korean.

5) 그러므로 — Formal conclusion (similar to 따라서)

Meaning: “Therefore” / “For this reason” — a formal conclusion marker, slightly more formal than 따라서.

When to use: Academic writing, formal essays, official documents. Often used to summarize an argument before presenting the final point.

Examples:

이 연구는 새로운 증거를 제시한다. 그러므로 기존 이론을 재검토할 필요가 있다.

This research presents new evidence. Therefore, there is a need to re-examine existing theories.

시간 낭비를 줄이면 생산성이 향상된다. 그러므로 효율적인 시간 관리가 필수적이다.

Reducing wasted time improves productivity. Therefore, efficient time management is essential.

TOPIK tip: 그러므로 and 따라서 are nearly interchangeable in TOPIK. Both signal a logical conclusion. Use either in your writing — but be consistent.

Common mistake: Using 그러므로 in casual speech — it sounds overly stiff. Save it for written contexts.

6) 또한 — Adding a parallel point

Meaning: “Also” / “In addition” / “Furthermore” — adds another idea that supports or extends the previous one.

When to use: When building an argument with multiple supporting reasons. Very useful in TOPIK writing to add a second or third point.

Examples:

규칙적인 운동은 체력을 향상시킨다. 또한 스트레스를 줄이는 데도 효과적이다.

Regular exercise improves physical fitness. Also, it is effective in reducing stress.

이 제품은 품질이 우수하다. 또한 가격도 합리적이다.

This product is of excellent quality. Furthermore, the price is also reasonable.

TOPIK tip: 또한 is great for listing multiple reasons in a paragraph. In reading, it tells you that more supporting details are coming — not a contrast.

Common mistake: Confusing 또한 with 반면에. 또한 adds to the same direction; 반면에 shifts to the opposite direction.

7) 게다가 — Adding something surprising or stronger

Meaning: “On top of that” / “Moreover” / “What’s more” — adds something that goes beyond what was already said, often with a slightly surprised or emphatic feeling.

When to use: When the added information makes the situation even more positive or negative than expected.

Examples:

그 식당은 음식이 맛있다. 게다가 가격까지 저렴해서 자주 간다.

That restaurant has delicious food. On top of that, the prices are cheap too, so I go often.

오늘 출근이 늦었다. 게다가 중요한 서류도 집에 두고 왔다.

I was late for work today. What’s more, I also left an important document at home.

TOPIK tip: 게다가 carries an emotional weight that 또한 doesn’t. When you see 게다가 in a reading passage, it often signals accumulating problems or advantages — useful for understanding the writer’s tone.

Common mistake: Using 게다가 in formal academic writing. It’s common in everyday writing and journalism, but 또한 sounds more appropriate in a formal essay.

8) 그래서 — Natural cause and result (spoken/informal)

Meaning: “So” / “That’s why” — a natural, everyday way to connect a cause and its result.

When to use: Spoken Korean, informal writing, daily situations. The casual version of 따라서.

Examples:

비가 많이 왔다. 그래서 약속을 취소했다.

It rained a lot. So I cancelled the appointment.

배가 고팠다. 그래서 편의점에 들렀다.

I was hungry. So I stopped at a convenience store.

TOPIK tip: In TOPIK 3–4 reading, 그래서 often appears in informal texts like diary entries or personal essays. Understanding it as a simple cause-result signal helps you move through these passages faster.

Common mistake: Using 그래서 in a formal TOPIK writing task (5–6 level). Replace it with 따라서 or 그러므로 to sound more academic.

9) 결국 — Final outcome after a process

Meaning: “In the end” / “Eventually” / “After all” — summarizes what happened after a series of events or attempts.

When to use: When describing an outcome that came after a long process, multiple attempts, or a development over time.

Examples:

여러 번 도전했지만 결국 포기하고 말았다.

I tried many times, but in the end I gave up.

협상이 길어졌지만 결국 합의에 이르렀다.

The negotiations dragged on, but eventually an agreement was reached.

TOPIK tip: 결국 often appears near the end of a reading passage and signals the final conclusion after a process has been described. In writing, using 결국 in your closing paragraph gives a sense of logical completion.

Common mistake: Confusing 결국 with 따라서. 결국 describes a final outcome after time or effort; 따라서 draws a logical conclusion immediately from the previous sentence.

10) 즉 — Clarification or restatement

Meaning: “That is” / “In other words” / “Namely” — introduces a clarification, definition, or restatement of what was just said.

When to use: When you want to explain, define, or restate an idea more clearly. Very useful in academic reading and formal writing.

Examples:

이 현상은 경기 침체, 즉 소비 감소와 투자 위축의 결과로 나타난다.

This phenomenon appears as a result of economic stagnation — that is, decreased consumption and reduced investment.

그 조건을 충족하지 못했다. 즉, 자격이 없다는 뜻이다.

The condition was not met. In other words, it means there is no eligibility.

TOPIK tip: When 즉 appears in a reading passage, the part that follows is usually a simpler or more precise version of the idea before it — this often directly answers a comprehension question.

Common mistake: Overusing 즉 in writing. It’s powerful precisely because it’s specific. Use it once or twice when a clarification is genuinely needed, not as a filler.

Quick Reference Table

Connector	Meaning	Formality	Main use
그러나	However (strong contrast)	Formal	Reading, writing
그런데	But / by the way	Neutral	Reading, listening
반면에	On the other hand	Formal	Essays, comparisons
따라서	Therefore (logical result)	Formal	Essays, conclusions
그러므로	Therefore (formal)	Very formal	Academic writing
또한	Also / in addition	Formal	Essays, adding points
게다가	On top of that / moreover	Neutral	Daily writing, emphasis
그래서	So (cause-result)	Informal	Spoken, casual texts
결국	In the end / eventually	Neutral	Narratives, conclusions
즉	That is / in other words	Formal	Definitions, clarifications

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3 Ways to Make These Connectors Work for You in TOPIK

1) Use them as reading signals, not just vocabulary

When you see a connector in a passage, pause and label it:

• Contrast → expect the opposite
• Result → expect a conclusion
• Addition → expect more support

This habit alone speeds up your reading comprehension significantly.

2) Vary your connectors in TOPIK writing

TOPIK writing evaluators notice repetition. If you use 그리고 five times in one essay, it costs you points. Try this structure:

First point: 첫째, … 또한 … Contrast: 반면에 … Conclusion: 따라서 / 결국 …

3) Read one Korean article per week and highlight every connector

Sites like Naver News or Korea Herald Korean edition are free. Just highlight each connector, write its type (contrast / result / addition), and you’ll internalize these patterns quickly.

Keep Going with a Weekly 7-Day Routine

Connectors are just one piece of the TOPIK puzzle — but once they click, your reading speed and writing scores both improve noticeably.

If you want to keep building these skills week by week with a structured daily routine, check out the TOPIK Level 3–6 7-Day Study PDF Template below. It’s designed so that even one week of consistent practice makes a real difference.

👉 TOPIK Level 3–6 7-Day Study PDF Template → lingobooststudio.gumroad.com

Finish this week. Continue next week. That’s how TOPIK scores improve. 🙌