Korean grammar · Elementary (A2)
Reasons: -아서/-어서, -(으)니까, -기 때문에
The three everyday ways to say “because” in Korean and when each fits, plus 때문에, 덕분에, -는 바람에 and the written -(으)로 인해.
-아서/-어서: because (everyday)
-아서/-어서 is the most common way to give a reason. It follows the vowel rule of the present: (apaseo), (neujeoseo), (pigonhaeseo). After a noun, use 이라서 or 라서: (jumariraseo), because it's the weekend; (hyugaraseo), because I'm on holiday.
Two rules: the reason never takes the past (say , not 늦었어서, even for yesterday), and the second part can't be a request or suggestion (not 비가 와서 우산을 가져가세요; use -(으)니까 there).
-아서 is also the form used in thanks and apologies: (neujeoseo joesonghamnida), I'm sorry I'm late; (dowajusyeoseo gamsahamnida), thank you for helping me; (mannaseo bangapseumnida), nice to meet you.
- 목이 아파서 어제 못 잤어요.Mogi apaseo eoje mot jasseoyo.I couldn't sleep last night because my throat hurt.
- 길이 막혀서 늦었어요.Giri makyeoseo neujeosseoyo.I'm late because the traffic was bad.
- 오늘은 일요일이라서 가게가 문을 닫았어요.Oneureun iryoiriraseo gagega muneul dadasseoyo.The shop is closed because it's Sunday today.
-(으)니까: because (so do this)
-(으)니까 (-(eu)nikka) gives a reason the speaker presents as obvious or as grounds for what follows. It is the one to use before a request, suggestion or offer: (biga onikka usaneul gajyeogaseyo), it's raining, so take an umbrella. -니까 after a vowel or ㄹ (which drops: (meolda) → (meonikka)), -으니까 after a consonant, and it can take the past: (neujeosseunikka).
Because it sounds like “as you can see”, it can feel pushy in apologies; say (neujeoseo joesonghaeyo), not 늦었으니까 죄송해요. With a past action it can also mean “when I did …, I found”: (jibe ganikka amudo eopseosseoyo), when I got home, nobody was there.
- 시간이 없으니까 택시 타요.Sigani eopseunikka taeksi tayo.We don't have time, so let's take a taxi.
- 지금은 바쁘니까 이따가 전화해 주세요.Jigeumeun bappeunikka ittaga jeonhwahae juseyo.I'm busy now, so please call me later.
- 내가 살게. 지난번에 네가 샀으니까.Naega salge. Jinanbeone nega sasseunikka.It's on me. You paid last time. (casual)
-기 때문에 and 때문에
-기 때문에 (-gi ttaemune) is a stronger, more explicit “because”, common in writing and formal speech: (sigani eopgi ttaemune). It can take the past ( (haetgi ttaemune)) but, like -아서, not a request after it. To end a sentence with the reason, use (ttaemunieyo), often after (waenyahamyeon), because: (waenyahamyeon bissagi ttaemunieyo), because it's expensive.
After a noun, means “because of”: (bi ttaemune), because of the rain; (il ttaemune), because of work. For a good cause, use (deokbune), thanks to: (seonsaengnim deokbune hapgyeokhaesseoyo), I passed thanks to you.
| Ending | Past before it? | Request after it? | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| -아서/-어서 | no | no | everyday reasons, thanks, apologies |
| -(으)니까 | yes | yes | reasons for a request, suggestion or offer |
| -기 때문에 | yes | no | clear, strong reasons; writing |
| noun + | — | no | because of something (often bad) |
| noun + | — | no | thanks to someone or something |
- 눈 때문에 비행기가 취소됐어요.Nun ttaemune bihaenggiga chwisodwaesseoyo.The flight was cancelled because of the snow.
- 이 일은 경험이 중요하기 때문에 신입보다 경력자를 뽑아요.I ireun gyeongheomi jungyohagi ttaemune sinipboda gyeongnyeokjareul ppobayo.Experience matters in this job, so they hire experienced people rather than newcomers.
Bad results and formal causes
-는 바람에 (-neun barame) gives a cause that led to an unwanted result. It goes on verbs only, always in the -는 form, and the second part is in the past: (neutjameul janeun barame baereul notchyeosseoyo), I overslept, so I missed the ferry.
In news, reports and announcements, (으)로 인해 (-(eu)ro inhae) after a noun means “due to”: (taepungeuro inhae), due to the typhoon. In speech, says the same.
- 갑자기 비가 오는 바람에 옷이 다 젖었어요.Gapjagi biga oneun barame osi da jeojeosseoyo.It suddenly rained, and I got soaked.
- 태풍으로 인해 모든 배가 결항되었습니다.Taepungeuro inhae modeun baega gyeolhangdoeeotseumnida.All ferries have been cancelled due to the typhoon.