Table of Contents
Introduction
Learning because in Korean is one of the most important steps when you start studying the Korean language. When you want to explain why something happens or give reasons for your actions, you need to know how to use “because” correctly. In this guide, we’ll explore everything about how to say because in Korean, including different ways to express it and common phrases you’ll use every day.
Understanding the Basic Word for “Because” in Korean
In Korean, there are many different grammar patterns to express “because” such as -(으)므로, -는 바람에, -느라고, -는 탓에 and others. However, in this blog, we’ll focus on the four most commonly used patterns that you’ll need in everyday conversation:
1. -아서/-어서 (-aseo/-eoseo) – The most natural and common way to say “because” in spoken Korean.
2. -(으)니까 (-(eu)nikka) – Another very common way, often used when giving suggestions or when the result is obvious.
3. 때문에 (ttaemune) – Used after nouns to mean “because of”
4. -(이)라서 (-(i)raseo) – Used after nouns with the meaning “because it is”
These four patterns will cover almost all the situations where you need to say “because” in Korean!
Different Ways to Express “Because” in Korean
1. Using -아서/-어서 (-aseo/-eoseo)
This is actually the most natural way to say “because” in Korean. You attach -아서 or -어서 to the end of verb stems. It’s like connecting two ideas together.
- If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, use -아서
- For other vowels, use -어서
For example:
- 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹어서 (because of eating)
- 가다 (to go) becomes 가서 (because of going)
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
늦어서 미안해요.
Pronunciation Guide
늦어서 (neu-jeo-seo) 미안해요 (mi-a-nae-yo).
Meaning and Context
늦 (to be late) 어서 (because) 미안해요 (I’m sorry; in a polite and friendly way).
English Translation
I’m sorry because I’m late.
Literal Translation
I’m sorry because (I)’m late.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
바빠서 못 만나요.
Pronunciation Guide
바빠서 (ba-bba-seo) 못 (mon) 만나요 (man-na-yo).
Meaning and Context
바쁘 (to be busy) 아서 (because) 못 (can not) 만나 (to meet) 아요 (am; I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
I can’t meet because I’m busy.
Literal Translation
(I) can’t meet because (I)’m busy.
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2. Using -(으)니까 (-(eu)nikka)
This form is very common in spoken Korean, especially when you’re giving advice or when the result seems obvious. Add -니까 after vowels and -으니까 after consonants.
For example:
- 좋다 (to be good) becomes 좋으니까 (because it’s good)
- 춥다 (to be cold) becomes 추우니까 (because it’s cold)
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
비가 오니까 우산 가져가세요.
Pronunciation Guide
비가 (bi-ga) 오니까 (o-ni-gga) 우산 (u-san) 가져가세요 (ga-jyeo-ga-se-yo).
Meaning and Context
비 (rain) 가 (subject marker; I’m going to talk about rain) 오 (to come) 니까 (because) 우산 (umbrella) 가져가 (to take and go) 세요 (polite ending; please).
English Translation
Take an umbrella because it’s raining.
Literal Translation
Please take umbrella and go because rain come.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
어려우니까 천천히 해요.
Pronunciation Guide
어려우니까 (eo-ryeo-u-ni-gga) 천천히 (cheon-cheo-ni) 해요 (hae-yo).
Meaning and Context
어렵 (to be difficult) 으니까 (because) 천천히 (slowly) 해요 (do; I’m telling you to do this).
English Translation
Do it slowly because it’s difficult.
Literal Translation
Do slowly because (it)’s difficult.
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3. Using 때문에 (ttaemune)
This word means “because of” and is used after nouns. It’s perfect for when you want to explain because of you in Korean or because of me in Korean.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
너 때문에 행복해.
Pronunciation Guide
너 (neo) 때문에 (ddae-mu-ne) 행복해 (haeng-bo-ke).
Meaning and Context
너 (you) 때문에 (because of) 행복해 ((I)’m happy; in a casual tone).
English Translation
I’m happy because of you.
Literal Translation
(I)’m happy because of you.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
시험 때문에 못 갔어요.
Pronunciation Guide
시험 (si-heom) 때문에 (ddae-mu-ne) 못 (mot) 갔어요 (ga-sseo-yo).
Meaning and Context
시험 (exam) 때문에 (because of) 못 (can not) 갔 (went) 어요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
I couldn’t go because of the exam.
Literal Translation
(I) couldn’t go because of exam.
4. Using -(이)라서 (-(i)raseo)
This form is used after nouns and means “because it is.” Use -이라서 after consonants and -라서 after vowels.
For example:
- 학생이라서 (because I’m a student)
- 의사라서 (because I’m a doctor)
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
학생이라서 돈이 없어요.
Pronunciation Guide
학생이라서 (hak-ssaeng-i-ra-seo) 돈이 (do-ni) 없어요 (eop-sseo-yo).
Meaning and Context
학생 (student) 이라서 (because) 돈 (money) 이 (subject marker; my subject is money) 없 (to not have) 어요 (am; I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
I don’t have money because I’m a student.
Literal Translation
(I) don’t have money because (I)’m student.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
주말이라서 쉬어요.
Pronunciation Guide
주말이라서 (ju-ma-ri-ra-seo) 쉬어요 (swi-eo-yo).
Meaning and Context
주말 (weekend) 이라서 (because) 쉬 (to rest) 어요 (am; I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
I’m resting because it’s the weekend.
Literal Translation
(I)’m resting because (it)’s weekend.
Just Because in Korean
When you want to say just because in Korean, you can use several expressions:
- 그냥 (geunyang) – just, simply
- 이유 없이 (iyu eopsi) – without reason
- 단지 (danji) – just, only
Sometimes people do things “just because” without a special reason. In Korean, you might say 그냥 하고 싶어서 (geunyang hago sipeoseo) which means “just because I want to.”
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
그냥 좋아해요.
Pronunciation Guide
그냥 (geu-nyang) 좋아해요 (jo-a-hae-yo).
Meaning and Context
그냥 (just) 좋아해요 (like; I’m telling you polite and friendly).
English Translation
I just like it (for no particular reason).
Literal Translation
(I) just like.
Because of You in Korean
Because of you in Korean is expressed as 너 때문에 (neo ttaemune) in casual speech or 당신 때문에 (dangsin ttaemune) in more formal situations. This phrase can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
When something good happens because of someone, you might say:
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
너 때문에 힘들어.
Pronunciation Guide
너 (neo) 때문에 (ddae-mu-ne) 힘들어 (him-deu-reo).
Meaning and Context
너 (you) 때문에 (because of) 힘들 (to be hard) 어 (is; I’m telling you casually).
English Translation
It’s hard because of you.
Literal Translation
(It)’s hard because of you.
Because of Me in Korean
Because of me in Korean is 나 때문에 (na ttaemune) in casual speech or 저 때문에 (jeo ttaemune) in formal speech. People often use this when they feel responsible for something or when they’re apologizing.
Example Sentences:
Original Korean Sentence
나 때문에 미안해.
Pronunciation Guide
나 (na) 때문에 (ddae-mu-ne) 미안해 (mi-a-ne).
Meaning and Context
나 (me) 때문에 (because of) 미안해 ((I) am sorry; I’m telling you casually).
English Translation
I’m sorry because of me.
Literal Translation
(I)’m sorry because of me.
Common Mistakes When Learning “Because” in Korean
Many students make mistakes when they first learn how to use “because” in Korean. Here are some common problems:
- Using 왜냐하면 incorrectly: Remember that 왜냐하면 usually comes at the beginning of the sentence that gives the reason.
- Confusing -아서/-어서 with -고: The ending -고 means “and” while -아서/-어서 shows cause and effect.
- Forgetting about 때문에: This is super important for expressing “because of” with nouns.
Tips for Natural Korean Conversations
When you’re having real conversations in Korean, here are some tips for using “because” naturally:
- Use -아서/-어서 most often: This is the most natural way to connect ideas in spoken Korean.
- Don’t always translate directly: Sometimes English uses “because” where Korean might use different connecting words.
- Listen to context: The same Korean sentence might be translated differently depending on the situation.
- Practice with emotions: Koreans often use “because” when talking about feelings and emotions.
Cultural Notes About Giving Reasons in Korean
In Korean culture, giving reasons and explanations is very important. People often expect you to explain why you’re doing something, especially in formal situations. This makes learning how to say because in Korean even more valuable.
When you’re late, you should explain why. When you can’t do something, you should give a reason. This cultural aspect makes “because” one of the most useful words in Korean.
Korean Examples:
- 교통이 막혀서 늦었어요. (Gyotong-i makhyeoseo neujeosseoyo.) – I’m late because of traffic.
- 아파서 못 갔어요. (Apaseo mot gasseoyo.) – I couldn’t go because I was sick.
Advanced Usage and Formal Situations
As you get better at Korean, you’ll learn more formal ways to express “because.” In business or academic writing, you might use:
- -으므로/-므로 (eumuro/muro): A very formal way to say “because”
- -인 까닭에 (in kkadag-e): Another formal expression meaning “for the reason that”
These are more advanced, but it’s good to know they exist for when you need to sound very polite or formal.
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Original Korean Sentence
사자가 코끼리를 물어요.
Pronunciation Guide
사자가 (sa-ja-ga) 코끼리를 (ko-ggi-ri-reul) 무러요 (mu-reo-yo).
English Translation
The lion bites the elephant.
Literal Translation
Lion bite elephant.
Quick Reference
사자가 (lion) 코끼리를 (elephant) 물어요 (bite).
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Meaning and Context
사자 (lion)
→ The lion — now it takes a stronger action in the story.
가 (subject marker)
→ Points out that the lion is doing this action.
코끼리 (elephant)
→ The one being acted on — our elephant friend.
를 (object marker)
→ Shows that the elephant is the object of the action.
물 (to bite)
→ The action — the lion is biting the elephant.
어요 (polite ending)
→ I’m telling you politely and gently.
Pattern Practice
1. 아기가 사과를 물어요.
2. 강아지가 내 손을 물어요.
3. 고양이가 장난감을 물어요.
4. 새가 열매를 물어요.
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FAQs (What You Might Still Wonder About)
Can I use “because in Korean” in text messages and casual chatting?
Yes! In texting, Koreans often shorten expressions. Instead of writing the full forms, you might see abbreviated versions like “ㄱㅅ” for 그래서 (so/because) or just use -어서/-아서 endings. How to say because in Korean in texts is usually more casual and shortened.
What’s the difference between 그래서 and other “because” expressions?
그래서 (geuraeseo) means “so” or “therefore” and comes at the beginning of a new sentence. It’s different from the other “because” forms because it connects two separate thoughts. For example: “비가 왔어요. 그래서 집에 있어요.” (It rained. So I’m staying home.)
Is there a polite way to say “because of you in Korean” when I’m annoyed?
Yes! Instead of the direct “너 때문에,” you can use more polite forms like “당신으로 인해” (dangsin-euro inhae) or soften it with “당신 덕분에 좀…” (dangsin deokbune jom…). The tone and context matter a lot in Korean.
How do I apologize using “because of me in Korean”?
You can say “제 잘못으로” (je jalmoseuro – because of my mistake) or “저로 인해” (jeoro inhae – because of me) in formal situations. In casual settings, “내 탓이야” (nae tas-iya – it’s my fault) is common.
Can I say “just because in Korean” when I don’t want to give a real reason?
Absolutely! Koreans use “그냥요” (geunyang-yo) or “별 이유 없어요” (byeol iyu eopsseoyo – no particular reason). Sometimes “그냥 하고 싶어서요” (geunyang hago sipeoseoyo – just because I wanted to) works too.
What’s the most common mistake foreigners make with Korean “because”?
Many learners overuse 왜냐하면 because it directly translates to “because.” However, native speakers rarely use it in casual conversation. Stick to -아서/-어서 and -(으)니까 for natural-sounding Korean.
Final words
Learning how to say because in Korean opens up so many possibilities for communication. Whether you’re explaining why you’re happy (just because!), talking about because of you or because of me situations, or simply giving reasons for everyday actions, these expressions will make your Korean sound much more natural.
Remember the main points:
- Use -아서/-어서 for the most natural “because”
- Use 때문에 for “because of” with nouns
- Practice with “because of you in Korean” and “because of me in Korean” for personal conversations
- Don’t forget that sometimes you do things just because in Korean – 그냥!
The more you practice these expressions, the more confident you’ll become in explaining your thoughts and actions in Korean. Keep practicing, and soon using “because” in Korean will feel as natural as breathing!
