Lesson 2

Reasons: ~(으)니까, ~아/어서

Express reasons and causes with two different patterns and their nuances.

~아/어서 — Because (natural cause/reason)

Verb/adjective stem + 아/어서 gives a reason. Cannot be used with imperative (주세요) or propositive (갈까요?) endings. Used for objective/natural reasons: 배고파서 밥 먹었어요 (I ate because I was hungry).

피곤해서 일찍 잤어요.pigonhaeseo iljjik jasseoyoI slept early because I was tired.

맛있어서 다 먹었어요.masissoseo da meogeosseoyoI ate it all because it was delicious.

~(으)니까 — Because / Since (subjective reason + commands OK)

Verb/adjective stem + (으)니까 also gives a reason, but CAN be used before commands and suggestions. Often more subjective/emphatic: 추우니까 문 닫아 주세요 (It's cold, so please close the door).

시간이 없으니까 빨리 가세요.sigani eopseulnikka ppalli gaseyoThere's no time, so go quickly.

맛있으니까 한번 먹어 보세요.masisseunikka hanbeon meogeo boseyoIt's delicious, so try it.

때문에ttaemunebecause of

Examples비 때문에 못 나갔어요.bi ttaemune mot nagasseoyoI couldn't go out because of the rain.

늦다neutdato be late

Examples버스가 늦어서 지각했어요.beoseuga neujeoseo jigakhaesseoyoI was late to class because the bus was late.

바쁘다bappeudato be busy

Examples요즘 바빠서 연락을 못 했어요.yojeum bappaseo yeollageul mot haesseoyoI couldn't contact you because I've been busy.

춥다chupdato be cold (weather)

Examples밖이 추우니까 따뜻하게 입으세요.bakki chuunikka ttatteuthage ibeuseyoIt's cold outside, so dress warmly.

걱정하다geokjeonghadato worry

Examples괜찮으니까 걱정하지 마세요.gwaenchaneunikka geokjeonghaji maseyoIt's fine, so don't worry.

기쁘다gippeudato be happy / glad

Examples시험에 합격해서 기뻐요.siheome hapgyeokaeseo gippeoyoI'm happy because I passed the exam.