How do we say 'Because of' in Korean? Let's dive here!
To create a sentence with ~(으)니까 meaning "because," the first step is to identify the reason or cause of an event. For example, "한국에 여행을 가고 싶어요" (I want to go on vacation to Korea).
Then make a second sentence, expressing the reason by using ~(으)니까, such as "한국 문화에 관심이 많아서 가고 싶어요" (I want to go because I am very interested in Korean culture).
After that, you can create complementary sentences to provide additional information or details regarding your intention or reason. For example, "음식이 맛있으니까" (The food is delicious, so I want to try it).
In this lesson, we will learn how to make a sentence means because of with ~ (으) 니까 and ~ (으) 니. We will learn how to use between two clauses to create meanings similar to ~ 아 / 어서. Let's start!
Because: ~ (으) 니까
In the previous lesson we learned that we can use 아 / 어서 between two clauses to make sentences with the meaning "because", "so" or "therefore". Example:
> 어둠 이 무서워서 자고 있을 때 불 을 켜요.
I am afraid of the dark so I turn on the light when I sleep.
> 매운 음식 을 먹고 싶어서 떡볶이 를 요리 해요.
I wanted to eat spicy food so I cooked tteokbokki.
Actually, for this example sentence we can use ~ (으) 니까 to have the same meaning as ~ 아 / 어서. As an example:
> 매운 음식 을 먹고 싶 니까 떡볶이 를 요리 해요.
I wanted to eat spicy food so I cooked tteokbokki.
Although this sentence is used together with ~ 아 / 어서 and ~ (으) 니까, not all sentences can. The difference between these two grammar principles is that ~ (으) is usually used when the first clause is the reason for the second clause. For example:
일하러 가 야 하니까 지금 바빠요 = I'm busy because I have to go to work.
Unlike ~ 아 / 어서, the preceding clause ~ (으) 니까 can be conjugated into the past tense. As an example:
> 어제 너무 바빴 으니까 못 갔어요
I couldn't go yesterday because I was so busy
We learned that in the previous lessons, we can use 아 / 어서 between two clauses to make sentences with the meaning "because", "so" or "therefore". Example:
> 어둠 이 무서워서 자고 있을 때 불 을 켜요.
I am afraid of the dark so I turn on the light when I sleep.
> 매운 음식 을 먹고 싶어서 떡볶이 를 요리 해요.
I wanted to eat spicy food so I cooked tteokbokki.
Actually, for this example sentence we can use ~ (으) 니까 to have the same meaning as ~ 아 / 어서. As an example:
> 매운 음식 을 먹고 싶 니까 떡볶이 를 요리 해요.
I wanted to eat spicy food so I cooked tteokbokki.
Although this sentence is used together with ~ 아 / 어서 and ~ (으) 니까, not all sentences can. The difference between these two grammar principles is that ~ (으) is usually used when the first clause is the reason for the second clause. For example:
일하러 가 야 하니까 지금 바빠요 = I'm busy because I have to go to work.
Unlike ~ 아 / 어서, the preceding clause ~ (으) 니까 can be conjugated into the past tense. As an example:
> 어제 너무 바빴 으니까 못 갔어요
I couldn't go yesterday because I was so busy
~ (으) 니
Previously we learned how to add “~ (으) 니” to a verb or adjective. In that Lesson, we learned many ways to make a sentence or question word; one way is to add "~ (으) 니" at the end of the sentence. As an example:
몇 살 이야? = How old are you?
몇 살 이니? = How old are you?
밥 을 먹었어? = Have you eaten?
밥 을 먹었 니? = Have you eaten?
Apart from this meaning, the grammatical form "(으) 니" has two other meanings, including:
1. for the question word "~ (으) 니까."
2. to create the meaning "because" or "therefore"
Although ~ (으) 니 is usually not used at the end of a sentence, "~ (으) 니까" is used instead. For example:
 |
| Example: Example: how to make a sentence using (으)니 |
The main difference between this usage of ~ (으) 니 and ~ (으) 니까 is that ~ (으) 니 is used more for writing, whereas ~ (으) is much more common in everyday speech.
Another meaning of "(으) 니" is similar to one of the meanings of "~ 는데," which you learned in Lesson 51 and in Lesson 52. ~ 는데 is often used for the form of future clauses. In this grammar, we can use "~ 는데" to join two thoughts together.
"~ (으) 니" has the same function, except for that it means less "because" rather than "even though". I know it sounds confusing, but it's the easiest way to explain it. Let's consider the following example if we put the sentences ~ 는데 and ~ (으) 니 side by side:
 |
| Example sentences that mean because in Korean |
When specifically used in the past tense, it is easier to change the translation from "~ (으) 니" to "now which has ..." For example:
> 제가 숙제 를 다 했으니 이제 영화 를 볼 수 있어요
Now that I have finished my homework, I can watch movies
By using ~(으)니까, we can clearly convey the reason or justification behind an action or desire. Using this structure allows us to provide a strong sense of context in our communication, allowing others to understand the motivation behind each decision or desire. Therefore, a good understanding of the use of ~(으)니까 can enhance our ability to communicate effectively in Korean.
Comments
Post a Comment