따라서

The Korean word 따라서 (ttaraseo) is a logical conjunction that functions as a bridge between a cause and its inevitable effect. In English, it is most frequently translated as 'therefore,' 'consequently,' or 'accordingly.' It is derived from the verb 따르다, which means 'to follow' or 'to conform to,' combined with the causal connective suffix -아서. Literally, it conveys the sense of 'following from what was just said.' This word is a staple of formal communication, academic writing, and logical argumentation. While beginners might rely heavily on the more common 그래서 (so/therefore), moving toward 따라서 marks a significant step in achieving a more professional and sophisticated command of the Korean language. It signals to the listener or reader that the speaker is about to present a conclusion based on established facts or preceding premises.

Logical Connection

It establishes a strict cause-and-effect relationship. Unlike casual 'so,' this word implies that the second statement is a logical necessity of the first. It is used when the speaker wants to sound objective and rational.

Formal Register

You will rarely hear this in a casual conversation between close friends at a cafe. Instead, it dominates news broadcasts, university lectures, business reports, and legal documents. It provides a structured rhythm to formal speech.

Structural Role

It typically appears at the beginning of a sentence to link it to the previous sentence. However, it can also function within a sentence to connect two clauses when the relationship is one of strict adherence to a rule or pattern.

Understanding the nuance of 따라서 requires recognizing its roots. Because it comes from 'following,' it suggests that the conclusion is not just a random result, but something that follows the path laid out by the previous statement. If 'A' happens, then 'B' follows 'A' like a shadow follows a person. This is why it is used so often in scientific contexts or when explaining rules. For example, if a company policy changes, the subsequent actions of the employees are described using 따라서 to show they are following the new regulations. It adds a layer of authority and inevitability to the statement.

Written vs. Spoken

In written Korean (Mun-eo-che), this is one of the most frequent conjunctions. In spoken Korean (Gu-eo-che), it is reserved for public speaking or formal debates. If you are writing a TOPIK essay, this word is your best friend for connecting paragraphs and ideas logically.

Furthermore, 따라서 can be used in the middle of a sentence in the form of '~에 따라서' (according to). While this is a slightly different grammatical structure, the core meaning remains the same: something is happening in accordance with something else. For instance, '기준에 따라서' means 'according to the standards.' This versatility makes it an essential word for anyone aiming for intermediate or advanced proficiency. It allows you to move beyond simple 'and' and 'but' connections into the realm of complex logical synthesis.

Using 따라서 correctly involves understanding its placement and the logical weight it carries. Unlike some conjunctions that can be tucked away, 따라서 almost always commands the start of a sentence. It acts as a signpost, telling the reader, 'Everything I just said leads to this next point.' Because it is a conjunction (접속사), it does not take any particles like -이/가 or -을/를 when used at the beginning of a sentence. It stands alone, followed by a comma in many formal writing styles, though the comma is optional in modern Korean.

Sentence Initial Position

This is the most common usage. Sentence A ends with a period. Sentence B starts with 따라서. This creates a clear separation between the cause and the result, making the logic easy to follow.

Connecting Clauses

While less common as a standalone conjunction within a single sentence, the root form 따라(서) can connect clauses directly. For example: '법에 따라 처벌한다' (Punish according to the law). Here, it functions more like a prepositional phrase.

When constructing sentences with 따라서, pay attention to the tense and mood of the preceding sentence. 따라서 is neutral; it can follow past, present, or future statements. However, the sentence following 따라서 often uses a declarative or suggestive ending. In academic papers, you will frequently see it followed by '-ㄴ다/는다' (plain style) or '-ㅂ니다/습니다' (formal polite style). It is rarely followed by commands (-으세요) or questions, as those don't fit the 'logical conclusion' vibe as well as a statement of fact does.

Another advanced usage is the pattern [Noun] + 에 따라서. This means 'depending on [Noun]' or 'in accordance with [Noun].' For example, '상황에 따라서' (depending on the situation). This is a vital phrase for expressing flexibility or conditional results. It shows that the outcome 'follows' the variable of the noun. If you are describing how prices change based on the season, you would use '계절에 따라서 가격이 변합니다.' This demonstrates the deep connection between the conjunction 'therefore' and the verb 'to follow.'

Logical Flow in Essays

When writing a multi-paragraph essay, 따라서 is often used to start the concluding paragraph. It summarizes the points made in the body paragraphs and leads the reader to the final verdict. It acts as the 'bottom line' indicator.

In summary, use 따라서 when you want to sound objective, professional, and logical. It is the tool of the scholar and the professional. By mastering its placement at the start of sentences and its conditional use with nouns, you can significantly elevate the clarity and authority of your Korean communication.

If you are watching a Korean drama about high school students or a variety show like 'Running Man,' you might not hear 따라서 very often. However, the moment you switch the channel to the 9 o'clock news or a documentary, it will appear constantly. This word lives in the world of facts, data, and official announcements. It is the language of the 'public square.' When a news anchor reports on the economy, they will use 따라서 to link market trends to consumer behavior. When a scientist explains a natural phenomenon, they use it to link a cause to a physical result. It provides a sense of reliability and structure to the information being presented.

News and Journalism

Reporters use 따라서 to maintain an objective tone. Instead of saying 'So, people are angry,' they might say, 'The policy failed to meet expectations. 따라서, public dissatisfaction is increasing.' It sounds more like a reported fact than a personal opinion.

Educational Settings

In textbooks and lectures, this word is essential for explaining theories. 'The earth rotates on its axis. 따라서, we have day and night.' It helps students follow the logical progression of a lesson.

In the corporate world, 따라서 is the backbone of presentations and reports. If a manager is presenting quarterly results, they will use this word to justify future strategies. 'Sales in the third quarter exceeded our targets. 따라서, we will expand our marketing budget for the fourth quarter.' It makes the decision seem like a natural and logical outcome of the data, rather than a whim. In this context, using 따라서 can actually make a speaker seem more competent and professional.

You will also encounter 따라서 in legal and official documents. Contracts, terms of service, and government regulations use it to specify the consequences of certain conditions. For example, 'If the user violates the terms, the account will be suspended. 따라서, users must read the terms carefully.' In these cases, the word carries the weight of law and obligation. It isn't just a suggestion; it is a formal declaration of what follows from the rules.

Public Announcements

Train stations or airports often use 따라서 in their announcements. 'There is a delay due to heavy snow. 따라서, the departure time has been changed.' It provides a clear, authoritative explanation for the change.

Finally, while it is formal, you might hear it in serious personal conversations, such as a doctor explaining a diagnosis to a patient or a lawyer giving advice. In these high-stakes situations, the formal tone of 따라서 helps convey the seriousness and the logical basis of the information. It builds trust by showing that the conclusion is based on evidence.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 따라서 is using it in inappropriate social contexts. Because it is a high-register, formal word, using it in a casual setting can make you sound overly stiff or even condescending. Imagine telling a friend, 'I am hungry. Therefore, I shall eat a sandwich.' It sounds unnatural in English, and the same applies to Korean. Beginners often learn 따라서 from textbooks and then try to use it in daily conversation, where 그래서 would be much more appropriate. Always consider your audience and the setting before choosing this word.

Register Mismatch

Using 따라서 with casual speech endings like -어/아 or -야. This creates a linguistic clash. If you are using 따라서, the rest of your sentence should ideally be in a formal style like -아/어요 or -습니다.

Confusing with '따라'

Learners sometimes confuse the conjunction 따라서 with the particle-like usage of 따라. While they share a root, 오늘따라 (especially today) or 유행을 따라 (following the trend) have specific idiomatic uses that don't mean 'therefore.'

Another common error is failing to provide a sufficient logical basis before using 따라서. Because the word implies a strong, almost scientific connection, using it for weak or purely subjective reasons can sound strange. For example, 'I like the color blue. Therefore, I will buy this car.' In Korean, this sounds a bit too heavy-handed. 따라서 works best when the cause is a fact or a strong premise, and the result is a logical consequence of that fact.

Misplacing 따라서 within the sentence is also a hurdle. Some learners try to use it as a verb ending or a middle-of-the-sentence connector without the proper grammar. Remember that as a conjunction meaning 'therefore,' it almost always starts a new sentence. If you want to use it mid-sentence to mean 'because of' or 'according to,' you must use the -기에 따라서 or -음에 따라서 patterns, which are much more complex and usually reserved for advanced learners.

Overuse

In an essay, using 따라서 at the start of every other sentence makes the writing feel repetitive and clunky. Vary your conjunctions by using 그러므로, 결과적으로, or 그리하여 to keep the flow interesting.

Lastly, be careful with the spelling. It is 따라서, not 따라써 (which would mean 'write after me' or 'copy writing'). The double 'ss' in 'sseo' changes the meaning entirely to a verb related to writing. Always double-check the 'ㅅ' vs 'ㅆ' to ensure your logical conjunction doesn't turn into a writing instruction!

Korean has a rich variety of conjunctions that mean 'so' or 'therefore,' each with its own specific register and nuance. Choosing the right one is key to sounding like a natural speaker. While 따라서 is the standard formal 'therefore,' you should be familiar with its cousins to avoid repetition and to match the tone of your conversation or writing.

그래서 (Geuraeseo)

The most common 'so.' It is used in everyday conversation, storytelling, and casual writing. It is much softer and more personal than 따라서. Use this with friends and family.

그러므로 (Geureomeuro)

Even more formal than 따라서. It is often used in legal texts, philosophical arguments, or mathematical proofs. It suggests a high level of logical necessity. It is almost exclusively used in written Korean.

그리하여 (Geurihayeo)

A literary version of 'and so' or 'thus.' You will find this in novels, historical accounts, or poetic writing. It has a slightly grander, more narrative feel than the clinical 따라서.

There are also phrases that can replace 따라서 to add variety. 결과적으로 (As a result) emphasizes the outcome. 이에 따라 (In accordance with this) is very common in news reports and business contexts to show that one action is happening because of a previous one. 그러다 보니 (As a result of doing that...) is a more colloquial way to explain how a situation evolved into the current state.

When choosing between 따라서 and 그러므로, remember that 따라서 is more common in modern prose and journalism. 그러므로 can sometimes feel a bit archaic or overly heavy if used in a standard business email. If you are writing for the TOPIK exam, 따라서 is usually the safest and most versatile choice for showing logical progression in your writing. It demonstrates that you understand the formal structure of the language without sounding like you're writing a 15th-century legal code.

고로 (Goro)

A very old-fashioned, Hanja-based 'therefore.' You might see this in old books or used jokingly to sound like a wise philosopher. '나는 생각한다, 고로 존재한다' (I think, therefore I am).

In conclusion, while 따라서 is your primary tool for formal logic, being aware of these alternatives allows you to fine-tune your message. Whether you want to sound friendly (그래서), professional (따라서), or scholarly (그러므로), Korean has the perfect word for your specific logical needs.