A2 · 初中級 チャプター 3

Giving Reasons and Background

5 トータルルール
54 例文
5 分
このチャプターのルール クイック練習

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of linking your thoughts to sound like a natural Korean speaker.

  • Connect sentences to explain your reasons.
  • Provide context to make your stories flow.
  • Distinguish between internal and external causes.
Connect your thoughts, express your world.

学べること

You've built a solid foundation in Korean basics – great job! Now, it's time to add a new layer of sophistication and natural flow to your conversations by mastering how to express reasons and provide essential context, just like a native speaker. This chapter is your key to making your Korean sound more connected and compelling.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use connective endings to explain simple daily situations.

チャプターガイド

Overview

Congratulations on reaching the A2 Korean grammar level! You’ve mastered the basics, and now it’s time to elevate your conversations. This chapter is your gateway to sounding more natural and connected by learning how to articulate reasons and provide essential background information.
Just like in English, native Korean speakers constantly use connectors to link ideas, explain 'why', and set the stage for what they're about to say. Understanding these nuances is crucial for constructing more complex sentences and engaging in meaningful dialogue. We'll explore key grammar points like -아/어서, (으)니까, and -는데/은데, which are indispensable for expressing cause and effect, justifications, and contextual details.
Mastering these structures will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and make your Korean sound much more sophisticated.
This guide focuses on the
Giving Reasons and Background
chapter, which is pivotal for any learner aiming for fluency. By the end of this chapter, you’ll be able to seamlessly connect your thoughts, explain your choices, and add depth to your stories, moving beyond simple sentence structures. These Korean grammar patterns are incredibly common in everyday speech, so understanding them will unlock a vast array of communicative possibilities.
Get ready to transform your conversations and truly connect your ideas, making your Korean flow effortlessly.

How This Grammar Works

In this chapter, we delve into the essential connectors that allow you to express reasons, consequences, and contextual information in Korean. First up is Korean 'Because' & 'So': The Glue of Sentences (-아/어/여서). This versatile connector is used to indicate a cause and effect relationship, or a sequence of events.
The action or state in the first clause is the reason or precedes the action in the second clause. Crucially, you cannot use -아/어서 with commands or suggestions, and the first clause does not take tense marking; the tense is indicated in the final verb of the sentence. For example: 비가 와서 집에 갔어요. (Because it rained, I went home.) or 피곤해서 일찍 잤어요. (Because I was tired, I slept early.)
Next, we explore Giving Reasons: Because/Since ((으)니까). While also meaning 'because' or 'since', (으)니까 often implies that the speaker has just discovered the reason or is giving a reason for a suggestion or command. Unlike -아/어서, you *can* use (으)니까 with commands, suggestions, or proposals.
It also allows for tense marking in the first clause. For instance: 지금 바쁘니까 나중에 전화해 주세요. (Since I'm busy now, please call me later.) or 날씨가 좋으니까 산책할까요? (Since the weather is good, shall we take a walk?)
Finally, we introduce Setting the Scene: Background Context (는데/은데), also known as The Background Connector. This particle doesn't strictly mean 'because' but rather provides background information, context, or a contrast to the main clause. It's incredibly common and helps make your sentences sound natural.
It can also be used to soften a request or introduce a topic. The form depends on the word type: verbs and adjectives ending in a vowel or ㄹ use -는데 (먹는데, 예쁜데), adjectives ending in a consonant use -은데 (좋은데), and nouns use -인데 (학생인데). For example: 저는 한국 사람인데 영어를 공부하고 있어요. (I am Korean, but I am studying English.) or 배고픈데 뭐 먹을까요? (I'm hungry, so what should we eat?) This connector is key for making your A2 Korean sound sophisticated.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 피곤해서 집에 가세요. (Because I'm tired, please go home.)
✓ Correct: 피곤하니까 집에 가세요. (Because you're tired, please go home.)
*Explanation:* -아/어서 cannot be used with commands, suggestions, or proposals in the second clause. Use (으)니까 instead when the first clause is a reason for a command or suggestion.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 어제는 비가 왔어서 집에 있었어요. (Because it rained yesterday, I stayed home.)
✓ Correct: 어제는 비가 와서 집에 있었어요. (Because it rained yesterday, I stayed home.)
*Explanation:* With -아/어서, the first clause expressing the reason does not take past tense marking. The tense is indicated in the main clause's verb.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 이 식당은 맛있는는데 사람이 너무 많아요. (This restaurant is delicious, but there are too many people.)
✓ Correct: 이 식당은 맛있는데 사람이 너무 많아요. (This restaurant is delicious, but there are too many people.)
*Explanation:* For adjectives ending in a vowel (like 맛있다), you attach -는데. -은데 is used for adjectives ending in a consonant, and -인데 for nouns.

Real Conversations

A

A

왜 한국어를 배우세요? (Why are you learning Korean?)
B

B

한국 드라마를 좋아해서 배우고 있어요. (Because I like Korean dramas, I am learning it.)
A

A

저녁에 뭐 먹을까요? 배고픈데... (What shall we eat for dinner? I'm hungry...)
B

B

비빔밥 어때요? 맛있을 것 같아요. (How about bibimbap? It seems delicious.)
A

A

지금 갈까요? 비가 오는데 우산이 없어요. (Shall we go now? It's raining, but I don't have an umbrella.)
B

B

지금 가기 어려우니까 조금 기다려요. (Since it's hard to go now, let's wait a bit.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between -아/어서 and (으)니까 when expressing reasons in A2 Korean grammar?

-아/어서 typically states a direct cause-and-effect and cannot be used with commands/suggestions. (으)니까 is often used when the reason leads to a suggestion, command, or a newly discovered fact, and it can take tense marking in the first clause.

Q

Can -는데/은데 be used to express a reason, or is it only for background context?

While its primary role is to provide background or contrast, -는데/은데 can sometimes imply a soft reason or justification, especially when setting up a question or a request, but it's not a direct 'because' like -아/어서 or (으)니까.

Q

How do I conjugate -는데/은데 with different types of words?

For verbs and adjectives ending in a vowel or ㄹ, use -는데 (e.g., 가다 → 가는데, 예쁘다 → 예쁜데). For adjectives ending in a consonant, use -은데 (e.g., 좋다 → 좋은데). For nouns, use -인데 (e.g., 학생 → 학생인데).

Q

Is -아/어서 only for reasons, or does it have other uses in Korean grammar?

Besides reasons, -아/어서 is also commonly used to indicate a sequence of actions, where the first action must occur before the second. For example, 집에 가서 밥을 먹었어요. (I went home and then ate.)

Cultural Context

These grammatical connectors are vital for making your Korean sound polite and natural. -는데/은데 is particularly useful for softening requests or introducing a topic without being too abrupt, showing consideration for the listener. Using (으)니까 for suggestions or commands is very common and less direct than simply stating the command, which is often preferred in Korean communication for its indirectness.
Mastering these patterns helps you integrate into the nuances of Korean conversational flow, making your speech more engaging and less like a textbook.

重要な例文 (8)

1

배가 고파서 식당에 갔어요.

お腹が空いたのでレストランに行きました。

韓国語の「〜ので・〜して」：理由と言い訳の (-아/어/여서)
2

오늘 늦어서 정말 죄송합니다.

今日は遅れてしまい、本当に申し訳ありません。

韓国語の「〜ので・〜して」：理由と言い訳の (-아/어/여서)
3

I was hungry so I ordered pizza.

お腹が空いたのでピザを頼みました。

理由と原因のつなぎ方：〜ので、〜て (-아/어서)
4

I am sorry that I am late.

遅れてすみません。

理由と原因のつなぎ方：〜ので、〜て (-아/어서)
5

The weather is good, so let's go for a walk.

天気がいいから、散歩に行こうよ。

理由を述べる：〜から／〜ので ((으)니까)
6

I'm busy now, so please call me later.

今忙しいので、後で電話してください。

理由を述べる：〜から／〜ので ((으)니까)
7

배가 고픈데 식당에 갈까요?

お腹が空いたのですが、レストランに行きましょうか？

背景を説明する：状況の提示 (는데/은데)
8

지금 바쁜데 나중에 전화할게요.

今忙しいので、後で電話しますね。

背景を説明する：状況の提示 (는데/은데)

ヒントとコツ (4)

⚠️

過去形は絶対NG！

昨日の話でも、-아서/어서の直前に「-었-」は使いません。文の最後で過去形にすればOKです。 «어제 아파서 잤어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 韓国語の「〜ので・〜して」：理由と言い訳の (-아/어/여서)
⚠️

過去形はNG！

「가았어서」とは言いません。「가서」だけでOK。時制は最後の動詞で決まるよ。 «가서 먹었어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 理由と原因のつなぎ方：〜ので、〜て (-아/어서)
⚠️

謝罪のときはNG！

「ごめんなさい」や「ありがとう」の理由に «(으)니까» を使うと、なんだか言い訳っぽく聞こえちゃうんです。そんな時は «늦어서 죄송합니다» のように «-아/어서» を使いましょう。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 理由を述べる：〜から／〜ので ((으)니까)
🎯

ステッカーの法則

2つの文を繋ぐステッカーだと思ってください。バラバラに言うよりも、繋げた方がずっと自然に聞こえますよ！ «배가 고픈데 밥 먹자.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 背景を説明する：状況の提示 (는데/은데)

重要な語彙 (5)

피곤하다 (pigonhada) to be tired 비가 오다 (biga oda) to rain 숙제 (sukje) homework 날씨 (nalssi) weather 가게 (gage) store

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

Shopping for dinner

Review Summary

  • Verb/Adj + -아/어/여서
  • Verb/Adj + -(으)니까
  • Verb/Adj + -는데/은데

よくある間違い

You must contract the verb stem correctly. 오 + 아서 becomes 와서.

Wrong: 비가 오어서 우산이 필요해요.
正解: 비가 와서 우산이 필요해요.

When making a suggestion or request, use -(으)니까 instead of -어서.

Wrong: 피곤해서 영화를 볼까요?
正解: 피곤하니까 영화를 볼까요?

Ensure the subject particle is included or the context is clear before the -는데 ending.

Wrong: 숙제 있는데, 어려워요.
正解: 숙제가 있는데, 어려워요.

Next Steps

You've done an amazing job! Keep practicing these connectors and watch your Korean flow naturally.

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Continue to: Describing People and Things

クイック練習 (10)

背景を説明するのに最も自然な文を選んでね。

「雨が降っているので、傘を持って行ってください」を自然に言うと？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 오는데 우산을 가져가세요.
「雨が降っている」という状況を背景にして提案しているので '-는데' がベストです。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 背景と余韻の接続語 (는데/은데)

形容詞「작다（小さい）」を正しく使っている文はどれですか？

部屋が小さいけれど清潔であることを伝えましょう。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 이 방은 작은데 깨끗해요.
「작다」はパッチムのある形容詞なので、「은데」をつけます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 背景を説明する：状況の提示 (는데/은데)

「忙しい」という意味の '바쁘다' を正しい形にして空欄を埋めてね。

지금 좀 ___ 나중에 전화할게.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 바쁜데
'바쁘다' は形容詞で母音終わりなので、'-ㄴ데' をつけて '바쁜데' になります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 背景と余韻の接続語 (는데/은데)

文法的に正しい文章はどれですか？

正しい理由の文を選んでください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어제 아파서 학교에 안 갔어요.
-아서/어서の直前に過去形（-았/었-）を入れることはできません。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 韓国語の「〜ので・〜して」：理由と言い訳の (-아/어/여서)

「가다」（行く）を正しい形にして空欄を埋めてください。

학교에 ____ 공부를 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가서
学校に行って勉強するという連続した行動なので「가서」が自然です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 韓国語の「〜ので・〜して」：理由と言い訳の (-아/어/여서)

形容詞の活用ミスを見つけて直してね。

Find and fix the mistake:

날씨가 춥는데 따뜻하게 입어.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 날씨가 추운데 따뜻하게 입어.
'춥다' は ㅂ不規則形容詞なので、ㅂが '우' に変わって '추운데' になります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 背景と余韻の接続語 (는데/은데)

만나다（会う）を正しい形に変えて空欄を埋めてね。

친구를 ___ 영화를 봤어요. (友達に会って映画を見ました。)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 만나서
友達に会うことと映画を見ることが一連の流れなので「만나서」が自然だよ。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 理由と原因のつなぎ方：〜ので、〜て (-아/어서)

この命令文の間違いを見つけてね。

날씨가 추워서 옷을 따뜻하게 입으세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 추워서 → 추우니까
「〜してください」という命令文では -어서 は使えず、-(으)니까 を使う必要があるよ。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 理由と原因のつなぎ方：〜ので、〜て (-아/어서)

理由を説明する文として正しいのはどれ？

「疲れていたので寝ました」を韓国語にすると？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 피곤해서 잤어요.
-어서 の前には過去形（했）を使わないのが鉄則だよ。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 理由と原因のつなぎ方：〜ので、〜て (-아/어서)

文の間違いを見つけて直してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

저는 미국 사람인는데 한국말을 잘해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 미국 사람인데 한국말을 잘해요.
名詞「사람」には「인데」を直接つなげます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 背景を説明する：状況の提示 (는데/은데)

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

はい、でも前後の行動に関係がある時だけです。「店に行って牛乳を買う」のように繋がっているなら «가서» でOKです。
もともとは '하여서' でしたが、現代では短縮された «해서» が標準として使われています。
-어서 は自然な事実や客観的な理由に使います。一方、-(으)니까 は自分の意見や命令、勧誘をする時に使います。 «비가 와서 늦었어요.»
いいえ！「天気がいいから行きましょう」と言う時に -어서 は使えません。勧誘の時は -(으)니까 を使ってね。 «좋으니까 갑시다.»
丁寧さの違いではなく、使い道の違いです。 «(으)니까» は自分の主観や提案、 «-아/어서» は客観的な理由や挨拶に使います。
もちろんです！ «예쁘니까» (綺麗だから) や «싸니까» (安いから) のように、動詞と同じように使えますよ。
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Describing People and Things
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