B1 · 中級 チャプター 3

Reasons, Reactions, and Excuses

6 トータルルール
64 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 explaining your reasons, reactions, and excuses with natural, native-level Korean nuance.

  • Express objective reasons and formal justifications clearly.
  • Describe personal reactions based on what you see or hear.
  • Provide natural excuses for missed plans or delays.
Explain your world with confidence and flow.

学べること

Hey there, language explorer! Ready to truly level up your Korean? This chapter is your ticket to mastering the art of explaining *why* things happen, *how* you react, and *when* to make perfectly understandable excuses. Forget generic 'because' – it's time for nuance and authentic expression! First, master objective reasons with '~기 때문에' (due to), and learn when to switch to '~(으)니까' for suggestions. This subtle difference makes your Korean instantly more polished, whether with friends or in a formal setting. Next, imagine an instant reaction – like spotting a sale and buying that jacket! With '-길래,' you'll perfectly explain actions based on immediate observations, adding personal flair to stories and justifying spontaneous decisions. Then, we tackle excuses. Had a demanding task prevent something else or lead to a problem? '-느라고' is your go-to. Master saying 'because I was doing X, I couldn't Y,' perfect for explaining tardiness or missed plans. It clarifies how one activity prevented another. Finally, prepare for 'unexpected chaos' with '~는 바람에.' This expression describes situations where an unforeseen event throws everything into disarray. Use it to say, 'because of Z, my plans got totally messed up,' like explaining how a sudden downpour ruined your picnic. By the end, you'll fluently explain causes and effects with native-like precision. Your Korean conversations will become richer, more dynamic, and utterly authentic. Get ready to truly connect in Korean – let's go!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use appropriate causal grammar to explain daily events and social mishaps.

チャプターガイド

Overview

Hey there, language explorer! Ready to truly level up your Korean grammar? This chapter is your ticket to mastering the art of explaining *why* things happen, *how* you react, and *when* to make perfectly understandable excuses.
Moving beyond basic because constructions, this CEFR B1 Korean grammar guide will equip you with the nuanced expressions native speakers use every day. You'll learn to articulate strong, objective reasons, describe immediate reactions to observations, politely make excuses for unforeseen circumstances, and even convey the chaos caused by unexpected events. Mastering these expressions is crucial for authentic communication and will significantly enhance your ability to express complex ideas in Korean.
Get ready to add depth and sophistication to your conversations, making your Korean sound more natural and fluent.
This chapter dives into the subtle yet powerful differences between expressions like ~기 때문에, -길래, -느라고, and ~는 바람에. These aren't just synonyms for because; they each carry unique implications about the nature of the cause, the speaker's perspective, and the resulting outcome. Understanding these distinctions is a key step for any Korean language learner aiming for B1 proficiency and beyond.
By the end, you'll be able to explain causes and effects with native-like precision, enriching your stories and interactions. Let's unlock these essential tools for expressing reasons and reactions in Korean!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces a powerful set of Korean grammar patterns to express reasons, reactions, and excuses with greater precision. First up is ~기 때문에 (due to/because), used for strong, objective reasons that lead to a clear consequence. It attaches to verb and adjective stems (e.g., 비가 오기 때문에 – *because it's raining*).
For instance, 저는 비가 오기 때문에 우산을 가져왔어요. (I brought an umbrella because it's raining.). While not explicitly listed in the rules, the chapter description mentions ~(으)니까 for suggestions. It's important to note that ~(으)니까 also means 'because/since' but is often used when the reason is known or obvious to the listener, or when making a suggestion, command, or proposal based on that reason.
For example, 배고프니까 밥 먹으러 가자. (Since I'm hungry, let's go eat.). The objective nature of ~기 때문에 makes it suitable for formal contexts, while ~(으)니까 is more common in casual conversation, especially with suggestions.
Next, we have -길래, which means 'because I saw/heard/felt that...' or 'reacting to an observation.' This pattern describes an immediate, often spontaneous reaction or decision based on something the speaker observed or perceived. It's very personal and often implies a direct cause-and-effect from the speaker's perspective. For example, 날씨가 좋길래 산책하러 나갔어요. (Because the weather was nice, I went out for a walk.).
Then, for making excuses, we use -느라고 (because of doing...). This structure explains that one activity prevented another or led to a negative consequence. It implies that the first action required effort or time, and typically results in a negative or undesirable outcome.
The subject of both clauses must be the same. For instance, 숙제를 하느라고 밤을 새웠어요. (I stayed up all night because I was doing homework.).
Finally, for describing unexpected chaos, we use ~는 바람에 (because of...). This expression indicates that an unforeseen or sudden event caused an unexpected, often negative, result or disruption. It implies a sense of misfortune or uncontrollability.
For example, 갑자기 비가 오는 바람에 소풍이 취소되었어요. (Because it suddenly rained, the picnic was canceled.). These Korean grammar B1 patterns will significantly enhance your expressive capabilities.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 숙제를 했는 바람에 늦었어요.
✓ Correct: 숙제를 하느라고 늦었어요.
*Explanation:* ~는 바람에 is used for unexpected, often negative, *external* events (like sudden rain, a traffic jam). -느라고 is used when *your own action* (like doing homework) caused a negative consequence like being late.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 너무 피곤하기 때문에 자러 갈까?
✓ Correct: 너무 피곤하니까 자러 갈까?
*Explanation:* While ~기 때문에 states a strong reason, ~(으)니까 is more natural when making suggestions, commands, or proposals based on a reason, especially in informal contexts.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 친구를 기다리는 바람에 영화를 못 봤어요.
✓ Correct: 친구를 기다리느라고 영화를 못 봤어요.
*Explanation:* Waiting for a friend is an intentional action you were engaged in, which prevented you from seeing the movie. -느라고 is appropriate for explaining that one's own activity prevented another. ~는 바람에 implies an unforeseen, often external, event that disrupts plans.

Real Conversations

A

A

왜 그렇게 피곤해 보여요? (Why do you look so tired?)
B

B

어제 밤새 게임을 하느라고 잠을 못 잤어요. (Because I was playing games all night, I couldn't sleep.)
A

A

왜 이렇게 일찍 왔어요? (Why did you come so early?)
B

B

버스가 일찍 오길래 그냥 타고 왔어요. (Because the bus came early, I just took it and came.)
A

A

회의가 취소되었다고 들었어요. (I heard the meeting was canceled.)
B

B

네, 갑자기 부장님이 아프시는 바람에 회의가 연기되었어요. (Yes, because the manager suddenly got sick, the meeting was postponed.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What's the main difference between ~기 때문에 and ~(으)니까 when explaining reasons in Korean grammar?

~기 때문에 states a more objective, strong reason, often used in formal settings or when emphasizing the cause. ~(으)니까 is more casual and frequently used when the reason is obvious or when making a suggestion, command, or proposal based on that reason.

Q

Can I use -길래 in formal situations?

Generally, -길래 is quite informal and conversational, best suited for casual settings with friends or close acquaintances. For more formal explanations of observed reasons, you might rephrase using ~기 때문에 or other formal structures.

Q

How do I choose between -느라고 and ~는 바람에 for explaining a negative outcome?

Use -느라고 when *your own action or effort* (e.g., studying, working) caused a negative result like being late or tired. Use ~는 바람에 when an *unexpected, often external event* (e.g., sudden rain, a power outage) caused an unplanned, usually negative, disruption.

Cultural Context

These Korean grammar patterns are vital for expressing nuance in Korean communication. Koreans often value indirectness and politeness, so choosing the right because can soften an excuse or clarify a situation without sounding too blunt. -느라고 is a common way to politely explain tardiness or unfulfilled commitments, implicitly asking for understanding.
~는 바람에 allows one to describe unfortunate circumstances with a touch of resignation, shifting responsibility from oneself to an external, unforeseen event. Mastering these helps you navigate social interactions more smoothly.

重要な例文 (8)

1

비가 오길래 우산을 가져왔어.

雨が降っていたので、傘を持ってきました。

〜だったので（見た・聞いたから） (-길래)
2

친구가 밥을 먹길래 나도 같이 먹었어.

友達がご飯を食べていたので、私も一緒に食べました。

〜だったので（見た・聞いたから） (-길래)
3

날씨가 좋길래 산책하러 나갔어요.

天気が良かったので、散歩に出かけました。

見たことに反応する：「〜しているのを見たので…」 (-길래)
4

친구들이 다 하길래 저도 인스타 시작했어요.

友達がみんなやっていたので、私もインスタ始めました。

見たことに反応する：「〜しているのを見たので…」 (-길래)
5

어제 유튜브를 보느라고 숙제를 못 했어요.

昨日YouTubeを見ていたせいで、宿題ができませんでした。

〜するせいで（言い訳）：-느라고
6

짐을 싸느라고 어젯밤에 한숨도 못 잤어요.

荷造りをしていたせいで、昨日の夜は一睡もできませんでした。

〜するせいで（言い訳）：-느라고
7

배터리가 나가는 바람에 연락을 못 했어.

充電が切れちゃって連絡できなかったんだ。

予期せぬハプニング：〜したせいで (~는 바람에)
8

알람이 안 울리는 바람에 지각했어요.

アラームが鳴らなくて遅刻してしまいました。

予期せぬハプニング：〜したせいで (~는 바람에)

ヒントとコツ (4)

⚠️

命令・勧誘はNG！

「〜してください」や「〜しよう」と一緒に使うとすごく不自然です。その時は «더우니까 창문을 여세요.» のように «(으)니까» を使いましょう。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: しっかりとした理由：〜なので、〜ため (~기 때문에)
⚠️

勧誘や命令にはNG！

「雨だから入ろう」のように相手を誘う時は «-니까» を使いましょう。 «비가 오니까 들어가자» が正解です。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜だったので（見た・聞いたから） (-길래)
🎯

主語は「私」がルール！

後半の行動をする人が「自分」じゃない時は使えません。その場合は «-아서/어서» を使いましょう。«친구가 예쁘길래 내가 샀어.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 見たことに反応する：「〜しているのを見たので…」 (-길래)
⚠️

形容詞は使っちゃダメ！

「忙しい」や「嬉しい」などの状態を表す言葉には使えません。«공부하느라고» のように、自分が何かを「する」時に使いましょう。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜するせいで（言い訳）：-느라고

重要な語彙 (5)

이유 (iyu) reason 늦다 (neutda) to be late 보다 (boda) to see 비 (bi) rain 쇼핑하다 (syopinghada) to shop

Real-World Preview

clock

The Late Arrival

Review Summary

  • Verb/Adj + 기 때문에
  • Verb + 길래
  • Verb + 느라고

よくある間違い

You cannot combine two causal markers. Pick one that fits the context.

Wrong: 비가 오기 때문에 바람에 취소했어요.
正解: 비가 오는 바람에 취소했어요.

When explaining a failure to do something due to another action, -느라고 is more natural.

Wrong: 공부하기 때문에 못 갔어요.
正解: 공부하느라고 못 갔어요.

Ensure the politeness level matches the situation.

Wrong: 맛있길래 먹었어.
正解: 맛있길래 먹었어요.

このチャプターのルール (6)

1

しっかりとした理由：〜なので、〜ため (~기 때문에)

B1
客観的で強い理由を伝える「魔法のツール」です。 «~기 때문에» は事実を述べ、提案するなら «~(으)니까» を使いましょう。
비가 오기 때문에 경기가 취소되었어요.
11 例文
2

〜だったので（見た・聞いたから） (-길래)

B1
「〜しているのを見て・聞いて」という自分の「気づき」をきっかけに何かをした時に使います。 «봤길래» «들었길래» «하길래» が魔法の言葉です！
비가 오길래 우산을 가져왔어.
10 例文
3

見たことに反応する：「〜しているのを見たので…」 (-길래)

B1
見たことや気づいたことに「おっ、じゃあ〜しよう」と反応する時に «길래» を使いましょう。
날씨가 좋길래 산책하러 나갔어요.
10 例文
4

〜するせいで（言い訳）：-느라고

B1
時間がかかる「行動」のせいで、困った結果になった時に使います。«-느라고» は、ちょっと申し訳ない時の「言い訳」の魔法の言葉です！
어제 유튜브를 보느라고 숙제를 못 했어요.
11 例文
5

言い訳の達人：「～するのに忙しくて」 (느라고)

B1
「〜するのに忙しくて、他のことができなかった」という言い訳にぴったりの魔法の言葉です。«느라고» を使って、理由をスムーズに伝えましょう。
Netpeullikseu boneurago sukjereul mot haesseoyo.
12 例文
6

予期せぬハプニング：〜したせいで (~는 바람에)

B1
「~는 바람に」は、予想外の出来事で「困った結果」になった時に使います。«予想外» «マイナスな結果» «言い訳» がキーワード！
배터리가 나가는 바람에 연락을 못 했어.
10 例文

Next Steps

You are making amazing progress! Keep practicing these nuances, and you'll sound like a native in no time.

Write a diary entry about your day

Continue to: Intentions and Desired Results

クイック練習 (10)

-길래 を正しく使っている文を選んでください。

最も自然な文はどれ？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 날씨가 좋길래 산책을 했어요.
命令形 (하세요) や、自分の意図的な行動 (공부하길래) に使うのは不自然です。状況の観察 (날씨가 좋길래) に使いましょう。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜だったので（見た・聞いたから） (-길래)

正しい形を選んで文を完成させてください。

날씨가 ___ 소풍을 취소했어요. (춥다 - 寒い)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 춥기 때문에
理由を表す「〜なので」にするには、語幹 춥 に 기 때문에 をつけます。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: しっかりとした理由：〜なので、〜ため (~기 때문에)

-느라고 を自然に使っている文はどれですか？

正しい文章を選んでください：

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 친구를 기다리느라고 영화를 못 봤어요.
「友達を待つ」という行動のせいで「映画を見られない」というマイナスの結果になっているため、これが正解です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜するせいで（言い訳）：-느라고

文の中の間違いを見つけて直してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

바쁘느라고 전화를 못 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 바빠서 전화를 못 했어요.
「바쁘다（忙しい）」は形容詞なので、-느라고は使えません。-아/어서を使うのが正解です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜するせいで（言い訳）：-느라고

文の間違いを見つけて直してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

친구가 예쁘길래 지수가 그 옷을 샀어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 친구가 예뻐서 지수가 샀어요.
後半の主語が自分（私）ではなく「ジスさん」なので、一般的な理由を表す「-아서/어서」を使うのが正解です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 見たことに反応する：「〜しているのを見たので…」 (-길래)

不自然な部分を見つけて修正してください。

배가 고프길래 밥을 먹으세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: どちらも正しい修正方法です。
-길래 で文を終わらせる時は命令形にできません。事実を述べるか、接続詞を -니까 に変える必要があります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜だったので（見た・聞いたから） (-길래)

間違いを見つけて直してください。

Find and fix the mistake:

숙제이기 때문에 하세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 숙제니까 하세요.
「〜してください」という命令文なので、기 때문에 は使えません。 (으)니까 に変える必要があります。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: しっかりとした理由：〜なので、〜ため (~기 때문에)

カジュアルな会話で最も自然な文を選んでください。

一番自然な文はどれ？

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 비가 오길래 우산을 가져왔어요.
「-기에」は硬い書き言葉、「-기 때문에」は説明的な響きがします。日常会話では「-길래」がベスト！

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 見たことに反応する：「〜しているのを見たので…」 (-길래)

（ ）の中の動詞を正しい形に変えてみましょう。

어제 게임을 ______ (하다) 숙제를 못 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 하느라고
過去の出来事でも、-느라고は現在形の語幹に付けます。「했느라고」は間違いです。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜するせいで（言い訳）：-느라고

「싸다」(安い) を正しい形にして文を完成させてください。

가격이 ___ 두 개 샀어.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 싸길래
「安いのを見て、それがきっかけで買った」というニュアンスを出すには '싸길래' が最適です。

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 〜だったので（見た・聞いたから） (-길래)

Score: /10

よくある質問 (6)

はい、 «~(으)ㄹ 것이기 때문에» となりますが、少し長ったらしいです。会話では現在形を使うか «(으)니까» に変えることが多いですよ。
例えば «의사» なら «의사기 때문에» と «이» を省略できます。書き言葉では «의사이기 때문에» と書くのが丁寧です。
はい、使えます！ただし「お腹が鳴ったから」のように、自分の状態を客観的に観察しているニュアンスになります。 «배고프길래» は日常会話でよく使われますよ。
«-라서» は一般的な理由ですが、 «-길래» は「何かを見て、それがきっかけで〜した」という直接的な体験が強調されます。より臨場感がある表現です。
基本的には口語（話し言葉）で、親しい間柄でよく使われます。丁寧な「です・ます」の文末と一緒に使うのはOKですが、公式な場では「-기에」を使いましょう。
はい！「어제 늦었길래（昨日遅かったので）」のように、「-았/었길래」を使って過去のきっかけを表せます。
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