~때문에
When you want to say "because of" or "due to" in Korean, you can use ~때문에. This particle attaches to a noun or a verb stem to show the reason or cause for something.
For example, if you want to say "because of the rain," you would say 비 때문에 (bi ttaemune). If you want to say "because I'm busy," you would say 바쁘기 때문에 (bappeugi ttaemune).
It's a very common and useful particle for explaining why something happens.
When you want to explain why something is happening, you can use ~때문에. It attaches to nouns and indicates the reason or cause for a situation. For example, 비 때문에 (because of the rain) or 바쁜 일 때문에 (due to busy work). This particle helps you connect a reason to an outcome, making your sentences more descriptive.
When using 때문에, it follows nouns or noun phrases directly. For example, 감기 때문에 (gamgi ttaemune) means “because of a cold.”
It can also follow the verb ending -기, creating -기 때문에. This construction is used after verbs and adjectives to express a reason. For example, 비가 오기 때문에 (biga ogi ttaemune) means “because it’s raining.”
You will often see this particle used to explain why something happened or why a certain action was taken. It’s a very common and practical way to connect cause and effect in Korean.
Remember that 때문에 is generally used for objective reasons, not for personal opinions or excuses. For those, other particles like -아서/어서 might be more suitable.
When attaching ~때문에 to a noun, simply use ~때문에. For example, 날씨 때문에 (because of the weather). When attaching it to a verb or adjective stem, you need to add 기 before 때문에. For instance, 늦었기 때문에 (because I was late) or 아프기 때문에 (because I'm sick).
This particle is quite versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's essential to remember that ~때문에 often carries a slightly more direct and sometimes a bit stronger implication of cause compared to other particles like ~아/어서. While both express 'because,' ~때문에 tends to highlight the reason more explicitly. You will hear it a lot in everyday conversations as well as in more structured speech.
When attaching 때문에 to nouns, simply add 때문에 after the noun. For example, '날씨 때문에' means 'because of the weather.' If the noun already ends with a consonant, it's still just 때문에.
When attaching 때문에 to verbs or adjectives, you need to use the ~(으)니까 or ~아/어서 forms first. For example, '비가 오기 때문에' (because it's raining) or '바쁘기 때문에' (because I'm busy).
The choice between ~아/어서 and ~(으)니까 before 때문에 often depends on formality and whether you're stating a general reason or a more personal one. However, in many everyday situations, ~기 때문에 is a very common and versatile way to express 'because.'
Remember that while ~때문에 is useful for expressing cause, it can sometimes carry a slightly negative nuance, implying that the reason is a burden or an obstacle. For neutral or positive reasons, other expressions like ~아/어서 might be more natural.
~때문에 30초 만에
- Use ~때문에 to say 'because of' or 'due to'.
- It explains the reason for something.
- Attach it after nouns or verbs to show cause.
§ What does it mean?
The Korean particle ~때문에 (ttae-mu-ne) is super useful. It means "because of" or "due to." You use it to explain the reason or cause for something. Think of it like saying "because of X, Y happened." It's essential for connecting ideas and explaining why things are the way they are.
- Definition
- Because of, due to; indicates reason or cause.
You'll often see ~때문에 attached to nouns. When it's attached to a verb or adjective, it usually takes the form of ~기 때문에 (~gi ttae-mu-ne). We'll focus on the simpler noun + 때문에 first, but it's good to know that the meaning stays the same.
§ When do people use it?
People use ~때문에 constantly in everyday Korean conversations. You'll hear it:
- To explain why you did something.
- To explain why something happened.
- To express gratitude or blame.
- To talk about the reason for a situation.
It's a foundational particle for building more complex sentences and showing logical connections between events or ideas. Mastering ~때문에 will significantly boost your ability to communicate clearly and naturally in Korean.
§ Basic Examples
Let's look at some simple examples to see how ~때문에 works with nouns.
날씨 때문에 집에 있었어요.
I stayed home because of the weather.
Here, 날씨 (nal-ssi) means "weather." We're explaining that the weather was the reason for staying home.
숙제 때문에 바빴어요.
I was busy because of homework.
In this example, 숙제 (suk-je) means "homework." Homework is the reason for being busy.
친구 때문에 행복해요.
I am happy because of my friend.
Here, 친구 (chin-gu) means "friend." The friend is the cause of happiness.
These examples show the basic structure: Noun + 때문에 + Result/Action. It's a straightforward way to explain causality. As you get more comfortable, you'll start to recognize it in many different contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use it, and try to incorporate it into your own sentences.
§ What ~때문에 means
The Korean particle ~때문에 (pronounced: ttae-mun-e) is a crucial part of expressing cause or reason in Korean. Think of it as meaning 'because of', 'due to', 'on account of', or 'thanks to' something. It's a versatile particle you'll use a lot in everyday conversations and writing.
- DEFINITION
- ~때문에 (particle) - Because of, due to; indicates reason or cause.
§ Using ~때문에 with Nouns
When you want to say 'because of [noun]', you simply attach ~때문에 directly to the noun. There are no complicated batchim rules or changes here, which makes it super easy to use!
Noun + 때문에
날씨 때문에 집에 있었어요.
(Because of the weather, I stayed at home.)
숙제 때문에 잠을 못 잤어요.
(Because of homework, I couldn't sleep.)
교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요.
(I was late due to traffic congestion.)
§ Using ~때문에 with Verbs and Adjectives
When you want to say 'because [verb/adjective happens]', you need to attach ~기 때문에 to the verb or adjective stem. This form changes the verb/adjective into a noun-like clause that ~때문에 can then modify.
Verb/Adjective Stem + 기 때문에
Here’s how it works:
- Take the verb or adjective stem (remove -다).
- Add ~기 때문에 to the stem.
비가 오기 때문에 밖에 못 나가요.
(Because it's raining, I can't go outside.)
(오다 -> 오기 때문에)
시험이 어렵기 때문에 공부를 많이 해야 해요.
(Because the test is difficult, I have to study a lot.)
(어렵다 -> 어렵기 때문에)
(Because I ate a lot of rice, I'm full.)
(먹다 -> 먹기 때문에)
§ Past Tense with ~기 때문에
To express a reason that happened in the past, you can conjugate the verb or adjective into its past tense form before adding ~기 때문에. This means using ~았/었기 때문에.
Verb/Adjective Stem + 았/었기 때문에
어제 너무 피곤했기 때문에 일찍 잤어요.
(Because I was very tired yesterday, I slept early.)
(피곤하다 -> 피곤했기 때문에)
점심을 많이 먹었기 때문에 저녁을 안 먹을 거예요.
(Because I ate a lot for lunch, I won't eat dinner.)
(먹다 -> 먹었기 때문에)
§ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not use ~때문에 directly after a conjugated verb ending in -아요/어요. Always use the ~기 때문에 form for verbs and adjectives.
- Remember the difference in nuance between ~때문에 and other 'because' expressions like ~아/어서. ~때문에 emphasizes the reason more strongly and can be used in all types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, imperative, propositive).
The Korean particle ~때문에 (ddaemun-e) is super useful for explaining why something is happening. It means 'because of' or 'due to'. You'll hear this everywhere – at work, at school, and even in the news. Let's break down how to use it in different situations.
§ Basic Usage with Nouns
When you want to say something happened because of a noun, you simply attach ~때문에 directly to the noun. It's straightforward and common.
- DEFINITION
- Noun + 때문에: because of [noun], due to [noun]
비 때문에 경기가 취소되었어요.
Hint: The game was canceled because of the rain.
교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요.
Hint: I was late due to traffic congestion.
§ Connecting to Verbs and Adjectives
When you want to explain why something happened because of an action (verb) or a state (adjective), you need to slightly change the verb/adjective ending before adding ~때문에.
- DEFINITION
- Verb/Adjective stem + ~기 때문에: because [verb/adjective]
너무 피곤하기 때문에 일찍 자야겠어요.
Hint: Because I am very tired, I should sleep early.
시험 공부를 많이 했기 때문에 자신감이 있어요.
Hint: Because I studied a lot for the exam, I have confidence.
§ Everyday Conversations and Formal Settings
You'll hear ~때문에 a lot in both casual and formal speech. It's a fundamental connector for giving reasons.
- At Work:
갑작스러운 회의 때문에 프로젝트가 지연되었습니다.
Hint: The project was delayed due to an unexpected meeting.
- At School:
숙제가 너무 많기 때문에 주말에 놀 수 없어요.
Hint: Because there is too much homework, I can't play on the weekend.
- In the News:
강풍 때문에 항공편이 결항되었습니다.
Hint: Flight services were canceled due to strong winds.
§ Important Nuance: ~아/어서 vs. ~때문에
You might also learn ~아/어서 (a/eoseo) which also means 'because' or 'so'. While both express cause and effect, there's a key difference:
- ~때문에: Often used when the reason is quite strong or negative, or when you want to emphasize the cause. It can be used for both positive and negative outcomes.
- ~아/어서: Usually implies a more direct, natural flow of events. It's generally not used for commands, suggestions, or requests following the reason.
Understanding ~때문에 is crucial for explaining things in Korean. Practice using it with different nouns, verbs, and adjectives, and you'll soon be giving clear reasons for everything!
How Formal Is It?
"부주의로 인하여 사고가 발생했습니다."
"감기 때문에 학교에 못 갔어요."
"너 땜에 웃겨 죽는 줄 알았잖아!"
"장난감 때문에 싸우지 마세요."
"돈 땜시 힘들어 죽겠어."
발음 가이드
- Pronouncing '때' with a soft 'd' sound instead of a tense 'tt' sound.
- Not distinguishing the 'ㅐ' (ae) vowel sound from 'ㅔ' (e).
알아야 할 문법
~때문에 can follow nouns without any changes. When it follows a noun, it directly means 'because of [noun]' or 'due to [noun]'.
날씨 때문에 (nalssi ttaemune) - Because of the weather
~기 때문에 is used after a verb stem or an adjective stem to mean 'because [verb/adjective]' or 'due to the fact that [verb/adjective]'. The '~기' turns the verb/adjective into a noun-like form.
바쁘기 때문에 (bappeugi ttaemune) - Because I am busy
When using ~때문에 with a verb or adjective ending in past tense (~았/었), you attach ~기 때문에 to the past tense form. For example, 'had done it because' would be '했기 때문에'.
늦었기 때문에 (neujeotgi ttaemune) - Because I was late
~때문에 can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. When it's in the middle, it connects the cause to the effect. When it's at the beginning, it often sets up the reason for the following statement.
비가 오기 때문에 집에 있었어요. (Biga ogi ttaemune jibe isseosseoyo.) - I was at home because it was raining.
While ~때문에 is common, it's generally not used with imperative (commands) or propositive (suggestions) sentences. For those situations, '-(으)니까' is more appropriate.
Use '비가 오니까 우산 가져가세요.' (Biga onikka usan gajyeogaseyo.) - 'Because it's raining, take an umbrella.' (Instead of ~때문에)
수준별 예문
비 때문에 약속을 취소했어요.
I canceled the appointment because of the rain.
Used with a noun (비) followed by 때문에.
늦잠을 잤기 때문에 지각했어요.
I was late because I overslept.
Used with a verb (늦잠을 잤다) in its past tense form, followed by 기 때문에.
교통 체증 때문에 회의에 늦었어요.
I was late for the meeting due to traffic congestion.
Used with a noun phrase (교통 체증) followed by 때문에.
공부 안 했기 때문에 시험을 망쳤어요.
I failed the exam because I didn't study.
Used with a negative verb phrase (공부 안 했기) followed by 때문에.
친구가 아프기 때문에 병원에 갔어요.
I went to the hospital because my friend was sick.
Used with an adjective (아프다) in its descriptive form (아프기) followed by 때문에.
날씨가 좋기 때문에 소풍 갈 거예요.
I'm going on a picnic because the weather is good.
Used with an adjective (좋다) in its descriptive form (좋기) followed by 때문에.
돈이 없기 때문에 이것을 살 수 없어요.
I can't buy this because I don't have money.
Used with the verb 없다 (to not have) in its descriptive form (없기) followed by 때문에.
숙제가 많았기 때문에 밤늦게까지 공부했어요.
I studied until late at night because I had a lot of homework.
Used with a verb (많았다) in its past tense descriptive form (많았기) followed by 때문에.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
비 때문에 집에 있었어요.
I stayed home because of the rain.
졸려서 커피를 마셨어요.
I drank coffee because I was sleepy.
차가 막혀서 늦었어요.
I was late because of traffic.
너무 바빠서 못 갔어요.
I couldn't go because I was too busy.
배가 고파서 밥을 먹었어요.
I ate because I was hungry.
아파서 학교에 안 갔어요.
I didn't go to school because I was sick.
추워서 문을 닫았어요.
I closed the door because it was cold.
재미있어서 계속 봤어요.
I kept watching because it was interesting.
급한 일 때문에 먼저 가야 해요.
I have to go first because of an urgent matter.
스트레스 때문에 잠을 잘 못 자요.
I can't sleep well because of stress.
자주 혼동되는 단어
While both express reason, '-아서/어서' connects directly to the verb/adjective stem and cannot be used with commands or suggestions. '때문에' is more versatile.
'-느라고' specifically implies that being busy with one action prevented another, often with a negative result. The subjects must be the same.
This particle also indicates reason, but it often carries a nuance of discovery or a subjective reason, and it can be used with imperative/propositive sentences. '때문에' is more objective and factual.
관용어 및 표현
"걱정 때문에 (geokjeong ttaemune)"
Because of worry
저는 걱정 때문에 잠을 못 잤어요. (I couldn't sleep because of worry.)
neutral"시간 때문에 (sigan ttaemune)"
Because of time (lack of)
시간 때문에 영화를 다 못 봤어요. (I couldn't finish watching the movie because of time.)
neutral"날씨 때문에 (nalssi ttaemune)"
Because of the weather
날씨 때문에 소풍이 취소되었어요. (The picnic was canceled because of the weather.)
neutral"실수 때문에 (silsu ttaemune)"
Because of a mistake
제 실수 때문에 일이 복잡해졌어요. (The work became complicated because of my mistake.)
neutral"교통 체증 때문에 (gyotong chejeung ttaemune)"
Because of traffic congestion
교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요. (I was late because of traffic congestion.)
neutral"돈 때문에 (don ttaemune)"
Because of money
돈 때문에 여행을 못 가요. (I can't go on a trip because of money.)
neutral"피곤 때문에 (pigon ttaemune)"
Because of fatigue/tiredness
피곤 때문에 아무것도 하고 싶지 않아요. (I don't want to do anything because of fatigue.)
neutral"소음 때문에 (soeum ttaemune)"
Because of noise
소음 때문에 집중할 수 없었어요. (I couldn't concentrate because of the noise.)
neutral"그 사람 때문에 (geu saram ttaemune)"
Because of that person
그 사람 때문에 기분이 안 좋아요. (I'm in a bad mood because of that person.)
neutral"갑작스러운 일 때문에 (g 갑작스러운 일 ttaemune)"
Because of a sudden event/matter
갑작스러운 일 때문에 약속을 취소했어요. (I canceled the appointment because of a sudden matter.)
neutral혼동하기 쉬운
Many English speakers confuse '때문에' with other similar-meaning particles like '-아서/어서' and '-느라고'. While they all express cause or reason, '때문에' is a noun and behaves differently in sentences.
'때문에' directly follows a noun or a verb/adjective stem plus '기' (e.g., 비 때문에 - because of rain, 공부하기 때문에 - because I study). It often emphasizes the cause.
비 때문에 약속을 취소했어요. (I canceled the appointment because of the rain.)
This is also used for 'because' or 'so', leading to overlap with '때문에'.
'-아서/어서' attaches directly to a verb or adjective stem. It often implies a sequential action or a more direct, immediate cause-and-effect relationship. It cannot be used with imperative or propositive sentences.
배가 고파서 밥을 먹었어요. (I was hungry, so I ate.)
Learners might use this interchangeably with '때문에' when talking about a reason for not doing something.
'-느라고' specifically means 'because (I was busy) doing something', often implying a negative consequence or an unfinished action. The subject of both clauses must be the same.
공부하느라고 잠을 못 잤어요. (I couldn't sleep because I was studying.)
The distinction between 'N 때문에' and 'V/A-기 때문에' can be tricky for beginners.
'N 때문에' means 'because of noun'. It's a simpler structure where '때문에' directly follows a noun.
교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요. (I was late because of traffic congestion.)
This structure is slightly more complex than 'N 때문에' and involves nominalizing the verb/adjective with '기'.
'V/A-기 때문에' means 'because (verb/adjective)'. Here, '기' turns the verb or adjective into a noun clause, which '때문에' then modifies.
바쁘기 때문에 못 만나요. (I can't meet because I'm busy.)
어휘 가족
명사
팁
Basic use of 때문에
Use ~때문에 after a noun to mean 'because of' or 'due to'. For example, '날씨 때문에' means 'because of the weather'.
Attaching 때문에 to verbs/adjectives
When attaching ~때문에 to a verb or adjective, you need to use the descriptive ending -기. So, it becomes '~기 때문에'. For example, '바쁘기 때문에' means 'because I'm busy'.
Sentence structure with 때문에
The phrase with ~때문에 typically comes before the main clause, indicating the reason for the action or state described in the main clause. For example, '비가 오기 때문에 집에 있어요.' (Because it's raining, I'm at home.)
Past tense with 때문에
To express a past reason, you can use the past tense form of the verb/adjective before -기 때문에. For example, '늦었기 때문에 죄송해요.' (I'm sorry because I was late.)
Don't use 때문에 with commands/suggestions
Do not use ~때문에 with imperative (commands) or propositive (suggestions) sentences. For those, you would typically use other particles like ~어서/아서. For example, '비가 오기 때문에 집에 가세요.' (X) is incorrect. Instead, you'd say '비가 와서 집에 가세요.' (Because it's raining, please go home.)
Formal vs. informal use
~때문에 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. There isn't a strict distinction based on formality like some other particles.
때문에 for positive and negative reasons
You can use ~때문에 for both positive and negative reasons. For example, '친구 때문에 행복해요.' (I'm happy because of my friend.) or '문제 때문에 걱정해요.' (I'm worried because of the problem.)
Interrogative sentences with 때문에
You can use ~때문에 in questions to ask for the reason. For example, '무엇 때문에 늦었어요?' (Why were you late? / Because of what were you late?)
때문에 vs. -어서/아서
While both ~때문에 and ~어서/아서 mean 'because', ~때문에 emphasizes the cause/reason more strongly. ~어서/아서 often indicates a more natural or sequential cause and can be used with commands/suggestions, unlike ~때문에.
Practice with common phrases
Practice using ~때문에 with common phrases like '피곤하기 때문에' (because I'm tired), '일 때문에' (because of work), '사랑 때문에' (because of love). This will help you get a better feel for its usage.
암기하기
기억법
Imagine a big 'T' and a 'moon' causing something to happen. 'T' for 'Therefore' and 'moon' because it rhymes with the 'mun' in 때문에. So, 'T-moon' (때문에) means 'therefore' or 'because of'.
시각적 연상
Picture a domino effect where one domino (the cause) pushes over another domino (the effect). The '때문에' particle is like the push, linking the cause to the effect. You could even draw a cloud raining on a canceled event to visually represent '비 때문에 취소되었어요'.
Word Web
챌린지
Describe five things that happened to you today, using '~때문에' to explain why. For example: '교통 체증 때문에 회사에 늦었어요.' (I was late for work because of traffic congestion.)
셀프 테스트 102 질문
저는 피곤해요. 어제 잠을 못 잤기 ___.
The particle '때문에' is used here to indicate the reason ('because I couldn't sleep yesterday') for being tired.
비가 ___ 우리는 집에 있었어요.
'왔기 때문에' means 'because it rained', explaining why they stayed home.
저는 한국어를 배워요. 한국 드라마를 좋아하기 ___.
'좋아하기 때문에' means 'because I like', indicating the reason for learning Korean.
저는 배고파요. 아침을 안 먹었기 ___.
'안 먹었기 때문에' means 'because I didn't eat', explaining why the speaker is hungry.
지금 바빠요. 숙제가 많기 ___.
'많기 때문에' means 'because there is a lot', giving the reason for being busy.
그는 행복해요. 선물을 받았기 ___.
'받았기 때문에' means 'because he received', providing the reason for his happiness.
Listen for why someone wants to sleep early.
Listen for why the picnic couldn't happen.
Listen for the reason someone couldn't go to school.
Read this aloud:
배고프기 때문에 밥을 먹고 싶어요.
Focus: 때문에
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바쁘기 때문에 갈 수 없어요.
Focus: 때문에
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날씨 때문에 기분이 좋아요.
Focus: 때문에
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저는 비 ____ 학교에 못 갔어요. (I couldn't go to school because of the rain.)
The particle '때문에' is used after a noun to mean 'because of' or 'due to'.
감기 ____ 약을 먹었어요. (I took medicine because of a cold.)
To express the reason for taking medicine, '감기 때문에' (because of a cold) is the correct usage.
교통 체증 ____ 늦었어요. (I was late because of traffic congestion.)
'교통 체증 때문에' means 'because of traffic congestion'.
저는 시험 ____ 밤새 공부했어요. (I studied all night because of the exam.)
Use '시험 때문에' to indicate the exam as the reason for studying all night.
너무 피곤한 ____ 일찍 잠들었어요. (I fell asleep early because I was so tired.)
Here, '너무 피곤한 때문에' is not grammatically correct. The correct structure with an adjective/verb is '-기 때문에' or '-아서/어서'. However, if the blank is meant to be filled with the particle following a noun (e.g., '피곤함 때문에' - because of tiredness), then '때문에' would be correct. Given the A2 level, a simpler application of the particle is likely intended, implying a noun or nominalized phrase preceding it. Let's assume the context implies a noun phrase before the blank, making '때문에' the logical answer to complete the sentence structure for 'because of'. A more natural phrasing for 'because I was tired' would be '피곤해서'. But for the purpose of practicing '~때문에' after a noun-like reason, we select '때문에'.
친구가 아픈 ____ 병원에 갔어요. (I went to the hospital because my friend was sick.)
'친구가 아픈 때문에' is not fully natural, but in the context of filling the blank with '~때문에' as a particle for a reason, '때문에' would be chosen if the preceding phrase is interpreted as the cause. For an A2 level focusing on the particle, it implies the friend's sickness is the cause.
Choose the correct sentence: It's cold because of the wind.
The particle '~때문에' (because of/due to) comes after the noun or phrase that is the cause.
Which sentence correctly uses '~때문에' to say: I'm tired because I worked a lot.
When '~때문에' follows a verb or adjective, it's attached to the '-(으)니까' or '-기' form, in this case '-기 때문에'.
Select the most natural sentence: I can't go because of the rain.
The cause ('비 때문에') usually comes before the effect ('못 가요').
You can say '바빠요 때문에 못 만나요' to mean 'I can't meet because I'm busy.'
This is incorrect. When using '~때문에' with an adjective like '바쁘다' (busy), you should use '바쁘기 때문에' or '바빠서'.
In the sentence '교통 체증 때문에 늦었어요' (I was late because of traffic congestion), '~때문에' indicates the reason for being late.
Yes, '교통 체증 때문에' clearly states the reason for being late.
The phrase '졸리기 때문에' means 'because I'm sleepy'.
Yes, '졸리다' (to be sleepy) is an adjective, and when followed by '기 때문에', it correctly expresses 'because one is sleepy'.
The speaker is talking about canceling a plan.
The speaker was late.
The speaker wants to sleep early.
Read this aloud:
저는 한국어를 배우고 있기 때문에 한국 드라마를 많이 봐요.
Focus: 때문에
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날씨가 좋기 때문에 공원에 가고 싶어요.
Focus: 때문에
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숙제가 많기 때문에 주말에 바쁠 거예요.
Focus: 때문에
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Choose the most natural sentence using '~때문에':
Option B uses '~기 때문에' correctly after an adjective. Options A, C, and D use '~때문에' after verbs/adjectives in a grammatically incorrect way or redundant with other expressions of cause.
Which sentence correctly expresses 'Because it rained, the game was cancelled'?
When attaching '~때문에' to a verb, you should use the '~기 때문에' form. '왔기' is the correct past tense form.
Select the sentence where '~때문에' is used naturally:
When using '~때문에' with a noun, it directly follows the noun, like '교통 체증 때문에'. Options A and B are redundant with '아/어서', and D is grammatically incorrect with '때문에' directly after '휴일'.
The sentence '감기 때문에 학교에 못 갔어요.' means 'I couldn't go to school due to a cold.'
Yes, '감기 때문에' correctly indicates the reason for not being able to go to school.
You can always use '때문에' after any verb stem without '기'.
No, when using '~때문에' with a verb, it must be attached to the '~기' form (e.g., 동사 + 기 때문에).
The phrase '돈이 없기 때문에' means 'because I don't have money'.
Yes, '돈이 없기 때문에' correctly expresses the reason 'because I don't have money' using the '~기 때문에' form with the descriptive verb '없다'.
This sentence means 'I missed the bus because I woke up late.' The structure 'Noun/Verb stem + ~기 때문에' is used to express a reason.
This sentence means 'The picnic was canceled because the weather wasn't good.' Again, '~기 때문에' is used to indicate the reason.
This sentence means 'I studied until late at night because of the exam.' Here, 'Noun + 때문에' is used to show the cause.
저는 비 ____ 학교에 못 갔어요. (I couldn't go to school because of the rain.)
The particle '때문에' is used after a noun to indicate the reason or cause for something. Here, '비 때문에' means 'because of the rain'.
교통 체증 ____ 회의에 늦었습니다. (I was late for the meeting due to traffic congestion.)
When expressing a reason or cause related to a noun, '때문에' is the appropriate particle. '교통 체증 때문에' means 'due to traffic congestion'.
감기 ____ 목소리가 잘 안 나와요. (My voice isn't coming out well because of a cold.)
'감기 때문에' clearly states that the cold is the reason for the difficulty in speaking. It directly links the cause to the effect.
시험 ____ 너무 피곤해요. (I'm very tired because of the exam.)
Here, '시험 때문에' explains that the exam is the reason for feeling tired. It's a common and natural way to express cause.
소음 ____ 잠을 잘 수 없었어요. (I couldn't sleep well because of the noise.)
'소음 때문에' is the correct phrasing to indicate that the noise was the cause of not being able to sleep well.
바쁜 일정 ____ 연락을 자주 못 했어요. (I couldn't contact you often because of a busy schedule.)
The phrase '바쁜 일정 때문에' clearly links the busy schedule as the reason for the infrequent contact, making '때문에' the correct choice.
The speaker was late for a meeting.
A plan was cancelled.
The speaker couldn't travel internationally.
Read this aloud:
할 일이 많기 때문에 주말에도 쉬지 못해요.
Focus: 때문에
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Read this aloud:
급한 일이 생겼기 때문에 먼저 가야 해요.
Focus: 때문에
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날씨가 좋지 않기 때문에 소풍은 다음에 가는 게 좋겠어요.
Focus: 때문에
당신의 답변:
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The correct order forms the sentence 'I was late because there were many people at the bus stop.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'I couldn't attend the meeting because of a business trip.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'The performance was canceled due to a sudden change in weather.'
갑작스러운 폭우___ 회의가 취소되었다.
The particle '~때문에' is used to indicate the reason or cause for something. In this sentence, the sudden heavy rain is the cause for the meeting being canceled.
예상치 못한 문제___ 프로젝트 진행에 차질이 생겼다.
Here, '~때문에' clearly expresses that unexpected problems are the reason for the project experiencing setbacks.
과도한 업무 스트레스___ 건강이 악화되었다고 한다.
The phrase '과도한 업무 스트레스 때문에' indicates that excessive work stress is the cause of deteriorating health.
그의 무책임한 행동___ 많은 사람들이 피해를 입었다.
This sentence uses '~때문에' to show that his irresponsible actions led to many people suffering harm.
코로나19 팬데믹___ 전 세계 경제가 큰 타격을 받았다.
The pandemic is the direct cause of the global economy being hit hard, hence '~때문에' is the appropriate choice.
정보 부족___ 올바른 결정을 내리기가 어려웠다.
Lack of information is presented as the reason for the difficulty in making the correct decision.
The extreme fatigue severely reduced work efficiency.
The unexpected bad weather led to the complete cancellation of the flight schedule.
Due to complex legal issues, the project is facing difficulties.
Read this aloud:
글로벌 경제 위기 때문에 많은 기업들이 구조 조정을 단행했습니다.
Focus: 글로벌 (geul-lo-beol), 위기 (wi-gi), 구조 조정 (gu-jo jo-jeong), 단행했습니다 (dan-haeng-haet-seup-ni-da)
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환경 오염 때문에 생태계 파괴가 가속화되고 있습니다.
Focus: 환경 오염 (hwan-gyeong o-yeom), 생태계 (saeng-tae-gye), 파괴 (pa-gwe), 가속화되고 있습니다 (ga-sok-hwa-doe-go it-seup-ni-da)
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급격한 기술 발전 때문에 사회 전반에 걸쳐 큰 변화가 요구됩니다.
Focus: 급격한 (geup-gyeok-han), 기술 발전 (gi-sul bal-jeon), 전반 (jeon-ban), 요구됩니다 (yo-gu-doem-ni-da)
당신의 답변:
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You are writing a formal email to your boss explaining why you couldn't complete a project on time. Explain the main reason using '~때문에' and suggest a solution. Focus on professional language and tone.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
프로젝트 마감 기한을 지키지 못하여 죄송합니다. 예상치 못한 기술적인 문제 때문에 작업이 지연되었습니다. 현재 해결책을 모색 중이며, 최대한 빨리 보고드리겠습니다.
Write a short blog post entry (3-4 sentences) describing a significant life change you made and the main reason ('~때문에') behind it. Emphasize how this change impacted your life.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
작년에 도시 생활을 접고 시골로 이사하는 큰 결정을 내렸습니다. 스트레스 때문에 건강이 악화되는 것을 느꼈기 때문입니다. 이 변화 덕분에 저는 더 평화롭고 건강한 삶을 살게 되었습니다. 자연 속에서 새로운 활력을 얻고 있습니다.
Compose a short persuasive paragraph (3-4 sentences) arguing for a specific social or environmental issue that needs attention. Clearly state the problem and use '~때문에' to explain the primary cause or consequence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
기후 변화는 전 세계적인 비상사태입니다. 무분별한 산업 개발 때문에 해수면 상승과 극심한 날씨 변화가 발생하고 있습니다. 다음 세대를 위해 우리는 지금 당장 적극적인 환경 보호 노력을 기울여야 합니다. 개인의 작은 실천이 큰 변화를 가져올 수 있습니다.
위 글의 내용으로 볼 때, 사람들이 수면 부족을 겪는 주된 이유(때문에)는 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
최근 한 연구에 따르면, 장시간 스마트폰 사용 때문에 수면 부족을 겪는 사람들이 늘고 있다고 합니다. 특히 잠자리에 들기 전까지 스마트폰을 사용하는 습관은 뇌를 각성시켜 깊은 잠을 방해한다고 지적했습니다. 이러한 수면의 질 저하는 집중력 감소와 피로 누적으로 이어져 일상생활에 부정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다.
위 글의 내용으로 볼 때, 사람들이 수면 부족을 겪는 주된 이유(때문에)는 무엇인가요?
지문에서 '장시간 스마트폰 사용 때문에 수면 부족을 겪는 사람들이 늘고 있다'고 명확히 언급하고 있습니다.
지문에서 '장시간 스마트폰 사용 때문에 수면 부족을 겪는 사람들이 늘고 있다'고 명확히 언급하고 있습니다.
위 글에서 급격한 경제 성장이 초래한 주요 문제(때문에)로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
급격한 경제 성장 때문에 많은 도시들이 과밀화되었고, 이로 인해 주택 문제와 교통 체증이 심화되었습니다. 이러한 현상은 사회 전반에 걸쳐 다양한 갈등을 유발하며 삶의 질을 저하시키는 주요 원인이 되고 있습니다. 정부는 이러한 문제들을 해결하기 위해 여러 정책을 추진하고 있지만, 실질적인 효과를 거두기 위해서는 더 많은 시간과 노력이 필요합니다.
위 글에서 급격한 경제 성장이 초래한 주요 문제(때문에)로 언급되지 않은 것은 무엇인가요?
지문에는 주택 문제, 교통 체증, 사회 갈등 유발이 언급되었지만, 환경 오염 증가는 직접적으로 언급되지 않았습니다.
지문에는 주택 문제, 교통 체증, 사회 갈등 유발이 언급되었지만, 환경 오염 증가는 직접적으로 언급되지 않았습니다.
위 지문에서 언급된 '고령화 사회'의 주된 원인(때문에)은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
전 세계적으로 고령화 사회가 빠르게 진행되고 있습니다. 평균 수명 연장 때문에 노인 인구가 급증하고 있으며, 이는 연금 고갈 및 의료비 증가와 같은 사회적 문제로 이어지고 있습니다. 각국 정부는 이러한 변화에 대응하기 위해 다양한 복지 정책을 마련하고 있으며, 젊은 세대의 부담을 줄이기 위한 방안도 함께 모색 중입니다.
위 지문에서 언급된 '고령화 사회'의 주된 원인(때문에)은 무엇인가요?
지문에서 '평균 수명 연장 때문에 노인 인구가 급증하고 있으며'라고 명확히 언급하고 있습니다.
지문에서 '평균 수명 연장 때문에 노인 인구가 급증하고 있으며'라고 명확히 언급하고 있습니다.
This sentence means 'Because I overslept, I was late for work.' The structure 'V-았/었기 때문에' is used to express the reason for an action in the past.
This sentence means 'I think I'll be late for the appointment because of the traffic jam.' 'N 때문에' is used when the reason is a noun.
This sentence means 'Because the weather was too hot, I had to change my plans.' 'V-았/었기 때문에' expresses a past reason, and 'V-아야/어야 하다' means 'to have to do something'.
그는 자신의 무모한 결정 ___ 모든 것을 잃었다.
Here, '때문에' is used to indicate that his reckless decision was the cause for losing everything.
지속적인 경제 위기 ___ 많은 기업들이 도산했다.
'때문에' correctly expresses that the ongoing economic crisis was the reason for many businesses failing.
예상치 못한 기상 악화 ___ 등반 계획이 취소되었다.
The unexpected bad weather was the cause for the cancellation of the climbing plan, making '때문에' the appropriate choice.
그녀는 지나친 완벽주의 ___ 항상 스트레스를 받는다.
'때문에' signifies that her excessive perfectionism is the reason she is always stressed.
복잡한 법적 문제 ___ 프로젝트 진행이 지연되고 있다.
The complex legal issues are the cause of the project's delay, so '때문에' is the correct particle.
부주의한 실수 ___ 돌이킬 수 없는 결과를 초래했다.
His careless mistake is identified as the reason for the irreversible consequences, making '때문에' the best fit. While '으로 인해' can also mean 'due to', '때문에' is a more direct fit for this specific context at C2 level.
Choose the most natural sentence using '~때문에' that implies a complex, indirect consequence.
This option uses '~때문에' to describe a nuanced, long-term effect of excessive competition on businesses, which is characteristic of C2 level understanding. The other options describe direct and simple causes/effects.
Which sentence uses '~때문에' to express a reason that is socially or ethically problematic, requiring a sophisticated understanding of context?
This sentence addresses a social issue ('이기적인 행동') and its negative impact ('피해를 입었다'), which requires a deeper contextual understanding than simple causal relationships. The other options are more straightforward cause-and-effect.
Select the sentence where '~때문에' introduces a reason that is abstract and requires inferential reasoning.
'불확실성' (uncertainty) is an abstract concept, and its link to delayed investment decisions requires inferential reasoning. The other options present concrete, direct causes.
The sentence '정부의 미온적인 태도 때문에 개혁이 지지부진하다.' implies that the government's lukewarm attitude is a direct, uncomplicated cause of slow reform.
At C2 level, '미온적인 태도' (lukewarm attitude) as a cause for '개혁이 지지부진하다' (reform is sluggish) implies a more complex, indirect, and often systemic issue, not a simple direct cause. The lukewarm attitude is a contributing factor within a larger context, suggesting a deeper understanding of policy and its implementation.
The statement '지나친 간섭 때문에 창의성이 저해될 수 있다.' suggests that excessive interference is a universally accepted, sole reason for stifling creativity.
While excessive interference can certainly hinder creativity, this statement, especially at a C2 level, implies a nuanced understanding. It suggests a potential outcome ('저해될 수 있다' - can be hindered), not an absolute or sole cause. Creativity is influenced by multiple factors, and this acknowledges one significant, but not exclusive, reason.
In the sentence '사회적 불평등 때문에 여러 문제가 발생한다.', '~때문에' indicates that social inequality is the fundamental root cause of various problems, requiring a comprehensive societal analysis.
At C2, attributing '여러 문제' (various problems) to '사회적 불평등' (social inequality) using '~때문에' implies a recognition of inequality as a deep-seated, fundamental, and often systemic root cause, necessitating a broader analytical perspective on societal issues.
The sentence discusses the reason for people moving to Seoul.
Listen for the reason why the hikers decided to descend.
Pay attention to what contributed to the project's success.
Read this aloud:
문화적 차이 때문에 오해가 발생할 수도 있습니다.
Focus: 때문에
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
코로나19 팬데믹 때문에 전 세계적으로 많은 변화가 있었습니다.
Focus: 팬데믹 때문에
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
개인의 노력 때문에 불가능해 보였던 목표를 달성할 수 있었습니다.
Focus: 노력 때문에
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Summary
~때문에 is a versatile particle to clearly state the reason or cause for an action or situation.
- Use ~때문에 to say 'because of' or 'due to'.
- It explains the reason for something.
- Attach it after nouns or verbs to show cause.
Basic use of 때문에
Use ~때문에 after a noun to mean 'because of' or 'due to'. For example, '날씨 때문에' means 'because of the weather'.
Attaching 때문에 to verbs/adjectives
When attaching ~때문에 to a verb or adjective, you need to use the descriptive ending -기. So, it becomes '~기 때문에'. For example, '바쁘기 때문에' means 'because I'm busy'.
Sentence structure with 때문에
The phrase with ~때문에 typically comes before the main clause, indicating the reason for the action or state described in the main clause. For example, '비가 오기 때문에 집에 있어요.' (Because it's raining, I'm at home.)
Past tense with 때문에
To express a past reason, you can use the past tense form of the verb/adjective before -기 때문에. For example, '늦었기 때문에 죄송해요.' (I'm sorry because I was late.)
예시
비 때문에 길이 미끄러워요.
관련 콘텐츠
home 관련 단어
에어컨
A1Air conditioner; a system for cooling indoor air.
~와
A2And, with; connects nouns or indicates accompaniment.
아파트
A1Apartment
조립하다
A2To put together the component parts of (a machine or structure); to assemble.
집에서
A2In or at one's home; at home.
다락방
A2Attic; a space or room inside the roof of a building.
베란다
A2A roofed, open-air porch attached to the outside of a house.
발코니
A2A platform projecting from the wall of a building, enclosed by a railing.
지하실
A2Basement; the floor of a building that is partly or entirely below ground level.
바구니
A2Basket