This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Korean
Vocabulary
~로 인해

A2 noun 9 min read

~로 인해

-ro inhae

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ~로 인해 in 30 Seconds

Explanation ~로 인해 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to connect ideas. You usually learn '때문에' (because of) first. '~로 인해' is a bit too formal for most A1 conversations. However, you might see it on signs or hear it in the subway. Just remember that it means 'because of [a noun].' For example, if you see '공사로 인해' on a sign, it means 'because of construction.' At this stage, you don't need to use it in your own speaking, but recognizing that '로' and '인해' together explain a reason will help you understand public notices. It always follows a noun, never a verb directly. Think of it as a 'professional' version of 'because.'

At the A2 level, you should begin to recognize the difference between casual and formal Korean. '~로 인해' is a key part of formal Korean. You will use it when writing formal essays or when listening to the news. It is used to show a cause-and-effect relationship. The most important rule for A2 learners is that it only attaches to nouns. If the noun ends in a consonant, use '으로 인해.' If it ends in a vowel, use '로 인해.' For example, '사고' (accident) becomes '사고로 인해' (due to an accident). This is very common in weather reports and traffic updates. Learning this word helps you move from basic 'daily life' Korean to 'public' Korean.

As a B1 learner, you should start using '~로 인해' in your formal writing, such as on the TOPIK exam. It helps you sound more objective and professional. At this level, you should also learn the adjective form '~로 인한.' While '~로 인해' connects two clauses (Cause -> Effect), '~로 인한' modifies a noun directly (e.g., '비로 인한 피해' - damage caused by rain). You should use this grammar point to describe social issues or general facts rather than personal feelings. For instance, instead of saying 'I am tired because of the exam,' which is personal, you would say 'Students are stressed due to exams,' which is a general observation. This shift in perspective is crucial for intermediate learners.

At the B2 level, you are expected to handle complex sentence structures. '~로 인해' is essential for describing logical sequences in business reports or academic discussions. You should be able to distinguish it from similar markers like '~탓에' (negative blame) and '~덕분에' (positive gratitude). '~로 인해' is the neutral, academic choice. You should also be comfortable using the optional '서' to make it '~로 인해서,' which is common in formal speeches. At this level, you should focus on collocations—words that naturally go with this grammar—such as '환경 오염으로 인해' (due to environmental pollution) or '경제 위기로 인해' (due to the economic crisis). Your ability to use this correctly signals a high level of literacy.

For C1 learners, '~로 인해' is a basic tool that you should use with precision. You should be able to identify when it is better to use more specific verbs like '기인하다' (to be caused by) or '발생하다' (to occur). You will encounter '~로 인해' in high-level literature, legal documents, and philosophical texts. At this level, you should understand the nuance of how it contributes to the 'objective' voice in Korean prose, which often avoids mentioning the speaker's personal agency. You should also be able to analyze how this structure is used in media to frame responsibility or causality in political and social events. Mastery involves not just using the word, but understanding the formal 'atmosphere' it creates.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of Korean formal registers. You use '~로 인해' effortlessly in complex, multi-clause sentences. You can distinguish between the subtle shades of causality provided by '~로 인해,' '~로 말미암아,' and '~에 따라.' You understand that '~로 인해' is the standard for modern formal causality, while others might be used for specific rhetorical effects. You are capable of writing professional-grade reports, academic theses, or legal briefs where this grammar point is used to establish clear, logical links between complex variables. You also recognize its use in classical-style modern prose and can manipulate the structure to achieve specific stylistic goals in your writing.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

~로 인해 in 30 Seconds

A formal way to say 'due to' or 'because of' in Korean, attaching only to nouns.
Commonly used in news, weather reports, and academic writing to show objective causality.
Requires '으로' after a consonant and '로' after a vowel or the letter 'ㄹ'.
Avoid using it in casual conversation; use '때문에' or '어서' instead for personal reasons.

The grammatical construction ~로 인해 is a foundational element of formal Korean syntax used to express causality. At its core, it functions similarly to the English expressions 'due to,' 'owing to,' or 'as a result of.' While beginners often learn ~때문에 first, ~로 인해 represents a step into more sophisticated, formal, and written registers of the language. It is composed of the particle 로 (indicating a method or cause) and the verb 인하다 (meaning 'to be caused by' or 'to result from'), specifically in its conjunctive form 인해 (often followed by the optional 서).

Grammatical Composition: The structure is strictly [Noun] + 로/으로 인해. If the noun ends in a consonant (except ㄹ), use '으로 인해'. If it ends in a vowel or ㄹ, use '로 인해'.

This expression is ubiquitous in news broadcasts, academic journals, official reports, and formal speeches. It provides a level of objective distance that ~때문에 lacks. When a news anchor reports on a flight cancellation, they will likely say '기상 악화로 인해' (due to worsening weather conditions) rather than the more colloquial '날씨가 나빠서'. This choice of words signals to the listener that the information is being presented as a factual report rather than a personal opinion or simple explanation.

폭설로 인해 도로가 통제되었습니다. (The roads have been closed due to heavy snow.)

Understanding the nuance of this phrase involves recognizing its 'indirectness.' It suggests a chain of events where the noun is the primary catalyst. In modern Korean, you will frequently see it used to describe social phenomena, economic shifts, and environmental changes. For example, '인구 감소로 인해' (due to population decline) or '기술의 발달로 인해' (due to the development of technology). It frames the cause as a significant factor that has led to a specific state or event.

Register and Tone: High formality. It is rarely used in casual texting between friends or in intimate family settings unless the speaker is being intentionally dramatic or professional.

경제 위기로 인해 실업률이 상승했습니다. (The unemployment rate rose due to the economic crisis.)

In summary, ~로 인해 is the bridge between basic conversational Korean and the professional world. It allows you to describe complex relationships between events with precision and gravity. Whether you are reading a newspaper article about climate change or writing a formal email to a business partner, mastering this expression is essential for demonstrating advanced proficiency and respect for the formal conventions of the Korean language.

부주의로 인해 사고가 발생했습니다. (An accident occurred due to carelessness.)

Using ~로 인해 correctly requires attention to both its grammatical attachment and its placement within a sentence. Unlike some causative markers that can attach to verbs, ~로 인해 is exclusively used with nouns. This means that if you want to express a reason that involves an action, you must first nominalize that action (convert it into a noun form) or use a related noun.

The Morphological Rule: 1. Noun ending in a vowel: Noun + 로 인해 (예: 사고 -> 사고로 인해).
2. Noun ending in a consonant: Noun + 으로 인해 (예: 가뭄 -> 가뭄으로 인해).
3. Noun ending in ㄹ: Noun + 로 인해 (예: 산불 -> 산불로 인해).

One of the most important aspects of using this grammar point is the optional addition of the suffix '서'. You will often see it written as ~로 인해서. There is virtually no difference in meaning between ~로 인해 and ~로 인해서, although the version with '서' can sometimes feel slightly more natural in spoken contexts, as it clearly marks the end of the causal clause. However, in strictly formal writing, the shorter form ~로 인해 is more common.

지진으로 인해 많은 건물이 파괴되었습니다. (Many buildings were destroyed due to the earthquake.)

The sentence structure typically follows the pattern: [Noun (Cause)] + 로 인해 + [Clause (Effect/Result)]. The result clause usually contains a verb or adjective that indicates a change in state, an occurrence, or a specific condition. Because this grammar point is formal, the ending of the sentence should also match this register, typically using ~습니다/습니까 or the plain written style ~(ㄴ/는)다.

Common Noun Pairings: Natural disasters (태풍, 홍수), social problems (전쟁, 갈등), health issues (질병, 과로), and abstract concepts (오해, 편견).

스트레스로 인해 건강이 나빠졌습니다. (Health worsened due to stress.)

Finally, it is worth noting that ~로 인해 is often used in the passive voice or with intransitive verbs. Since the speaker is focusing on the 'cause' leading to a 'result,' the sentence often describes what happened to a subject rather than what an agent did. For instance, instead of saying 'The wind broke the window,' a formal report would say, 'The window was broken due to the strong wind' (강풍으로 인해 창문이 깨졌습니다).

인터넷의 발달로 인해 생활이 편리해졌습니다. (Life has become convenient due to the development of the internet.)

If you are living in Korea or consuming Korean media, you will encounter ~로 인해 in specific professional and public environments. It is the language of the 'public sphere.' One of the most common places is the subway or bus announcements. When there is a delay, the recorded voice will often state the cause using this expression to maintain a professional and apologetic tone.

Public Announcements: '차량 고장으로 인해 열차가 지연되고 있습니다.' (The train is being delayed due to a vehicle malfunction.) This phrasing is standard for minimizing personal blame while providing a clear reason.

Another major domain is broadcast news and weather reports. Journalists use ~로 인해 to link events objectively. If there is a report on a fire, they might say, '전기 합선으로 인해 화재가 발생한 것으로 보입니다' (It appears the fire occurred due to an electrical short circuit). This lends an air of investigative authority to the reporting. Similarly, in weather segments, you will hear it used to describe the impacts of climate: '한파로 인해 수도관 동파 사고가 잇따르고 있습니다' (Burst pipe accidents are occurring one after another due to the cold wave).

공사로 인해 통행에 불편을 드려 죄송합니다. (We apologize for the inconvenience in passage due to construction.)

In the academic and business world, this expression is the standard way to present data and findings. In a PowerPoint presentation at a Korean company, a slide might read: '신제품 출시로 인해 매출이 20% 증가했습니다' (Sales increased by 20% due to the launch of the new product). It is also the default causative marker in TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) writing tasks for levels 4, 5, and 6, where students are expected to describe graphs and social trends.

Documentary and Narration: Documentaries about history or nature use this to explain causal links in a grand, narrative style. '전쟁으로 인해 많은 문화재가 소실되었습니다.' (Many cultural assets were lost due to the war.)

환경 오염으로 인해 생태계가 파괴되고 있습니다. (The ecosystem is being destroyed due to environmental pollution.)

Lastly, you will see it in legal and medical contexts. A doctor explaining the cause of a symptom might use it to remain clinical: '바이러스 감염으로 인해 열이 나는 것입니다' (The fever is occurring due to a viral infection). In legal documents, it defines the scope of liability or the cause of a dispute. Because of its precision, it leaves less room for the emotional ambiguity that common speech markers might introduce.

규제 강화로 인해 사업 확장이 어려워졌습니다. (Business expansion has become difficult due to strengthened regulations.)

While ~로 인해 is a powerful tool, it is often misused by learners who treat it as a direct synonym for 'because.' The most frequent mistake is using it in casual conversation. If you say '늦잠으로 인해 늦었어요' (I'm late due to oversleeping) to a friend, it sounds overly stiff, almost as if you are reading a police report about your own morning. In such cases, '늦잠 자서' or '늦잠 때문에' is much more natural.

Mistake 1: Register Mismatch: Using ~로 인해 in daily life with friends or family. It creates an awkward social distance.

Another common error is attaching it directly to a verb stem. Unlike ~기 때문에 or ~어서, ~로 인해 only attaches to nouns. Learners often try to say '비가 오므로 인해' (Incorrect). To use the verb 'to rain' (비가 오다), you must change it to a noun form like '강우' (rainfall) or use the nominalized form '비가 옴으로 인해' (though this is very rare and stiff). The easiest fix is to find the corresponding noun: '비로 인해'.

Wrong: 공부하므로 인해 피곤해요. (X)
Right: 과도한 공부로 인해 피곤합니다. (O)

A subtle but significant mistake is using it for personal gratitude. While ~로 인해 can technically be used for positive causes in a scientific sense (e.g., 'The discovery led to a cure'), using it to thank someone is incorrect. '선생님으로 인해 합격했어요' (I passed because of the teacher) sounds cold and mechanical. To express that someone's help or a positive situation led to a good result, you must use ~덕분에.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Nuance: Using ~로 인해 for positive personal favors. Use ~덕분에 instead to show warmth and gratitude.

Lastly, learners often confuse ~로 인해 with ~로 말미암아. While they are similar, ~로 말미암아 is even more literary and archaic, often found in the Bible or classic literature. Using ~로 말미암아 in a modern business report would be just as out of place as using ~때문에 in a scientific thesis. Stick to ~로 인해 for standard formal causality.

오해로 인해 사이가 멀어졌습니다. (The relationship grew distant due to a misunderstanding.)

Korean has a rich variety of ways to express 'because' or 'due to,' each with a specific nuance and level of formality. Comparing ~로 인해 to these alternatives is the best way to understand its unique place in the language.

~로 인해 vs. ~때문에: ~때문에: The most common, versatile marker. Used in both speech and writing. Can be slightly subjective.
~로 인해: Much more formal and objective. Primarily used in writing and formal reporting.

When the result is negative and you want to place blame, you might use ~탓에. While ~로 인해 is neutral and factual, ~탓에 carries a clear sense of 'fault.' For example, '비 때문에' is neutral, '비로 인해' is formal/scientific, but '비 탓에' implies that the rain ruined your plans and you are unhappy about it.

그의 실수 탓에 프로젝트가 실패했다. (The project failed because of (blaming) his mistake.)

Conversely, if the result is positive, ~덕분에 (thanks to) is the necessary choice. Using ~로 인해 for a positive outcome makes it sound like a cold, mechanical consequence, whereas ~덕분에 expresses gratitude. Even in formal writing, if you are describing a positive development, ~덕분에 or the more formal ~에 힘입어 (buoyed by/thanks to) might be used.

Advanced Literary Alternatives: ~로 말미암아: A poetic or archaic version of ~로 인해. Found in literature or religious texts.
~에 기인하다: A very formal verb meaning 'to originate from' or 'to be due to,' often used at the end of a sentence in academic papers.

기술의 혁신으로 인해 산업 구조가 변했습니다. (The industrial structure changed due to technological innovation.)

Finally, consider ~바람에. This is a colloquial expression used when an unexpected, usually negative, situation causes another event. It is much more dynamic and informal than ~로 인해. While ~로 인해 explains a logical causal link, ~바람에 captures the feeling of being caught off guard by a sudden change.

갑자기 비가 오는 바람에 옷이 다 젖었어요. (Because it suddenly started raining, my clothes got all wet.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The Hanja character 因 (인) depicts a person inside a square, originally representing a person lying on a mat—the mat being the 'reason' or 'support' for their rest.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /~ro in.ɦe/

US /~roʊ in.heɪ/

The stress is slightly on the first syllable of the noun it attaches to, and then on the 'in' of 'in-hae'.

Rhymes With

전해 (jeon-hae) 위해 (wi-hae) 더해 (deo-hae) 답해 (dap-hae) 심해 (sim-hae) 올해 (ol-hae) 오해 (o-hae) 피해 (pi-hae)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '로' as 'lo'. In Korean, it is a flap 'r' sound.
Making the 'h' in 'hae' too strong. It should be light.
Stressing the 'ro' too much. It is a functional particle.
Merging 'ro' and 'in' into one syllable.
Pronouncing '인' like 'een' in 'seen' too long.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize once you know the pattern.

Writing 4/5

Requires choosing the right noun and formal sentence ending.

Speaking 5/5

Hard to remember to use it instead of the easier '때문에' in real-time.

Listening 3/5

Common in news; might be hard to catch if spoken quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

때문에 그래서 로/으로 (particle) 하다 이유

Learn Next

~기 때문에 ~덕분에 ~탓에 ~음으로 인해 ~에 기인하다

Advanced

~로 말미암아 ~에 의거하여 ~에 비추어 ~을/를 토대로 ~에 근거하여

Grammar to Know

Noun + 로/으로 (Instrumental)

펜으로 써요. (I write with a pen.)

Noun + 때문에 (Causative)

너 때문에 행복해. (I'm happy because of you.)

Verb + 아서/어서 (Conjunction)

배가 아파서 병원에 갔어요. (I went to the hospital because my stomach hurt.)

Noun + 덕분에 (Positive Cause)

친구 덕분에 잘 끝냈어요. (I finished well thanks to my friend.)

Verb + 기 때문에 (Causative)

비가 오기 때문에 안 가요. (I'm not going because it's raining.)

Examples by Level

비로 인해 축구가 취소되었습니다.

The soccer [game] was canceled due to rain.

비 (rain) + 로 인해

사고로 인해 길이 막힙니다.

The road is blocked due to an accident.

사고 (accident) + 로 인해

공사로 인해 돌아가세요.

Please go around due to construction.

공사 (construction) + 로 인해

눈으로 인해 학교에 안 갔어요.

I didn't go to school due to snow.

눈 (snow) + 으로 인해

감기로 인해 집에서 쉬고 있어요.

I am resting at home due to a cold.

감기 (cold/flu) + 로 인해

태풍으로 인해 배가 안 떠요.

The boat is not leaving due to the typhoon.

태풍 (typhoon) + 으로 인해

정전으로 인해 불이 꺼졌어요.

The lights went out due to a power outage.

정전 (power outage) + 으로 인해

수리로 인해 문을 닫았습니다.

Closed due to repairs.

수리 (repair) + 로 인해

폭설로 인해 비행기가 결항되었습니다.

The flight was canceled due to heavy snow.

폭설 (heavy snow) + 로 인해

개인 사정으로 인해 회의에 못 갑니다.

I cannot go to the meeting due to personal circumstances.

개인 사정 (personal circumstances) + 로 인해

건강 문제로 인해 휴학을 했습니다.

I took a leave of absence from school due to health problems.

건강 문제 (health problems) + 로 인해

기술의 발달로 인해 삶이 편해졌어요.

Life has become easier due to the development of technology.

기술의 발달 (development of technology) + 로 인해

인터넷 장애로 인해 업무를 못 했어요.

I couldn't work due to an internet failure.

인터넷 장애 (internet failure) + 로 인해

심한 가뭄으로 인해 농작물이 말랐어요.

Crops have dried up due to a severe drought.

가뭄 (drought) + 으로 인해

오해로 인해 친구와 싸웠습니다.

I fought with my friend due to a misunderstanding.

오해 (misunderstanding) + 로 인해

부주의로 인해 화재가 났습니다.

A fire broke out due to carelessness.

부주의 (carelessness) + 로 인해

경제 위기로 인해 실업자가 늘고 있습니다.

The number of unemployed people is increasing due to the economic crisis.

경제 위기 (economic crisis) + 로 인해

환경 오염으로 인해 생태계가 위협받고 있습니다.

The ecosystem is being threatened due to environmental pollution.

환경 오염 (environmental pollution) + 으로 인해

저출산으로 인해 인구가 감소하고 있습니다.

The population is decreasing due to the low birth rate.

저출산 (low birth rate) + 으로 인해

언어 장벽으로 인해 소통이 어렵습니다.

Communication is difficult due to the language barrier.

언어 장벽 (language barrier) + 으로 인해

스트레스로 인해 불면증이 생겼어요.

I developed insomnia due to stress.

스트레스 (stress) + 로 인해

급격한 기온 변화로 인해 감기 환자가 많습니다.

There are many cold patients due to sudden temperature changes.

기온 변화 (temperature change) + 로 인해

과도한 경쟁으로 인해 삶의 질이 낮아집니다.

The quality of life decreases due to excessive competition.

과도한 경쟁 (excessive competition) + 으로 인해

문화적 차이로 인해 갈등이 발생할 수 있습니다.

Conflicts can occur due to cultural differences.

문화적 차이 (cultural difference) + 로 인해

미세먼지로 인해 호흡기 질환이 증가하고 있습니다.

Respiratory diseases are increasing due to fine dust.

미세먼지 (fine dust) + 로 인해

수요 증가로 인해 제품 가격이 상승했습니다.

Product prices have risen due to an increase in demand.

수요 증가 (increase in demand) + 로 인해

정부 정책의 변화로 인해 시장이 혼란스럽습니다.

The market is confused due to changes in government policy.

정부 정책의 변화 (change in policy) + 로 인해

부실 공사로 인해 건물이 붕괴되었습니다.

The building collapsed due to poor construction.

부실 공사 (poor construction) + 로 인해

정보의 홍수로 인해 가짜 뉴스가 퍼지기 쉽습니다.

Fake news is easy to spread due to the flood of information.

정보의 홍수 (flood of information) + 로 인해

유가 상승으로 인해 물가가 전반적으로 올랐습니다.

Prices have generally risen due to the rise in oil prices.

유가 상승 (rise in oil prices) + 으로 인해

심각한 내분으로 인해 정당이 해체되었습니다.

The political party was disbanded due to serious internal strife.

내분 (internal strife) + 으로 인해

지나친 욕심으로 인해 모든 것을 잃었습니다.

I lost everything due to excessive greed.

지나친 욕심 (excessive greed) + 으로 인해

기후 변화로 인한 해수면 상승이 심각한 문제입니다.

Sea-level rise caused by climate change is a serious problem.

기후 변화로 인한 (adjective form modifying 해수면 상승)

인간의 탐욕으로 인해 자연이 파괴되고 있습니다.

Nature is being destroyed due to human greed.

인간의 탐욕 (human greed) + 으로 인해

역사적 배경으로 인해 두 나라 사이가 좋지 않습니다.

The relationship between the two countries is not good due to historical background.

역사적 배경 (historical background) + 로 인해

고정관념으로 인해 차별이 발생하기도 합니다.

Discrimination sometimes occurs due to stereotypes.

고정관념 (stereotype) + 으로 인해

자본의 논리로 인해 예술성이 훼손되어서는 안 됩니다.

Artistic quality should not be damaged due to the logic of capital.

자본의 논리 (logic of capital) + 로 인해

신뢰 부족으로 인해 협상이 결렬되었습니다.

The negotiation broke down due to a lack of trust.

신뢰 부족 (lack of trust) + 로 인해

구조적인 모순으로 인해 빈부 격차가 심화되고 있습니다.

The gap between rich and poor is widening due to structural contradictions.

구조적인 모순 (structural contradiction) + 로 인해

과거의 트라우마로 인해 대인 관계에 어려움을 겪습니다.

Experiencing difficulties in interpersonal relationships due to past trauma.

과거의 트라우마 (past trauma) + 로 인해

무분별한 개발로 인해 생태적 균형이 무너지고 있습니다.

The ecological balance is collapsing due to indiscreet development.

무분별한 개발 (indiscreet development) + 로 인해

기술 패권 경쟁으로 인해 국제 정세가 요동치고 있습니다.

The international situation is fluctuating due to the competition for technological hegemony.

기술 패권 경쟁 (tech hegemony competition) + 으로 인해

인식의 전환으로 인해 새로운 패러다임이 등장했습니다.

A new paradigm has emerged due to a shift in perception.

인식의 전환 (shift in perception) + 으로 인해

법적 미비로 인해 피해자들에 대한 보상이 지연되고 있습니다.

Compensation for victims is being delayed due to legal inadequacies.

법적 미비 (legal inadequacy) + 로 인해

가치관의 혼란으로 인해 사회적 유대감이 약화되고 있습니다.

Social bonds are weakening due to the confusion of values.

가치관의 혼란 (confusion of values) + 로 인해

정보의 비대칭성으로 인해 시장 실패가 발생할 수 있습니다.

Market failure can occur due to information asymmetry.

정보의 비대칭성 (information asymmetry) + 으로 인해

철학적 성찰의 부재로 인해 물질만능주의가 팽배해졌습니다.

Materialism has become prevalent due to the absence of philosophical reflection.

철학적 성찰의 부재 (absence of reflection) + 로 인해

역사적 트라우마의 대물림으로 인해 세대 간 갈등이 지속됩니다.

Intergenerational conflict continues due to the inheritance of historical trauma.

트라우마의 대물림 (inheritance of trauma) + 로 인해

Common Collocations

폭우로 인해

사고로 인해

부주의로 인해

기술의 발달로 인해

오해로 인해

경제 위기로 인해

질병으로 인해

환경 오염으로 인해

개인 사정으로 인해

스트레스로 인해

Common Phrases

기상 악화로 인해

— Due to worsening weather. Used in transportation and event notices.

기상 악화로 인해 항공편이 지연되었습니다.

내부 수리로 인해

— Due to interior repairs. Used on shop signs.

내부 수리로 인해 임시 휴업합니다.

시스템 점검으로 인해

— Due to system maintenance. Used on websites/apps.

시스템 점검으로 인해 서비스 이용이 제한됩니다.

건강상의 이유로 인해

— Due to health reasons. Used in formal resignations or absences.

그는 건강상의 이유로 인해 사임했다.

피치 못할 사정으로 인해

— Due to unavoidable circumstances. A polite way to apologize for a change.

피치 못할 사정으로 인해 계획을 변경했습니다.

과도한 업무로 인해

— Due to excessive work. Common in complaints or health reports.

그는 과도한 업무로 인해 병이 났다.

정보 유출로 인해

— Due to information leakage. Common in security news.

정보 유출로 인해 많은 피해가 발생했습니다.

수요 부족으로 인해

— Due to lack of demand. Used in business contexts.

수요 부족으로 인해 생산을 중단했습니다.

인구 고령화로 인해

— Due to population aging. Used in social studies.

인구 고령화로 인해 복지 예산이 늘고 있다.

도로 통제로 인해

— Due to road control/closure. Used in traffic reports.

도로 통제로 인해 버스 노선이 변경되었습니다.

Often Confused With

~로 인해 vs 때문에

때문에 is for general use; 로 인해 is for formal/objective use.

~로 인해 vs 덕분에

덕분에 is only for positive causes; 로 인해 is neutral but often used for negative/factual ones.

~로 인해 vs 탓에

탓에 expresses blame; 로 인해 expresses a logical cause.

Idioms & Expressions

"호사다마로 인해"

— Due to the fact that good things are often accompanied by bad things. Used when something bad happens during a happy event.

결혼식을 앞두고 호사다마로 인해 작은 사고가 있었다.

Formal/Literary

"설상가상으로 인해"

— Due to things going from bad to worse (snow on top of frost).

설상가상으로 인해 상황이 더 나빠졌다.

Formal

"자업자득으로 인해"

— Due to reaping what one sows. Receiving a result from one's own actions.

그는 자업자득으로 인해 곤경에 처했다.

Formal

"유비무환으로 인해"

— Due to being prepared so there is no sorrow. (Used ironically or to explain safety).

유비무환으로 인해 큰 피해를 막을 수 있었다.

Formal

"천재지변으로 인해"

— Due to a natural disaster (act of God).

천재지변으로 인해 농사를 망쳤다.

Formal

"일거양득으로 인해"

— Due to killing two birds with one stone.

이 정책은 일거양득으로 인해 인기가 많다.

Formal

"사필귀정으로 인해"

— Due to things eventually returning to the right path.

사필귀정으로 인해 진실이 밝혀졌다.

Formal

"전화위복으로 인해"

— Due to turning a misfortune into a blessing.

이번 위기는 전화위복으로 인해 기회가 되었다.

Formal

"금상첨화로 인해"

— Due to adding flowers to silk (making something good even better).

새로운 기능은 금상첨화로 인해 제품의 가치를 높였다.

Formal

"인과응보로 인해"

— Due to the law of cause and effect (karma).

인과응보로 인해 그는 벌을 받았다.

Formal

Easily Confused

~로 인해 vs 로 인한

Looks similar but has a different function.

로 인해 is a conjunction (links clauses); 로 인한 is an adjective (modifies the next noun).

폭우로 인해 길이 막혀요 (Conjunction). 폭우로 인한 피해 (Adjective).

~로 인해 vs 로 인해서

The '서' part makes it look like a different grammar.

They are the same; '서' just emphasizes the sequential/causal link slightly more.

사고로 인해 = 사고로 인해서.

~로 인해 vs 으로

Learners might just use '으로' alone.

'으로' can mean 'by/with,' but '로 인해' specifically highlights the 'causality' of the noun.

병으로 죽다 (Die of a disease). 병으로 인해 죽다 (Die due to a disease - more formal).

~로 인해 vs 말미암아

Used in similar contexts.

말미암아 is much older and literary; you won't hear it in modern news as much as 로 인해.

전쟁으로 말미암아 (Very literary).

~로 인해 vs 기인하다

Both mean 'caused by'.

로 인해 is used in the middle of a sentence; 기인하다 is a verb used to end a sentence.

이 문제는 가난에 기인한다.

Sentence Patterns

[Simple Noun] + 로 인해 [Negative Result]

감기로 인해 학교에 못 갔습니다.

[Abstract Noun] + 로 인해 [Social Change]

인터넷의 발달로 인해 소통 방식이 변했습니다.

[Noun] + 로 인한 [Noun] + 이/가 [Verb]

폭설로 인한 피해가 계속되고 있습니다.

[Complex Noun Phrase] + 로 인해 [Consequence]

정부의 무리한 규제로 인해 기업 활동이 위축되었습니다.

[Philosophical Noun] + 로 인해 [Ontological Result]

존재의 불안으로 인해 현대인은 끊임없이 방황한다.

[Weather] + 로 인해 [Cancellation]

태풍으로 인해 경기가 취소되었습니다.

[Personal Circumstance] + 로 인해 [Absence]

개인 사정으로 인해 회의에 불참하게 되었습니다.

[Economic Factor] + 로 인해 [Price Change]

유가 상승으로 인해 물가가 급등했습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

원인 (won-in) - cause

요인 (yo-in) - factor

인과 (in-gwa) - cause and effect

Verbs

인하다 (in-hada) - to be caused by

기인하다 (gi-in-hada) - to originate from

Adjectives

인한 (in-han) - caused by (modifying a noun)

결과 (gyeol-gwa) - result

영향 (yeong-hyang) - influence

피해 (pi-hae) - damage

혜택 (hye-taek) - benefit

계기 (gye-gi) - chance/opportunity

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in written Korean and formal media; low in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

비가 오므로 인해 (X) → 비로 인해 (O)
~로 인해 only attaches to nouns. You cannot use it directly with a verb stem.
너로 인해 행복해 (X) → 너 덕분에 행복해 (O)
Using ~로 인해 for personal gratitude sounds cold and mechanical. Use ~덕분에 for positive personal reasons.
가뭄로 인해 (X) → 가뭄으로 인해 (O)
Nouns ending in a consonant (except ㄹ) must use '으로 인해'.
늦잠으로 인해 늦었어 (X - in casual speech) → 늦잠 자서 늦었어 (O)
In casual conversation with friends, ~로 인해 is too formal. Use ~어서/아서 or ~때문에.
산불으로 인해 (X) → 산불로 인해 (O)
Nouns ending in 'ㄹ' take '로 인해', just like nouns ending in a vowel.

Tips

Always use a Noun

Never attach ~로 인해 to a verb stem. Always find the noun form or nominalize the verb first. This is the most common mistake for learners.

Save it for Writing

While you will hear it in news, you should mostly use it in your own writing (essays, reports, formal emails). In speech, it can sound a bit too 'robotic'.

Objective Cause

Use this when you want to sound like you are stating a fact. If you want to sound like you are blaming someone, use ~탓에 instead.

The 'ㄹ' Rule

Remember that nouns ending in 'ㄹ' (like 산불 - forest fire) take '로 인해', not '으로 인해'. This is a tricky rule for many students.

Pair with Formal Endings

If you use ~로 인해 in the middle of a sentence, make sure to end the sentence with ~습니다 or ~ㄴ/는다. Mixing it with ~아요/어요 can sound inconsistent.

TOPIK Writing

When describing a graph that shows a decrease in something, use '[Reason]으로 인해 [Subject]이/가 감소했습니다' for a high score.

Common Nouns

Memorize common noun pairings like '부주의', '오해', '발달', '악화'. These make up 80% of the usage of this grammar point.

Subway Clues

When you hear '로 인해' in the subway, pay attention to the noun before it. It usually tells you why the train is stopping or delayed.

News Headlines

In news headlines, '로 인해' is often shortened to just '로' to save space, but the meaning of 'due to' remains the same.

Adjective Form

Don't forget the form ~로 인한. It's great for writing titles or subject lines in emails, like '폭우로 인한 일정 변경 안내' (Notice of schedule change due to heavy rain).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'In-hae' as 'Inner-Cause'. The 'ro' is the 'road' that leads from the cause to the result.

Visual Association

Imagine a domino effect. The first domino is the noun, and the space between the dominos is marked with '~로 인해'.

Word Web

Cause Effect Formal Writing News Reason Logic Result

Challenge

Try to find three public signs or news headlines today that use '~로 인해'. Write them down and translate the cause and effect.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja word 因 (인), which means 'cause' or 'reason'. It is combined with the native Korean verb '하다' (to do/be) and the instrumental particle '로'.

Original meaning: To be based on a cause; to result from a specific reason.

Sino-Korean (Hanja) + Native Korean morphosyntax.

Cultural Context

Avoid using '~로 인해' when someone is grieving personally; '~ 때문에' or more empathetic phrasing is better, as '~로 인해' can sound too cold/detached.

English speakers often use 'because of' for everything. Learning to switch to 'due to' (로 인해) for formal writing is a key step in sounding natural in Korean.

KBS News Headlines (frequently uses this for reporting accidents/weather). Academic papers in Seoul National University journals. TOPIK II Writing Section (Task 53).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather Reports

폭설로 인해
태풍으로 인해
가뭄으로 인해
한파로 인해

Business Emails

개인 사정으로 인해
내부 사정으로 인해
일정 변경으로 인해
출장으로 인해

Public Transportation

차량 고장으로 인해
신호 장애로 인해
사고로 인해
공사로 인해

Academic Writing

기술 발달로 인해
인식 변화로 인해
실험 결과로 인해
인구 감소로 인해

News Reports

전쟁으로 인해
경제 위기로 인해
정부 정책으로 인해
부주의로 인해

Conversation Starters

"최근에 환경 오염으로 인해 일어난 문제에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"기술의 발달로 인해 우리 삶이 어떻게 변했다고 보십니까?"

"최근 물가 상승으로 인해 생활에 어려움이 있으신가요?"

"스트레스로 인해 건강이 나빠진 경험이 있나요?"

"오해로 인해 친구와 멀어진 적이 있습니까?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 겪은 일 중에서 '로 인해'를 사용하여 세 문장을 써 보세요.

인터넷의 발달로 인해 바뀐 나의 일상에 대해 공식적인 어조로 적어 보세요.

과거의 어떤 선택으로 인해 지금의 내가 있는지 분석하는 글을 써 보세요.

우리 사회가 겪고 있는 저출산 문제로 인해 발생할 미래의 변화를 예측해 보세요.

나의 나쁜 습관으로 인해 손해를 본 경험을 '로 인해'를 사용하여 서술하세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, you can use it in a very formal report to show a positive cause, but it sounds cold. For thanking people, always use '덕분에'. For example, '선생님 덕분에 합격했어요' sounds much better than '선생님으로 인해 합격했습니다'.

The main difference is formality and objectivity. '~때문에' is used in daily life and can be subjective. '~로 인해' is for formal writing, news, and reports, focusing on the factual cause of an event.

No, that is incorrect. '~로 인해' must follow a noun. You should use '비로 인해' (due to rain) or '비가 옴으로 인해' (due to the fact that it is raining), though the latter is very stiff and rare.

No, '~로 인해' is a connective form. To end a sentence with this meaning, you should use the verb form '~로 인한 것이다' or '~에 기인한다'.

Not necessarily. '~로 인해' is actually more common in strictly formal writing like newspapers. '~로 인해서' is often used in formal speaking or presentations.

That is the adjective form. Use it when you want to describe a noun directly. For example, '스트레스로 인한 질병' means 'a disease [caused by stress]'.

Only if you are joking or being very dramatic. For small, personal reasons, use '~때문에' or '~어서/아서'.

Use '으로 인해' if the noun ends in a consonant (like '가뭄'). Use '로 인해' if it ends in a vowel (like '사고') or the letter 'ㄹ' (like '산불').

It is very often used for negative results (accidents, disasters), but it can also be neutral (technological changes, social shifts). It is rarely used for personal happy events.

Yes! It is one of the most important grammar points for the writing section (Task 53) where you have to describe causes and effects based on a graph.