Explanation at your level:
This word means 'reason'. You use it when you want to explain why you did something. For example, 'What is the reason?' is '무슨 까닭입니까?'
Use 까닭 when you want to sound a bit more descriptive than just using '이유'. It is very common in stories and books to explain why characters act in certain ways.
At this level, you can use 까닭 in complex sentences. It helps to connect cause and effect in your writing. Remember that it is a noun, so it functions as the subject or object of your sentence.
까닭 carries a nuanced weight. It is often used in philosophical or reflective contexts. It suggests that there is a deeper logic or background to an event that might not be immediately obvious.
In advanced usage, 까닭 is frequently employed in literary critiques or formal analysis to trace the causality of historical or social phenomena. It allows for a sophisticated exploration of 'why' something persists.
Mastery of 까닭 involves understanding its subtle distinction from '원인' (cause/scientific) and '이유' (reason/logical). It is often used in poetic or reflective prose where the speaker is contemplating the mysterious or inevitable nature of an event.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- 까닭 means reason or cause.
- It is a native Korean word.
- Often used in the phrase '까닭 없이' (for no reason).
- It is a noun and requires particles.
When you ask why something happened, you are looking for the 까닭 (kka-dak). It is a beautiful, native Korean word that captures the essence of a 'reason' or 'cause' behind any situation.
Think of it as the root of an event. Whether you are explaining why you were late or trying to understand a complex problem, 까닭 is the word that connects the action to its source. It feels a bit more thoughtful and deep than just saying 'reason' (이유).
The word 까닭 is a pure Korean word (native origin) that has been used for centuries. It evolved from older forms that described the 'thread' or 'line' of an event.
Historically, it implies tracing the sequence of events back to their origin. It is fascinating because it doesn't rely on Chinese characters (Hanja), making it a truly authentic piece of Korean linguistic heritage.
You will often see it paired with words like '알 수 없는' (unknown) or '무슨' (what). It is used in both formal writing and casual speech, though it carries a slightly more literary or reflective tone than '이유'.
It is common to use it in phrases like 까닭에 (because of the reason) or 까닭 없이 (without any reason/for no reason).
1. 까닭 없이: For no reason at all. Example: He was sad for no reason. 2. 무슨 까닭으로: For what reason? Example: For what reason are you leaving? 3. 어떤 까닭인지: For some reason or another. Example: For some reason, the door was locked. 4. 까닭을 알다: To know the reason. Example: Now I know the reason for his anger. 5. 까닭이 있다: There is a reason for it. Example: There must be a reason for his behavior.
The word is a noun and does not have plural forms in Korean. It is often followed by particles like -이, -은, or -으로.
Pronunciation: The double 'ㄲ' sound at the start is a tense consonant, and the '닭' is pronounced as '닥' due to the final consonant rule. It rhymes with words like '바닥' (floor) or '토닥' (patting sound).
Fun Fact
It is a pure Korean word that has survived without being replaced by Hanja.
Pronunciation Guide
Tense 'k' sound followed by 'a', then 'd' with a short 'a' and 'k' stop.
Same as UK.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the tense 'ㄲ'
- Dropping the final 'k' sound
- Adding a vowel after the final 'k'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to listen
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Noun particles
까닭을
Tense consonants
까
Sentence structure
Subject-Object-Verb
Examples by Level
그 까닭을 압니다.
I know the reason.
Subject + Object + Verb
까닭이 무엇입니까?
까닭 없이 웃었어요.
그 까닭을 말해 주세요.
까닭을 알 수 없어요.
무슨 까닭으로 왔나요?
좋은 까닭이 있어요.
까닭을 찾고 있어요.
그게 유일한 까닭입니다.
그가 떠난 까닭을 아무도 모른다.
까닭 없이 눈물이 났다.
그런 까닭으로 나는 그를 믿는다.
모든 일에는 다 까닭이 있다.
까닭을 묻지 마세요.
어떤 까닭인지 기분이 좋다.
그 까닭을 설명하기 어렵다.
까닭을 알게 되어 다행이다.
그 사건에는 분명한 까닭이 숨겨져 있었다.
까닭 없이 불안한 마음이 들었다.
그가 화를 내는 까닭을 이해할 수 있다.
어떤 까닭으로든 결과는 변하지 않는다.
까닭을 따지기보다는 상황을 보자.
그녀가 침묵하는 까닭은 무엇일까?
까닭을 모르니 답답할 뿐이다.
모든 행동 뒤에는 그만한 까닭이 있다.
그의 행동에는 우리가 알지 못하는 깊은 까닭이 있을 것이다.
까닭 없이 비난하는 것은 옳지 않다.
그 까닭을 규명하는 것이 이번 조사의 핵심이다.
까닭을 알게 되자 모든 의문이 풀렸다.
그가 그토록 고집을 부리는 까닭을 짐작할 수 있었다.
까닭 없는 반항은 의미가 없다.
그 까닭을 논리적으로 설명해 보라.
까닭을 알면 해결책도 보인다.
그의 삶을 관통하는 비극적 까닭을 서술하시오.
까닭을 알 수 없는 운명의 장난처럼 느껴졌다.
모든 역사적 사건에는 그 시대를 관통하는 까닭이 존재한다.
까닭을 묻는 것은 인간의 본능이다.
그 까닭을 헤아려 보니 마음이 아팠다.
까닭 없이 일어나는 일은 없다는 것이 그의 지론이다.
그 까닭을 명확히 밝히지 않으면 오해를 살 수 있다.
까닭을 찾아 헤매는 것이 우리네 인생이다.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"까닭 없이"
For no reason.
까닭 없이 화가 난다.
neutral"까닭을 모르다"
To not know the reason.
그가 왜 나갔는지 까닭을 모르겠다.
neutral"까닭이 있다"
There is a justification.
그 행동에는 분명 까닭이 있다.
neutral"무슨 까닭으로"
For what reason?
무슨 까닭으로 이 일을 시작했나요?
formal"까닭을 따지다"
To demand an explanation.
그는 나에게 까닭을 따져 물었다.
formal"까닭을 헤아리다"
To try to understand the underlying reason.
그의 마음의 까닭을 헤아려 본다.
literaryEasily Confused
Both mean reason
이유 is more common, 까닭 is more literary
이유가 뭐예요? vs 무슨 까닭인가요?
Both relate to cause
원인 is for scientific causes
사고의 원인 vs 마음의 까닭
Both relate to basis
근거 is for evidence
주장의 근거 vs 사건의 까닭
Both mean reason
사유 is for official documents
결근 사유 vs 까닭을 알다
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 까닭 + 을 + 알다
그 까닭을 알아요.
무슨 + 까닭 + 으로
무슨 까닭으로 왔나요?
까닭 + 없이 + Verb
까닭 없이 울었어요.
어떤 + 까닭 + 인지
어떤 까닭인지 모르겠다.
Noun + 은/는 + 까닭 + 이다
그게 내가 떠나는 까닭이다.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Relacionado
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
It is a noun, not a verb.
원인 is for physical causes, 까닭 is for general reasons.
The correct spelling is 까닭.
까닭 is slightly more personal/literary.
It needs a particle to function in a sentence.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a 'why' question mark.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to sound thoughtful.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the Korean focus on causality.
Grammar Shortcut
Always treat it as a noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the tense ㄲ.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a verb.
Did You Know?
It is a pure Korean word.
Study Smart
Use flashcards with idioms.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Kka-dak: Think of a 'cat' (kka) 'docking' (dak) - there must be a reason for that!
Visual Association
A detective looking at a clue.
Word Web
Desafio
Write 3 sentences using 까닭 today.
Origem da palavra
Native Korean
Original meaning: The root or line of an event
Contexto cultural
None.
Similar to 'reason' or 'cause'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 까닭을 설명하세요
- 까닭이 무엇입니까?
- 까닭을 알겠어요
In a story
- 까닭 없이 사라졌다
- 그 까닭을 찾으러 떠났다
- 까닭을 알게 되었다
Daily conversation
- 까닭 없이 기분이 좋다
- 무슨 까닭이야?
- 까닭이 있겠지
Formal writing
- 그 까닭을 명시하다
- 까닭을 분석하다
- 까닭을 밝히다
Conversation Starters
"까닭 없이 기분이 좋았던 적이 있나요?"
"무슨 까닭으로 한국어를 배우나요?"
"친구가 화를 낼 때 까닭을 물어보나요?"
"모든 일에는 까닭이 있다고 생각하나요?"
"까닭을 알 수 없는 일이 있었나요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 있었던 일 중 까닭을 알 수 없는 일에 대해 써보세요.
내가 한국어를 배우는 까닭에 대해 써보세요.
까닭 없이 행복했던 순간을 묘사해보세요.
어떤 까닭으로 지금의 내가 되었는지 생각해보세요.
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasIt is neutral and can be used in most situations.
Yes, but it sounds slightly more literary.
Kka-dak.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
Yes, but '사유' is more common in official reports.
Use it in sentences about why things happen.
Teste-se
그 ___을 압니다.
까닭 means reason.
Which word means reason?
까닭 is the word for reason.
까닭 is a verb.
It is a noun.
Word
Significado
Matches the idiom.
그 까닭을 알아요.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
까닭 is the perfect word to use when you want to explore the 'why' behind any situation.
- 까닭 means reason or cause.
- It is a native Korean word.
- Often used in the phrase '까닭 없이' (for no reason).
- It is a noun and requires particles.
Memory Palace
Visualize a 'why' question mark.
Native Usage
Use it when you want to sound thoughtful.
Cultural Insight
It reflects the Korean focus on causality.
Grammar Shortcut
Always treat it as a noun.
Related Content
Esta palavra em outros idiomas
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입체적
B2Having a three-dimensional effect or examining something from multiple perspectives rather than a single flat view. It implies a comprehensive and detailed analysis.
~에 관해
B1About, concerning.
~에 대하여
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
~대해
A2About; concerning; regarding.
~에 관하여
A2Regarding, concerning, about (a topic).
~에 대해(서)
A1Indicates the topic or subject of discussion, meaning 'about' or 'regarding'.
무엇보다
A2More than anything else; above all.
결석생
A2A student who is absent from class.
추상
A2Abstraction; the quality of dealing with ideas rather than events.
추상화하다
B2To consider something theoretically or separately from its physical reality. It involves extracting general principles from specific examples.
