When Koreans say 그러니까 (geureonikka), it can be used in a few ways. Its basic meaning is 'so' or 'therefore', showing a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, if someone asks why you're tired, you might say, '어제 잠을 못 잤어요. 그러니까 피곤해요.' (I couldn't sleep last night. So, I'm tired.)
You can also use it to confirm or agree with what someone just said, like saying 'Exactly!' or 'That's what I mean!' Imagine someone says, 'It's really cold today,' and you reply, '그러니까!' You're agreeing and emphasizing their point.
When Koreans say 그러니까 at the start of a sentence, it often means "So, that's why." It shows that the speaker is explaining the reason for something that was just mentioned or is about to be mentioned.
It can also be used to mean "because," introducing a reason for a statement. For example, if someone asks why you did something, you might start your explanation with 그러니까.
Sometimes, it's used when you're connecting a consequence to a previously stated cause, similar to saying "therefore" or "as a result."
In casual conversation, 그러니까 can also be a way to acknowledge what someone said and then add your own related point or question. It’s a very versatile connector in spoken Korean.
§ What "그러니까" Means
- Korean Word
- 그러니까 (geureonikka)
- Type
- Conjunction
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- So, that's why; because.
§ Where You'll Hear "그러니까"
Let's look at some real-world situations where you'll hear and use "그러니까." This word is versatile and appears in many contexts, from casual chats to more formal discussions. Understanding its nuances will greatly improve your listening and speaking skills.
- Connecting ideas: It often acts like "so" or "that's why" in English, linking a cause to its effect.
- Confirming understanding: Sometimes it's used to confirm what someone has just said, like "So, you're saying..."
- Asking for clarification: It can also introduce a question when you're trying to get more details or confirm something.
- Expressing frustration or emphasis: In certain tones, it can emphasize a point or express slight impatience.
§ "그러니까" in Work Situations
In a work setting, "그러니까" is useful for explaining reasons, clarifying instructions, or summarizing decisions. It helps ensure everyone is on the same page.
회의가 길어졌어요. 그러니까 점심시간이 늦어질 거예요.
The meeting ran long. So, lunchtime will be delayed.
보고서를 오늘까지 제출해야 해요. 그러니까 서둘러야 합니다.
We need to submit the report by today. That's why we need to hurry.
§ "그러니까" in School Life
In academic settings, you'll hear "그러니까" when teachers are explaining concepts, students are asking questions, or discussing assignments.
복습을 많이 해야 시험을 잘 볼 수 있어요. 그러니까 매일 공부하세요.
You need to review a lot to do well on the exam. So, study every day.
숙제가 너무 많아요. 그러니까 밤새야 할 것 같아요.
There's too much homework. That's why I think I'll have to stay up all night.
§ "그러니까" in News and Media
Even in more formal contexts like news reports or documentaries, "그러니까" is used to present conclusions or explain reasons in an accessible way. It bridges information for the audience.
기후 변화로 인해 날씨가 변하고 있습니다. 그러니까 환경 보호가 더욱 중요해졌습니다.
The weather is changing due to climate change. Therefore, environmental protection has become even more important.
정부 정책이 변경되었습니다. 그러니까 새로운 규정을 따라야 합니다.
Government policy has changed. So, we must follow the new regulations.
§ Practice Using "그러니까"
The best way to get comfortable with "그러니까" is to use it. Try to incorporate it into your daily Korean practice. Think of a reason and an effect, then connect them with this useful conjunction.
§ What "그러니까" means
- Korean Word
- 그러니까 (geureonikka)
- Part of Speech
- Conjunction
- English Definition
- So, that's why; because.
§ How to use "그러니까"
The Korean word 그러니까 is a super useful conjunction. It's often used to show a result or consequence, or to provide a reason for something. Think of it like saying "so," "therefore," or "that's why" in English.
You'll often hear it when someone is explaining why something is happening, or when they're drawing a conclusion from a previous statement.
§ Examples of "그러니까" in sentences
비가 와요. 그러니까 우산이 필요해요.
It's raining. So, I need an umbrella.
저는 학생이에요. 그러니까 공부해야 해요.
I am a student. That's why I have to study.
늦게 일어났어요. 그러니까 버스를 놓쳤어요.
I woke up late. Because of that, I missed the bus.
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
Korean has a few ways to express cause and effect, and it's good to know the differences. While 그러니까 is versatile, here's how it compares to some similar expressions:
- 그래서 (geuraeseo): This also means "so" or "therefore." The main difference is often in nuance and formality. 그래서 is generally a straightforward way to show a consequence. 그러니까 can sometimes carry a slightly stronger sense of explanation or justification, or even a bit of impatience when used in questions like "그러니까 왜?" (So, why?).
배고파요. 그래서 밥을 먹었어요.
I was hungry. So, I ate.
- -아서/-어서 (-aseo/-eoseo): This is a common sentence ending that means "because" or "since." It directly connects the reason to the following action or state within the same sentence. You can't use 그러니까 in the middle of a sentence like this.
비가 와서 집에 있었어요.
Because it rained, I stayed at home.
- -기 때문에 (-gi ttaemune): This also means "because of" or "due to." It's a bit more formal than -아서/-어서 and can emphasize the reason more strongly. Like -아서/-어서, it's used within a sentence.
피곤하기 때문에 일찍 잤어요.
Because I was tired, I slept early.
按水平分级的例句
비가 오니까 우산이 필요해요.
It's raining, so I need an umbrella.
배고프니까 밥 먹어요.
I'm hungry, so I'm eating rice.
피곤하니까 일찍 잘 거예요.
I'm tired, so I will sleep early.
한국 사람이니까 김치를 좋아해요.
I'm Korean, so I like kimchi.
날씨가 좋으니까 산책해요.
The weather is good, so let's take a walk.
돈이 없으니까 못 사요.
I don't have money, so I can't buy it.
학생이니까 공부해요.
I am a student, so I study.
추우니까 옷 입으세요.
It's cold, so please wear clothes.
비가 오니까 우산이 필요해요.
It's raining, so I need an umbrella.
배고프니까 밥 먹으러 가요.
I'm hungry, so let's go eat.
졸리니까 집에 갈 거예요.
I'm sleepy, so I'm going home.
날씨가 좋으니까 산책해요.
The weather is good, so let's take a walk.
늦었으니까 빨리 가야 해요.
It's late, so I need to go quickly.
책이 재미있으니까 읽어 보세요.
The book is interesting, so try reading it.
할 일이 많으니까 바빠요.
I have a lot to do, so I'm busy.
피곤하니까 좀 쉴게요.
I'm tired, so I'll rest a bit.
容易混淆的词
Often interchangeable in translation, but '그러니까' adds a nuance of 'therefore, you should understand/do this' or 'that's why it is so'.
Both can introduce a consequence, but '그럼' is more about 'then/in that case', a logical next step, while '그러니까' is more about 'that's why/so, this is the reason'.
Both express 'because', but '-니까' is a grammatical ending for clauses, while '그러니까' is a conjunction linking sentences or ideas.
容易混淆
Both '그래서' and '그러니까' can be translated as 'so' or 'therefore', leading to confusion in when to use which.
'그래서' primarily indicates a direct cause and effect, meaning 'because of that, this happened'. It's more about a result. '그러니까' often implies that the preceding statement is a reason or justification for a suggestion, question, or realization.
날씨가 추웠어요. 그래서 옷을 따뜻하게 입었어요. (The weather was cold. So, I wore warm clothes.)
'그럼' can also be translated as 'then' or 'in that case', which can sometimes overlap with the 'so' meaning of '그러니까'.
'그럼' is usually a shortened form of '그러면' and is used to introduce a consequence or a next step based on a previous statement. '그러니까' is more about providing a reason or explanation.
비가 오네요. 그럼 집에 있을까요? (It's raining. Then, shall we stay home?)
The sentence ending '-니까' directly shares the 'because' meaning with '그러니까' and can be used to express a reason or cause.
'-니까' is a grammatical ending attached to verbs or adjectives to express a reason or cause, often followed by a suggestion, command, or a realization. '그러니까' is a standalone conjunction that connects two sentences, typically emphasizing the logical consequence or the speaker's deduction.
피곤하니까 일찍 잘 거예요. (Because I'm tired, I'll go to bed early.)
'때문에' means 'because of' and explicitly states a reason, which can be similar to how '그러니까' introduces a reason.
'때문에' is a postposition that follows a noun or a verb stem (with -기) to clearly state the cause or reason. '그러니까' is a conjunction that connects two clauses, often with a nuance of 'that's why' or 'as you can see, the reason is...'. '때문에' is more objective in stating a cause.
날씨 때문에 여행을 취소했어요. (Because of the weather, we canceled the trip.)
'즉' means 'that is to say' or 'in other words', and while not a direct synonym, it can be used to clarify or explain something, which '그러니까' can also do in some contexts.
'즉' is used to rephrase or elaborate on a previous statement for clarity. '그러니까' provides a reason, justification, or draws a conclusion based on what was said before. They serve different communicative functions.
저는 학생입니다. 즉, 공부를 많이 해야 합니다. (I am a student. That is to say, I have to study a lot.)
小贴士
Basic Meaning of 그러니까
At its most basic, 그러니까 means 'so' or 'that's why'. It connects a previous statement to a consequence or explanation. Think of it as linking cause and effect.
Using 그러니까 for 'Because'
When you want to explain why something is happening, you can use 그러니까. It implies that the previous statement is the reason for the current one.
그러니까 for Confirmation
Sometimes, 그러니까 can be used to confirm understanding or to show agreement, similar to saying 'exactly' or 'that's right' after someone explains something.
Colloquial Usage of 그러니까
In casual conversation, 그러니까 is very common. You'll hear it often as a filler word or to gather your thoughts before stating a conclusion.
그러니까 with Imperatives
You can use 그러니까 before a command or suggestion to give a reason for it. For example, 'It's cold, 그러니까 wear a coat.'
Positioning of 그러니까
그러니까 usually comes at the beginning of a sentence or clause that introduces the consequence or explanation.
Distinguishing from 그래서
While similar to 그래서 (so, therefore), 그러니까 often emphasizes the reason more strongly, or can imply a more direct consequence or a recommendation based on the preceding statement.
Pronunciation of 그러니까
Pay attention to the natural flow when speaking 그러니까. It's often pronounced quickly in conversation.
Practicing with Examples
The best way to get comfortable with 그러니까 is to practice using it in various sentences. Try to form your own examples based on real-life situations.
Listening for 그러니까
Actively listen for 그러니까 when watching Korean dramas, movies, or listening to podcasts. Notice the context in which it's used to grasp its nuances.
自我测试 30 个问题
The sentence means 'It rained. So, I need an umbrella.' '그러니까' connects the reason (it rained) to the result (needing an umbrella).
The sentence means 'I am a student. Therefore, I have to study.' '그러니까' shows a logical consequence.
The sentence means 'I'm late. So, I need to take a taxi.' '그러니까' links being late to the action of taking a taxi.
'비가 와서' (It's raining) is the reason, followed by '그러니까' (so/therefore), then '우산이 필요해요' (I need an umbrella) as the consequence.
'열심히 공부했어요' (I studied hard) is the cause, and '그러니까 시험에 합격했어요' (so I passed the exam) is the result.
'어제 잠을 못 자서 피곤해요' (I'm tired because I couldn't sleep last night) is the reason, and '그러니까 오늘은 쉬어야겠어요' (so I should rest today) is the logical conclusion.
You missed your bus because you woke up late. Explain the situation using '그러니까'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
제가 늦잠을 잤어요. 그러니까 버스를 놓쳤어요. (I overslept. So, I missed the bus.)
You studied hard for the exam. Therefore, you got a good grade. Explain this using '그러니까'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
시험 공부를 열심히 했어요. 그러니까 좋은 성적을 받았어요. (I studied hard for the exam. So, I got a good grade.)
Your friend is sick, so you should visit them. Write a sentence using '그러니까' to express this.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
친구가 아파요. 그러니까 병문안을 가야 해요. (My friend is sick. So, I should visit them.)
What is the reason B looks tired?
Read this passage:
A: 왜 피곤해 보여요? (Why do you look tired?) B: 어제 밤새 게임을 했어요. 그러니까 잠을 잘 못 잤어요. (I played games all night yesterday. So, I couldn't sleep well.)
What is the reason B looks tired?
The passage clearly states '어제 밤새 게임을 했어요. 그러니까 잠을 잘 못 잤어요.' (I played games all night yesterday. So, I couldn't sleep well.) which directly explains why B is tired.
The passage clearly states '어제 밤새 게임을 했어요. 그러니까 잠을 잘 못 잤어요.' (I played games all night yesterday. So, I couldn't sleep well.) which directly explains why B is tired.
What advice is given?
Read this passage:
날씨가 너무 추워요. 그러니까 따뜻한 옷을 입어야 해요. (The weather is too cold. So, you should wear warm clothes.)
What advice is given?
The sentence '따뜻한 옷을 입어야 해요' (you should wear warm clothes) is a direct consequence of the cold weather.
The sentence '따뜻한 옷을 입어야 해요' (you should wear warm clothes) is a direct consequence of the cold weather.
What does the speaker do to learn Korean?
Read this passage:
저는 한국어를 배우고 싶어요. 그러니까 매일 단어를 외워요. (I want to learn Korean. So, I memorize vocabulary every day.)
What does the speaker do to learn Korean?
The passage states '매일 단어를 외워요' (I memorize vocabulary every day) as a result of wanting to learn Korean.
The passage states '매일 단어를 외워요' (I memorize vocabulary every day) as a result of wanting to learn Korean.
You missed an important deadline at work. Write an email to your boss explaining why, using '그러니까' to connect your reason with the consequence of missing the deadline. Focus on showing a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
팀장님께, 지난주 회의록 작성을 제때 마무리하지 못해 마감일을 지키지 못했습니다. 그러니까, 급하게 다른 보고서 작업을 진행해야 했고, 예상치 못한 업무량 때문에 회의록 작성이 늦어졌습니다. 불편을 드려 죄송합니다. 다음부터는 이런 일이 없도록 시간 관리에 더 신경 쓰겠습니다. 감사합니다, [당신의 이름]
You are trying to convince a friend to go to a concert with you. Write a short message explaining why they should come, using '그러니까' to emphasize a strong reason or consequence of not going.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
야, 이번 주말에 [밴드 이름] 콘서트 가자! 너 그 밴드 엄청 좋아하잖아. 그러니까, 이번 기회 놓치면 진짜 후회할 거야. 표 얼마 안 남았대. 빨리 결정해줘!
Describe a difficult situation you faced and how you overcame it. Use '그러니까' to explain the logical progression from the problem to your solution.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
작년에 프로젝트 발표 준비를 하는데 자료가 부족해서 정말 막막했어요. 그러니까, 밤새도록 관련 논문을 찾아보고 전문가에게 조언을 구했죠. 결국, 부족한 부분을 채워서 성공적으로 발표를 마칠 수 있었습니다.
위 글에서 '그러니까'가 나타내는 의미는 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
이번 달 초에 갑자기 회사 시스템에 큰 오류가 발생했습니다. 모든 데이터가 유실될 뻔한 위기였죠. 그러니까, 우리는 밤낮없이 매달려 데이터를 복구하는 데 성공했고, 결국 큰 피해 없이 상황을 마무리할 수 있었습니다. 이 과정에서 팀원들의 협력이 정말 빛을 발했습니다.
위 글에서 '그러니까'가 나타내는 의미는 무엇인가요?
'그러니까'는 앞선 '데이터 유실될 뻔한 위기'라는 상황에 대한 대응인 '밤낮없이 매달려 데이터를 복구'한 행위와 그 결과인 '큰 피해 없이 마무리'를 연결해주고 있습니다.
'그러니까'는 앞선 '데이터 유실될 뻔한 위기'라는 상황에 대한 대응인 '밤낮없이 매달려 데이터를 복구'한 행위와 그 결과인 '큰 피해 없이 마무리'를 연결해주고 있습니다.
이 글의 필자가 궁극적으로 제안하는 해결책은 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
최근 한 연구에 따르면, 스마트폰 사용 시간이 길어질수록 수면의 질이 저하된다고 합니다. 특히 잠들기 직전까지 스마트폰을 사용하는 습관은 뇌를 각성시켜 쉽게 잠들지 못하게 만듭니다. 그러니까, 숙면을 취하고 싶다면 잠자리에 들기 한두 시간 전부터는 스마트폰 사용을 자제하는 것이 좋습니다.
이 글의 필자가 궁극적으로 제안하는 해결책은 무엇인가요?
'그러니까' 뒤에 오는 내용이 필자가 제시하는 해결책입니다. '숙면을 취하고 싶다면 잠자리에 들기 한두 시간 전부터는 스마트폰 사용을 자제하는 것이 좋습니다.'가 직접적인 제안입니다.
'그러니까' 뒤에 오는 내용이 필자가 제시하는 해결책입니다. '숙면을 취하고 싶다면 잠자리에 들기 한두 시간 전부터는 스마트폰 사용을 자제하는 것이 좋습니다.'가 직접적인 제안입니다.
정부가 긴급 재난 문자를 발송한 주된 이유는 무엇인가요?
Read this passage:
갑작스러운 폭우로 인해 산사태가 발생할 위험이 커졌습니다. 인근 주민들은 안전을 위해 즉시 대피해야 하는 상황입니다. 그러니까, 정부는 긴급 재난 문자를 발송하여 주민들에게 대피를 당부하고 있습니다. 모두의 안전을 위해 안내에 따라 신속하게 움직여주시기 바랍니다.
정부가 긴급 재난 문자를 발송한 주된 이유는 무엇인가요?
'그러니까'는 앞선 문장의 '인근 주민들은 안전을 위해 즉시 대피해야 하는 상황입니다'라는 이유에 대한 정부의 조치인 '긴급 재난 문자를 발송'하는 결과를 연결합니다.
'그러니까'는 앞선 문장의 '인근 주민들은 안전을 위해 즉시 대피해야 하는 상황입니다'라는 이유에 대한 정부의 조치인 '긴급 재난 문자를 발송'하는 결과를 연결합니다.
The meeting was suddenly postponed, so come late.
It's too expensive, so shall we look for something else?
He has a strong sense of responsibility, so you can trust him with it.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of 그러니까
At its most basic, 그러니까 means 'so' or 'that's why'. It connects a previous statement to a consequence or explanation. Think of it as linking cause and effect.
Using 그러니까 for 'Because'
When you want to explain why something is happening, you can use 그러니까. It implies that the previous statement is the reason for the current one.
그러니까 for Confirmation
Sometimes, 그러니까 can be used to confirm understanding or to show agreement, similar to saying 'exactly' or 'that's right' after someone explains something.
Colloquial Usage of 그러니까
In casual conversation, 그러니까 is very common. You'll hear it often as a filler word or to gather your thoughts before stating a conclusion.
相关内容
相关语法
更多food词汇
몇 개
A2How many items?
~정도
A1Suffix meaning "about" or "approximately."
추가
A2Addition, extra (e.g., extra order).
~은/는 후에
A2After ~ing; indicates an action that occurs subsequent to another.
중에서
A2Among, out of (selection).
식욕
A2Appetite.
에피타이저
A2An appetizer.
전채
A2Appetizer.
먹음직스럽다
B2To look appetizing, delicious.
사과
A1apple
