Cause & Effect in Korean || How to Use -아/어서 (Quick Lesson)

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Home A2 Cause and effect sentences in Korean

KOREAN CAUSE & EFFECT

The structure -아/어서 links two clauses, where one explains a reason or cause, and the other describes the result or effect.

It is similar to “because” or “so” in English (e.g., “I was tired, so I went to bed”).

BASIC STRUCTURE

Use -아/어서 to connect two clauses where the first explains the reason or cause, and the second states the result or effect. This is the most common and straightforward use of -아/어서.

PATTERN

Verb/Adjective Stem + -아/어서 + Result Clause

밥을 많이 먹어서 배가 불러요.	I ate a lot, so I am full.
길이 막혀서 늦었어요.	The road was congested, so I was late.
시험을 잘 봐서 기분이 좋아요.	I did well on the test, so I feel good.

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비가 와서 우산을 썼어요.	It rained, so I used an umbrella.
아이가 울어서 달래주었어요.	The child cried, so I comforted them.
피곤해서 집에서 쉬었어요.	I was tired, so I rested at home.

NEGATIVE VERSION

To describe situations where either the cause or the effect is negative, use -아/어서 with negation markers.

This adds depth to your expressions and allows for a wider range of conversational use.

PATTERN

Negative Statement + -아/어서 + Result Clause

돈이 없어서 여행을 가지 못했어요.	I didn’t have money, so I couldn’t travel.
시간이 없어서 숙제를 못 했어요.	I didn’t have time, so I couldn’t do my homework.
몸이 아파서 출근하지 않았어요.	I was sick, so I didn’t go to work.

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차가 고장 나서 친구를 만나지 못했어요.	My car broke down, so I couldn’t meet my friend.
날씨가 나빠서 등산을 가지 않았어요.	The weather was bad, so I didn’t go hiking.
버스를 놓쳐서 수업에 늦었어요	I missed the bus, so I was late to class.