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Easy Korean Level 4 - Unit 22: Because, Since / -(으)니까

In Level 2, we learned -아/어/여서 (because, so). In this lesson, we will learn another very common way to say "because" or "since": -(으)니까.

So, what is the difference between -아/어/여서 and -(으)니까?

Key Differences

1. Endings: - -아/어/여서 CANNOT be used with imperative (commands like "Do this") or propositive (suggestions like "Let's...") endings. - -(으)니까 CAN be used with commands and suggestions! - ❌ 비가 와서 우산을 쓰세요. (Incorrect) - ⭕ 비가 오니까 우산을 쓰세요. (Since it's raining, please use an umbrella.) - ⭕ 늦었으니까 빨리 가요! (Since we're late, let's go quickly!)

2. Tense Markers: - -아/어/여서 CANNOT be attached to past/future tense markers. - -(으)니까 CAN be attached to past/future tense markers! - ❌ 어제 아팠어서 병원에 갔어요. (Incorrect) - ⭕ 어제 아팠으니까 병원에 갔어요. (Since I was sick yesterday, I went to the hospital.) / 어제 아파서 병원에 갔어요 (Also correct, no past marker before -서).

Conjugation Rules

  • Verb stems ending in a vowel: Add -니까 (가다 -> 가니까)
  • Verb stems ending in a consonant: Add -으니까 (먹다 -> 먹으니까)
  • Verb stems ending in ㄹ: Drop ㄹ, add -니까 (알다 -> 아니까)

Examples

  1. 시간이 없다 (to have no time)
  2. 지금 시간이 없으니까 내일 만나요.

  3. Since we don't have time now, let's meet tomorrow.

  4. 춥다 (to be cold - ㅂ irregular)

  5. 날씨가 추우니까 따뜻하게 입으세요.

  6. Because the weather is cold, please dress warmly.

  7. 맛있다 (to be delicious - Past tense)

  8. 그 식당은 진짜 맛있었으니까 다음에 또 가요!
  9. Since that restaurant was really delicious, let's go again next time!