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Easy Korean - Level 6, Unit 25: Because of doing... (-느라고)

We have learned several ways to say "because" in Korean (e.g., -아/어서, -기 때문에, -(으)니까).

In this unit, we will learn -느라고 (-neu-ra-go). This grammar point means "because of doing [Action 1], [Result 2] happened." However, it is ONLY used when Result 2 is negative or undesirable.

When to use -느라고

  1. Excuse / Negative Consequence: You use it to make an excuse for why you couldn't do something, or why something bad happened.
    • I was so busy [Action 1] that I couldn't sleep [Result 2].
  2. Same Subject: The subject of the first clause and the second clause must be the same person.
  3. Action Verbs Only: You cannot use this with adjectives.

How to Conjugate

Just attach -느라고 directly to the verb stem (no matter if it ends in a vowel or consonant).

  • 가다 -> 가느라고 (because of going)
  • 먹다 -> 먹느라고 (because of eating)
  • 일하다 -> 일하느라고 (because of working)
  • 놀다 (ㄹ drops!) -> 노느라고 (because of playing)

Tense

You never put past tense or future tense before -느라고. The tense of the whole sentence is shown by the final verb.

  • 어제 숙제를 하느라고 못 잤어요. (Because I was doing homework yesterday, I couldn't sleep. -> DO NOT say 했느라고).

Example Sentences

  1. 요즘 시험 공부를 하느라고 너무 바빠요. (Because of studying for the test these days, I am too busy.)
  2. 게임을 하느라고 전화를 못 받았어요. (I couldn't answer the phone because I was playing a game.)
  3. 아침에 밥을 먹느라고 지각했어요. (I was late because I was eating breakfast in the morning.)
  4. 친구하고 노느라고 숙제를 못 했어요. (I couldn't do my homework because I was hanging out with my friend.)