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Unit 10: Because Of (-는 바람에)

To express "because of" for an unexpected, sudden event that causes a negative result, you use -는 바람에 in Easy Korean.

Structure

Action Verb Stem + -는 바람에

Even if the event happened in the past, you ALWAYS attach -는 바람에 to the present stem! The final clause will be in the past tense. - 비가 오다 -> 비가 오는 바람에 (Because it suddenly rained...) - 늦잠을 자다 -> 늦잠을 자는 바람에 (Because I unexpectedly overslept...)

Important Rules

  1. Can ONLY be used with Action Verbs (not adjectives).
  2. Can ONLY be used for unexpected events.
  3. Can ONLY be used when the result is negative or unintended.
  4. The final clause must be in the past tense or describing a state that was caused.

Examples

  • 아침에 늦잠을 자는 바람에 지각했어요. (Because I overslept in the morning, I was late.)
  • 갑자기 비가 오는 바람에 옷이 다 젖었어요. (Because it rained suddenly, my clothes got all wet.)
  • 휴대폰을 떨어뜨리는 바람에 고장이 났어요. (Because I dropped my phone, it broke.)