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Unit 24: Because Of (Action) (-느라고)

We know a lot of "because" words! But what if you couldn't do something because you were busy doing another action? In Easy Korean, we use -느라고.

Structure

Action Verb Stem + -느라고

  • 공부하다 -> 공부하느라고 (Because I was studying...)
  • 일하다 -> 일하느라고 (Because I was working...)

Rules

  1. Can ONLY be used with Action Verbs. (No adjectives!)
  2. The subject of the first and second clause MUST be the same person.
  3. The result is almost always negative, delayed, or an excuse ("I couldn't go, I was tired, I was late").
  4. Do NOT use past tense before -느라고. The tense is marked at the end of the sentence.

Examples

  • 어제 늦게까지 일하느라고 못 잤어요. (Because I was working late yesterday, I couldn't sleep.)
  • 아침을 먹느라고 버스를 놓쳤어요. (Because I was eating breakfast, I missed the bus.)
  • 요즘 시험 준비하느라고 바빠요. (Because I am preparing for exams these days, I am busy.)