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Unit 17: Because Of (Blame) (-(으)ㄴ/는 탓에)

In Level 7, we learned -는 바람에 for unexpected negative results. -(으)ㄴ/는 탓에 is another way to say "because of," but it is explicitly used to blame the preceding clause for a negative result.

Structure

  • Nouns: Noun + 탓에 (비 탓에 - because of the rain)
  • Adjectives: -(으)ㄴ 탓에 (추운 탓에 - because it's cold)
  • Verbs (Present): -는 탓에 (비가 오는 탓에 - because it's raining)
  • Verbs (Past): -(으)ㄴ 탓에 (비가 온 탓에 - because it rained)

Examples

  • 어제 술을 너무 많이 마신 탓에 머리가 아파요. (Because I drank too much alcohol yesterday, my head hurts. [Blaming the alcohol!])
  • 날씨가 추운 탓에 감기에 걸렸어요. (I caught a cold due to the cold weather.)
  • 스트레스 탓에 잠을 못 자요. (I can't sleep because of stress.)