Unit 19: Because (Formal) (-기 때문에)

We learned "Noun + 때문에" in Level 2. But what if you want to use a verb before "because of"? In Easy Korean, we use -기 때문에.

Structure

Verb Stem + -기 때문에

By adding -기, you turn the verb into a noun, and then add 때문에! This is more formal and written than -아/어/여서 or -(으)니까, but it gives a very clear reason.

• 가다 (to go) -> 가기 때문에 (because I go)
• 바쁘다 (to be busy) -> 바쁘기 때문에 (because I am busy)
• 없다 (to not exist) -> 없기 때문에 (because there is none)

You cannot use imperative (commands) or propositive (suggestions) after -기 때문에.

Examples

• 비가 오기 때문에 갈 수 없어요. (Because it is raining, I cannot go.)
• 주말에는 바쁘기 때문에 평일에 만나요. (Because I am busy on the weekend, let's meet on a weekday.)
• 외국인이기 때문에 한국어를 배우고 있어요. (Because I am a foreigner, I am learning Korean. Noun + 이기 때문에)