Because (때문에)
때문에
때문에 expresses a reason or cause, meaning 'because of.'
Pattern
Noun + 때문에 / Verb stem + 기 때문에
Explanation
때문에 means 'because of' and is used to state a reason. When used with a noun directly, it follows the pattern 'Noun + 때문에': '비 때문에 못 갔어요' (I couldn't go because of the rain). This is the simplest usage at Level 1.
When used with a verb or adjective, the pattern becomes 'Verb/Adjective + 기 때문에': '바쁘기 때문에 못 가요' (I can't go because I'm busy). The nominalization suffix -기 turns the verb into a noun form before attaching 때문에.
The noun + 때문에 pattern is more commonly used in conversational Korean, while the -기 때문에 form sounds slightly more formal or explanatory. Both are important to learn. For very casual speech, Koreans often use -아/어서 (covered separately) instead of 때문에.
Examples
비 때문에 못 갔어요.
Bi ttaemune mot gasseoyo.
I couldn't go because of the rain.
시험 때문에 바빠요.
Siheom ttaemune bappayo.
I'm busy because of the exam.
감기 때문에 학교에 못 갔어요.
Gamgi ttaemune hakgyo-e mot gasseoyo.
I couldn't go to school because of a cold.
일 때문에 늦었어요.
Il ttaemune neujeosseoyo.
I was late because of work.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
비가 때문에 못 갔어요.
Correct
비 때문에 못 갔어요.
When using Noun + 때문에, do not add particles like 이/가 before 때문에.
Wrong
바쁘 때문에 못 가요.
Correct
바쁘기 때문에 못 가요.
With verbs and adjectives, you must add -기 before 때문에 to nominalize the verb.
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