Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-(으)니까
because, since (reason); when (I did …, I found)
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
1) Gives a reason, often the speaker's own judgment, and can be followed by commands, suggestions and 'let's'. 2) With an action verb + past result: 'when I did A, I found B'.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가니까 |
| 먹다 | → 먹으니까 |
| 덥다 | → 더우니까 |
| 학생 | → 학생이니까 |
Avoid it with thanks, apologies and greetings: ✗ 늦으니까 죄송해요 → 늦어서 죄송해요. -았/었- can go before it for a reason (비가 왔으니까).
Examples
비가 오니까 우산을 가져가세요.
It's raining, so take an umbrella.
집에 도착하니까 밤 열한 시였어요.
When I got home, it was 11 p.m.
Compared with similar patterns
-아/어서 cannot be followed by commands or suggestions and never takes -았/었-; -기 때문에 is more formal and objective and is also not used before commands.